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A chinese astronaut is known as what? | Space Today Online - Chinese astronauts called yuhangyuans fly in Shenzhou capsules
2003 solo flight and 2005 flight of two were successful...
Three Chinese Astronauts Orbited in 2008
Two of the Astronauts Walked in Space
Plans for Space Station in 2010 and Landing a Man on the Moon in 2017
Chinese artist concept of a
Shenzhou in orbit above Earth
The Peoples Republic of China, the world's most populous nation, sent three men to space in one ship on September 25, 2008.
In space, two of the astronauts, known as taikonauts or yuhangyuans, exited the Shenzhou 7 capsule briefly on September 27 for China's first-ever spacewalks.
China's human transport spacecraft are called Shenzhou, which means Divine Vessel in Chinese.
Transport capsules identified as Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 10 are under development for launch in 2009-2010. The Asian nation hopes to launch the three Shenzhou capsules to form a space station.
Shenzhou 8 and 9 would ferry equipment for a space station to be erected in Earth orbit, according to Chinese newspaper reports in 2005. That would be China's first space station. It would be composed of the Shenzhou 8 and 9 capsules joined together in orbit.
Shenzhou 10, then, would ferry people up to live and work in the space station. Shenzhou 10 would dock at the space station. All three spacecraft – Shenzhou 8, 9 and 10 – would be launched within the same month.
Later, China would send astronauts to land on the Moon in 2017. That would be three years ahead of NASA's planned landing of astronauts on the Moon in 2020.
The flights: Shenzhou 1-4 » Shenzhou 5 » Shenzhou 6 » Shenzhou 7 »
Long Range Plan
The one-man flight in 2003 and the two-person flight in 2005 were early landmarks in the Asian nation's long-range plan. China then launched in 2007 an unmanned two-ton satellite called Chang'e to orbit the Moon for a year and record 3D images of the lunar surface. In 2008, two Chinese astronauts performed spacewalks during the Shenzhou 7 three-person flight.
Next, China wants to:
in 2009-2010, build a space station in orbit.
in 2010-2011, land an unmanned probe on the Moon.
by 2013, launch a rocket with triple the lifting power of the nation's largest. It would be able to carry a payload of 27 tons to space, three times today's nine tons.
in 2015-2016, land another unmanned probe on the Moon to collect soil samples and return them to Earth in preparation for a human moon base.
in 2017, land a man on the Moon.
Chinese astronauts on the Moon in 2017 could set up an astronomical telescope and measure the abundance of helium-3, which could be used back on Earth as a non-polluting fuel source.
China's third piloted space flight
China sent three men to space in one Shenzhou capsule on September 25, 2008.
In space, two of the astronauts went outside the Shenzhou 7 capsule briefly on September 27 for China's first-ever spacewalks.
The astronauts. The mission commander was Zhai Zhigang. He made the first spacewalk. Astronaut Liu Boming floated outside briefly. He gave Zhai a Chinese flag that he had waved at a camera. Jing Haipeng, the third crew member, watched over the spacecraft from inside the re-entry module.
The spacewalk was carried live on state television CCTV.
While outside, Zhai was tethered to handles attached to the orbital module's exterior. He remained outside for 13 minutes, then climbed back inside and closed the hatch.
Five years later. The Shenzhou 7 flight came five years after China had launched its first piloted space mission, Shenzhou 5, back in 2003.
At that time, China had become the third country after the United States and Russia to launch a person into space. A Chinese official was reported to have said Russian technicians assisted with the Shenzhou 7 spacewalk.
Chinese food. Chinese food available to the astronauts in space included kung pao chicken, shrimp and dried fruit, according to the official Xinhua News Agency said.
The Shenzhou 7 capsule, composed of three modules, flew in a circular orbit 213 miles above Earth.
A sub-satellite. Two hours after Zhai returned inside the Shenzhou capsule, a small 88-lb. satellite was released to circle independently around the orbiter and send back images to mission control on the ground in China.
The small satellite was equipped with two cameras that could capture images at distances of four meters to two kilometers (km) from Shenzhou 7.
The satellite observed and assisted the main capsule with communication, scientific experimentation, and Earth and astronomy observation.
It provided Chinese ground controllers a chance to observe and control two objects in relative motion in space in preparation for orbiter dockings in future flights. China will need orbiter docking techniques for its next manned spaceship Shenzhou-8, which will be a step toward the building of a permanent space laboratory.
The Shenzhou 7 capsule itself was to return to land on the Inner Mongolian steppe on September 28.
China's second piloted space flight
China sent its second manned spacecraft, called Shenzhou 6, to Earth orbit on October 12, 2005.
The Shenzhou 6 capsule carried two men – Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng – on a five-day flight 210 miles above Earth.
Shenzhou 6 blasted off at 9 a.m. local time (0100 UTC) . Some 115.5 hours later, the pilots landed by parachute on October 17 in China's northern grasslands at Siziwangqi, Inner Mongolia.
Second anniversary. It was almost exactly two years after China's first manned flight on October 15, 2003.
China already is the third nation able to send a man into space after that October 2003 launch of Yang Liwei aboard Shenzhou 5. He orbited Earth 14 times and landed by parachute in the northern grasslands at Siziwangqi.
Today, Yang is a celebrity helping train the former fighter pilots for Shenzhou 6. Fei and Nie now also are celebrities.
Click to enlarge Xinhua photo of Long March lofting Shenzhou 6
Live TV. The Chinese government was so confident of success before the Shenzhou 6 launch that it telecast the rocket lift-off live. Fei and Nie were seen inside as their Shenzhou capsule raced upward toward orbit, which it reached 23 minutes after launch.
Fei was heard to say he was "feeling pretty good."
The relative importance of the spaceflight to the nation was revealed when the nation's leaders tuned in. Chinese President Hu Jintao was seen on TV watching the launch from the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center. Later, on October 15, he talked with the orbiting astronauts by radio from the Beijing center.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert in the northwestern province of Gansu. Yang Liwei also was at the launch site.
Record setting. Shenzhou 6 traveled around Earth at about 17,528 mph at an altitude of 210 miles. The craft flew two million miles in 115 hours 32 minutes in space.
Nie and Fei easily set a new Chinese space endurance record on October 13 when they passed the 21.5 hours of time Yang Liwei had spent in orbit.
Chinese government video screen capture photo of astronauts Fei and Nie in Shenzhou 6
Click to enlarge:
image 2
Science. While orbiting, Fei and Nie looked down at Earth's atmosphere and the vegetation on land surfaces. They also looked at the oceans for pollution. The information they collected about land, sea and air was of use to scientists on the ground.
Landing. After five days in space, Fei and Nie returned to Earth in the re-entry capsule portion of Shenzhou 6, leaving the orbital capsule behind in space.
Back safely on the ground, they ate noodles and chocolate, drank tea, and then flew off to Beijing where they received heroes' welcomes.
Who could have flown? Fourteen male military pilots were trained for the Shenzhou 6 mission. They were divided into seven pairs. Their number was reduced when three pairs were selected from the pool in December 2004. Chinese space officials picked the final pair shortly before the flight.
Two men had been strong candidates along with Yang for the Shenzhou 5 flight – Zhai Zhigang and Nie Haisheng. Before the flight, they were said to be among the strongest candidates for the Shenzhou 6 flight. In the end, however, Fei Junlong made the flight with Nie Haisheng.
China's first piloted space flight
The Peoples Republic of China launched a piloted spacecraft to Earth orbit on October 15, 2003. Inside the Shenzhou 5 capsule was Yang Liwei, 38, a lieutenant colonel in the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
The spacecraft was atop a Long March 2F rocket blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwestern province of Gansu at about 9 a.m. local time. The flight made China the third nation able to send a man to space, following a trail blazed by Russia and the United States.
Flags, food, phone calls. Comfortably piloting his capsule through space, Yang unfurled a small version of China's five-star national flag as well as a small United Nations flag to underscore his country's interest in peaceful exploitation of space.
About eleven hours into his flight, Yang spoke with his wife and eight-year-old son by radio, saying he felt "very good" and that the view 200 miles above Earth "looks extremely splendid around here."
Yang ate two space meals and took a three-hour nap. Typical Chinese dishes packed in his capsule included spicy-and-sour shredded pork and sliced chicken, and traditional desserts like Eight Treasure Rice. He drank Chinese herbal tea.
Future Chinese space pilots will have at hand some 20 Chinese dishes plus rice. For instance, they might eat the shredded pork with garlic sauce and drink green tea. The Shenzhou galley will offer canned fish and meat, dehydrated rice, curry rice, seafood such as prawns, and stir-fried chicken.
Yang Liwei entering, flying, and exiting Shenzhou 5
click individual image to enlarge credit: xinhua news agency
Safe landing. Some 21 hours after launch, when the Shenzhou capsule had carried Yang around Earth 14 times, the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center sent a radio command ordering the capsule's re-entry module to separate from the orbital module and then ignite retro rockets to slow down.
That caused the module with Yang inside to re-enter the atmosphere where it floated down under a parachute. It landed on the grasslands of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of north China at 6:23 a.m. October 16.
Shenzhou 5 touched down within three miles of the landing target. The flight had lasted 21 hours 23 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Shenzhou orbital module remained in space for six months to carry out automated research.
Prepared for the worst. Yang had been equipped in advance for an off-target landing. Shenzhou designer Qi Faren was quoted by a government newspaper before the flight as saying, "The craft may land in the ocean or in the forests in a hostile environment.
"For the safety of astronauts, they will take a lot of things with them like a pistol, knife and other rescue equipment including a tent and liferaft so they will be able to deal with wild beasts, sharks and other dangerous animals or enemies."
Long March lofts Shenzhou 5
First choice. Yang was selected from 14 People's Liberation Army (PLA) air force jet fighter pilots who had been in training for the mission for years.
Traveling almost 400,000 miles during his flight, Yang was the 241st human to go to space.
The 5 foot 6 inch Yang is the son of a teacher's family in Suizhong County in Liaoning Province of northeast China. Zhang Yumei, Yang's wife, is employed at China Space City outside Beijing.
National hero. After landing, Yang left the re-entry module in good condition. Looking only slightly pale after his extraordinary experience, he waved to hundreds of cheering, dancing people who had gathered to welcome him back.
"It is a splendid moment in the history of my motherland and also the greatest day of my life," Yang said, according to Xinhua News Agency. [Xinhua]
As people across China saw highlights of the flight and landing on television, Yang immediately became a hero of the nation. A space official in Beijing told Xinhua that Yang "is both a space hero and a national hero of China."
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao proclaimed China's first mannned spaceflight a "complete success."
In the museum. Today, Yang's spacesuit, samples of the special food he ate, and the Shenzhou 5 landing parachute and landing capsule are displayed for the public in China's International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition Centre at Zhuhai.
Shenzhou Test Flights
A Shenzhou launch
Preparing to ferry Chinese yuhangyuans up to orbit, China launched a series of four unmanned Shenzhou capsules on new Long March 2F (CZ-2F) rockets from the Jiuquan spaceport from 1999-2002. The last three Shenzhou test flights stayed in space for about seven days. The test flights went so well the first manned flight was able to blast off in October 2003.
Shenzhou 1 on November 19, 1999, made 14 orbits around Earth carrying a dummy yuhangyuan, experimental seeds, commemorative stamps, national flags, and a banner with signatures of participating engineers and scientists. The descent module landed on November 20 in Inner Mongolia.
Shenzhou 2 on January 9, 2001, completed 107 orbits around Earth carrying a monkey, a dog, a rabbit, some snails, gamma ray burst detectors, and 64 scientific payloads. The craft maneuvered in orbit three times, and came down after seven days, landing on January 16 in Inner Mongolia.
Shenzhou 3 on March 25, 2002, made 107 orbits around Earth carrying a dummy yuhangyuan, maneuvered in orbit, , and came down after seven days, landing on April 1 in Inner Mongolia. Life science experiments on the flight included a box of eggs of black-bone chicken from the Taihe County of Jiangxi Province, tightly packed two days after being laid. The eggs, of top quality breed free of industrial pollution, were hatched after their return to Earth. Black-bone chicken is a traditional breed of high economic value in China. The experiment aimed to studied the influence of the space environment on embryo growth, inheritance and breed selection.
Shenzhou 4 on December 29, 2002, completed 108 revolutions around Earth carrying a dummy yuhangyuan and 52 science payloads, and came down after seven days, landing on Jan. 5 in Inner Mongolia. The official Xinhua News Agency said Shenzhou 4 housed all of the facilities necessary to accommodate three people in manned flight.
The program is an important prestige project for the communist government, which touts the flights as proof of the communist system's technical prowess. The government uses the flights to gather respect abroad and popular support at home. Back in the 1960s, the U.S.-Soviet space race had the same effect for those nations.
Yuhangyuans
While men and women who fly in American spacecraft are known as astronauts, and those who fly in Russian spacecraft are cosmonauts, those who fly in Chinese spacecraft are known as yuhangyuans or sometimes taikonauts.
The word yuhangyuan is Chinese for space navigator. It is the name used by official media when reporting on the nation's astronauts. The word taikonaut is derived from taikong, the Chinese word for space. The term is believed to have been used first by a Singapore website.
The Beijing Youth Daily newspaper reported in 2005 that China plans to recruit more men and women for future flights since all 14 of the nation's male military-pilot yuhangyuans are more than 30 years old.
After the Shenzhou 6 flight, Tang Xianming, director of the China Space Engineering Office, said the nation wants to add female astronauts.
He also said they want to move beyond merely developing spaceflight vehicles to spacewalks and rendezvous and docking with multiple spacecraft.
Training in Russia
China's activity for more than a decade had suggested the Asian nation was developing a manned spaceflight capability, but the government had not confirmed it. Two Chinese yuhangyuan trainers were sent to Russia's cosmonaut training school just outside Moscow to learn how to pilot a space ship. They completed training in 1997 and returned to China without becoming part of a crew to the Russian space station Mir. The government controlled Yangcheng Evening News reported the two who trained in Russia were training others for space flights.
SARS. The Communist Party newspaper, People's Daily, had announced in May 2003 that the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in China would not be allowed to delay the nation's first piloted space flight.
The newspaper said space officials had taken preventive measures so SARS would not affect the launch of Shenzhou 5. At the time, the nation's Health Ministry was reporting that SARS had killed 230 and infected 5,000 persons across China.
The Shenzhou Transport Capsule
China's human transport spacecraft are called Shenzhou, which in Chinese means either Divine Vessel, Sacred Vessel, Magic Vessel, Vessel of the Gods, Divine Craft or Divine Mechanism.
Shenzhou also is a play on a literary name for China – Divine Land – with the same pronunciation.
The spacecraft were named by former Chinese President Jiang Zemin.
The National Manned Space Program has been referred to by the Chinese as Project 921 .
Including its orbital, re-entry and propulsion modules, Shenzhou 5 was about 30 feet long and weighed about 17,000 lbs. or 8.5 tons. The shape of Shenzhou 6 is just like Shenzhou 5.
However, the state-run China News Service reported more than 100 technology changes so the yuhangyuans aboard Shenzhou 6 can carry out more elaborate science experiments.
In space, the yuhangyuans will take off their 22 lb. space suits. They will be able to move around between the orbiter capsule and the re-entry capsule as they conduct their science experiments.
The yuhangyuans will wash, rest in sleeping bags and heat their food.
Copy of a copy of a copy. The dome-shaped Shenzhou design looks much like a Russian Soyuz capsule, which originally was designed in the early 1960s. Even then, that early Soyuz design in 1962 was said to be similar to the General Electric Company's proposal for America's Apollo capsule. Russia uses the Soyuz capsule to carry cosmonauts and astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
A complete Shenzhou spacecraft includes a forward orbital module, a re-entry capsule, and an aft service module. The orbital module has a hatch where yuhangyuans can exit for a spacewalk (EVA).
Shenzhou is a bit larger that a Soyuz, which can seat up to three persons. China may intend, eventually, to fly four yuhangyuans in Shenzhou capsules.
Shenzhou capsules have flown at altitudes ranging from 122 to 207 miles (196-334 km).
The capsules are built by the state-run China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. They are precursors for an eventual Chinese space station. At the end of future flights, the orbital modules could remain in space as additional elements of a space station.
Crop seeds from Taiwan also were flown aboard Shenzhou 5.
Chief designer. Shenzhou's chief designer was Qi Faren, who had been one of the designers of China's first satellite and who had been appointed the general designer of Chinese spacecraft in 1992.
Cost billions. China said after Yang's flight that it had spent US$2.17 billion (18 billion yuan) on the man-in-space program over eleven years from its start in 1992.
Each of the first four test flights of unmanned Shenzhou capsules prior to Shenzhou 5 cost less than US$120 million (one billion yuan), China reported.
Desert Launch Site
Chinese spaceports
Shenzhou spacecraft are blasted off from the isolated Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest Gansu province in the Gobi Desert a thousand miles west of the capital city of Beijing.
In ancient times, Jiuquan was an oasis on the Silk Road.
In modern times, Jiuquan became China's first launch site, built in the Gobi desert north of Jiuquan City in the 1960s. Back then, it was limited to southeastern launches into 57-70 degree orbits to avoid overflying Russia and Mongolia. Western nations had called the site Shuang Cheng Tzu.
Many Long March space rockets and atmospheric sounding rockets have been fired from Jiuquan. The base is used for recoverable Earth observation and microgravity missions. However, due to the site's remote geographical location, most Chinese commercial spaceflights take off from other spaceports. Manned flights take off from Jiuquan.
Launches and landings from Jiuquan occur during northern hemisphere autumn and winter months (southern hemisphere spring and summer) because the seas are calmer then for the Yuanwang tracking ships stationed on oceans around the world. Sea conditions are poor during the southern hemisphere autumn and winter months.
Mission control center. In preparation for piloted flights, the Chinese built a new mission control center 30 miles northwest of the capital city of Beijing as well as a large vehicle assembly building at the Jiuquan spaceport in the Gobi Desert.
The mission control center is known as Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Centre. Engineering labs for assembling and testing the manned capsules have been built at sites around Beijing. After assembly, spacecraft and rockets travel by train west to Jiuquan in the northwestern Gansu Province.
Xi'an Satellite Monitoring Center in the central Chinese province of Shaanxi is in charge of a re-entry module's recovery. Landings are on the vast Inner Mongolian plain where winter temperatures can reach below minus 22 degrees Farenheit (-30 degrees Celsius).
Tracking Shenzhou
Chinese space tracking ship
There are four ocean vessels in the spacecraft tracking fleet, named Yuanwang 1, 2, 3 and 4. Yuanwang means "Long View." The Chinese refer to the fleet as "maritime aerospace survey vessels" carrying "transoceanic aerospace observation and control technology."
They are large ships with arrays of receiving and transmitting antennas and satellite tracking dishes. Each ship weighs 21,000 tons when fully loaded.
Newest of the space tracking ships, Yuanwang 4, was the former scientific survey ship Xiang Yang Hong refurbished by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation for the China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control General.
All of the ships were overhauled at the end of the 1990s in preparation for piloted flight operations. They then tracked the unmanned flights of the Shenzhou capsules between November 1999 and January 2003.
Chinese government-controlled television and the official Xinhua News Agency reported the ships were been assigned to the western Pacific Ocean, southern Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean west of Australia, and southern Atlantic Ocean to track and control the Shenzhou spacecraft. That was a pattern similar to Russian deployment before piloted flights.
Their recent trips to track the unmanned Shenzhou flights were the first time four Chinese space tracking ships had sailed simultaneously and the first time the tracking fleet had operated outside the Pacific Ocean.
Namibia tracking station. In addition, a tracking, telemetry and command station has been constructed at the South Atlantic coastal town of Swakopmund in central Namibia in east Africa. The station has an administration building and two antennas.
China's Xi'an Satellite Control Centre in the central Chinese province of Shaanxi operates the Swakopmund ground station. Other tracking stations are in Pakistan and at the Jiuquan spaceport.
Landing sequence. When the time comes to land, a Shenzhou capsule begins the re-entry phase of its flight over Namibia on its way down to a landing site in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
First, the Swakopmund ground control station transmits an order for a spacecraft to fire its retro rockets.
Then, the Shenzhou capsule flies over Africa, the Arabian peninsula coast line, and Pakistan, before beginning to descend over Tibet.
Eventually, its drogue parachute would deploy at an altitude of around 20 miles followed by a main chute.
The heat shield would be jettisoned and then rockets to soften the landing would fire about five feet off the ground as the capsule lands in Inner Mongolia.
China in Space
Back in 1970, China became the fifth nation in the world to launch an artificial moon to orbit above Earth. That satellite, Mao-1, rode atop a Long March-1 rocket from Jiuquan.
[more about Chinese satellites]
China has successfully launched dozens of its Long March booster rockets.
The new Long March rocket used to launch Shenzhou capsules is comparable to the United States' powerful Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle ( EELV ), which are Delta-4 and Atlas-5 rockets.
Long March rockets have been used for years to ferry to Earth orbit satellites built by the People's Republic of China and other countries. Chinese officials had hoped to launch a manned craft in time for the October 1999 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic. That goal was not met. However, the National Day parade on October 1 displayed models of rockets, including a Chinese version of a U.S. space shuttle.
Only the United States and Russia launched manned space missions in the 20th century. They launched capsules carrying one, two and three astronauts throughout the 1960s and later. Their multi-person flight crews included astronauts and cosmonauts from numerous countries.
In the beginning, the USSR sent Yuri Gagarin in Vostok 1 to orbit on April 12, 1961. Just 23 days later, Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space. Shepard traveled less than one orbit nine months before John Glenn carried the U.S. flag for three orbits on Feb. 20, 1962.
Project Apollo dropped the first Americans on the lunar surface back in 1969. A dozen astronauts visited the lunar surface between 1969 and 1972. No other nation has sent men to the Moon. NASA said in 2005 it plans to return astronauts to the Moon by 2018.
In the 21st century, Shenzhou is part of a larger Chinese program to build and occupy an independent space station and to land yuhangyuans on the Moon. China is not part of the current 16-nation International Space Station consortium led by NASA.
Project 921
The manned-flight launch pads, rockets, capsules and yuhangyuans have been labeled Project 921.
So far, China has used Long March 2F rockets to launch the Shenzhou capsules. That version of a Long March can loft 10 metric tons to orbit. In a few years, China is expected to have a bigger rocket that will be able to lift 70 metric tons of payload to Earth orbit. That would be sufficient capacity to put a space station into orbit or take human beings to the Moon.
Docking in space. After the first manned flight, a later Shenzhou flight of two spacecraft could demonstrate docking in space. That level of development would be compared with U.S. one-person Mercury capsules flown from 1961-63 and two-person Gemini capsules flown in 1965-66. The Soviet Union flew cosmonauts on similar flights starting in 1961.
China purchased a Kurs docking system from Russia. That hardware would allow two spacecraft to come together in space, suggesting an orbital docking by two ships is planned. Such a docking could involve two Shenzhou capsules, or a capsule and a space station.
Failure. China has suffered space-related disasters. For instance, an unmanned Long March 3B rocket veered off course seconds after liftoff in February 1996. It crashed in the nearby town of Xichang. Photographs showed large-scale devastation and officials announced that six people had died.
Learn More About China in Space
Shenzhou 7 with Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng:
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What was the name of the 1927 film that was directed by Fritz Lang and featured a robot called Maria that inspired George Lucas to create the character C-3PO? | China Launches 1st Female Astronaut and 2 Men to Space Lab
China Launches 1st Female Astronaut and 2 Men to Space Lab
Mike Wall
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China's Shenzhou 9 spacecraft launches into space atop a Long March 2F rocket on June 16, 2012 carrying the country's first female astronaut.
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This story was updated at 9:29 a.m. ET.
China launched three astronauts into space Saturday (June 16), kicking off an ambitous test mission that marks the country's first attempt to dock a manned spaceship in orbit and its first flight of a female astronaut.
The Chinese astronauts rode into orbit aboard the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft , which lifted off atop a Long March 2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China's northern Gansu province at 6:37 p.m. local time (6:37 a.m. EDT; 1037 GMT).
If all goes according to plan, Shenzhou 9 will soon link up with the unmanned Tiangong 1 space lab , and China will become the third nation — after the United States and Russia — to perform a manned docking in Earth orbit.
The mission is considered a key step in China's ambitious space plans , which include the construction of a permanently staffed space station by 2020 and a manned moon landing sometime after that.
"The launch of the Shenzhou 9 is a highly influential event that marks an important milestone for the development of China's space technology," Cui Jijun, director of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, said Wednesday (June 13), according to the nation's state-run Xinhua news agency. [ Liftoff! Launch Photos for China's Shenzhou 9 Mission ]
Historic mission
Once Shenzhou 9 reached orbit, cheers rang out at China's launch control center and Chang Wanquan, China's manned spaceflight program chief, declared the liftoff a success.
China's president Hu Jintao commended the launch in a letter from Denmark, where he is currently paying a state visit to Copenhagen.
"I feel very glad to hear the success of launching the Shenzhou 9 manned spacecraft," Hu said in the letter, which was read by China state councilor Liu Yandong at the Jiuquan launch center shortly after liftoff.
The three taikonauts, as Chinese astronauts are known, include Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang and Liu Yang. The astronauts, clad in spacesuits, offered a salute as their rocket launched into space, then waved to cameras after reaching orbit.
Jing is China's first taikonaut to launch to space twice. He also flew on the Shenzhou 7 mission in 2008, which featured the country's first spacewalk. Liu Wang is a senior colonel in the People's Liberation Army making his first spaceflight.
Like her two male colleagues, Liu Yang, 33, is a former pilot with the People's Liberation Army and a member of the Communist Party of China.
Liu Yang is China's first female astronaut , and she blasted off on a historically appropriate anniversary. Forty-nine years ago today, on June 16, 1963, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space ; she ended up orbiting Earth nearly 50 times during her three-day mission.
The United States didn't launch a female astronaut until 1983, when Sally Ride flew on the space shuttle Challenger's STS-7 mission.
The Shenzhou 9 crew will remain in space for 13 days, Chinese space officials have said. During this time, they'll perform at least two separate dockings with Tiangong 1, a prototype space module that launched last September. The first docking will be automated, but then the two vehicles will separate to give the taikonauts a chance to drive.
"Then the astronauts will control the spaceship autonomously and realize manual rendezvous and docking with the target vehicle and form the complex again," said Wu Ping, spokeswoman for China's Manned Space Engineering Office, which oversees China's human spaceflight program.
The crewmembers will also "conduct scientific experiments, technological experiments, exercise and rest in Tiangong 1 target vehicle" during the mission, she added.
While Shenzhou 9's flight is China's first attempt at a crewed space docking, the nation has successfully linked up two robotic spacecraft in orbit. In November, the unmanned Shenzhou 8 craft docked twice with Tiangong 1 before returning safely to Earth.
The various Shenzhou docking missions are seen as important steps along the path to building a permanent space station in orbit. China hopes to have a 60-ton station up and running by 2020. (For comparison, the $100 billion International Space Station weighs about 430 tons.)
China's big space plans
The space-station effort is part of China's bold human spaceflight plans. It's just the third country, after Russia and the United States, to develop spacecraft capable of flying humans to space and back. Before today, China had launched three manned space missions, one each in 2003, 2005 and 2008.
And China's space ambitions don't end in Earth orbit. The country also hopes to land a taikonaut on the moon sometime after its space station becomes operational, officials have said.
China is also ramping up its unmanned space activities and capabilities.
In December, for example, the country joined the United States and Russia as the only nations with operational homegrown satellite navigation systems. China's Beidou system is somewhat rudimentary at the moment, consisting of just 13 satellites and providing incomplete coverage.
However, China envisions a global system with more than 30 satellites by 2020. The country hopes Beidou's emergence will make it far less dependent on the GPS constellation, which is operated by the United States military and is currently the world's dominant satellite navigation network.
Follow SPACE.com senior writer Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall or SPACE.com @Spacedotcom . We're also on Facebook and Google+.
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What is the name of the home planet of the Transformers? | Cybertron (planet) | Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia
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Marvel Comics continuity
Cybertron was the adopted form of Primus , who trapped himself and Unicron in barren asteroids which they then shaped into their physical forms. While Unicron turned his prison into a transformable, humanoid body, Primus reformed himself into a home for a robotic race he created to fight Unicron with similar transformation abilities. Primal Scream
Cybertron for some time was in the orbit of Alpha Centauri , and its inhabitants were at peace. But the avaricious Megatron sought to rule the planet and turn it into a "cosmic dreadnaught ". This plan would find a kind of fruition, but not what Megatron intended: The cataclysmic forces of his wars eventually sent the planet careening through deep space.
Its aimless journey brought it near Earth four million years ago. The asteroid belt threatened it, so Optimus Prime led an expedition to clear the way. They were successful, but they were ambushed by Decepticons led by Megatron, and their battle ended with a crash-landing on Earth that left all the combatants deactivated. Their compatriots on Cybertron mourned their loss but continued the wars. The Transformers
In the modern day, Prime and Megatron's troops were reactivated, and they eventually found their way back to Cybertron. The world had changed little in the intervening eons, but the return of the old legends helped bring about the fulfillment of the planet's destiny. Deep below the surface, a small group of the once-lost Autobots fought the Mayhem Attack Squad in a chamber containing the giant head of Primus. A stray shot hit the god's face, and he awoke with a scream that alerted Unicron to his location. When the Chaos Bringer arrived, the Autobots and Decepticons united against him, but the battle still wreaked havoc on the planet. Unicron was defeated by the opening of the Matrix , which destroyed both deities. On the Edge of Extinction! In the aftermath, Cybertron suffered storms and earthquakes that many believed would tear apart the world. Exodus! The remaining Transformers evacuated, but Cybertron was ultimately saved by a band of humans who awakened the Last Autobot . The Last Autobot? He was, it turned out, a safeguard put in place by Primus to guide the planet's reconstruction after the god's death. What it was reconstructed into is unclear.
Significant locations
Beneath the sewers, the Demons in the Darkness were locked away.
At the center of this Cybertron there was a room with a huge head of Primus on the wall where he slept and was watched over by the Keeper . Somewhere within the depths of Cybertron could also be found a chamber containing the Last Autobot .
Cartoon continuity
The Transformers cartoon
Cybertron appeared considerably smaller than the planet Earth . Entirely metallic on the surface, some of the lowest levels of Cybertron consisted of rock and dirt, suggesting an organic beginning to the planet. Its gravity was light enough that humans were able to traverse the surface without any trouble, and it possessed a breathable atmosphere. Water, or at least a substance resembling it, was in evidence on the planet—lakes and rivers have been shown to exist, albeit sparingly. Many levels below the surface were the energy-furnace, the Plasma Energy Chamber , and at the heart of the planet was the spherical mega-computer, Vector Sigma . Cybertron was orbited by at least two unnamed moons, but its own place in the cosmos appears unfixed—in 1984 , it was clearly shown to exist outside of the Milky Way galaxy; however, nine million years prior, Starscream and Skyfire had been able to fly from the planet to Earth under their own power, suggesting that it may drift freely through space, and had been passing through the Solar System at that point, going on to drift out of the galaxy over the ensuing millennium.
If the assorted colorful exclamations made by numerous Transformers are anything to go by, Cybertron also played host to a vast array of fauna, including, but not limited to: ant-droids , bolt-bats , cyber-ducks, dynametal ducks , electro-toads, glitch mice , guineapigatrons, helio-hamsters, hydro-weasels, photovoltaic pussycats, retro-rats, robo-rats, sheepacrons, titanium moosebots , turbofoxes , zap-mice, astro ticks , nano-gnats and robotopossums .
The Matrix
Note: In 2006–07, Japan released new timelines that retconned the events surrounding the Oracle . Previous to this retcon, there was no connection between the Oracle and Cybertron. The following italicized passage refers only to Japanese continuity.
12 billion years ago, the Oracle's essence, encased within a protective shell after having his body destroyed by Unicron, fled to a dead planet at the center of the universe, which he proceeded to transform into a verdant, living world.
In time, multi-faced aliens called Quintessons immigrated to the Oracle's green planet, and the aliens were able to take control of him, transforming him into the mega-computer Vector Sigma and obtaining the shell that had held his essence, which went on to become the Matrix of Leadership . Using the power of the Key to Vector Sigma , the Quintessons transformed the Oracle's green planet into the metallic Cybertron.
Twelve million years ago, the Quintessons used Cybertron as a factory to manufacture their robot creations. Notably, the origins of the planet are never explicitly stated—the Quintessons may have built it, xenoformed an organic world, or colonized an existing metal planet. Whatever the case, after a million years, the Quintessons were forced to abandon Cybertron when their robots evolved true sentience and feelings, and knew they were being used as slaves, rebelling in the First Cybertronian War . The second war was soon to come, however, when the robots splintered into two factions—the peace-loving Autobots and the war-mongering Decepticons —and began fighting amongst themselves. With the Autobots' innovation of transformation, they were able to win—or at least stalemate—the war, and a period of peace descended on Cybertron, which shone with a healthy golden glow, distinguishing the period as the " Golden Age ".
Eventually, however, Decepticons adopted transformation as well, along with robot-mode flight, and around nine million years ago, the creation of the Decepticon Megatron re-ignited the war on Cybertron. Megatron rallied like-minded individuals to his cause, and brainwashed others into his service, quickly killing the current Autobot leader in a strike on one of Iacon's outer cities. With this act kept out of the public knowledge, rumors circulated as Autobot machine smith Alpha Trion worked diligently on a new process to reconstruct Autobots into battle-hardy configurations for the war he knew was coming. That war finally erupted in full when Megatron fatally injured a naive young dock worker, Orion Pax, and Alpha Trion made him the first subject of his new process, reconstructing him into Optimus Prime , who would lead the Autobots in the Third Cybertronian War .
After a further five million years of war, during which many Autobots fled the planet, the Decepticons had acquired a large hold on the planet, with the majority of it under their control. The main Autobot force continued to operate from the capital city-state of Iacon, but Cybertron's energy levels were depleted to a dangerous low, necessitating a space mission to locate a new planet with new sources of energy that the Transformers could harness. Optimus Prime led his best and brightest on The Ark , but they were pursued by Megatron's elite troops, and all were stranded in stasis on Earth for four million years.
In the ensuing four million years, Shockwave , who Megatron had left in charge as guardian of the planet, maintained the Decepticon hold on the planet, though he was unaware of the continued guerrilla efforts of Elita One 's Female Autobots to undermine him as they raided his energy supplies. Eventually, Cybertron's energy level dipped so low as to put the planet in immediate, mortal danger. Reestablishing contact with Megatron, who awoken with the other Transformers on Earth. In the year 1984, Shockwave had co-designed the Space Bridge , an intergalactic transport system that could transport Energon Cubes from Earth to Cybertron, abating the planet's impending doom.
Cybertron's place in the universe was forcibly altered in 1984 when the Decepticons constructed a colossal Space Bridge that actually transported the entire planet into the Sol system, into Earth's orbit, where its gravity wreaked havoc with the planet's natural balance, unleashing an unending torrent of energy created by natural disasters. The energy acquired re-energized Cybertron enough to put it out of the danger zone, but the planet was soon knocked out of orbit by a massive Energon explosion, and set drifting off through the solar system. At this closer range, Cybertron remained easily accessed throughout 1985 at least, with the Autobots now able to reach it by conventional transportation ( Omega Supreme ), rather than having to constantly hijack use of the spacebridge.
By the Earth year 2005, Cybertron had exited the Sol system, but, remaining within the Milky Way, was still relatively easily accessible by shuttlecraft from Earth. By this time, the Decepticon forces had succeeded in conquering the entire planet, forcing all the Autobots off it, leading them to relocate to Autobot City on Earth, and to two staging ground bases on two of Cybertron's moons . It was at this time that Cybertron came under attack from the world eater, Unicron , who consumed the two moonbases and assaulted Cybertron itself, only to be destroyed by the power of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership . His deactivated, decapitated head fell into orbit around Cybertron, a grisly new satellite to replace those he had destroyed. With the Decepticon forces in disarray after Unicron's attack, Rodimus Prime and his troops succeeded in driving their foes off Cybertron, reclaiming the planet for the Autobots, restoring and re-energizing much of the planet by 2006, when the world came under frequent attacks from the returning Quintessons, whose previously-secret history with the Transformers came to light.
In the year 2007, Cybertron was once again wrenched from its place in space when Galvatron and the Decepticons invaded the planet and constructed a massive planetary engine that propelled Cybertron back into Earth orbit once more. Once there, Galvatron opened the Plasma Energy Chamber, intending for the energy release to drive the Sun supernova, consuming Earth, Cybertron and everything else in one final destructive blow. Spike Witwicky and the Autobots' Nebulan allies were able to stop this plan by reversing the rocket engine, which drained off the excess solar energy and channeled it straight into Vector Sigma, which used it to fully re-energize Cybertron. Its rich golden hue restored, Cybertron entered a new Golden Age. The Rebirth, Part 3
The Headmasters cartoon
Note: The anime series include the Sunbow cartoon as backstory except for the final "Rebirth" miniseries. Thus, the events in the preceding paragraph did not occur in Japanese continuity.
In 2011, it was discovered that the release of the energy of the Matrix by Optimus Prime to cure the Hate Plague had much more far-reaching consequences that anyone suspected. With the Matrix's energy depleted, Vector Sigma's balance—permanently tilted in favor of the Autobots by the existence of the Matrix—was reset to neutrality, allowing the Decepticons, bolstered by their new Headmaster troops, to freely invade Cybertron. Eventually, this forced Optimus Prime to sacrifice his life by merging with Vector Sigma in order to stabilize the computer before it destroyed Cybertron from within.
Not long thereafter, Vector Sigma developed a new metal alloy dubbed Cybertonuron , which enticed Galvatron into another raid on the planet. However, the Decepticon Headmaster leader, Zarak , feared the power that Galvatron would gain from the alloy, and so, to prevent either him or the Autobots from obtaining it, arranged for his Headmasters to plant bombs at the core of the planet, within Vector Sigma's chamber. The Autobots were unable to stop the countdown and the bombs detonated, devastating Cybertron and leaving it a charred ruin drifting in space.
Cybertron was eventually rebuilt during the Japanese Generation 2 storyline.
Beast continuity
Cybertron Transwarp
Cybertron's Orbit
Three hundred years after the end of the Great War , the Autobots and Decepticons had faded into obscurity while their descendants, the Maximals and Predacons , dominated Cybertron. The planet had found a star to orbit (eccentrically, but still), which reflected the relative stability that had come upon Cybertronian culture at last. The Maximals, inheriting the Pax Cybertronia , ruled over the Predacons in a time of uneasy truce. Peacetime diversions had sprung up, such as the Six Lasers Over Cybertron amusement park and Holographic pleasure chip "arcades". Or for more "mature" amusement, one could find joints where the servers went around without their torso plates on.
Beast Machines cartoon
The tranquility of that age would come to a rapid end when Megatron returned from the Beast Wars and set a virus loose on the world that incapacitated the population and paved the way for Vehicon rule.
As Optimus Primal and his Maximals fought back, several facts about the planet became apparent. It had at least two moons, one with big gashes in its surface. The Maximal city of Cybertropolis had been built over the ruins of Iacon and was home to billions of Transformers. And this was just the latest example of an eons-old trend of vertical expansion. In fleeing from the Vehicons, the Maximals found many layers of abandoned civilization, all the way down to the rocky crust of the world. There, fossils existed of bats, dinosaurs, and birds (which were well-preserved enough to harbor DNA). A few plants, such as trees and flowers, were seen growing underground or even occasionally breaking through to the surface. And stranger yet, drilling through the rock revealed the planet's green, oozing "organic core".
Cybertron during Beast Machines
Another previously-unseen feature of the planet—but one that went unremarked upon—was its heavy cloud cover. Across dimensions and timeframes, Cybertron has been conspicuously devoid of visible weather systems. But when the Maximals returned from the Beast Wars, their view from orbit showed extensive, unmistakable clouds. This wouldn't last forever, though: By the time Botanica arrived, the clouds had vanished again. The only major planetary event in the meantime was the doomsday energy storm that occurred when Primal and Megatron pitted the Plasma Energy Chamber against the Key to Vector Sigma . However, it is unclear whether this actually caused any meteorological effects.
Finding a chamber of fossils, Nightscream drew the conclusion that Cybertron's animals had been driven extinct by colonizing robots, a theory mildly supported by Primal's conviction that a balance between organic and mechanical needed to be "restored" to the planet. In the end, Primal's dream became a reality when he applied his " reformatting " power to the organic core and converted the entire world to a technorganic state.
3H comics continuity
According to the Al-Badur , the Quintessons had once served Unicron, and in so doing, they found the "dimensional landing" of Primus: Cybertron. Rather than alert their master, however, they decided to capitalize on their discovery for their own purposes. They attempted to subvert Primus's creations via the Plasma Energy Chamber, but the results were disastrous. Success came when they placed a shell program over Vector Sigma and channeled the divine power into creating a subservient race. That race would one day rebel and become the Transformers, but the Quintessons' influence remained in the form of the Vector Sigma shell program—otherwise known as the Oracle. Primus could nonetheless sometimes send messages from Vector Sigma through the Oracle, but it is difficult to tell the difference. Disclosure
Dreamwave comics continuity
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Note: The only continuity in which Cybertron has been mapped to some extent. A map of one hemisphere of the planet appears in the DK Transformers Ultimate Guide.
Devil's Due comics continuity
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IDW comics continuity
The Transformers' home world is located around Shaula which can be seen from Earth as the second brightest object in the constellation Scorpius [3] , located in its tail.
Some time ago, the constant fighting and the stripping of Cybertron's natural resources by both Autobot and Decepticon to feed their age-long war led to a terrible cataclysm that rendered Cybertron uninhabitable. As of the present day, it is a dead planet.
With no atmosphere, Cybertron's surface is unprotected from cosmic radiation and is wracked by plasma storms. Transformers must divert energy to their personal shielding in order to remain on the surface for short periods; the surface is presumably immediately lethal for humans. The Transformer race has abandoned the planet (save for occasional scientific surveys from orbit) and is now conducting its conflict across the galaxy.
Landing on Cybertron is forbidden. Stormbringer #1
Later, it wasn't. Spotlight: Galvatron
At a time when Megatron was running amok with no resistance on Earth, the Autobots - in a beaten state - were holed up on Cybertron. Specifically, on a building on the surface of the radiation saturated death world. Clearly, things are pretty damn bad if they're hiding out there. All Hail Megatron issue 1
Unicron Trilogy
Cybertron is the body of Primus . Much like the versions of Cybertron before it, it is a metallic planet that is damaged by conflict. Cybertron existed in an unnamed system until the Energon series, where it was pulled from orbit and pushed into another part of space (or universe) that Alpha Quintesson had created.
In Energon, Cybertron was equipped with a system of Energon Towers that could surround the planet with a protective field, which has since been disabled due to Decepticon attack.
Cybertron had at least one known moon in the Armada series, but this moon turned out to be Unicron. It is unknown whether it was always Unicron's depowered body, or if the moon somehow became a new "host" body for him. However, in the Cybertron series, the planet apparently had two moons which its humanoid mode used to beat the slag out of Starscream .
Through the ages, Cybertron has had many repairs, causing new "layers" to be added to the surface of the planet. Deep within the core is a pool of Super Energon that was once guarded by the four ancient combiners, Constructicon Maximus , and Bruticus Maximus , Superion Maximus , and the latter's unnamed brother.
At the end of the Energon series, Cybertron was granted a new sun when Primus trapped Unicron's spark within a ball of Super Energon, igniting it. This sun would eventually collapse, becoming the Unicron Singularity .
It is unknown how large Cybertron is in this continuity, but it is most likely the size of Earth or smaller . Cybertron has an atmosphere, but it was not breathable by Earth life forms as when Rad , Carlos and Alexis visited the planet in 2010, they required spacesuits to operate on the surface; by 2020, however, humans were capable of surviving without specialized suits, indicating that an oxygen/nitrogen-based atmosphere may have somehow been generated by the planet or created by Transformers or humans artificially.
In the Cybertron series, much of the planet had been repaired, including the construction of a " Sky Dome " headquarters where important meetings are held. This structure housed the artifacts that were used to mount the Omega Lock , which unlocks the robot form of Cybertron.
Live-action film series
Cybertron as it didn't appear in the movie.
Transformers film
Cybertron was a world where mechanical creatures were brought to life by a device known as the All Spark . The origins of the All Spark were lost to the mysteries of time. On Cybertron, the Cybertronians were a peaceful people, led by Optimus Prime and Lord Megatron . The two brothers created a balance; Prime was fair while Megatron was firm.
Cybertron forest
However, Megatron had a desire for conquest, while Prime believed in protecting weaker races. Megatron raised an army, the Decepticons, and sought to take the All Spark to conquer the universe. Prime raised his own army, the Autobots, and in the war that followed, Cybertron was decimated. Prime eventually sent the All Spark through a wormhole into deep space, and Megatron pursued it. Both were lost. Without the All Spark's power, Cybertron became a dead world. The Autobots and the Decepticons scattered across the galaxy, hoping to either create a new world or locate the All Spark and restore Cybertron. Transformers (film) Geography-wise, the surface of Cybertron is a mystery. Large rivers of molten liquid criss-cross the planet, though whether this is lava, molten metal, or possibly energon is anyone's guess. In more urbanized areas, the stone and lava seem to be covered over with steel, such as the city of Tyger Pax . However, these incidents took place during the war, so it may have been the result of the devastation Cybertron saw.
Dark of the Moon film
Using a space bridge , Megatron and Sentinel Prime attempt to bring Cybertron to Earth to use Earth's natural resources and human race as slave labor to rebuild the planet.
During the final battle, Cybertron started to materialize over Earth. Cybertron partialy formed before the space bridge was temporarily shut down and continued forming once it was reinitalized by Dylan Gould . After Bumblebee destroyed the Control Pillar, the space bridge shut down for good and Cybertron collapsed on itself as it was not fully formed yet. With Cybertron destroyed, the Autobots had no choice but to accept Earth as their new home. Dark of the Moon
Transformers Animated
Cybertron in Animated
In an interesting turn of events, the Decepticons have been driven entirely from the planet. Autobot mastery of space bridge technology, and their strategic relocation of the AllSpark led to ultimate victory, and a Cybertron where an entire generation has seen neither armor-plating nor transistor of a Decepticon.
This Cybertron appears to be smaller than Earth but about the same size as Earth's Moon as evidenced by how it appears in the episode "Human Error" where the curvature of the planet can be seen even though it is in the atmosphere. Although this cybertron is seen as part of Soundwave's program to brainwash the Autobots it would not make sense to alter the planet's dimensions because that would seriously strain the already staggering incredulity of the simulation.
Prime
War for Cybertron
Cybertron was well into the Autobot-Decepticon war when Megatron sought to spread his Dark Energon throughout the planet. After infecting the Cybertron's very core, Cybertron's surface was slowly starting to become covered in the dark substance. Optimus Prime and his team soon cleared the Dark Energon from the core, but it had been too badly corrupted. However, it could revitalize itself and Cybertron by shutting down for millions of years, so Optimus ordered an exodus from the planet, during which many Autobots fled to find a new home elsewhere, as Cybertron remained in darkness.
Exodus
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Prime cartoon
By the time Team Prime arrived on Earth, Ratchet noted that Cybertron had been dark for eons. One Shall Fall
Megatron planned to use Dark Energon to reawaken Cybertron's dead as his own minions and sent a large chunk of Dark Energon through a space bridge from Earth to Cybertron. Upon impact, the Dark Energon awoke thousands of the deceased Cybertronians, which were commanded by Megatron to come through the Space bridge, leaving Cybertron more dead than before. Darkness Rising, Part 5
Fall of Cybertron
Cybertron most likely had all of it's raw energon depleted except one lake, in the Sea of Rust, near the space bridge Shockwave tried to reactivate, noted by Cliffjumper .
Significant locations
Yuss
Notes
The name "Cybertron" was used by Marvel Comics long before the Transformers series came about. In issue 48 of the original X-Men title (released in September 1968), a computer named Computro created a race of robots named the "Cybertrons". [4]
Cybertron's "gashed" moon, often glimpsed during the course of Beast Machines, is heavily based on one side of a modern sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro, "Sphere within Sphere" ("Sfera con Sfera"), that can be found in the Vatican City's Courtyard of the Pinecone. [5] See, kids? Transformers ARE educational.
The size of the Planet Cybertron varies between different continuities. In one, the diameter of the planet is around 6,300 km, while the Marvel comics describe it as "Saturn-sized," placing its diameter at around 120,000 km. [6] We can probably lay these at the feet of Primus, who is a god after all, and can decide to be whatever size he wants.
In Car Robot anime, Cybertron had the least screentime since the series mostly took place on Earth.
In the song Boom Boom Pow by the Black Eyed Peas , one of the verses has a reference to Cybertron with the lyrics.
In the "Cybertron" series, Cybertron lost its moons when Primus used them as flails to beat down an Omega Lock-powered Starscream.
Dark of the Moon marks the first appearance of Cybertron where the planet is larger than Earth. In all previous incarnations, Cybertron was much smaller than Earth. Animated previously had the largest Cybertron which was as large as the moon.
In Dark of the Moon, Cybertron has a bee-hive like structure.
In the novelization for Dark of the Moon , Sentinel Prime failed to activate the control pillars used to summon Cybertron to Earth before Megatron and Optimus Prime defeated him, meaning Cybertron was unharmed. In addition, Megatron and Optimus decided on a truce, with Megatron deciding to return to Cybertron to help with the rebuilding process.
If you do the math, and put it all together, Cybertron is about half the size of Jupiter, according to the comparison seen in Dark of the Moon. In the G1 Cartoon, Unicron is so big he can eat Cybertron. if you compare them all in size, Earth would be a pebble to Unicron if he is ever seen in the film series.
Footnotes
↑ For decades, Western fans have typically opted to render the Japanese pronunciation of the planet's name as "Seibertron" (pronounced "Say-ber-tron") in order to distinguish it from the Japanese name of the Autobots, the "Cybertrons" (pronounced "Sigh-ber-tron"). However, several Japanese sources actually spell it as "Cybertron" in English, including the Headmasters video game , on the cover of one of the Japanese laser disc releases, and on packaging for Galaxy Force toys. Sources beyond these are surprisingly scarce.
↑ This is regarded as the "most" official of all name-variations, being first used in the Marvel comics (the basic source of all translations) and more recently in the 2007 Transformers Movie. In some translations, like the second dub of the 1986 movie, The Ultimate Battle DVD special, or the Hungarian issues of the Transformers Titan Magazine (all of which are riddled with mistranslations), it is simply called Cybertron.
| Cybertron |
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robert Patrick and Kristanna Loken have all played terminators in movies, but which one played the T-1000 in Terminator 2: Judgement Day? | Transformers (2007) - IMDb
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An ancient struggle between two Cybertronian races, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, comes to Earth, with a clue to the ultimate power held by a teenager.
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Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 19 wins & 40 nominations. See more awards »
Videos
Sam Witwicky leaves the Autobots behind for a normal life. But when his mind is filled with cryptic symbols, the Decepticons target him and he is dragged back into the Transformers' war.
Director: Michael Bay
The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and to learn its secrets.
Director: Michael Bay
Autobots must escape sight from a bounty hunter who has taken control of the human serendipity: Unexpectedly, Optimus Prime and his remaining gang turn to a mechanic, his daughter, and her back street racing boyfriend for help.
Director: Michael Bay
When bitten by a genetically modified spider, a nerdy, shy, and awkward high school student gains spider-like abilities that he eventually must use to fight evil as a superhero after tragedy befalls his family.
Director: Sam Raimi
Peter Parker is beset with troubles in his failing personal life as he battles a brilliant scientist named Doctor Otto Octavius.
Director: Sam Raimi
After being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil.
Director: Jon Favreau
A police officer joins a secret organization that polices and monitors extraterrestrial interactions on Earth.
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
A strange black entity from another world bonds with Peter Parker and causes inner turmoil as he contends with new villains, temptations, and revenge.
Director: Sam Raimi
After Peter Parker is bitten by a genetically altered spider, he gains newfound, spider-like powers and ventures out to solve the mystery of his parent's mysterious death.
Director: Marc Webb
With the world now aware of his identity as Iron Man, Tony Stark must contend with both his declining health and a vengeful mad man with ties to his father's legacy.
Director: Jon Favreau
In 1962, the United States government enlists the help of Mutants with superhuman abilities to stop a malicious dictator who is determined to start World War III.
Director: Matthew Vaughn
When Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.
Director: Shane Black
Edit
Storyline
A long time ago, far away on the planet of Cybertron, a war is being waged between the noble Autobots (led by the wise Optimus Prime) and the devious Decepticons (commanded by the dreaded Megatron) for control over the Allspark, a mystical talisman that would grant unlimited power to whoever possesses it. The Autobots managed to smuggle the Allspark off the planet, but Megatron blasts off in search of it. He eventually tracks it to the planet of Earth (circa 1850), but his reckless desire for power sends him right into the Arctic Ocean, and the sheer cold forces him into a paralyzed state. His body is later found by Captain Archibald Witwicky, but before going into a comatose state Megatron uses the last of his energy to engrave into the Captain's glasses a map showing the location of the Allspark, and to send a transmission to Cybertron. Megatron is then carried away aboard the Captain's ship. A century later, Captain Witwicky's grandson Sam Witwicky (nicknamed Spike by his friends) ... Written by Q. Leo Rahman
You haven't seen it all until you've seen it in IMAX See more »
Genres:
Motion Picture Rating ( MPAA )
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor, and language | See all certifications »
Parents Guide:
3 July 2007 (USA) See more »
Also Known As:
$70,502,384 (USA) (6 July 2007)
Gross:
Did You Know?
Trivia
John Turturro claims he based his performance as Agent Simmons on Michael Bay , though Bay insists the character is nothing like him. See more »
Goofs
The Airforce One displayed in the film is a 707/VC-137, from the markings most likely VC-137C SAM 26000. Considering the time setting the 747/VC-25 based version would be a better match. Also the marking do not match a real Airforce One version precisely. See more »
Quotes
[first lines]
Optimus Prime : Before time began, there was the Cube. We know not where it comes from, only that it holds the power to create worlds and fill them with life. That is how our race was born. For a time, we lived in harmony. But like all great power, some wanted it for good, others for evil. And so began the war. A war that ravaged our planet until it was consumed by death, and the Cube was lost to the far reaches of space. We scattered across the galaxy, hoping to find it and rebuild our home. ...
[...]
See more »
Crazy Credits
When the DreamWorks and Paramount logos appear, they are accompanied by a series of robotic sounds. See more »
Connections
Courtesy of Machineshop Recordings/Warner Bros. Records Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
Transformers is a very mixed bag. There are great things about it and there are some not-so-great things about it...
The good:
The visual effects. Perhaps the best special effects I've ever seen
in a movie. The transformations are amazing not to mention super-awesome. The CGI fits in seamlessly with the live action and it's easy to forget how logistically difficult a lot of it would have been to film.
The sound design. The sound effects complement the action perfectly
making everything twice as exciting. Probably less acknowledged is the alien atmosphere created by some of the score which heightens the tension very effectively and probably without the majority of the audience noticing.
Shia LeBeouf. Without him the movie wouldn't be nearly as engaging.
He has natural comic timing and is probably second to none in expressing disbelief of the "holy crap, there's a giant alien robot transforming in front of me" variety.
The humour. Transformers is funnier than most good comedies which I
was not expecting in the least. The transformers themselves are often funnier than they are impressive.
The Decepticons. Man are they cool. The opening scene is particularly
kick-arse.
The bad:
Megan Fox. If hot means "can't act and doesn't weigh much" then yes,
she's very hot. It's not a good sign if you want one of the main characters to die or at least get out of the way and stop trying to act. Her performance just seemed very shallow and probably wasn't helped by her dialogue.
The script. Although the overall storyline is good, some of the
dialogue is terrible. Too much of the film is spent on mumbo jumbo technical explanations the audience just doesn't care about. The less serious parts of the script work very well though.
Michael Bay. Although some of the action scenes are very well put
together and the humorous parts are timed very well, Bay can't help but ruin some of the scenes with unnecessarily flashy editing and over the top drama accompanied by none-too-subtle dramatic music. It's not that Michael Bay's style is too loud, it's that it's too clichéd.
The music. Nothing new here (other than the alien sounding parts).
Practically rips of Batman Begins and is otherwise forgettable. The music should enhance the film by bringing out interesting themes or emotions, not force feeding us the drama we can plainly see on the screen in super slow motion.
The ugly:
Megatron. He's ugly. And super cool.
So, my verdict? The good outweighs the bad pretty comfortably. If you took out the bad you might even have a classic on your hands. Instead you get revolutionary action scenes and some great comedy with Michael Bay's unique brand of mediocre directing sprinkled throughout.
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Which sci-fi author wrote the three laws of robotics? | Science Fiction Writer Robert J. Sawyer: On Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics
Copyright © 1991 and 1994 by Robert J. Sawyer
All Rights Reserved.
Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics
A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence, except where such protection would conflict with the First or Second Law.
People in the process of reading my novel Golden Fleece keep saying to me, what about Isaac Asimov 's Three Laws of Robotics? I thought they were guiding modern artificial-intelligence research?
Nope, they're not. First, remember, Asimov's "Laws" are hardly laws in the sense that physical laws are laws; rather, they're cute suggestions that made for some interesting puzzle-oriented stories half a century ago. I honestly don't think they will be applied to future computers or robots. We have lots of computers and robots today and not one of them has even the rudiments of the Three Laws built-in. It's extraordinarily easy for "equipment failure" to result in human death, after all, in direct violation of the First Law.
Asimov's Laws assume that we will create intelligent machines full-blown out of nothing, and thus be able to impose across the board a series of constraints. Well, that's not how it's happening. Instead, we are getting closer to artificial intelligence by small degrees and, as such, nobody is really implementing fundamental safeguards.
Take Eliza, the first computer psychiatric program. There is nothing in its logic to make sure that it doesn't harm the user in an Asimovian sense, by, for instance, re-opening old mental wounds with its probing. Now, we can argue that Eliza is way too primitive to do any real harm, but then that means someone has to say arbitrarily, okay, that attempt at AI requires no safeguards but this attempt does. Who would that someone be?
The development of AI is a business, and businesses are notoriously uninterested in fundamental safeguards especially philosophic ones. (A few quick examples: the tobacco industry, the automotive industry, the nuclear industry. Not one of these has said from the outset that fundamental safeguards are necessary, every one of them has resisted externally imposed safeguards, and none have accepted an absolute edict against ever causing harm to humans.)
Indeed, given that a huge amount of AI and robotics research is underwritten by the military, it seems that there will never be a general "law" against ever harming human beings. The whole point of the exercise, at least from the funders' point of view, is to specifically find ways to harm those human beings who happen to be on "the other side."
We already live in a world in which Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics have no validity, a world in which every single computer user is exposed to radiation that is considered at least potentially harmful, a world in which machines replace people in the workplace all the time. (Asimov's First Law would prevent that: taking away someone's job absolutely is harm in the Asimovian sense, and therefore a "Three Laws" robot could never do that, but, of course, real robots do it all the time.)
So, what does all this mean? Where's it all going? Ah, that I answer at length in Golden Fleece .
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Johnny 5 was the central character in which film? | 1000+ images about Isaac Asimov on Pinterest | Cyberpunk, Time travel and Science fiction
Isaac Asimov - A subtle thought that is in error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value.
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Droids was a animated TV series that was a spin off of which movie franchise? | Every 'Star Wars' Movie And TV Show Ranked - MTV
mtv
05/04/2014
On this May the Fourth, we celebrate 37 years of "Star Wars."
Most of you reading this weren't born when the first movie blew minds at cinemas around the world (disclaimer, I wasn't). Heck, a lot of you might not have been old enough to see "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace" in theaters, and yes, that freaks me out.
"Star Wars" is a phenomenon like no other, having spawned a cross-platform universe that includes seven movies and seven TV spin-offs (including one ill-fated Holiday Special), and of course, the upcoming and recently cast " Star Wars: Episode VII ." What better way to celebrate this holiest of "Star Wars" days then by ranking every single one of them?
Here is our definitive list of the good, the bad and the ugly of the "Star Wars" franchise.
14) "The Star Wars Holiday Special" (1978)
You've probably heard the legend of this insane — and insanely bad — "Star Wars" spin-off that was meant to celebrate Earth Day or something. We don't know; we've blocked it out of our minds. The problem with the Holiday Special is that it's not even so bad it's good — it's just really, really bad. It's like watching the most boring trainwreck of all time, except Bea Arthur is there for some reason. It's no wonder George Lucas ordered this, this thing to never be shown again. Unfortunately for him, the Internet exists, and we can all bask in the special's glorious awfulness.
13) "Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure" (1984)
It's hard to remember a time when Ewoks weren't simply a punchline and a punching bag for people who argued that they presaged the likes of Jar-Jar Binks and some of the least liked aspects of the prequel trilogy. But there was a time (the '80s) when they were insanely popular, so much so that they got two made-for-TV film spinoffs. The first "Caravan of Courage," is the first, and the worst of the two, focusing on the friendship between Wicket (the hero Ewok from "Return of the Jedi") and little girl whose family crash lands on the moon of Endor a few months before the events of "Jedi." It has some fun adventure moments and some cool stop-motion monsters, but it's probably the most juvenile entry in the canon.
12) "Ewoks: The Battle for Endor" (1985)
Yep, that's right. The first Ewok TV movie was apparently so successful that they just had to make a second one. "Battle For Endor" is, unfortunately, not an epic tale of the Ewoks waging a guerilla war against leftover imperial troops that's one part Care Bears and one part "Saving Private Ryan." Instead, it focuses again on the little girl from "Caravan of Courage" who, now orphaned (jeez guys, getting dark, don't you think?), has to help Ewoks regain control of their village from evil maurauders.
Oh also, Wicket has learned English (sorry, Basic), and can talk now, which, considering the movie takes place before "Return of the Jedi," means that he was just kind of being a dick that whole time pretending he didn't understand Leia.
11) "Star Wars: Ewoks" (1985-1987)
I'm sorry, I forgot to mention that the two made-for-TV movies spawned an animated TV series called "Ewoks," which lasted for two years and 35 episodes. In this one, Wicket's the main character, everyone speaks perfect English, and they fight a witch and a race of Ewok-like creatures named Duloks. None of that was a joke. Though all this was clearly a cash-grab aimed at kids, the series had its charms. The animation was fairly lush and made the Ewoks even cuter (if that's possible), and I'll always have a soft spot for Wicket.
10) "Star Wars: Droids" (1985-1986)
Ok, this at least made more sense for a TV series. The animated show featured everyone's favorite droids, C-3P0 (voiced by the man himself, Anthony Daniels) and R2D2. The animated style is as hokey as they come, and the opening theme is, well, amazing in a totally '80s way (it was performed by Stewart Copeland from The Police), but, unlike "Ewoks," the series at least feels like a "Star Wars" show, bridging the gap between the then non-existent "Episode III" and "A New Hope," and introducing elements that would actually be expanded on in a comic book series of the same name and the prequels. If you watched it as a kid, you might have fond memories. If not, then these aren't the droids you're looking for.
9) "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2008)
Don't worry, this isn't the surprisingly good animated series, but the film that spawned that series. It had the honor of being the first "Star Wars" spin-off film (meaning it's not one of the "Episodes"), but unfortunately, the film is simply not very good. It has no idea what kind of tone it wants to strike, considering it's both for kids and taking place in a period of all-out war. Also, there are electric guitars in the score for some reason. The best thing the movie did was introduce Anakin's apprentice Ahsoka, who would become a far better character in the ensuing series.
8) "Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones" (2002)
Oh, I can feel your anger. "Episode II," worse than "Episode I"? Abso-freaking-lutely. "Episode I" has redeeming qualities that I'll get into later.
"Episode II"'s cardinal sin is that it's so, so boring. The dialogue is horrid. ("I don't like sand.") The characters behave like idiots. Half the movie is devoted to a mystery that never even gets truly solved and doesn't really matter in the end. And the main battle scene is almost incomprehensible to watch, a mess of CGI. Oh, and R2D2 gets to fly for some reason. Oh, and all the stormtroopers are clones of Boba Fett's dad, and Boba Fett is a whiny kid, and... ok, I'll stop.
There are some good parts to this movie: the music is awesome (John Williams' love theme for Anakin and Padme is gorgeous); the five seconds of anticipation where you realize Yoda's going to fight with a lightsaber are great (before he spins in the air like a rag doll); and the final scene is well-done, mostly because we get to hear the Imperial March and because Padme and Anakin's wedding makes us think of "The Empire Strikes Back." You loved that one, right?
7) "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" (1999)
You can trace all the negativity about "Star Wars" that now exists back to 1999, and most of the hate is because the hype was just so huge, and the first trailer (above) was so...freaking...good. I was so excited that my mom faked a doctor's appointment for me and pulled me out of school to see it, and as a kid, I loved it. As I've grown up, it's clear the movie doesn't hold up, with wooden performances by everyone except Liam Neeson. Midichlorians are dumb, Jar-Jar is annoying, and the Trade War between Naboo and the on-the-nose named and kind of racist Trade Federation is pretty boring. Still, it gave us "Duel Of the Fates," an epic lightsaber fight, and a fun, if pointless, podracing sequence.
Even though it's not a good movie, and it did steer the prequels in an unfortunate direction, "Menace" feels the most like a "Star Wars" movie of any of the prequels.
6) "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2008-2014)
While "The Clone Wars" TV series needed a little time to hit its stride, it ended up telling some very good stories with a distinct visual style which arguably felt more in tune with the spirit of "Star Wars" than the prequels themselves. Canceled before it could offer a more satisfying conclusion to the saga of Ahsoka and the wars, the series still managed to recapture some of the magic that made kids fall in love with "Star Wars" in the first place, and it should be commended for that.
5) "Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith
Here's the weird thing about "Revenge of the Sith": the first half of it is really not very good. Outside of a tense, interesting scene between Palpatine and Anakin at the weirdest opera ever, it's a lot of meandering action sequences with terrible one-liners, a strange tone, and a way over-the-top villain in General Grievous. But then, after the clones turn bad and Order 66 is announced, the movie finds its footing, and becomes easily the best of the prequels, giving us some dramatic scenes with Padme, Anakin, and Obi-Wan.
Sure, there's still some bad dialogue in there (be thankful Mr. Lucas is not writing Episode VII), but the Order 66 scene packs a punch, the rendering of the lava world of Mustafar are gorgeous, and dang it if the ending doesn't bring a slight tear to the eye of a "Star Wars" fan. If only the whole movie could've been as good as the second half, it might have stood on its own among the originals.
4) "Star Wars: Clone Wars" (2003-2005)
I love this series. Not to be confused with "The Clone Wars" (articles make all the difference sometimes), this was a series of short episodes (all between 3 and 15 minutes per episode) which took place between "Clones" and "Sith" and introduced General Grievous as the big bad for the Jedi. And while in "Sith" Grievous comes off as a live-action cartoon, in the cartoon he is just a total badass (check out the montage above to see for yourself). That goes for the Jedi in general, who actually use their Force powers in awesome ways.
The animation was hand-drawn and led by Gendy Tartakovsky, mastermind behind "Samurai Jack" and "Dexter's Lab," and the animation is gorgeous, with some incredible large-scale effects shots and vistas and wonderfully expressive characters who channeled their live-action counterparts while also fitting into Tartakovsky distinct visual style. If you watch one "Clone Wars" animated series, make it this one.
3) "Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of The Jedi" (1983)
This is a tough one for me. As a kid, "Jedi" was my favorite "Star Wars" movie. I loved the Emperor. I loved Jabba. I loved the final Death Star sequence. I liked the Ewoks, and Slave Leia. I'm sure every kid has the same story for that one.
As I've gotten older, I understand the criticisms against it. I get that it would probably have been cooler with Wookies than Ewoks. the Death Star plot isn't too original. It maybe ends a little too happy... but too bad, it's still awesome. The final fight between Luke and Vader is more emotionally charged than any other lightsaber fight in the series, and the Emperor is a perfect cross of campy villainy and nightmarish villainy. "And now young Skywalker... you will die," makes my spine tingle as if Force lightning were shooting through me.
Plus, Lando and his sidekick on the Millennium Falcon are the best buddy movie ever. Oh, and before I forget...
2) "Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back" (1980)
This might get me more flack than putting "Episode I" above "Episode II". Look, I love "Empire." It does exactly what a second film should do: it expands the world of the first, introduces us to amazing new locales and characters (I really hope Lando's in "Episode VII" ), puts our now very-developed characters in real emotional stakes, and culminates in perhaps the greatest twist in film history. The dialogue is sharp. The set pieces, especially the Asteroid Field fight, are awesome to behold. And the finale packs the biggest emotional punch of anything in the series.
So why is it only at number 2? Mostly because, when watched independent of "Jedi," I was struck by how incomplete it feels. It's maybe the best cliffhanger of all time, but it still might as well have "To Be Continued" slapped on to the end. The journey is wondrous, but I do think it's considered as great as it is because "Jedi" at least competently completed that journey. None of this is "Empire"'s fault: as the second movie in a trilogy, those problems are unavoidable. It's the best sequel of all-time, and one of the best sci-fi fantasy movies of all time. But it's just below the best of them all.
1) "Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope" (1977)
Known only as "Star Wars" when it first came out, people sometimes forget how freaking awesome this movie is. The 1977 effects somehow are not that dated (even without the improvements from the Special Edition). The story is a brilliant update on a centuries-old formula. The music is some of the best ever put to film and influenced movies for decades to come. And this isn't just hindsight: "Star Wars" was nominated for Best Picture in 1978, losing out to Woody Allen's "Annie Hall." It was a phenomenon like nothing before and nothing since, and most of it was just because it was, and remains, a wonderful movie.
From the opening crawl, to Luke looking longingly at the twin suns, to Han coming back for the most heroic rescue in movie history, the movie is a goosebump machine, whether you're five or 55.
The Force is strongest in this one. It's the first, and it's the best.
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Who played the gunslinging cowboy robot 406 in the 1973 movie Westworld? | Star Wars: Ewoks | Wookieepedia | Fandom powered by Wikia
Edit
"I've always been interested in animation. And, again, it's a chance to experiment with ideas and new people and Star Wars characters. The Star Wars world is much easier to deal with in animation. You can be much more flexible in development of ideas. I've put off doing it for years because I didn't have the time."
―George Lucas, in Starlog 100 [src]
Star Wars creator George Lucas had long been interested in animation, and had wanted to tell Star Wars stories in an animated form. [4] During production of The Star Wars Holiday Special in 1978, director David Acomba showed Lucas a recent film made by Clive A. Smith 's animation company Nelvana . This convinced Lucas to hire the company to produce the animated segment for that film. Lucas was pleased with their work, and in 1984, he again hired them to work on the two animated series he was developing, Droids and Ewoks. These two subjects were chosen because they would appeal to young audiences and because, as the future of the film franchise was uncertain, they would be the least likely characters to conflict with the stories of the feature films. [5] With these two shows, Lucas (who served as executive producer) hoped to raise the standards for Saturday morning animation; he wanted the animation and voice acting to be better than the average animated series of the time. [6]
Pre-production began in May of 1984. During this time, George Lucas met with the show's producers, directors and writers, who all collaborated on story ideas. Lucas laid out his basic ideas for the series, but wasn't involved with day-to-day matters. [6] He wanted the Ewoks' culture to be based on themes universal to Earth mythology and religion, and suggested the crew read The Hero with a Thousand Faces and The Uses of Enchantment . [4] For visual reference, Lucasfilm had the crew travel to Muir Woods National Monument , a location near Skywalker Ranch where the Endor scenes were filmed for Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi . [7] Though the main characters from the saga films were off-limits, the writers were given almost complete creative freedom to develop the Ewoks beyond Return of the Jedi. [8] The crew reimagined the Ewok characters for the animated format, giving each Ewok a unique, distinguishable personality and distinctive features. [7] The stories were often inspired by The Lord of the Rings , Pogo and the Uncle Scrooge stories. [5] As the episodes were being worked on, rough cuts were screened for him. [6] The series was under strict broadcast standards, and there were limitations—set by ABC's Standards and Practices Board—as to what could be shown or dealt with in the episodes. [5] [4] Writer Paul Dini commented on this in a 2004 interview: "...we were dealing with a regime at the network that just wanted safe children's programming. Every time we wanted to stretch it a little bit, they would kick up a fuss over it"; [9] ABC rejected an episode Dini had written called " The Starman " because it was "too Star Warsy". [5] At one point, Lucasfilm considered making an animated Ewoks special in the vein of The Great Heep , but opted instead to make Ewoks: The Battle for Endor . [4]
The Korean company Hanho Heung-Up struggled with the show's designs, which often encompassed up to 24,000 cels per episode. As a result, Clive Smith moved to Korea for eight months in order to assist the company. Smith estimated that each hour-long pair of Droids and Ewoks episodes cost approximately $500,000 to $600,000 to produce, [5] making them amongst the more expensive animated series for that time. [4] He later commented on the production: "Ewoks wasn't as problematic because you could get away with more animal characters. Droids had many recognizable humanoid characters which are much harder to do and make look right". [5] Layout artist Brian Lemay had a different take: "The Droids show was much more challenging as it had far more locations and they required perspective drawing which I really enjoy (a lot more than drawing trees, that's for sure). [...] The main difference was the lack of trees in Droids. [...] I guess the other key difference was the lack of emotion in the characters in the Droids series. They always seemed to have the same emotion on their faces where as with the Ewoks they had lots of emotion, happy, sad, surprised, angry, the whole range." During production, the American animation team would often play games during down time, and would regularly play practical jokes on each other. [10] The show's " new wave " score was created by Patricia Cullen and David Shaw . [5] Each season had its own unique opening sequence; The first season's opening featured a song written and performed by the American blues musician Taj Mahal , [6] [5] while the second season opening featured a different song in which the Ewoks sing a song about friendship. [5]
For the second season, Lucasfilm moved a majority of the production to their own studios, and thus exherted more direct control over producing the series than Nelvana. Production started on season two in late 1985. The new executive producers—Cliff Ruby and Elana Lesser—suggested making a few changes to the series. Some episodes were divided into two distinct, eleven-minute stories. Episodes now focused on the core characters of Wicket, Tebbo, Kneesa and Latara, with the other characters either playing lesser roles or written out entirely. Changes were made to better distinguish the Ewoks from one another and to make them more distinctive. Other changes included different voice actors, new music and a new opening which utilized CGI. [4] Denny Delk , who voiced Wicket in the second season, commented on the actors' recording schedule: "We usually completed a story in about an hour and a half, unless there was something especially tricky. We'd do two or three stories in a day, and record every week or so." [11]
Release
Edit
Promotional image for the series
Ewoks debuted on September 7, 1985, and ran against Muppet Babies and The Smurfs . Despite frequent schedule changes and generally low ratings, the series was renewed for a second season in late 1985. However, ratings did not improve and the series was canceled in 1986. Writer/producer Paul Dini speculated that, had the series been renewed for a third season, it would have featured more stories about Malani, Asha and the woklings. [4]
In the mid 1990s, beginning in 1994, the US Sci-Fi Channel ran episodes of the series, along with those of its counterpart, Droids, on its " Cartoon Quest " and " Animation Station " blocks of programming. [7] [12] [13]
Merchandising
Edit
In 1984, Joe Johnston wrote and illustrated The Adventures of Teebo: A Tale of Magic and Suspense , an Ewok storybook that introduced many of the elements that would later appear in the series. Also that year, Random House began publishing a series of children's books with the subtitle "An Ewok Adventure," which were meant to tie into both the series and Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure . In 1985, Kenner produced a toy line based on the series, including action figures, ship models, and other items. Also that year, Star Comics , an imprint of Marvel Comics , published a bimonthly Ewoks comic, which was based on the animated series. The comic ran for two years, ending with issue #14 . Like the TV series, this was aimed towards a younger audience. It was produced along with the Droids comic, which was based on the Droids animated series. Star Comics' Ewoks 10: The Demons of Endor was a crossover with Star Wars Droids 4: Lost in Time . An LP record and a cassette were released of the French theme song by Dorothée . [14]
After the series finished production, Nelvana sent the majority of pre-production materials to Lucasfilm, who later partnered with the former company Royal Animated Art to sell these materials to private owners. Some were bought by a California business, [7] and some were later given out as part of the Hyperspace fan club . [15] In 2010, StarWars.com celebrated the 25th anniversary of both Droids and Ewoks by featuring a series of articles about the collectibles available from each series. [16] The 2013 one-shot comic Star Wars: Ewoks—Shadows of Endor was designed to tie together all the various aspects of Ewok lore. [17]
Home video
Edit
The series received its first home video release in 1990 when J2 Communications released The Star Wars Trilogy Animated Collection. The collection consisted of three VHS tapes; one tape contained one episode, while the other two tapes contained two episodes each—with one of those repeating the episode from the single-episode tape. Each tape began with a Star Wars Animated Classics trailer promoting the "Special Double Length Edition" volumes. However, for the single volume tapes, the white box covers were shown, but differing content was advertised. CBS/Fox Video also released the complete series on Region 2 VHS in the UK. [7] [12]
On June 26, 2002, prequel trilogy producer Rick McCallum responded to a question about a complete DVD release on StarWars.com's now-defunct "Ask the Jedi Council" feature, in which he said "I hope so. Definitely. At some point after we're finished with Episode III, we'd really like to make all of that material available to our fans on DVD. Unfortunately, we won't be even thinking of making any firm plans until we're finished with this trilogy." [18] He also expressed this privately to Paul Ens . [19] According to Pablo Hidalgo , a full series release was considered as an alternative to the Animated Adventures DVDs: "I don't know what numbers are run in the mysterious background that decides to say 'You know what? That doesn't look like a product that we can move.'" [20] At 2005 's Celebration III , McCallum and Lucasfilm's Vice President of marketing Jim Ward dodged questions about a complete DVD release of the series. [21] At the Celebration VI "StarWars.com and Beyond" panel, it was mentioned that both Droids and Ewoks may be streamed on StarWars.com in the future. [22]
Continuity
Edit
The Ewoks in the series speak mostly Basic , mixed with occasional words or phrases of Ewokese . Although this break from continuity is clearly for the convenience of an Earth -based audience, no official in-universe explanation has been provided. It does not appear that Ewok dialogue is translated from Ewokese for viewers, as the episode " Battle for the Sunstar " shows Ewoks communicating with Doctor Raygar and Imperial droids without a translator.
In Star Wars: Rebel Assault II: The Hidden Empire , pressing Alt-v and then typing "ovres" will turn on theatre mode, where R2-D2, Darth Vader and C-3PO watch the cutscenes and comment MST3K -style. At one point, they imitate Rookie One , saying "Let's see what's on the telly. It's the Ewoks/Droids cartoon hour! I loved that show! Especially that episode where R2 joined that cult.... and began talking like a hippie..." The novel Fate of the Jedi: Outcast also contains a reference to the show: Ben Skywalker takes a deep breath of Dorin's helium -rich atmosphere and sings, his voice "as high and ridiculous as that of an animated Ewok in a children's broadcast". [23] The developers of Star Wars Galaxies watched the entirety of the Ewoks series to prepare for creating Endor in the game. [24]
Episodes
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Brent Spiner played which character in Star Trek: The Next Generation? | Brent Spiner - IMDb
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Brent Spiner, whose primary claim to fame is his portrayal of the beloved android Data on the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), was born and raised in Houston, Texas. His parents, Sylvia (Schwartz) and Jack Spiner, owned and operated a furniture store, and were both from Jewish immigrant families (from Austria, Hungary, and ... See full bio »
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Known For
Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander Data / Lore / Dr. Noonien Soong / Annie Meyers / Bandito / Dr. Ira Graves / Eli Hollander / Frank Hollander / Henchman / Lt. Cmdr. Data / Sherlock Holmes
(1987-1994)
Independence Day Dr. Brakish Okun
(1996)
2015-2016 Blunt Talk (TV Series)
Phil
2015 The Librarians (TV Series)
Puck
2015 Comedy Bang! Bang! (TV Series)
The Sandman
2014 Ray Donovan (TV Series)
Therapist
2013 Wendell and Vinnie (TV Series)
Brent Spiner
2010-2013 Generator Rex (TV Series)
Dr. Gabriel Rylander / additional voices
- End Game: Part 2 (2013) ... Dr. Gabriel Rylander / additional voices (voice)
- Endgame Part 1 (2013) ... Dr. Gabriel Rylander / additional voices (voice)
- Target: Consortium (2012) ... Dr. Gabriel Rylander / additional voices (voice)
- Dark Passage (2010) ... Dr. Gabriel Rylander (voice)
2012 The Simpsons (TV Series)
Robots
2003 An Unexpected Love (TV Movie)
Brad
2001 The Ponder Heart (TV Movie)
Dorris Grabney
2001 A Girl Thing (TV Movie)
Bob
1996 Dream On (TV Series)
Dr. Strongwater
1995 Deadly Games (TV Series)
Danny Schlecht
1995 Mad About You (TV Series)
Bob, the Dog Agent
1989 What's Alan Watching? (TV Special)
Brentwood Carter
1987 Family Sins (TV Movie)
Ken McMahon
1987 Sledge Hammer! (TV Series)
Soldier
1986 Sylvan in Paradise (TV Movie)
Clinton C. Waddle
1986 American Playhouse (TV Series)
Franz / Dennis
1986 The Twilight Zone (TV Series)
Draft Dodger (segment "Dead Run")
1985 Crime of Innocence (TV Movie)
Hinnerman
1985 Hill Street Blues (TV Series)
Larry Stein
1984 The Paper Chase (TV Series)
Student in Reese's Class
1981 Ryan's Hope (TV Series)
Doctor examining Kim
1970 My Sweet Charlie (TV Movie)
Local (uncredited)
2002 Star Trek: Nemesis (performer: "Blue Skies")
2001 Great Performances (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode)
- My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs (2001) ... (performer: "Love is Sweeping the Country", "Rosie")
2000 Geppetto (TV Movie) (performer: "Bravo, Stromboli!")
1987-1989 Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) (performer - 3 episodes)
- The Schizoid Man (1989) ... (performer: "If I Only Had a Brain" - uncredited)
- Datalore (1988) ... (performer: "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off (You Say 'Tomato', I say 'Tomato')" (uncredited), "Abdulla Bulbul Amir")
- Encounter at Farpoint (1987) ... (performer: "Pop! Goes the Weasel " - uncredited)
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2011 The Captains (Documentary) (special thanks)
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2016 Home & Family (TV Series)
Himself
2016 Made in Hollywood (TV Series)
Himself
2012 From the Mouths of Babes (TV Series documentary)
Himself (2016)
2011 Those Video Guys (TV Series)
Himself
2010 Guten Abend RTL (TV Series)
Himself
2009 Family Guy (TV Series)
Himself
2003 Charlie Rose (TV Series)
Himself - Guest
2003 Working in the Theatre (TV Series documentary)
Himself
2002 Richard & Judy (TV Series)
Himself
2001 Best of British (TV Series)
Himself
2001 Hollywood Remembers Walter Matthau (TV Movie documentary)
Himself
2001 Great Performances (TV Series)
Himself
2000 CBS Cares (TV Series)
Himself
1997 The Daily Show (TV Series)
Himself
1995 Gottschalk Late Night (TV Series)
Himself
1988 Reading Rainbow (TV Series)
Himself
2015-2016 The Drunken Peasants (TV Series)
Himself
1985 Hill Street Blues (TV Series)
Larry Stein
- G.Q. (1985) ... Larry Stein (uncredited)
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Personal Details
Other Works:
In 1978, he appeared in a Broadway revue called "A History of American Film". See more »
Publicity Listings:
7 Interviews | 9 Articles | 15 Magazine Cover Photos | See more »
Official Sites:
Did You Know?
Personal Quote:
[on his Lt. Commander Data action figure] At first, I was reluctant. But then I figured, if it's good enough for Alec Guinness , then it's good enough for me. See more »
Trivia:
Along with Jonathan Frakes , Marina Sirtis , Michael Dorn , Colm Meaney and Jeffrey Combs , he is one of only six actors to appear in the series finales of two different "Star Trek" series ( Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) and Star Trek: Enterprise (2001)). See more »
Trademark:
Lieutenant Commander Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
Star Sign:
| Data (Star Trek) |
What was the name of the robot in Forbidden Planet? | Brent Spiner on playing Conan O’Brien, Data on Star Trek, and Brent Spiner · Random Roles · The A.V. Club
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AVC: How much of LeVar Burton’s material was written, and how much of it was just two old friends riffing back and forth?
BS: Well, the majority of it was written. There was definitely some riffing going on, though. [Laughs.] As there is with all of us. I mean, most of the people I’m working with… Harry and Chris and most of the other actors: Brian Palermo, who plays Tommy The Agent, and Jeff Lewis, who’s in the porn class, and Sandeep [Parikh], who’s the Indian billionaire, those guys are about the best improv guys in Los Angeles, so their impulse is to throw some amazingly funny line in when you least expect it. And I love that about them. And Harry and Chris are sitting there while we’re doing it, and Chris is directing, obviously, but if we start fooling around a little bit, Harry comes in, and he’s got some addition that makes it even funnier. But we start with a complete script.
AVC: Given that a bit of fun is had with ST:TNG fandom in the series, are you concerned about alienating any of the fans with Fresh Hell? Do the majority of them seem to have a pretty good sense of humor, in your experience?
BS: Well, so far everyone seems to have a pretty good sense of humor. [Laughs.] I mean, we’re really not taking the piss out of ’em too much. God knows I’m doing it way more to myself than I am to them, and I think they can handle that balance of about 95 percent to 5 percent. Really, the kind of goofy fans we had in the episode with LeVar is the only time we’ve done that, and it’s not our intention, really, to mock Star Trek. I mean, that’s not really what it’s about at all. Sometimes it just lends itself to the moment. [Laughs.]
AVC: So how far do you have the series mapped out?
BS: Well, we’ve got it… Wait, what episode did we just do?
AVC: Eight, I think.
BS: Then we’ve got it completely mapped out to the end of the eighth episode. [Laughs.] No, no, we’ve got two more episodes this season that we’ve completed, and then we’re kind of consulting with each other right now on where we’re going to go with season three. So we kind of know where it’s all going to end, and we know what the incident was that sent me down this path, but I don’t know how long it’s going to take us to get to either of those things.
AVC: Have you toyed with the idea of not revealing the incident at all?
BS: Yeah. And the more we do it, the more it seems pointless to reveal it. The incident really is… It’s the comic umbrella under which all of it operates. Because underneath it all, it’s actually something kind of serious going on. Obviously we’re doing a comedy, and our intent is to entertain, but we’re also really aware and trying to stay aware of the subtext of what it’s like to reach a certain age and be dismissed, basically, from the fraternity you’ve always wanted to be a part of, and the desperation involved in trying to claw your way back into it.
Joey (2005)/ Family Guy (2009)/ The Big Bang Theory (2011)/The Guild (2011)—“Brent Spiner”
AVC: As you said, you’ve played yourself before bringing Fresh Hell to the Internet. The first time appears to have been, of all places, on an episode of Joey.
BS: Joey being one of my finest performances ever. [Laughs.] And, you know, Matt LeBlanc’s basically doing the same thing right now, playing himself on Episodes. When I did Joey, I really leaned on them to make me the biggest ass they possibly could, because, frankly, everyone in their heart of hearts thinks of themselves that way. Or at least I do, anyway. [Laughs.]
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AVC: How was the ST:TNG reunion for Family Guy? Presumably most of you were doing your lines independent of each other.
BS: All of us were independent, I think. I mean, I don’t know that for sure, but I know I was by myself, with the exception of Seth MacFarlane , who was there reading Stewie’s lines, along with the lines of every other character he does. But that was great. I loved doing that. It was a privilege to be working with him, ’cause he’s quite brilliant.
AVC: You did, at least, get to re-team with Wil Wheaton for your Big Bang Theory appearance.
BS: That was really fun. You know, I’ve gotten such good feedback from that, and I hardly did anything. [Laughs.] I mean, I’m the tag of the show! That was one of the easiest jobs I’ve ever had. I think I worked an average of about 10 minutes a day. It took longer to get to the studio than I actually worked. So I regard the driving there as the actual job. The work itself was just fun. They’re a great bunch of people. Bill Prady and Chuck Lorre, the guys who run that show, are really funny and really smart, and the cast is fantastic to work with.
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AVC: Did the experience of doing The Guild help you in any way with Fresh Hell?
BS: Oh, sure. Needless to say, I was impressed by Felicia [Day] and her moxie with how to do a web series. I mean, she’s the queen of the web, y’know? She’s really figured it all out, and it was impressive. It was nothing like our set, because her set was like working on a real film. Like, she had a caterer, she had wardrobe people, she had two makeup artists… I mean, we have makeup and we have wardrobe, but Felicia was, like, on it. She had two cameras operating, sets, extras everywhere. It was unbelievable. I don’t know what her budget was or is, but she had sponsors for her show, and we don’t have a sponsor yet, so basically, the difference is, our moms make our costumes. [Laughs.] I did learn a lot from her, though, and I was able to usurp some of her talent. I got Greg Aronowitz, who does her sets, to do mine as well, and he’s just amazing. He can work miracles with nothing. I don’t know if you’ve seen the episode with the Indian billionaire, but he created that whole set, and when Harry wrote it, he wrote this fantastic office that we were going, like, “How are we going to do this with no budget?” And Greg came up with it. And it was fantastic.
My Sweet Charlie (1970)—“Local” (uncredited)
The Dain Curse (1978)—“Tom Fink”
BS: The Dain Curse was a great job. I was in New York, and I was young—I think I’m 28 years old in that—and I got to work with James Coburn and Jean Simmons and Jason Miller. Plus, it was a Dashiell Hammett story, and I had a great character. It was fantastic to shoot. That was really, really exciting for a young actor.
AVC: It seems to have been your first substantial onscreen role.
BS: Yeah, basically. I did have a tiny moment in a TV movie called My Sweet Charlie, starring Patty Duke.
AVC: Right, that’s on IMDB. You have the lofty credit of “Local,” plus the additional caveat that you were technically uncredited.
BS: Yep. That was me. But I think I was technically uncredited as Local #1, because there were three of us. But I had the most lines. [Laughs.] You know, a couple of years ago, I went to see a production of Wicked in San Francisco with a friend of mine, one that Patty Duke was in, and he said, “Do you want to meet her?” And I said, “Yeah!” And I went backstage, and she walked out of her dressing room, looked at me, and said, “I know you.” And I went, “Well, uh, yeah, I was in My Sweet Charlie.” And she said, “Yeah! You were the guy in the car on the road!” And I was. [Laughs.] It was amazing. It really was incredible. But, you know, there’s every chance she was thinking I was uncredited Local #2 or #3. It’s just hard to say for sure.
AVC: So how did you find your way from the stage to in front of the camera? You started in theater, correct?
BS: That’s right. I went to New York out of college, and in my day, we were told that was the way you became a good actor. You don’t go to Hollywood, you go straight to New York and work in the theater. So that’s what most of the people I knew did.
AVC: What led you down the path of acting to begin with?
BS: Uh, I think it was somewhere around age 3 when I fell down the stairs at my house, and I got up and did a Jerry Lewis impression and got a big laugh. And I thought, “Oooh, I like that. I think I need to do this for a living!” [Laughs.] And I had a fantastic teacher in high school. I had one of those guys you dream of having, who molds your life and inspires you to go in a particular direction, and he was quite brilliant. His name was Cecil Pickett, and a lot of the kids from my high-school drama class are in professional show business and have done quite well. Both of the Quaid brothers, Randy and Dennis, were in my class, and Tommy Schlamme, who produced and directed The West Wing with Aaron Sorkin, among many others. Marianne Williamson, who did A Course In Miracles, she was in my high-school drama class, too. So it was kind of an amazing class. I went to the Strasberg Institute in New York for a little while after I got there, and I’ve never seen anybody who was in any of my classes there ever again. I mean, that’s not to say they didn’t become somebody. I’m not sure. I mean, Sam Jackson could’ve been in my class, for all I remember. [Laughs.] But I do know that when I look around in show business, I see a lot of people who were in my drama class in high school.
American Playhouse: Sunday In The Park With George (1986)—“Franz”/“Dennis”
AVC: As far as your early New York theater work, you had a relatively substantial role in Stephen Sondheim ’s Sunday In The Park With George in 1984, which was immortalized for an episode of PBS’ American Playhouse. What was your first appearance on the New York stage?
BS: I did a couple of little Off-Broadway things, but my first Broadway show was A History Of The American Film, written by Chris Durang. Swoosie Kurtz was one of the stars. It was a wonderful show. It closed in 40 performances. I think it was kind of ahead of its time. I tended to do a lot of shows that were ahead of their time and didn’t run very long. [Laughs.] I did a great show Off-Broadway called Leave It To Beaver Is Dead that was at the Public Theater in New York. It was written by Des McAnuff, who’s an illustrious director now, and it starred… Well, I was in it, Mandy Patinkin, Dianne Wiest, Saul Rubinek, and Maury Chaykin. It was an amazing show. But it was definitely ahead of its time, and people didn’t quite get it. About two or three years later, plays started to come along that were very much in that style, and they were huge hits. And we thought, “Man, if we’d waited a couple of years…” But timing is everything, as you know.
Stardust Memories (1980)—“Fan In Lobby”
BS: Yes, that was just after The Dain Curse. My other big uncredited role from back then. I always refer to it as Sharon Stone’s and my first film. [Laughs.] I was beyond thrilled to be there, of course, and I was in a scene with… I actually had some funny dialogue, a little piece, and we shot all day in this big ballroom. Gordon Willis was the director of photography, and there were several things happening in the ballroom, and then I had my shtick, and at the end of the day, Gordon turned to Woody Allen and said, “We cannot accomplish all of this in this space. It’s impossible.” And we’d been rehearsing and trying to shoot this thing all day. So Woody said, “Okay, let’s do something else.” He looked at me and said, “Come back tomorrow, I’ll put you in something else.” And he did. And it wasn’t as good, but… That’s just the way it worked, y’know? I was just happy to be there.
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Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2004)—“Graham Barnes”
BS: I really enjoyed doing that. I got to work with Margaret Colin, who was a blast to work with, and a wonderful actress, and Taylor Roberts. She was fantastic. And getting to work with Vincent D’Onofrio, who’s amazing. But I loved the characters of the parents, these sick psychiatrists. [Laughs.] I actually wanted them to do a series based just on these two sick people, because I would’ve enjoyed playing that many more times.
AVC: Do you enjoy doing these one-off roles?
BS: Yeah, it’s fun to do something different. And there are things you can do in a small palate that you can’t necessarily do in a larger role. You can go a little further and do things you could never pull off for any length of time, but you can do for the short run. Like, I don’t know you could do a whole film about Dr. Okun from Independence Day . Although I could be wrong. If Roland Emmerich’s thinking about doing that at some point, I’d be glad to don the long hair again. [Laughs.] But sometimes you can just go a little bit further out with something you’re only going to be doing for a short run.
Alphas (2011)—“Dr. Kern”
BS: I had a really nice time on that. It was a bunch of really good actors, and I was particularly thrilled to be working with David Strathairn. Basically, my deal is that I choose roles based on three criteria. One is the role, obviously, if it’s something that speaks to me. Two is, are they gonna pay me? [Laughs.] And three is, who am I gonna work with? And, really, if one of those is there, I’m pretty likely to do it, but it’s particularly important to me who I’m going to work with, ’cause that’s part of the joy. I mean, I think we’re all fans, and I understand the whole world of fandom, because I am a fan. So when I get to work with people I admire, it’s such a bonus, so it was an easy sell when I got this phone call asking, ‘Will you do this thing with David Strathairn?’” Also, they didn’t ask me to audition, which is another bonus. But they said, “All your scenes will be with David,” and I said, “I’m there!”
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)—“Conan O’Brien”
BS: That was kind of interesting. I mean, I love the South Park guys, Trey Parker and Matt Stone . They’re geniuses. I throw that word around a lot, but I really do mean it. I think they are geniuses. And they called me one Saturday morning and said, “Can you do an impression of Conan O’Brien?” And I said, “I don’t know.” Because that was really… He hadn’t been on the air that long, and to be honest, I hadn’t watched much of him at that point. I have since, but at that point, I hadn’t. So I said, “I don’t know,” and they said, “Well, can you come down to our studio? We’re releasing the movie on Thursday, and we still don’t have a voice for Conan O’Brien.” So I went to Santa Monica to their studio and said, “Well, what does he sound like?” They said, “Well, just try it one time. Read the copy.” And I read the copy one time, and they went, “Okay, that’s fine. Thanks a lot, that’ll do. That’s perfect.” So I assumed, “Well, I must’ve sounded like Conan O’Brien, or a reasonable facsimile or something.” And there I am in the movie. I was very lucky.
I have to say, though, that somebody pointed out to me on YouTube last year that Conan O’Brien was being interviewed, and he was talking about how, oddly enough, he went to see that movie in Hawaii with his girlfriend or wife or whoever, and he didn’t even realize his character was in it. But there he was, and he said, “This voice comes out of me, and I’m thinking, ‘That’s not me! Who is that? That doesn’t even sound like me!’ So I asked about it, and I found out it was this guy from Star Trek, and apparently he went to those guys and begged him to let him do my voice, ’cause he said he sounded so much like me, so finally they let him do it.’” I mean, he couldn’t have been more wrong, obviously. I didn’t beg them at all. They asked me, and I said, “I’ll do it.”
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Ladies And Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains (1982)—“Corrine Burns’ Boss”
BS: Oh, wow! Actually, I had a really nice part in that movie. I mean, I have, like, one second in the final-cut version, where I say “You’re fired” to Diane Lane. That’s about all you see of me. But I actually opened the movie with a hilarious scene, and… [Laughs.] You know, show business is bizarre, the things that happen. I was in New York doing a play at the time, and I auditioned for this part for Lou Adler, who directed the movie. He flew me to Vancouver, back in 1981, I guess, when Vancouver was unbelievably beautiful. They hadn’t done the whole high-rise rape of the city, as they’ve now done in Toronto, too, where everywhere you look, it’s steel-and-glass high-rises instead of the beautiful city it was. So I was thrilled to be there, and then I had this really funny, great scene. It took place in a McDonald’s, where Diane was employed by me, but I was being interviewed by a TV station and… Well, I won’t go into what the scene was all about, but it was a really fun scene. But somewhere, something happened.
The woman who wrote the movie, her name is Nancy Dowd. She’s a wonderful writer. She wrote Coming Home. And when I read the script, at that time, I thought, “This movie is going to do for girls what Breaking Away did for boys.” I thought it was going to be huge. It was a great script. So I had two days of shooting on the film, I finished, and then I get a phone call from Nancy. “Can you join me for dinner?” I say, “Sure!” So I met her for dinner, and she said to me, “How would you like to stay on the movie?” And I was shooting on the first two or three days of the shoot, but she said, “How would you like to stay on the whole movie—we’re going to shoot here and in London—and coach Diane?” Remember, Diane was 14 at the time. And I said, “Well, yeah, I’d love to do that!” I mean, my God, to go to London? So she said, “Okay, great! Well, you have to ask Lou.” Because they weren’t getting along at the time. And I said, “Uh, okay.” So right before I was leaving, he took a break and was playing basketball, as he tended to do between scenes, and I said, “Hey, Lou, how would you like me to stay on the movie and coach Diane?” And he was not happy with that question at all, which I understand now, but, hey, I took a shot. I was young, and I wanted to stay on the movie.
But then the movie came out, and… A lot of people had seen early cuts of it and had told me how good the scene was, so I was really excited. But then the movie comes out, there I am saying, “You’re fired,” and that was it. And that’s what happens in movies. People shoot movies that are 10 hours long, and they have to cut them down. But I thought for sure that scene would stay in the movie, because it was just such a great piece of writing. So I called his office to see if I could at least get the scene, because I didn’t really have much of a reel at the time, since I was pretty new in the movie business. And they informed me that that scene had been destroyed. [Laughs.] I was, like, “Really? He was that offended by my asking to stay on the movie?” I don’t even know how it would’ve happened, but, yeah, they told me they didn’t have a copy of it and said that it did not exist any longer. Which is a real shame, because I’d still like to have it. But there you go. [Laughs.]
Threshold (2005-2006)—“Dr. Nigel Fenway”
BS: That was a really interesting series that I think would’ve been really great had it continued. I know Brannon Braga, who was running the show at the time, had a lot of really interesting ideas for what was going to happen the second, third, fourth, and fifth seasons, and they had it really planned out what was going to go on. But CBS just decided to pull the plug on it. Y’know, we were kind of never one of their favorites, even though we’d gotten really good reviews for the pilot. We were on at, what was it, 10 o’clock on a Friday night? That’s kind of where you bury a show if you don’t want it to last. But, wow, what a cast, huh? You could never get that cast together again.
[Among Threshold’s regulars were Carla Gugino, Peter Dinklage, and Brian Van Holt, who now plays Bobby on Cougar Town, along with Charles S. Dutton and Rob Benedict. —ed.]
AVC: Not without significantly more money, anyway.
BS: Yeah, exactly. That was a wonderful bunch of people to work with. One of the things about working on Star Trek that was always so great was that we all got along as well as we did. We really became family. And I was, like, “Wow, is this ever going to happen again? Am I ever going to work with another bunch of people I get along with this well?” And then, sure enough, Threshold was just a great bunch of people, and I thought, “Hey, I could hang with these people for a long time!” But, unfortunately, it was 13 episodes and we were out of there. It’d be nice if they’d come back and done, like, a big three-hour TV-movie finale for that thing. But it’s too late now.
The Aviator (2004)—“Robert Gross”
BS: That came about through John Logan, who I’ve been friends with for many years. He’s maybe the No. 1 screenwriter in the world today, not to mention that he won a Tony for Best Play for Red. So he may just be the best writer period right now. He wrote The Aviator, and I was in New York doing a play, and he asked if they would see me for the film, just meet with me. ’Cause that’s what Martin Scorsese does. He pretty much does the Woody Allen thing of just bringing people in and meeting them. I didn’t audition or anything like that. But I went into his office… It was his screening room in his office, actually, and I sat and schmoozed with him for about two minutes, which I think is standard, and, y’know, we got on fine.
And then he was kind of wrapping up—“Well, thanks for coming in…”—and I thought, “Oh, God, this is over and I’m out of here, and I really don’t want to leave.” [Laughs.] So I said, “Can I ask you a question?” He said, “Sure.” “What movie do you think you’ve seen more than any other movie?” And he said, “Wow, let me think about that. I guess probably The Searchers.” And I said, “Well, oddly, that’s the movie I’ve seen more than any other movie.” And I wasn’t just BS-ing. It’s true. It’s my favorite movie. So we started talking about The Searchers, and then he went on to tell me a story about when he first met John Wayne, and he said, “Hey, you be me and I’ll be Wayne,” and I said, “No, let me be Wayne!” Anyway, it was a very pleasant conversation, it was clear to him that I was a big movie fan, and by the time I got home, there was a phone call, asking if I’d mind doing one scene in the movie. And I’m, like, y’know, I didn’t have a problem doing one scene in Dude, Where’s My Car? I’m certainly not going to have a problem doing one scene in a Scorsese movie! [Laughs.]
It was a fabulous experience shooting it, working with Leo [DiCaprio] and Danny Huston in the scene. It was great. I think what was most eye-opening about it was that Scorsese was just like any good director you work with. He basically works just like any other director. You work the scene, you try to find what’s best in it and make it work. That’s what it was like.
Dude, Where’s My Car? (2000)—“Pierre”
AVC: Since you brought it up…
BS: [Laughs.] You know, Pierre could be the best thing I’ve ever done. When you distill it down to a minute and a half of work, that may be my finest effort. That’s one of those things I was talking about earlier. I could never have played that character that way for the length of an entire film, but for a minute and a half, I figured I could pull it off. And I had a blast doing it, working with Andy Dick. It was nothing but fun.
AVC: You weren’t actually credited for the role, though. Was that something the producers did to try and surprise the audience?
BS: No, you know, I think I asked for that up front. It came as an offer, and I read it and I thought, “You know, I don’t know if I’m going to be any good, if I can pull this off, I don’t need it on my résumé particularly…” I regret that now. That was really an arrogant move on my part, because… I think honestly, believe it or not, that Dude, Where’s My Car? in a way represents its time better than almost any film made around that. I mean, you look at that movie now, and you know exactly when it was made. And that’s what kids were like then. So I really like the movie, I think it’s genuinely funny, and I wish I hadn’t been so arrogant about it. And, of course, I didn’t know it was going to be my best work, either. [Laughs.]
Night Court (1985-1987)—“Bob Wheeler”
BS: I think it was the first thing I did when I came out to Hollywood. It was just one of those things that… I’m from Texas, and it was a character I’d been doing when I was a kid, just for fun. Me and my friends would go into a Denny’s or something, and I would be that guy and order… [Bob Wheeler drawl.] A patty melt. Yeah. With extra cheese. [Laughs.] So I would do that character, and I never dreamed when I was a kid that I’d walk into a casting session and they’d hand me a script and I’d read it and go, “Oh my God! This is…” It was a character I called Elmo, and I read it and went, “Oh my God, this is Elmo! I can just go in there and do Elmo!” And I did, and they let me do it. I think we were probably going to become at least semi-regulars on the show in the next season. We did six of them, though. And when I say “we,” I mean Annie O’Donnell, who played my wife, and myself. I think they were kind of prepping us to come on in some capacity like that, but then I got Star Trek, and that was that.
AVC: It had to have been strange for unaware Trekkies to tune into Night Court reruns and see you in that role.
BS: I’m sure it was. But Rick Berman, who produced Star Trek, was a big Night Court fan. So he knew who I was as soon as I walked in.
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Mama’s Family (1986-1987)—“Billy Bob Conroy”
BS: Oh, dear. Oof. Well, that was a favor. [Laughs.] That was… Actually, the lady who cast Night Court asked me to do it, because it was a Friday, and the person who’d been rehearsing it all week got sick and couldn’t come to the taping. And she figured I could put it together pretty quickly—it was not all that big a challenge, frankly—and I said, “Of course.” I owed her, after all. Gilda Stratton was her name. She was a really, really nice person. So I did it. And I, uh, think anything else is better left unsaid. [Laughs.]
The Simpsons (2012)—“Robots”
BS: Well, you know, what can I say? I felt like I was a natural. [Laughs.] I know a guy who writes on the show, it was his episode, and he called and said, “Would you do it?” And I said, “Yeah.” There’s not really much else to tell, except that I was thrilled to be on The Simpsons, because it’s one of the greatest series in the history of television. Plus, you know, voice acting is about the easiest thing to do. You roll out of bed, throw your clothes on that you had on the night before, you go into the studio, and nobody cares, just as long as you can speak.
AVC: It hasn’t happened yet, but we keep waiting for someone to say, “Man, I can’t tell you how much I hate voice acting.”
BS: [Laughs.] Can you imagine? I mean, really. It’s such an easy job. It’s like stealing money, really. Which I’m always happy to do.
BS: Ah, yes. I don’t know if you’ve seen that movie—
AVC: “This is what you’re doing. This is what I want you to do.”
BS: [Laughs.] Exactly. Well, Dana Carvey is hilarious. He’s a really, really funny, talented guy. You know, I can’t think of anything I’ve ever done that I regret doing, and I certainly don’t regret doing Master Of Disguise, because I got to hang around Dana. And, again, I got to play a funny part. There was one thing my character did that involved flatulence and laughing at the same time—that was in the script—and that was basically what sold me on it. I really thought, “This can’t help but be funny.” And when I saw the film, I was proud that I’d had those moments.
AVC: Everyone should have a farting scene in their clip reel.
BS: Don’t you think? And now I’ve got mine. [Laughs.]
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Tales From The Darkside (1984)—“Reverend Peabody”
AVC: You’ve turned up in several anthology series over the years: Tales From The Darkside, The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits…
BS: Wow, yeah, I have. You know, of those, the only one that really stands out for me is Tales From The Darkside, for a couple of reasons, one in particular being who I got to work with on it, which was Eddie Bracken. I mean, what a man. Someone who’s done Preston Sturges movies, and I actually got to work with him? And he was great. I really enjoyed him. He told me a great story. He did The Odd Couple on Broadway, replacing Art Carney, and he said, “Art Carney did it for six months and I did it for three years, and I don’t think anyone I’ve ever spoken to saw me. They all saw Art Carney.” [Laughs.] That’s just the way it goes. But the other thing about it was that the kid in the episode was played by Christian Slater! He was all of about 12 or so, but I’ve run into Christian many times since then, and he always does his line from Tales From The Darkside whenever he sees me.
Young Justice (2011)—“The Joker”
BS: You know, again, they asked me to do it, and I went in and… Y’know, there’s such a grand fraternity of actors who’ve played the Joker, not the least of whom is Mark Hamill , who voiced it for so long and was so great. I did it one time and… I’ve gotten some feedback on it from people who’ve seen it and really enjoyed it, but I don’t know. I don’t know if the character’s come back and it was someone else playing it, or maybe they never did it again. But I loved it. It was a great part to play.
Rent Control (1984)—“Leonard Junger”
BS: Oh wow. Well, Rent Control was an interesting movie. It was directed by… I had done a couple of plays off Broadway, and this Italian director came, his name was Gian Luigi Polidoro, and he determined I was the person to play the lead in his low-budget comedy. He’d won an award at the Venice Film Festival, and… He was, y’know, a skilled director. He and his girlfriend had written this script, it was an American comedy, and they decided I was the guy to play the part. I was young, they offered me the lead in the film, and I said, “Sure, I’ll do it.” And I’m telling you, there is a movie waiting to be made about the making of a movie like that, particularly at that time in New York. I mean, we shot all over the streets of New York without permits. We would literally grab a shot and run. But Rent Control… I think the total cost was $100,000, and to this director’s credit, I think it looks like $200,000. [Laughs.]
AVC: Would you recommend that people try to hunt it up?
BS: Well, it wouldn’t hurt. I mean, it’s not a terrible movie, certainly not for the budget they had. And, again, it’s such an ’80s kind of thing. And there are some shots in it… It just occurred to me that there are some beautiful shots with the World Trade Center in the background.
Oh, you know, I can tell you one other story about Rent Control. The lead actress in the film, her name was Elizabeth Stack, and it turned out she was Robert Stack’s daughter. The only problem with that—and she was lovely—was that she was basically hired because [Polidoro] thought she was [film producer] Ray Stark’s daughter. And he figured that if he ran out of money, her father would kick in some more. [Laughs.] And I can still remember the day he freaked out when he realized she was actually Robert Stack’s daughter. He was just screaming “Untouchables!” over and over. [Stack starred as Eliot Ness in the TV series The Untouchables from 1959 to 1963. —ed.]
Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999)—“Earl Mills”
BS: That’s probably the best role I’ve ever been given in a film. And it was a great experience to work with Halle [Berry] and Klaus Maria Brandauer, an Austrian actor who’s a hero of mine. Martha Coolidge directed the movie, giving me another shot, and it was an amazing experience.
AVC: When you take on a role when you’re playing a real person, do you go out of your way to do your own research?
BS: I try to do as much as I can. I probably knew more about Earl Mills than anybody on earth besides people who actually knew him. [Laughs.] But as it turns out, sometimes that bites you. In this case, I saw pictures of Earl, and…I actually met him. He was quite old at the time, but he had this sort of curly red hair, so we did that in the film. I got a perm and had red hair, and… It was a mess. [Laughs.] It wrecked my hair. But I wanted to look right. I remember a review—a very positive one—in The New York Times that said I was so good in the role that I “even managed to overcome a terrible red wig.” I wanted to write her and tell her about the agony I’d gone through with the perm, but I thought better of it.
Source
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)/Star Trek: Generations (1994)/Star Trek: First Contact (1996)/Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)/Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)—“Lt. Commander Data”
AVC: How did you find your way into Star Trek: The Next Generation in the first place? You’ve said Rick Berman was a Night Court fan, but was it a cattle-call audition for the series? It seems like everyone would’ve wanted to be a part of a new Star Trek series.
BS: You know, I don’t think everybody wanted to be on it. I certainly didn’t. [Laughs.] It wasn’t exactly a cattle call. I had an agent, and they were seeing people for the parts, so my agent said, “Here’s the script, see if there’s anything that speaks to you.” And I did, and I called my agent and said, “I think this character Data is kind of interesting,” and she said, “Well, okay, I’ll get you the appointment with Junie Lowry.” I had to read with the casting agent first, ’cause nobody really knew me then. So I did, and Junie was very nice and said, “I think you should see the producers.” And then after that, I had, I think, six different auditions for the role. And finally it was me.
AVC: How was the process of creating Data as a character? He evolved considerably during the course of that first season.
BS: Yeah, but, y’know, it really was not that difficult a process, because I was playing something that doesn’t exist. So it was really based on… Imagination was the key element in that, and whatever I could think of, I could do, because there was no precedent for it. It wasn’t like someone was going to say, “Well, an android would never do that.” They didn’t know! [Laughs.] So it was kind of nice to do. It was open to interpretation, so you could do whatever you wanted.
AVC: Most hold up “Measure Of A Man” as one of the strongest Data-centric episodes. Do you have any personal favorites?
BS: No, I really don’t. Because I didn’t really watch the show. I still haven’t seen about 150 of them. [Laughs.] So I didn’t really think of them too much in terms of episodes. I thought of them as kind of one long seven-year episode. But it was a very, very pleasant episode. Again, I’ve worked with some great people, and I was paid handsomely, and it was a nice role. So the whole experience was positive for me.
AVC: How were the films for you?
BS: Oh, you know, some were good, some were not. [Laughs.] Some were better than others. I think everyone agrees First Contact was our best film, and even at that, they’re kind of… I don’t know, they’re sort of movies. But they’re kind of really Star Trek movies, if you take my meaning. It’s hard for me to say. I was glad to be doing them. Whether they were good isn’t really up to me to determine, and it doesn’t matter what I think. I thought we had a really nice script on Nemesis, and the audience didn’t seem to care for it, so what can you do?
AVC: Any such talk presumably would’ve died with the J.J. Abrams reboot, but prior to that, had there ever been anything approaching serious discussion about doing another Next Generation film?
BS: No. We knew Nemesis was our last film. They didn’t even really want to make another one, but finally they thought about it and were like, “Would you like to make another one?” And Rick talked to all of us, and we all agreed, “Yeah, let’s do one more.” But we kind of knew that was it. And I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m certainly too old to do it again. [Laughs.]
AVC: Which was worse to put on, the yellow makeup as Data, or the old-age makeup as Dr. Noonien Soong?
BS: Well, I have to go with Data’s makeup, because that was basically every day, 10 months out of the year, for seven years. There were only a couple of days that I had to endure for Dr. Soong. You know, initially I objected to the Data makeup. I said, “Why do I need this makeup? Why can’t I just look like me?” In fact, I said to Gene Roddenberry, “Don’t you think that by this time in history, they would’ve figured out how to make skin look like skin?” And he said, “What makes you think that what you have isn’t better than skin?” And I went, “Um, okay.” [Laughs.] Can’t argue with Gene Roddenberry. He was a pretty brilliant guy.
Source
Star Trek: Enterprise (2004-2005)—“Dr. Arik Soong”
AVC: How did that gig come about? Did they just approach you and say, “We’d like to incorporate the Soong legacy into Enterprise”?
BS: Um… you know, I think Rick Berman just called me and asked me if I wanted to do the show, and he said they’d write an arc if I’d do it. And they’d pay me well. [Laughs.] And I said, “Sure, I’ll do that! Do I have to wear a lot of makeup?” And he said no, so I said okay. They were nicely written and nicely directed episodes. I enjoyed working with Scott [Bakula]. So it was good to do, and, as you said, it did serve to enhance the Soong legacy.
AVC: That particular arc, along with several other episodes in that last season of Enterprise, worked well because it felt like they’d finally stopped trying to completely invent their own history out of thin air and were trying to build on existing material from the Trek universe.
BS: Yeah, I agree. I think that Enterprise was getting better and better, actually, and if it had kept going, I think it would’ve turned into as good a show as any other in the Star Trek franchise.
Source
Independence Day (1996)—“Dr. Brackish Okun”
BS: Ah, yes, Dr. Okun. Who’s named after a special-effects guy named Jeff Okun, who had done Stargate for Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin, who did Independence Day. But “Brakish” just came up one day when Jeff Goldblum and I were improvising, and he told me his character’s name and I told him mine. [Laughs.] That was a sweet, sweet job, because it was one of those big surprises. I had no idea I was part of what was going to be a big mega-hit. I thought I was doing a B sci-fi movie. And, actually, it was Jeff Goldblum who looked at me one day and said, “You know, I think this is going to be really something.” And I said, “Well, I hope you’re right.” And sure enough, it turned out to be. But it seemed like an interesting movie, and I thought I had a take on the part that was going to be unique. That doesn’t happen to me very often. But that time, it just jumped out of the blue and into my head as far as how to play this thing. So it was a really pleasant surprise when it turned out to be a successful film. I don’t know if you’ve heard that they’re going to be re-releasing it next Fourth of July in 3-D. I’ve actually only seen it once, and it was in Hawaii, in a little theater in Oahu shortly after it was released. But Roland Emmerich is a really smart guy, and he makes really fun movies to watch.
AVC: Given that you were coming off of having played Data on television for so long, was there ever any hesitation on your part about appearing in a non-Trek science-fiction film?
BS: No, there was no hesitation at all. Mostly because, as I say, I didn’t entirely know what I was getting into. [Laughs.]
AVC: A number of actors from the franchise have actively tried to go any other direction but science fiction in order to avoid being completely typecast in the genre, but you don’t seem to have any trouble embracing it.
BS: Nah. A job’s a job. And I like to work.
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Who was the first man to swim the English Channel? | Captain Matthew Webb - The History of the first man to swim the English Channel
MATTHEW WEBB a true Son of Shropshire England, was born at the height of the Industrial Revolution in Dawley on January 19th 1848 , named after both his Grandfather Matthew Webb of Broseley, and his Father Matthew Webb of Ironbridge (1813-1876) a surgeon. Webb junior the oldest of 7 children born to his parents Matthew and Sarah Webb (1822-1877) had learned to swim in the River Severn at Coalbrookdale and aged 12 years enlisted into a maritime career with the Conway training ship at Liverpool , progressing to be a Master with the Cunard Line , before choosing to become a professional endurance swimmer in 1874.
Webb learned to swim up river from the Ironbridge, were he saved his younger brother Thomas from drowning in the summer of 1863
Farmer Fletcher's Pig
"Look-a-like"
On August 24th 1875 smeared in porpoise oil, Webb dived into the water near Dover 's Admiralty Pier. Twenty-one hours and 45 minutes later he waded ashore at Calais much to the delight of the passengers & crew of the mailship The Maid of Kent, who witnessed his final effort's. Webb recalled in his diary " Never shall I forget when the men in the mailboat struck up the tune of Rule Britannia, which they sang, or rather shouted, in a hoarse roar. I felt a gulping sensation in my throat as the old tune, which I had heard in all parts of the world, once more struck my ears under circumstances so extra-ordinary. I felt now I should do it, and I did it."
News of Matthew Webb's amazing feat filtered back to his home community here in Shropshire, he returned in triumph and arriving at Wellington railway station was met by large crowds of locals, eager to share in the glory and heap deserved praise on their own Local Hero . It is known that he was escorted back to Dawley amid a carnival atmosphere boosted by the able ability of the Shifnal Brass Band . The journey itself was to spawn endless tales of folklore. Arriving as we have into the new Millennium and the year 2000, locals to this day, 125 years on, still refer to The Pig On The Wall . Legend has it that as the Band led Webb's procession into Dawley, a pig placed its front trotters onto the wall of its sty, to watch the band pass by.
The Pig on The Wall
Matthew Webb's achievement not only raised morale of folk in Shropshire, but throughout the Country, he also received world wide acclaim for his success, it brought the sport of swimming to great heights, but he chose a typical English sport to compare when discussing the physical pain of his Channel Crossing. " The sensation in my limbs is similar to that after the first day of the Cricket season". The London Stock exchange had set up a Testimonial Fund for Webb, it raised �2,424.00 of which he gave his father �500.00 and invested �1.782.00 hoping to provide a guaranteed income for life of �87.00. Basing himself at 21 Tavistock Crescent, Kensington in London , Webb was to lose his parent's within 2 years of his channel swim, and pursued overseas lecture tours. He married 21 year old Madeline Kate Chaddock at St. Andres Church Kensington, they had 2 children, (Matthew & Mary).
Webb continued to earn money from his swimming strengths, records show he won large sums of money, from races off Manhattan and also beat US champion Paul Boyton in a so called "World Championship Race" off Nantasket Beach . Bizarrely he also won �1,000.00 for floating in a tank of water at Boston Horticultural Show for 128 hours. Dawley & Shropshire lost their favoured Son at 4pm on July 24th 1883 when he drowned in a "whirlpool" at the foot of Niagara Falls , he had hoped to earn a �12,000.00 fortune by swimming under and across the swirling water. Wife Madeline was ignorant of his intentions, yet thousands of onlooker's were reportedly brought to the Falls by special trains, Matthew Webb uttered the words "If I die they will do something for my wife", he died when he hit his head on jagged rocks beneath the raging torrent, his body was recovered down stream 4 days later.
Tribute's to Captain Webb were unprecedented, a friend Robert Watson who travelled to the venue with him wrote, " As we stood face to face I compared the fine handsome sailor I had first met with the broken-spirited and terribly altered appearance of the man who now courted death in the whirlpool rapids. His object was not suicide but money and imperishable fame". The spectators who lined both banks of the raging river saw Matthew Webb dive in wearing the same costume he had used 8 years earlier when he stepped ashore in Calais, he was instantly gripped by the force of the current. "At first he kept on his way, swimming, then abruptly he threw up his arms and was drawn under", (words from Charles Sprawson 's classic study of Captain Matthew Webb, Haunts of The Black Masseur published by Cape, 1992).
Webb's legendary tales gripped the world for decades, in life he became a hero, in death the object of commercialism, here in Shropshire his monument was recently restored, whilst throughout the globe countless people try to trace their own family's heritage, wondering if it is linked to the Captain. Most will find their trail ends in disappointment but many have taken heart from the man's personal observation of life. Captain Webb has no direct decendents alive in the year 2000, his Great Grand-Daughter�emigrated to South Africa and died childless.
Nothing Great is Easy
| Matthew Webb |
What city, famous for its 'black hole' is the Capital of West Bengal, and the third largest in India? | Get Inspired: Andrew Rees becomes first deaf man to swim English Channel solo - BBC Sport
BBC Sport
Get Inspired: Andrew Rees becomes first deaf man to swim English Channel solo
19 Jul
From the section Get Inspired
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Andrew Rees on his 15 hour journey crossing the Channel
Andrew Rees has become the first deaf man to swim the English Channel solo.
The Welshman, 48, who represented Great Britain's deaf swimming team in the 1990s, completed the crossing shortly before midnight on Sunday.
He was supported by his boat, the Louise Jane, and raised over £6,000 for the current Great Britain Deaf Swimming team after his 15-hour marathon.
The money will help deaf athletes, who receive little or no financial support, compete at the Deaflympics in 2017.
Don't let your deafness stop you
They have to raise the costs of competing for their country as well as training to be in peak condition for their events.
The 23rd Deaflympics are due to take place in Samsun, Turkey from 18-30 July, 2017.
After 18 months of long training sessions and preparations, Rees had set off from Semphire Hoe beach near Dover on Sunday morning.
For the first six hours, his stroke was fast and he was overtaking other swimmers, including those who were in relays.
But unexpected weather hit when he reached French waters, with gale force six winds creating 2.5-metre swells and making the waters choppy.
Nearing the French shores, swimming through jellyfish, Rees' next battle was the tide pushing him out to sea and at this point he was getting tired.
With light fading, communication became difficult due to his deafness - but he eventually crawled ashore at Sangatte beach around 11:30 BST.
Of the 11 support boats that had left that morning only two arrived. The other boat was supporting a relay team that completed after Andrew.
Inspired to try swimming?
Find out how to get into swimming with our special guide .
"I would like to congratulate Andrew on the fantastic achievement of completing the Channel swim solo, the first British deaf swimmer to do so," said GB Deaf Swimming's chair, Brian Baxter.
"This is a monumental coup, both on a personal level and especially for deaf and hard-of-hearing swimmers.
"We are very grateful that he nominated GB Deaf Swimming Club as the chosen organisation for fund-raising purposes.
"The money he has raised will help our Deaflympic swimmers immensely, and his swim will also serve as an inspiration to them all."
Referring to the first man to swim the Channel unaided , Rees said after his crossing: "Captain Matthew Webb's quote hits the nail on the head, 'Nothing great is easy'."
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The second closest planet to the sun is what? | The Second Closest Planet to the Sun - Mr. Valentine's Solar System Webquest
Mr. Valentine's Solar System Webquest
The Farthest Planet
Venus, the Second Closest Planet to the Sun
Venus is the second closest planet to the Sun. Venus is 67,240,000 miles from the Sun. Venus is also the closest planet to Earth. Venus is about 26,000,000,000 miles from Earth. In the picture below, you can see that Venus is the second planet from the Sun.
What Makes up Venus?
Venus is very similar to Earth. Like Earth, Venus is a rocky planet that has a core, mantle, and crust. In fact, Venus is sometimes called Earth's twin. However, there is one big difference between Earth's and Venus' surface. Venus' surface is covered in nearly one million volcanoes! Some volcanoes may still erupt, but many are no longer erupting. The Earth has a core, mantle, and crust like Venus. However, Earth does not have nearly as many volcanoes. Look at what Venus is made of in the picture below.
How Big is Venus?
Venus is almost identical in size to the Earth. This is another reason why it is sometimes called a "twin" or "sister" planet to Earth. The Photo below shows Venus next to Earth.
Does Venus Have an Atmosphere?
Venus does have an atmosphere. Venus' atmosphere is much thicker than Earth's atmosphere and is made of harmful chemicals. Scientists believe Venus gained its toxic atmosphere because of the constant volcanic eruptions that happened on the planet in the past and its loss of water. There is no Oxygen in Venus' atmosphere.The thickness of Venus' atmosphere causes it to insulate Venus too much. Once the sun's energy enters Venus it is trapped.This causes Venus' temperature to be steady at 870 degrees Fahrenheit all of the time. The video below describes the atmosphere of Venus.
How Long Does it Take Venus to Orbit the Sun?
It takes Venus about 225 days to orbit the Sun. Once again, this is less time than it takes the Earth to Orbit the Sun (by 100 days). Like Mercury, Venus is closer to the Sun than the Earth so the Sun's gravity pulls on Venus more causing it to orbit faster.
Take a look at the videos below. The first video describes many of the things that we've learned about Venus during this lesson. The second video is longer and gives you more information about Venus. You only need to watch the first video, but the second video is very interesting.
Time to Share!
How can what we know about Venus' atmosphere help us protect our own planet?
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| Venus |
Who was the first professional footballer to be knighted? | The Planets of the Solar System
USOE
Our solar system includes many different planets. In the drawing below, click your mouse on each planet to find its name and a short bit of information about that planet. Keep in mind that the following model of the solar system shows the correct order of the planets, but the sizes of the planets or their distances from each other are not drawn to scale.
Notice the order of the planets. Make sure you view information for all the planets.
Which planet is closest to the sun?
Which planet is the farthest away from the sun?
A good way to remember the order of the planets is to memorize the following sentence. My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas. Do you get it? Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto!
Now it is time for you to take The Planet Quiz. Click on your choice for the correct answer. Need a hint, or want more information? Click on the photo of the planet to the left of the question. Photos courtesy of NASA .
1. What is the fourth planet away from the sun?
2. What planet is closest to the sun?
3. What planet is the third as you move away from the sun?
4. What planet is the farthest away from the sun?
5. What is the seventh planet as you move away from the sun?
6. What planet is the fifth as you move away from the sun?
7. What planet is the eighth as you move away from the sun?
8. What is the second planet as you move away from the sun?
9. What planet is the sixth as you go away from the sun?
Check your answers by highlighting the box at the right! 1. Mars 2. Mercury 3. Earth 4. Pluto
5. Uranus 6. Jupiter 7. Neptune
8. Venus 9. Saturn
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Au is the chemical symbol for what? | Chemical Elements.com - Gold (Au)
Contains an "Introduction to Tungsten", among other things
If you know of any other links for Gold, please let me know
Bentor, Yinon. Chemical Element.com - Gold.
<http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/au.html>.
For more information about citing online sources, please visit the MLA's Website .
This page was created by Yinon Bentor.
Use of this web site is restricted by this site's license agreement .
Copyright © 1996-2012 Yinon Bentor. All Rights Reserved.
| Gold |
A dry red wine produced in the Bordeaux region of France is frequently known as a what? | Au | Define Au at Dictionary.com
au
[oh] /oʊ/ (Show IPA). French.
1.
to the; at the; with the.
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Examples from the Web for au
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What I Saw in Haiti Buck Close January 14, 2010
Sure, she was more expensive than an au pair, but, we congratulated ourselves, she spoke English and she knew what she was doing.
The One Good Thing Michele Bachmann Did: Proudly Blurt Out Her Age Judith Newman January 7, 2012
Historical Examples
I knew he had never been to Germany before, and was au courant with the harmless nature of his mission.
British Dictionary definitions for au
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for au
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Au
chemical symbol for "gold," from Latin aurum "gold" (see aureate ).
French, "at the, to the," from Old French al, contraction of a le, with -l- softened to -u-, as also poudre from pulverem, chaud from calidus, etc. Used in many expressions in cookery, etc., which have crossed the Channel since 18c., e.g. au contraire, literally "on the contrary;" au gratin, literally "with scrapings;" au jus, literally "with the juice."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
The symbol for the element gold.
AU abbr.
Latin auris utraque (each ear)
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
(gōld)
Symbol Au
A soft, shiny, yellow element that is the most malleable of all the metals. It occurs in veins and in alluvial deposits. Because it is very durable, resistant to corrosion, and a good conductor of heat and electricity, gold is used as a plated coating on electrical and mechanical components. It is also an international monetary standard and is used in jewelry and for decoration. Atomic number 79; atomic weight 196.967; melting point 1,063.0°C; boiling point 2,966.0°C; specific gravity 19.32; valence 1, 3. See Periodic Table . See Note at element .
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Leonard Rossiter and Joan Collins advertised what drink in the 1970s? | Leonard Rossiter.com: Career - Cinzano
"...suffused with herbs and spices from four continents..."
One of the greatest advertising campaigns in British television history, the Cinzano ads saw a perfect pairing of leading actor and actress, performing brilliantly-written 30-second masterpieces of comedy. Leonard played the pretentious oaf, ostentation personified, against Joan Collins’ prim, straight-laced lady-of-society, Melissa. All ten commercials revolved around the old music-hall trick of the bungling fool always finding a way to, inadvertently of course, throw his drink over the girl, and never realising he had done it.
During the mid-1970s the Italian drinks manufacturer Martini was busy marketing their product, specifically aimed at the younger generation. Their adverts featured trendy, wealthy, twenty-somethings on private beaches, private yachts, and basically enjoying a lifestyle not accessible to the vast majority of their audience. Cinzano decided to make a humorous spoof on these commercials. Sean Connery and Woody Allen were pencilled in to be the stars, but when top British film director Alan Parker was brought in to direct the first three, the scripts were quickly discarded. (It is interesting to note, however, that the success of the Cinzano adverts actually resulted in an increase in the sales of Martini, as people were so engrossed in the commercials, they forgot what product the stars were advertising and, as Martini was the market leader, it was assumed this was the product being promoted). It was Parker and art director Ron Collins who cast Leonard and Joan, via the Collett, Dickenson, Pearse & Partners advertising agency, a company with a reputation for using celebrities. The company had previously used Leonard Rossiter for a Parker Pens' commercial in 1977, in which he played a traffic warden. “I remember going round to Leonard's house," Parker recalls, "and we agreed the scripts were absolute rubbish. So Leonard said 'What I'd like to do is the old music-hall joke', and we said 'What's that?', so he picked up his cup of tea as we were sitting there in his living room, and he looked at his watch, turning the cup over. And we said 'Yeah, that'll be a good joke, especially if it happens to be Joan Collins you're spilling it on!' “.
The first commercial, promoting the launch of the first of the Cinzano family of vermouth aperitifs, Cinzano Bianco, was broadcast during 1978, and was an instant success. Alan Parker directed the next two commercials, launching Cinzano Rose and Cinzano Secco, with art direction again by Ron Collins. Leonard choreographed his every move and had much involvement in the scripts and gags. By the end of 1979, the ads had become firm favourites with the viewing public, who never tired of seeing them over and over again. Joan Collins remembers: "When ITV went on strike viewers wrote in complaining not about the lack of programmes but about not being able to see Joan and Leonard!". But the best was yet to come.
The two actors were reported to be paid £30,000 each for the series of commercials. Hugh Hudson stepped in to direct the next two ads, possibly the most memorable of the ten that were made - Airliner and Ski Lodge. Airliner saw the two actors on board an aircraft and, after a near-miss for Melissa when Leonard crosses his legs, sending his seat table flying, she finally gets her soaking when he accidentally hits her seat recline button while she is about to sip her Cinzano. Ski Lodge has an Alpine setting in which the bungling buffoon blusters his way through the bar to Melissa, sending two skiers with legs already in plaster into fits of agony.
Within twelve months two more classics were made, directed by Paul Weiland: Roller Disco and Balcony (in the latter, pictured right, Leonard laments Melissa's absence, little knowing that the Cinzano pouring from the bottle over his hotel balcony is raining down on a bikini-clad Melissa on the balcony below). These had such popular appeal that in 1981 there was talk of a feature film. Of course, this would have had to involve some kind of relationship between Leonard and Melissa, whereas the commercials portrayed no relationship whatsoever - he merely
wanted her to think he was 'in the in-crowd'. As Leonard himself said in an interview with the Sunday Mirror: "If the scripts for the film that we make together were to be 10% funny and 90% romantic, it would deny the expectations of the audience. It is the fact that we are so disparate that makes us interesting and intriguing. In the film, if the girl were a scrubber it wouldn't work. And it wouldn't work if I were upper-crust."
So the idea for a film was scrapped, and the British public were instead treated to Mime, the eighth Cinzano commercial, this time under the direction of Peter Levelle. In 1983, Cinzano's manufacturers decided to focus on a global promotional strategy, rather than country-specific, and so the UK adverts ended - but not before two final gems graced our screens. In 1982, Tiger's Head (pictured below) saw Leonard jump with fright after placing his foot into the mouth of a tiger-skin's head hearth rug, jerking his cold collation, as usual, down Melissa's cleavage. They were entertaining three Japanese businessmen at the time and, thinking the unusual deposit was some kind of formal greeting - and not wanting to offend their hosts - the visitors promptly followed suit, jumping in the air and throwing their Cinzanos over Melissa's bosom. The final commercial, made in 1983, was called Dragoon, and took place at a high society fancy dress ball. Leonard mistakes someone else for Melissa. When she does arrive, he tells her she has a double, and promptly disposes two shakes of his drink down her cleavage. These last two adverts were directed by
Terry Lovelock: "There was great respect between them", Terry recalls. "They worked together wonderfully well, and it was a very successful campaign." Off-screen, it has to be said that there was at least some friction between the two actors. Leonard's tendency to 'take charge' in a production no doubt caused some conflicts between himself and his leading lady. In a 1984 TV interview, Leonard is asked how he got on with Joan. He replies: "We got on very well.. Well, not very well. We got on quite well."
As if to cement the Cinzano commercials in the British television Hall of Fame, the British viewers voted the ads Favourite Commercial in the TVTimes Top Ten Awards for 1983, and Leonard himself won an award for Best Actor In A Commercial. For a storyline which was basically the same in every commercial, with only the situations changing from one ad to the next, the Cinzano ads were one of the greatest - and most successful - television promotional campaigns of all time. As director Alan Parker says: "It worked. Boy did it work. There was a period of time when the commercials were far and away the most interesting thing you could see that evening on television. They were infinitely more entertaining than any of the programmes in those days."
| Cinzano |
What car manufacturer produces the Shogun? | Leonard Rossiter.com: TV Career - 1970s
Wednesday 18th February 1970, 9.10pm - BBC1
Written by William Trevor
Produced by Irene Shubik
Broadcast by BBC
A junk dealer, Mr. Jeffs (Rossiter) has to act as an intermediary when a woman, Mrs. Hammond, (played by Isabel Dean, pictured) sells him a table and her husband buys it for his mistress. The woman then tries to buy it back. A relationship grows between the wife and the junk dealer, but he mistakes kindness for friendship. Co-starred Ronald Hines, Moira Redmond, Dorothy Frere.
Leonard played the role of the junk dealer, Mr. Jeffs.
Leonard's Role Remembered:
"...He captured every nuance and was in fact one of the most brilliant actors I have ever had the good fortune to work with. I liked him as a person enormously. My mind is filled with affection and admiration." - William Trevor.
"What struck me was his honesty. This quality seemed uppermost in his work and life. No compromise...He was a brilliant actor." - Isabel Dean.
Critical Review:
"As a creeping, egregious and pathetic junk dealer who dreams of love and companionship which he can never achieve, he gave a performance of rare and tremendous power." - Jessie Palmer, The Scotsman.
Notes: Broadcast as part of 'The Wednesday Play' series of dramas.
Harry-Kari and Sally
Produced by Verity Lambert
Broadcast by ATV
The story of an ex-Sergeant Major (Rossiter) who has homosexual feelings for a man at work, feelings that turn to murder when he finds the man in bed with his lodger, Sally.
Leonard played the lead role of Harry, the ex-military man.
Leonard's Role Remembered:
"The ex-Sergeant Major offered Leonard one of his finest roles...Just as impressive was the amount of stress he could convey in a small scene on his own..." - Robert Tanitch.
Critical Review:
"Leonard Rossiter's Harry was an extraordinarily vivid piece of work which caught the devious, twisted mind, the violence behind the apparent ineffectualness with horrifying realism." - Jessie Palmer, The Scotsman.
Notes: Broadcast as part of the 'Sunday Night Theatre' series of plays. Made in colour, but tapes only exist in black & white.
Thick As Thieves
Written by Bob Baker and Dave Martin
Directed and Produced by Patrick Dromgoole
Broadcast by HTV
A crime drama about a professional safe-blower (Rossiter) and his apprentice (Corin Redgrave). Eddie a safe cracker, is just released from jail. He has no money and his wife has kicked him out of the house. He hears of a job and teams up with a sorted gang. Co-starred George Woodbridge and Daphne Heard.
Leonard played Eddy Dobbs, the master safe-blower.
Notes: Thick As Thieves won the 1972 Royal Television Society's award for Best Regional Production. Leonard later starred in another Baker and Martin creation, Machinegunner , in 1976
Critical Reviews:
"Leonard Rossiter played Eddy as a hands-in-pocket, marrow-cold little ne'er-do-well, whose every word was a cross between a snivel and a snarl. This was his best performance." - Leonard Buckley, The Times.
"Rossiter's shifty, insecure, peg-toothed grin, was, like the locale, absolutely specific and therefore universal." - Philip Purser, Sunday Telegraph.
Steptoe and Son (episode: The Desperate Hours)
Monday 3rd April 1972
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson
Produced by John Howard-Davies
Broadcast by BBC
Two prisoners (Rossiter and J. G. Devlin, playing Frank Arthur Ferris)) escape from Wormwood Scrubs and hole themselves up in the Steptoe's home. They soon discover the Steptoes' lack of food, heat and money, and decide they were better off 'inside'.
Leonard played the role of John Spooner, one of the escaped prisoners.
Watch a clip or buy the DVD
Leonard's Role Remembered:
"I particularly remember the second one where we did a pastiche of The Desperate Hours, based on the Edward March/Humphrey Bogart film from years ago, where Bogart played an escaped convict. We took the title and had these two convicts burst into the Steptoe's house. It was like watching two stags at bay. They brought the best out of each other. Harry
[H. Corbett] suddenly realised he was faced with a formidable actor, and Leonard realised that Harry was 'pulling all the stops out', and the scenes between each other were absolutely riveting." - Alan Simpson, co-author.
Notes: John Howard Davies went on to produce Leonard again in the pilot episode of The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin.
Leonard's outstanding performance in this episode was seen by budding playwright Eric Chappell. He became convinced he had found his 'leading man' for his first play The Banana Box. The character was Rooksby, later to transfer to TV as Rigsby in Rising Damp .
This was Leonard's second appearance on Steptoe & Son. See also Steptoe & Son: The Lead Man Cometh
Links:
Wednesday 20th December 1972, 9.25pm - BBC1
Written by Arthur Wing Pinero
Directed by Bill Hays
Produced by Cedric Messina
Broadcast by BBC
A woman lies about her age in order to marry her second husband, thereby making her son by her first marriage to be fourteen instead of his real nineteen years. Her first husband (Rossiter) returns from India and the truth outs itself, despite her attempts to conceal it.
Leonard played the role of Colonel Lukyn.
Notes: The play also starred Ken Jones and Michael Horden (pictured). Broadcast as part of the 'Play of the Week' series of dramas. The tapes no longer exist.
Critical Reviews:
"Leonard Rossiter took to the part of a military gent like a duck to green pease." - Leonard Buckley, The Times.
"Leonard Rossiter treated us all to the odd physical jerks, mouthings and gesticulations that made the second half of his Arturo Ui unforgettable." - Michael Frostick, Stage & Television Today.
Links:
Produced by Verity Lambert
Broadcast by LWT
The exploits of a coach party on a day out to the Scottish Highlands. Co-starred Joan Hickson, Margery Mason, Gabrielle Day.
Leonard played Mickey Grant, the obligatory life-and-soul of the coach party, chatting up the women and annoying the men.
Leonard's Role Remembered:
"There was always, in his best moments, a corner of desperation - not just comic desperation but genuine desperation. He brought a tragic dimension to comedy. He was unique. There was no-one like him at all." - John Gorrie.
"When I started writing, Len was always at the top of my 'if-only-I-could-get-him-in-a-play-of- mine' list. I loved the colour he brought to every part he played; he seemed to me to manage something very difficult and very rare - to bring the size and excitement of a theatre performance to the television screen, while always remaining totally believable...A superb performance - funny, bitter and moving, a combination Len could manage uniquely well." - Douglas Livingstone.
Critical Review:
"Leonard Rossiter is a past master at bringing this sort of horrifying character to life. He is the epitome of all the holiday bores one has ever met, and it is his particular genius that, in spite of the seeming grotesqueness of the character, he never over-plays it into caricature." - Jessie Palmer, The Scotsman.
The Baby's Name Being Kitchener
Thursday 26th April 1973, 10.40pm - BBC2
Written by Peter Everett
Produced by Tim Aspinall
Broadcast by BBC
A Victorian costume drama in which an Army Sergeant (Rossiter) courts a rich woman while secretly being in love with her fifteen-year old daughter. Co-starred Margaret Courtenay and Beth Porter.
Leonard played the role of Sergeant Tax
Leonard's Role Remembered:
"He was a task-master. Rehearsals were never easy...but I loved working with him and learned a lot from him. He had an eye for detail..." - Margaret Courtenay (on the left in the picture).
Notes: Broadcast as part of the 'Thirty Minute Theatre' series of dramas. The tapes no longer exist.
If There Weren't Any Blacks You'd Have To Invent Them
Sunday 3rd March 1974
Produced by Rex Firkin
Broadcast by LWT
A blind white supremacist (Rossiter) forces his opinions on others that a white transvestite (Richard Beckinsale) is really black, and decides to make him a scapegoat to British prejudice and ignorance. The blind man, however, suffers his own deep-seated horror that he himself might be black.
Leonard played the lead role of the Blind Man.
Watch a clip or buy the DVD
Leonard's Role Remembered:
"He had those gifts of talent coupled with consummate craft skills that enable an artist to seize and hold the rapt attention of an audience...He had a unique, quite extraordinary vocal and physical presence; his body language was really outstanding." - Johnny Speight.
Notes: With Leonard in the photograph are Bob Hoskins, John Nightingale, Lewis Fiander and Richard Beckinsale, prior to his long-term coupling with Leonard in Rising Damp.
The Carnforth Practice (episode: The Aristocrat)
Sunday 21st April 1974, 10pm, BBC2
Written by Allan Prior
Produced by Colin Morris
Broadcast by BBC
The first episode in a series about a solicitor, the Honourable Grenville Carnforth, working in the Lake District of Northern England. He defends a gypsy's right to be a gypsy, but as the gypsy (Rossiter) struggles to avoid a night in a police cell, it accidentally results in the death of a policeman. The gypsy then commits suicide rather than going to prison. Co-starred David Daker, Michael Elwyn and Cyril Varley.
Leonard played the gypsy, Aaros Boswell.
Monday 6th May 1974, 10.30pm - BBC2
Written by Charles Wood
Produced by Herbert Wise
Broadcast by BBC
The Nazi-hunting industry's celebrations concerning the discovery of a notorious war criminal in South America receive a jolt when a rival candidate crops up in Munich.
Leonard played the role of Lewis in the episode 'Mutzen Ab!'
Co-starred Lynne Frederick, Robert Davey, Neil Hallett.
Tuesday, 25th June 1974, 8.30pm
Written by Roy Clarke
Directed and Produced by Roger Race
Broadcast by BBC
A photographer (Rossiter) at an out-of-season holiday resort sets his eyes on making a successful model out of a local girl who works in a fish-filleting shed. Co-starred T P McKenna, Barbara Courtenay and Maggi Burton.
Leonard played the photographer, Pygmalion 'Smithy' Smith.
Notes: This was part of the Comedy Playhouse season of short sitcom pilots - one other in this series starred John Cleese as an updated Sherlock Holmes! Writer Roy Clarke's earlier contribution to this series (on January 4th, 1973) was called Last Of The Summer Wine, which was subsequently made into a series and is now the longest-running sitcom of all time. Comedy Playhouse gave rise to many classic British sitcoms, including Open All Hours, Last Of The Summer Wine and Steptoe and Son. Although Pygmalion Smith never made it to a series, writer Roy Clarke used a very similar storyline in his 1984 sitcom The Magnificent Evans, which starred Ronnie Barker as amateur photographer Plantagenet Evans.
Produced by Jack Crawshaw
Broadcast by Thames Television
In this long-running light entertainment show, a celebrity guest is surprised by the show's presenter (at this time Eamonn Andrews) and is taken away to a studio where family and friends gather to celebrate the person's life.
Leonard was the surprised guest on this week's show.
Not The Cheapest But The Best
21st April 1975, 8.30pm - BBC2
Written by Michael Andrews
Produced by Tim Aspinall
Broadcast by BBC Bristol
A documentary about the great British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, based on his unpublished diaries and letters. Part of the BBC's long-running Horizon science documentary series.
Leonard played the part of Brunel in re-enactments and also narrated the documentary.
Details unknown. Cast included Marjorie Proops, Pete Murray, Leslie Randall and Leonard's wife Gillian Raine.
After The Solo
Tuesday 25th November 1975, 9.35pm - BBC1
Written by John Challen
Produced by Ann Scott
Broadcast by BBC
A 'Play For Today' about an unappealing boy (Nicholas Watson, pictured, with Geraldine Newman) and his nagging father (Rossiter). The boy has a superb singing voice but is about to lose it at the onset of puberty. Co-starred Gerald James, John Ringham and Jeanette Hill.
Leonard played the role of the domineering father, Mr. Dawson.
Leonard's Role Remembered:
"Leonard Rossiter's power and range as an actor invested the part of the father with not only a sort of meanness of spirit and an obsession with discipline but also with a kind of dark despair." - Moira Armstrong.
"I was especially pleased and grateful when I knew that he had undertaken the part. When I thanked him for what I thought was a marvellous performance, he did not (as I'd rather expected) incline his head and receive thanks as his obvious due. Instead, he sat and talked with keen interest of the way he had gone about 'finding' this man, studying the speech patterns, developing the movements and gestures. Despite the bleakness of the character, he still found opportunities to demonstrate his comic talents when not in character...during a bleak little scene...a retake was called for and, instantly, brilliantly, precisely, he ran the scene through backwards as one might run a film in reverse...There was an explosion of delighted laughter and applause, and immediately he was back to the mood of the scene - cold, meagre, unrelating. The contrast was stunning." - John Challen.
Rising Damp - Series Two
November - December 1975, plus Boxing Day special
Written by Eric Chappell
Directed and Produced by Ronnie Baxter
Broadcast by Yorkshire Television
Widely-regarded as one of the finest sitcoms in the history of television, Rising Damp has its own own web site .
Machinegunner
Written by Bob Baker and Dave Martin
Directed and Produced by Patrick Dromgoole
Broadcast by HTV
A 'machinegunner' (West Country slang for a debt-collector), turns amateur sleuth but finds himself in hot water with local criminals when hired by Felicity Ingram (Nina Baden Semper, pictured far right) to unearth a race-implicated scheme for building developments.
Leonard played the lead role of the 'machinegunner', Cyril Dugdale.
Notes: Also starring were Kate O'Mara, Colin Welland, Tim Preece (later to star with Leonard in The Fall & Rise of Reginald Perrin ) and Gay Rose (who starred with Leonard in Series Two of Rising Damp ).
This was an award-winning drama and was released on video by VideoGems in 1985 (catalogue no. R1329).
Leonard's Role Remembered:
"He was a tetchy perfectionist, impatient of laziness and circumstances in which he could not do his best work...He was also generous, very generous, and sharply aware of the strains on those around him." - Patrick Dromgoole
Critical Review:
"Few actors can be so superbly unsavoury, seedy, conniving and prurient as Leonard Rossiter." - Stewart Lane, Morning Star.
Links:
The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin - Series One
September - October 1976
Directed and Produced by Gareth Gwenlan
Broadcast by BBC
Another of Leonard's legacies to television, The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin has its own own web site .
TVTimes Top Ten Awards
Produced with Collett, Dickenson, Pearce & ptnrs. advertising agency
Broadcast on ITV
Leonard's first TV commerial. At the annual convention of a group of traffic wardens, the host hands out the award of a Parker Pen to the one who has given the most tickets.
Leonard played the role of a traffic warden and 'awards host'.
I Tell You It's Burt Reynolds
Thursday March 31st, 1977, 9pm
Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson
Directed and Produced by Ronnie Baxter
Broadcast by Yorkshire Television
An annoying know-it-all (Rossiter) insists the man he has just seen on television is the actor Burt Reynolds. He even goes so far as to ring the actor himself, just to prove a point.
Leonard played the part of the know-it-all, Leonard.
Watch it in full or buy the DVD
Leonard's Role Remembered:
"It was based on a friend of mine. Had to be right in everything. I came home one night and he was there and he said I'm glad you're home. Now, when I say to you 'Look at the television, I want you to look and tell me who I'm pointing to.' So I said Ok. Then he went 'OK, look now. Who is it?' And I hadn't got a clue, so he said 'It's Burt Reynolds'. And I said 'It's not Burt Reynolds! It's nothing like him!' And this went on all night. Then he phones up the Daily Telegraph, because they were supposed to know everything." - Ray Galton, co-author.
Notes: This was broadcast as part of the Galton and Simpson Playhouse series of comedy shorts.
Co-starring with Leonard was his real-life wife Gillian Raine (pictured), plus Patricia Hayes and Roy Barraclough.
Produced by Jack Crawshaw
Broadcast by Thames Television
Leonard was a guest as the profile show celebrated the life and career of Richard Beckinsale, joined by wife Judy Loe, daughter Kate Beckinsale, and colleagues Don Warrington (Rising Damp), Fulton McKay (Porridge) and Paula Wilcox (The Lovers).
Arena: The Immortal Haydon
7th December 1977, 11.15pm � BBC2
Directed by Nigel Williams & Leslie Megahey
Produced by Alan Yentob
An in-depth profile of Leonard as Benjamin Robert Haydon as he performs a one-man show on stage about the tragic painter's life and suicide. One of Leonard's great theatre performances, The Immortal Haydon has a special section on this web site.
Grandstand
20th May 1978, 12.30pm � BBC1
The long-running Saturday afternoon sports variety programme.
From 1.30pm, Leonard appeared in Pro-Celebrity Squash: The Rank Xerox Challenge Final , partnering Hiddy Jahan (then the world's No.5), and played against entertainer Tommy Steele and Mohibullah Khan.
Cinzano commercials
Directed by various
Broadcast by ITV
The hugely-popular Cinzano commercials with Joan Collins have their own special page on this web site.
Rising Damp - Series Four
Directed and Produced by Ronnie Baxter
Broadcast by Yorkshire Television
Widely-regarded as one of the finest sitcoms in the history of television, Rising Damp has its own own web site .
Charity Appeal: Shelter
6th August 1978, 6.25pm � BBC1
Leonard appeared in a charity appeal for Shelter, which had launched HEO (Housing Emergency Office) to accommodate families in properties which would otherwise remain empty.
Fearless Frank, or, Tidbits From The Life Of An Adventurer
Wednesday 4th October 1978, 9.25pm - BBC2
Written by Andrew Davies
Produced by Louis Marks
Broadcast by BBC
A dramatisation, in the 'Play of the Week' series, of the colourful life of controversial and outspoken author and journalist Frank Harris. It co-starred Susan Penhaligon, John Rhys-Davis and Denis Lawson.
Leonard played the lead role of Frank Harris.
Leonard's Role Remembered:
"...He blustered, he cajoled, he buttonholed, he fawned, he raged, he leered, he revelled in the life he created as Frank Harris. His work was almost incredibly fast, neat and inventive, and yet he always seemed to have oodles of time to get it all in...Looking for comparisons one tends to go outside acting, towards boxers, bullfighters, the batting of Viv Richards. And the element of controlled aggression in this comparison is not fortuitous...he made a symphony out of this simple refrain ["Legs! Legs!"], sounding it as everything from a joyous Basil Brush squawk to an infinitely poignant dirge for lost virility..." - Andrew Davies.
"I remember Leonard as a rather shy person who had nervous energy blasting out of his eyes. When he started acting, this energy seemed to be harnessed and I thought the result was brilliant. I was terribly impressed by him and his overriding concern for perfection. He also made me laugh a lot. I enjoyed making Fearless Frank very much." - Susan Penhaligon
Notes: There were plans for Leonard to star in a West End theatre production of this programme, but when it finally happened, it was Bill Stewart in the lead role. See the external web site below for more information.
Produced by Deke Arlon
Broadcast by Yorkshire Television
A celebration of the song writing talent of E. Y. Harburg. The show was hosted by Ned Sherrin, pictured.
Leonard played Groucho Marx, singing "Lydia, The Tattooed Lady".
Notes: This song was originally performed by Groucho Marx in 'At The Circus', 1939.
Beechams Silvikrin
1978
Produced by CLM Productions
Corporate film. The updating of the Silvikrin range of shampoos and hairsprays are discussed and illustrated for a corporate product launch for the 1980's in a spoof of `The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin'. Includes 3 commercials at end of film. Co-starred John Barron and Wendy Richard.
Leonard played a Reggie Perrin-type character.
Sundays, 12th November - 17th December 1978, 9.15pm
Written by Alan Coren
Produced by Terence Baker
Broadcast by ATV
A wrestlers' manager (Rossiter) realises there is money to be made by rigging his client's bouts and, on the principle of 'all the world loves a loser', sets out to make sure his client Nigel, known as 'The Butcher' (Alfred Molina, pictured, in his first TV role) keeps on losing. Nigel, however, is too dim-witted to notice.
Leonard played Nigel's boxing manager, Sydney Foskett.
Watch a clip or buy the DVD
Notes: This series was panned by the critics like no other Leonard Rossiter performance. It came hot on the heels of the brilliant Rigsby and Reggie Perrin and was inevitably, and perhaps unfairly, compared to them both. Despite the top writing skills of Alan Coren, it was probably the situation - and not the comedy - that let it down badly.
The first 5 of 6 episodes were found in off-air recordings in 2012 and are now available on DVD (buy at the link above). Episode 6 remains lost but the script is contained on the DVD.
Critical Reviews:
- "Here were the country's leading wit and one of the best comic actors and they combined to bore us to death." - Stanley Reynolds, The Times.
- "Leonard Rossiter, who never gives a bad performance, comes very near to doing so in this lamentable series; in spite of the fact that he is working like a Trojan, he cannot disguise the poverty of the script nor can he enhance his reputation." - Bernard Davies, Broadcast.
Leonard's Role Remembered:
- "I was completely in awe of Leonard Rossiter. For me he was like one of the comic Gods. Just a brilliant actor. I was starstruck. He was very nice to me, very considerate. A hard taskmaster. A tough guy to work with, but I loved him because he treated me the same. He didn�t make allowances. He didn�t give me the benefit of the doubt. He wasn�t patronising. I was as green as a cabbage. And I remember being shocked by him. We were in a rehearsal and I was trying something, and he suddenly went, �that�s not funny�. He was quite brusque. I didn�t say anything, but I wanted to say �what do you mean it�s not funny? We don�t know if it�s funny or not. We haven�t done it in front of an audience.� I quickly went on the defensive, and then I realised, the second time I tried it - much to his disdain - that he was right. His instinct was spot on. So I did myself a favour and decided to trust it rather than fight it. Rather than letting my ego get in the way, I thought, �I�ll listen to what he says�. I watched him like a hawk. And I learned so much: about timing, the way you can change a joke just by the slightest shift of emphasis. The slightest shift in the weight from one syllable to another. The way the coming together of energy and language and voice explodes. All those things come together to make a great comic moment." - Alfred Molina.
Links:
The Morecambe And Wise Christmas Show
Monday, 25th December 1978
Directed and Produced by Keith Beckett
Broadcast by Thames Television
Morecambe & Wise were undoubtedly the greatest comedy double act of all time, combining hilarious sketches with comedy song routines. In this special edition for Christmas, Leonard joined the duo dressed as The Andrews Sisters in a rousing rendition of the Army song "The Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy Of Company-B". Other guests included Jenny Hanley, Frank Finlay, Anna Dawson and Jean Hunt.
Leonard's Role Remembered:
"It was one of the very rare times that Eric and Ernie had actually been outgunned. They soon realised that when Leonard was going at full stretch, it was best to just stand back and wait." - James Grout, producer.
"He told me that Eric and Ernie had invited him onto the show, but he wasn't quite sure what he wanted to do. I was working with Eric and Ernie on a couple of commercials at the time, so I said 'If there's three of you, why don't you do The Andrews Sisters?'." "They transcend the mime. I mean, anybody can mime, but they transcend it. It's one of the few times when I'm watching Morecambe & Wise that I'm not watching Eric. I watch Leonard." - Joe McGrath, director Rising Damp movie.
Leonard played one of the three Andrews Sisters in a song routine.
The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin - Series Three
29th November 1978 - 24th January 1979
Written by David Nobbs
Directed and Produced by Gareth Gwenlan
Broadcast by BBC
Another of Leonard's legacies to television, The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin has its own pages on this web site.
The Perishers
Wednesday 21st March to Friday 4th May 1979, usually 5.35pm - BBC1
Written by Maurice Dodd (cartoon strip)
Directed by Dick Horn
Produced by Graeme Spurway
Broadcast by BBC
The popular Daily Mirror newspaper cartoon strip The Perishers, about a family of children and their clever dog, were brought to life for this tea-time animation series. Co-starred Sheila Steafel, Judy Bennett and Peter Hawkins.
Leonard was the voice of Boot, the family's oh-so-clever Old English Sheepdog.
| i don't know |
This British tree is used to make hockey sticks, oars, paddles, rudders, billiard cues, cricket stumps, polo sticks and policemen's truncheons? | Trees
Trees
Trees have been sacred to humankind and animals alike since the beginning of creation. They are the sanctity, the balance, the protection, the voice, and the promise to all living beings. Its branches span out above as the roots span out below: as above, so below, bringing balance. Its powers bring us the ability to manipulate for the better: and ye harm none. The tree is the fine line that stands between two points. It is the balance that roots itself in the center. It is the sacrificial life that gives itself unselfishly knowing it will be reborn and has done so to help another being. Just as the tree does, so does the druid.
The Oak, Hawthorn and Ash make up the sacred trio.
The Nine Sacred Woods used in Nied-Fires Holly, Oak, Pine, Hazel, Juniper, Cedar, Poplar, Apple and Ash.
The Noble Trees of the Grove Holly, Birch, Alder, Willow, Oak, Hazel and Apple.
ALDER
Description:Rapidly growing tree (0.5m pa for first 30 - 40 years) mature at about 60 years with long trunk and narrow crown. Distinctive outline in winter. Requires plenty of light and can be used as pioneer species. Height 20m or more. Age up to 150 years.Very tolerant of water logged conditions whilst dormant. Typical streamside tree and as a specific habitat - Alder Carr - in Lake District and Norfolk Broads. All soil types except poor acid peats. Fixes nitrogen via root nodules and will grow on relatively infertile soils and hence used for site reclamation. Natural throughout British Isles and most of Europe. Grown from seed. The seed does not undergo dormancy by germination rate increased if given a period of moist chilling at 0.5C for up to 10 weeks. The seeds float and are carried by streams naturally germinating in mud. Seeds are red brown
flakes - 250,000 seeds per Kg. Often rapid growth in first year but best kept in nursery and planted out in second year. Can be beneficially grown with oak on damp sites and ash. The wood is light reddish brown and porous with course texture.
Uses:Physical:General purpose hardwood and pulpwood. Particularly suitable for turning, formerly used to make clogs. Burns quickly when used for firewood but suitable for charcoal (used to be used for charcoal for gunpowder). Hardens when immersed in water and suitable for making piles.
Medicinal:
The bark and leaves contain tannin and have astringent properties. Used in folk medicine to treat chills.
Legends and Lore:
It is associated with the Celtic god Bran, as He used His body as a bridge to span dangerous waters.
Wood carving, inlay work, mallets, screws. Good firewood with pleasant aroma.
Medicinal:
Other:
The attractive small fruit are extremely sour but make good jelly by themselves or with blackberries or rowan berries. Crab Apple wine is reported to be potent.
ASH
Description:Magnificent large deciduous tree with distinctive black buds in spring. Can be coppiced. Height 45m. Age up to 200 years. Mostly calcerous soils although found on all except poorest and acid soils (above ph 5.5). Surprisingly, a tree that is all male one year can produce female flowers the next, and similarly a female tree can become male. The female flowers develop into fruits, and because they hang in bunches the fruits of the ask tree are known as 'ash keys'.Prefers moist but well drained fertile soils. Up to 450m in altitude. Grows well in mixed stands provided not shaded. Throughout British Isles and Europe into Asia Minor and Caucuses. Rare north of Great Glen in Scotland. Grow from seed - deeply dormant - treat as per Acer campestre. Long thin brown seeds approx 25cm long. Approx 8000 germinable seeds per kg. Seeds form in large sprays. If planted green seeds may germinate following spring or even straight away whereas brown seeds will germinate the second spring after planting. Grows quickly to 20 - 40 years old but growth stops at 60 years.Pale creamy wood that is strong and elastic.
Uses:Physical:Hockey sticks, oars, paddles, rudders, billiard cues, cricket stumps, polo sticks and policemen's truncheons. Also used for veneer and furniture. Burns fragrantly when green or dried due to low water content even when green (30 - 35%) but seasoning (to 15% water) does improve efficiency.
Legends and Lore:European Ash was always held in high regard amongst Norse peoples who believed (in the Eddas) that the world was Yggdrasil, a giant Ash tree. The first man, named Ask, was created from an ash log. This belief was carried forward to later times when Druids wands were made of ash twigs. Not surprisingly it is credited with healing properties. Weak-limbed children were passed through split ash trees which were then bound up. The hope was that if the tree grew straight then the child would as well. Ash was used in spells requiring focus and strength of purpose, and indicates the linking of the inner and outer worlds.
BEECH
Description:Magnificent, large, deciduous tree. Important economic forestry tree. Height: Max 40m. Age: mature at 120 yearsChalky soils and limestone but tolerant of a wide
range of soils and conditions. Up to 300mSouthern England to Gloucestershire and a few localities in South Wales. Not native to Ireland. Found throughout most of Europe except Spain, Former USSR, Norway and Sweden.Grown from seed. Scaly cup splits in Autumn to release 2 three sided nuts. Seed should be moist chilled for approx 12 weeks before sowing. Approx 3000 germinable seeds per Kg. Best established when sheltered by birch or hazel coppice. Frost tender. Increases in size to 120 years.Pale brown hard wood but relatively easily worked. Whitest wood considered to be best grade.
Uses:Physical:Large trees for timber. Not suitable for outside use although used for piles immersed in water. Used for furniture and many other uses such as bowls, spoons, tools, plywood, and veneers. Valuable as sawn timber. Good for firewood and production of charcoal.
Other:The nut is known as mast and occurs in abundance every five to eight years. It is nutritious and rich in oil and attractive to birds and small mammals including deer and badger. The oil can be extracted and used for culinary purposes.
Legends and Lore:At one time Beech tablets were used as writing surfaces and Beech and book have the same word origins.
BIRCH
Description: Birch is an elegant tree with a slender trunk, light branches, and smooth thin bark. It lives to about age 50 and is divided by black and white birches by color of bark. Tiny flowers with no petals are born on male and female catkins. Leaves are alternate, ovate, and serated with slightly hairy undersides. It produces tiny winged nuts on female catkins, and grows to a height of 40-90 feet.
Uses:Physical:Witches (probably all seven kinds) would make their traditional brooms out of Birch. Cradles also were made from this wood to protect the infant they hold. May poles and Beltane fires in Britain utilized this wood. Canoes were made from the bark. Birch beer is brewed from the branches and modern medicine derived from the leaves. Household knick-knacks, furniture, spoons, tool handles, brooms, bobbins, and barrel staves were fashioned from the wood. Twigs were used for thatching and wattles in traditional European houses, and its charcoal in gun powder. Birch is also used to make leather durable (oil), for natural insect repellent (oil), and as a wool dye (bark - light brown, root -red brown), and to dry the soil of soggy gardens (by planting a stand of birches).
Medicinal:
Birch contains Methyl Salicylate which possesses counterirritant and analgesic properties. Used as a folk cure for rheumatism (infusion from leaves and bark), skin irritations/wounds (poultice from leaves, bark, catkins), skin tonic (bath infusion), skin lotion (oil from bark), and toothbrushing (chewing on twigs). Its tea is used to heal mouth sores, to break up kidney/bladder stones, its bark (oil) as an astringent/aid for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, non-hereditary baldness, and skin eruptions (with infusions of twigs, leaves, bark). Black birch is used to heal urinary problems and expel worms, diarrhea, mouth sores, rheumatism and bowel troubles. The young shoots and leaves are used as a tonic laxative and the inner bark for fevers. The fresh summer sap helps expel excess fluid and treat oedema, and the birch buds are used for colds, rheumatic conditions, stomach ulcers/pains, liver/gall problems, and kidney/bladder stones. Birch charcoal is ingested to relieve ingested poisons or indigestion bloating.
Mystical:
By binding together birch twigs and gently striking possessed people and animals with it, the haunting spirits can be exorcised. Russian folk would hang a stem of it tied with a red ribbon to rid themselves of the evil eye. Many farmers would plant birch around their houses to protect against lightning. Modern Druids burn it to cleanse and purify themselves during ceremonies. In Scandinavia, switches of birch are used on the bodies to stimulate the process of purification in the sauna, and in Britain a birch rod was used rather ferociously to purify criminals of their sins and misdeeds, and on lunatics to expel the evil spirits from within. To get rid of the spirits of the old year, one would "beat the bounds" with a broom made of birch. Birch also represents the first moon - the moon of inception, and in rituals of deciding which spiritual seeds one should plant in the year. Magical workings in this moon will add strength and momentum to these rites. To communicate well with the Goddess, meditate in a birch grove. For magical parchment, gather her bark only by a tree chosen by one that has been struck by lightning (chosen by Thor). Used for Earth Mother magic. Birch is used to make sets of runes for divination by gathering the wood during the waxing of the moon.
Legends and Lore:
Birch is considered feminine and is associated with the planet Venus, the element water, the God Thor, and imbued with the powers of protection, exorcism, and purification. She represents the symbol of the Bardic school or grade. The tree is first planted on virgin soil where one wants to create a wood or forest -"the tree that helps birth the forest" which leads to it being given the name "Pioneer tree" or "Tree of Birth", and is why it often symbolizes the first level of Druid working. The whiteness of the bark indicates cleanliness and determination in overcoming difficulties. It represents new starts, new journeys, and clear direction. If drawn by card, rune, or stave, it symbolizes new beginnings or the start of a new endeavor or thing in ones' life. It demonstrates the purification of the self. Roman lectors carried Birch rods. It is one of the three pillars of Wisdom (Oak, Yew, Birch). The "Lieschi" or "Genii of the Forest" are said to dwell in their tree tops. According to legend if the spirit of the birch tree (The One With the White Hand) touches a head it leaves a white mark and the person turns insane.
ELDER
Description: The Elder grows to be about 30-50 feet tall, with a span of 20-40 feet. It tolerates wet to dry soil and is drought tolerant.
Uses:Physical:The bark of the older branches was used in the making of black dye and also the root. The leaves yield, with alum, a green dye and the berries dye blue and purple (with alum) and violet (with alum and salt). Inside the stem is a thick soft pith which can easily be hollowed out used to make flutes, pan pipes and a surprisingly loud reeded whistle. children have made pop-guns and pea shooters from the hollowed out stems.small pegs, skewers, spoons, small turned items, combs and children's toys. The hollowed out stems make natural beads,
Medicinal:
will help in the early stages of a cold or 'flu, and is excellent for a sore throat and catarrh. an excellent remedy for asthma.An old cure for colds and coughs, and especially bronchitis, was to make a "rob" (a vegetable juice thickened by heat) from elderberries. Use 5lbs of fresh ripe berries, crushed with 1lb of sugar and evaporate to the thickness of honey. One or two tablespoons mixed with hot water and taken at night will act as a demulcent to the chest and throat. An infusion of the leaves, rubbed into the skin, will prevent mosquitoes, midges and flies settling on you. A spray of leaves worn in the hat also helps. The same mixture can also be sprayed onto plants to keep off aphids and other small insects. The leaves can also be made into an ointment as a remedy for bruises, swellings, sprains, chilblains and wounds, bringing a cooling effect. Take three parts fresh elder leaves, heat them up with 6 parts Vaseline until the leaves are crisp. Then strain and store. The flowers, which are at their best at midsummer, also have many uses from eye bath to skin tonic, for colds and 'flu and catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, such as hay fever and sinusitis. Gather the flowers on a dry day and dry them fast. The do discolour but are perfectly OK. I have found the best method is to hand the clusters upside down in paper bags in the sunshine. The bags catch the flowers as they dry and drop off. When completely dry, store them in dark screw-top jars.A tea made of the fresh flowers makes an excellent spring/summer tonic, take fresh each morning to purify the blood. The can also be added to salads, cakes and made into wonderful summer drinks such as elderflower cordial and elderflower champagne.
Mystical:
Flutes made of elder were used to summon spirits, and elder was also a common wood of wands. Justice was often dispensed under an alder, so the hilt of a coven sword was often made of elder wood.It is said in Irish folklore that it is the elder stick and not ashen ones which are used by witches for their magic horses, which makes me wonder whether the bark was pershaps used for inducing trance. The earliest folk tales praise elder's ability to ward off evil or malevolent spirits, and to undo evil magic. Elder blossom was worn at Beltane to signify witchcraft and magic and elder twigs and to undo evil magic. Elder blossom was worn at Beltane to signify witchcraft and magic and elder twigs were woven into a head-dress at this time to enable the wearer to see spirits.Much of the folklore around Elder suggests its ability to drive away evil spirits. As a protection against evil (and later against witchcraft) its branches were hung in doorways of houses, cowsheds buried in graves and its twigs were carried. It can be used to bless a person, place or thing, by scattering leaves and berries to the four directions, and over the thing or person being blessed.
Other:
The flowers are used to make cordial and white wine. The leaves, however, are poisonous.The ripe berries, popular with birds, are used to make preserves and as the basis of a red wine. Elder also accompanied the deceased. "In the country parts...when anyone dies, the grave digger silently walks to the elder, and cuts a rod to measure the corpse with; the man (hearse driver) who is to convey it to the grave does the same, and wields this rod as a whip." These rods were not left unattended for "he that has silently carried off an undertaker's measure, and leans it against a house door at night, can rob the people inside without their waking."
Legends and Lore:
Early European folk tales tell of a dryad, Hylde-moer, The Elder Tree Mother, who lives in the elder tree and watches over it. Should the tree be chopped down and furniture made of the wood, Hylde-moer would follow her property and haunt the owners. Similar tales tell that if a child's cradle were to be made of elder, Hylde-moer would pinch the child black and blue and give it no peace or rest. Thus it is considered unlucky to make a cradle out of elder wood - birch being the property wood for a cradle, signifying a new start or inception.According to Grimm's Teutonic Mythology, "In Lower Saxony the Sambucus nigra is called ellorn, ell-horn. Arnkiel's testimony...is beyond suspicion: 'Thus did our forefathers also hold the ellhorn holy, and if they must need clip the same, they were wont first to say this prayer: "Dame Ellhorn, give me somewhat of thy wood, then will I also give thee of mine, if so be it grow in the forest." And this they were wont to do sometimes with bended knees, bare headed, and folded hands, as I have ofttimes in my young days both heard and seen.'"
ELM
Description:Large deciduous tree. Susceptible to Dutch Elm disease and accordingly not planted any more.Height 40m. Age up to 500 years.Typical hedgerow tree but found up to 300m. Requires non calcerous top soil. In mixed woods with Whitebeam and small leave lime and in Oak and Ash woods.Common in North and West of Britain and Ireland. Native throughout Europe and W. Asia.Grown from seed which is not dormant. Approx 40,000 seed per kg. Does not sucker. Takes approx 30 years before seeds are produced and then every 2 or 3 years. In the wild seed germinate shortly after falling. Strong and supple pale brown wood. Prone to shake. Cannot be split leading to particular uses. Does not decay when immersed in water.
Uses:Physical:
Used to be used to make chests, water pipes and troughs and for sea defenses. Also for sections for cow sheds, cribs and mangers, hubs of wheels, coffins and furniture.
Other:Leaves once used for livestock.
FIR
Description:The fir grows to be 50' - 100' feet in height. The fir has a spread of about 20' at full maturity. Lives to about 50-70 years. This tree grows at a medium growth rate. The fir does well in Full sun to partial shade.The fir grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, clay, sandy, well-drained, wide range of soils. Sensitive to drought conditions; requires good drainage.The fir has pyramidal shape. This tree has leaves that spiral; and are simple; needle-like; 1 to 1-� inches long..
Uses:Physical:telegraph poles, pit props, fencing and flagpoles, furniture, ship masts, huts, rail ties,
Other:bird and animal species find shelter and food in its majestic foliage.
HAWTHORNE
Description:Deciduous tree dense leaved and thorny with short trunk. Commonly used for stock proof hedging. New shoots and leaves are reddish. Distinctive white blossom with strong scent and red berries (haws) later. Height 10 - 15m. Age long lived - 250 years. Found on all soil types. Protects seedlings of other broadleaved trees particularly oak from predation and hence aids natural regeneration.Throughout British Isles and Europe to 500m.Seed is deeply dormant - treat as for Acer campestre. Approx 8000 germinable seeds per Kg.Also grown from cuttings. Grows rapidly for first 15 years or so. For hedges grow in seed beds for 2 years and then transplant into rows. Ready to plant into hedges at 4 years. Weeding improves growth significantly. Laying hedges to make them stockproof is an old country skill. White streaky or pale pinkish. Tough hard and heavy wood.
Uses:Physical:Walking sticks, tool handles, engraving and all turnery. Good firewood.
Other:Haws attractive to birds and spread in this way.
Legends and Lore:
The Greeks and Romans saw the hawthorn as symbolic of hope and marriage, but in medieval Europe it was associated with witchcraft and considered to be unlucky
HAZEL
Description:Deciduous shrubs and small trees frequently coppiced and used for hedges. Many superstitions associated with hazel form Celtic times.Height max 6m. Max age 70-80 years. Not acid soils. Often found as understorey in oak woodlands.All of British Isles and Europe, West Asia and North Africa. Catkins very distinctive in February when nothing else in flower or leaf. From seed - dispersion aided by animals. Easily grown from nuts kept cool and moist till spring.White to reddish, tough and flexible. Was extensively coppiced providing long sticks for a variety of uses.
Uses:Physical:Used in past for cask hoops, basketry, walking sticks, hurdles, thatching, spars and devining rods. Good firewood.Hazel was used heavily in past for cask hoops, basketry, walking sticks, hurdles, thatching, spars and devining rods
Other:Nutritious and tasty nuts taken by large birds and by squirrels and mice that store the nuts. Nuts produced from pruned bushes grown in open conditions like a fruit orchard.
Legends and Lore:
Celtic legend says it is the receptacle of knowledge; the Salmon of Knowledge is said to eat the 9 nuts of poetic wisdom dropped into its sacred pool from the hazel tree growing beside it. Each nut created a spot on its skin. The hazelnut was once a symbol of fertility in England.
HOLLY
Description:Small evergreen tree.Height 15m Wide range of soil types - from calcerous to poor and acid. Locally can form almost pure woods. Suitable for hedging and pollarding. Tolerates shaded positions in beech and oak woods.Native to British Isles. Particularly found in West but absent from Northern Scotland. Also Western Central and Southern Europe.Seed deeply dormant. Treat as Acer campestre but start treatment in January for sewing the season after next. Approximately 22000 seeds per kg. Distributed by birds eating berries. Creamy white wood dense with even grain.
Uses:Physical:Formerly used for carving inlay and engraving. Twigs yield birdlime. Good firewood even when green.Holly was used in the construction of chariot wheel shafts and spear shafts, carving inlay and engraving. The trees were pollarded to create thin shoots.
Mystical:Gifts of holly boughs were believed to have the power of repelling lightning and evil spirits.
Other:
Trees were pollarded and used for winter feed especially in North and West of England. Berries are poisonous though used as an emetic.The Holly's traditional association with Christmas harkens back to an older, pre-Christian tradition where Holly and Ivy symbolised the fertility of the the earth and nature: Holly is associated with the death and rebirth symbolism of winter in both Pagan and Christian lore. Both Holly and Ivy were originally part of the Roman Saturnalia, one of several solstice festivals that has contributed much to the modern celebration of Christmas The druids held holly in high esteem as a plant of death and regeneration, its red berries represented the color of blood and life. Holly was seen as a `female' plant or representative of the Goddess (Holly remains a girl's name to this day) . Her consort, the God, was variously personified as either ivy or mistletoe (so how come Ivy is a girl's name too?). In Arthurian legend, Gawain (representing the Oak King of summer) fought the Green Knight, who was armed with a holly club to represent winter.
OAK
Description:Large deciduous tree and probably our most common tree. Height 30 - 40 m. Age 1000 year or more.Basic fertile soils ph 4.5 - 7.5 including heavy soils. Mature trees tolerate flooding even by sea-water. Usually found in mixed woodland.Throughout Britain and Ireland and most of Western Europe and Asia Minor.See Quercus Petraea. Approx 110 - 450 seeds per kg.Pale brown strong wood. More susceptible to epicormic growth.
Uses:Physical:Wines and spirits matured in English Oak casks.Oak built the ships that built the empire and carried the trains that sustained it - truly a mighty oak!.
Legends and Lore:The oak is frequently associated with Gods of thunder and lightening such as Zeus and Thor possibly due to oak's frequently being hit by lightening during storms. Specific oak trees have also been associated with the 'Wild Hunt', which is led by Herne in England and by Wodin in Germany (As in Woden's day - Wednesday) .According to faerie legend Oakmen are created when a felled oak stump sends up shoots. One should never take food offered by them since it is poisonous.
PINE
Description:There are something like 100 species of pine trees, but the Scots Pine is the only one that is native to Britain.Large evergreen and only native British Pine. Height 40m. Age - typically up to 150 years but 300 possible. Light and sandy soils at low or moderate elevation. Does not like sea winds or high rainfall. Now believed to have been native to Scotland and Ireland only at time of separation of England from continent although must have been found over the whole Ireland and Britain as the Ice sheets retreated. Found from Spain to Siberia. Grown from seed. Moist chill for up to ten weeks before sewing. Approximately 120,000 germinable seeds per kg. Strong general purpose timber.
Uses:Physical:Preservatives are effective on this wood hence suitable for outdoors. Used for fencing, joinery, building, flooring, box and packing case manufacture, railway sleepers, pitwood, fibreboard, chipboard, and telegraph poles. Referred to by the timber trade as "redwood" or "deal".
Other:The needles yield a medicinal oil also pitch, tars, resin and turpentine obtained from the wood.
ROWAN
Description:Small vigorous hardy deciduous tree producing large number of red berries in autumn. Coppices well. Height 15m but up to 18m. Age 100 years or moreLight and peaty soils not water logged up to 1000m. Pioneer species not tolerant of shading except in some Scots Pine woods.Commonest West and North of Britain but native throughout Britain and Ireland. Also Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor.Grown from seed. Treat as per Whitebeam. Approx 200,000 seeds per kg.Dense hard pale brown wood.
Uses:Physical:Turnery and carving and good firewood. Used to make bows in middleages. Formerly used for tool handles, mallet heads, bowls and platters.
Other:Berries are edible and used to make rowan jelly which is eaten with game. Enjoyed by birds who disperse seed.
WILLOW
Description:Deciduous small tree with long thin leaves.Height 16m.By streams in association with Alder and downy birch but not waterlogged soils.Through Britain but commonest in England and throughout North Africa and parts of Asia.From sets - insert short lengths of shoots into suitable soils leaving one or two buds above ground.Pale brown wood.
Uses:Physical:
Shoots used for rough baskets and hurdles. Burns rapidly. Pollarded every 4-5 years to produce crop of straight poles.the wood of cricket bats
Medicinal:
Willow bark contains Salicin which is used in the treatment of rheumatic fever and various damp diseases.
Other:
Shoots and leaves browsed by animals particularly horses and need protection when small. Useful for rapidly growing windbreaks and screens.
Legends and Lore:
Willow has a bad reputation with ancient travellers believing that they were stalked by uprooted willows wishing to swallow them.
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What was E.T.'s favorite candy? | Trees
Trees
Trees have been sacred to humankind and animals alike since the beginning of creation. They are the sanctity, the balance, the protection, the voice, and the promise to all living beings. Its branches span out above as the roots span out below: as above, so below, bringing balance. Its powers bring us the ability to manipulate for the better: and ye harm none. The tree is the fine line that stands between two points. It is the balance that roots itself in the center. It is the sacrificial life that gives itself unselfishly knowing it will be reborn and has done so to help another being. Just as the tree does, so does the druid.
The Oak, Hawthorn and Ash make up the sacred trio.
The Nine Sacred Woods used in Nied-Fires Holly, Oak, Pine, Hazel, Juniper, Cedar, Poplar, Apple and Ash.
The Noble Trees of the Grove Holly, Birch, Alder, Willow, Oak, Hazel and Apple.
ALDER
Description:Rapidly growing tree (0.5m pa for first 30 - 40 years) mature at about 60 years with long trunk and narrow crown. Distinctive outline in winter. Requires plenty of light and can be used as pioneer species. Height 20m or more. Age up to 150 years.Very tolerant of water logged conditions whilst dormant. Typical streamside tree and as a specific habitat - Alder Carr - in Lake District and Norfolk Broads. All soil types except poor acid peats. Fixes nitrogen via root nodules and will grow on relatively infertile soils and hence used for site reclamation. Natural throughout British Isles and most of Europe. Grown from seed. The seed does not undergo dormancy by germination rate increased if given a period of moist chilling at 0.5C for up to 10 weeks. The seeds float and are carried by streams naturally germinating in mud. Seeds are red brown
flakes - 250,000 seeds per Kg. Often rapid growth in first year but best kept in nursery and planted out in second year. Can be beneficially grown with oak on damp sites and ash. The wood is light reddish brown and porous with course texture.
Uses:Physical:General purpose hardwood and pulpwood. Particularly suitable for turning, formerly used to make clogs. Burns quickly when used for firewood but suitable for charcoal (used to be used for charcoal for gunpowder). Hardens when immersed in water and suitable for making piles.
Medicinal:
The bark and leaves contain tannin and have astringent properties. Used in folk medicine to treat chills.
Legends and Lore:
It is associated with the Celtic god Bran, as He used His body as a bridge to span dangerous waters.
Wood carving, inlay work, mallets, screws. Good firewood with pleasant aroma.
Medicinal:
Other:
The attractive small fruit are extremely sour but make good jelly by themselves or with blackberries or rowan berries. Crab Apple wine is reported to be potent.
ASH
Description:Magnificent large deciduous tree with distinctive black buds in spring. Can be coppiced. Height 45m. Age up to 200 years. Mostly calcerous soils although found on all except poorest and acid soils (above ph 5.5). Surprisingly, a tree that is all male one year can produce female flowers the next, and similarly a female tree can become male. The female flowers develop into fruits, and because they hang in bunches the fruits of the ask tree are known as 'ash keys'.Prefers moist but well drained fertile soils. Up to 450m in altitude. Grows well in mixed stands provided not shaded. Throughout British Isles and Europe into Asia Minor and Caucuses. Rare north of Great Glen in Scotland. Grow from seed - deeply dormant - treat as per Acer campestre. Long thin brown seeds approx 25cm long. Approx 8000 germinable seeds per kg. Seeds form in large sprays. If planted green seeds may germinate following spring or even straight away whereas brown seeds will germinate the second spring after planting. Grows quickly to 20 - 40 years old but growth stops at 60 years.Pale creamy wood that is strong and elastic.
Uses:Physical:Hockey sticks, oars, paddles, rudders, billiard cues, cricket stumps, polo sticks and policemen's truncheons. Also used for veneer and furniture. Burns fragrantly when green or dried due to low water content even when green (30 - 35%) but seasoning (to 15% water) does improve efficiency.
Legends and Lore:European Ash was always held in high regard amongst Norse peoples who believed (in the Eddas) that the world was Yggdrasil, a giant Ash tree. The first man, named Ask, was created from an ash log. This belief was carried forward to later times when Druids wands were made of ash twigs. Not surprisingly it is credited with healing properties. Weak-limbed children were passed through split ash trees which were then bound up. The hope was that if the tree grew straight then the child would as well. Ash was used in spells requiring focus and strength of purpose, and indicates the linking of the inner and outer worlds.
BEECH
Description:Magnificent, large, deciduous tree. Important economic forestry tree. Height: Max 40m. Age: mature at 120 yearsChalky soils and limestone but tolerant of a wide
range of soils and conditions. Up to 300mSouthern England to Gloucestershire and a few localities in South Wales. Not native to Ireland. Found throughout most of Europe except Spain, Former USSR, Norway and Sweden.Grown from seed. Scaly cup splits in Autumn to release 2 three sided nuts. Seed should be moist chilled for approx 12 weeks before sowing. Approx 3000 germinable seeds per Kg. Best established when sheltered by birch or hazel coppice. Frost tender. Increases in size to 120 years.Pale brown hard wood but relatively easily worked. Whitest wood considered to be best grade.
Uses:Physical:Large trees for timber. Not suitable for outside use although used for piles immersed in water. Used for furniture and many other uses such as bowls, spoons, tools, plywood, and veneers. Valuable as sawn timber. Good for firewood and production of charcoal.
Other:The nut is known as mast and occurs in abundance every five to eight years. It is nutritious and rich in oil and attractive to birds and small mammals including deer and badger. The oil can be extracted and used for culinary purposes.
Legends and Lore:At one time Beech tablets were used as writing surfaces and Beech and book have the same word origins.
BIRCH
Description: Birch is an elegant tree with a slender trunk, light branches, and smooth thin bark. It lives to about age 50 and is divided by black and white birches by color of bark. Tiny flowers with no petals are born on male and female catkins. Leaves are alternate, ovate, and serated with slightly hairy undersides. It produces tiny winged nuts on female catkins, and grows to a height of 40-90 feet.
Uses:Physical:Witches (probably all seven kinds) would make their traditional brooms out of Birch. Cradles also were made from this wood to protect the infant they hold. May poles and Beltane fires in Britain utilized this wood. Canoes were made from the bark. Birch beer is brewed from the branches and modern medicine derived from the leaves. Household knick-knacks, furniture, spoons, tool handles, brooms, bobbins, and barrel staves were fashioned from the wood. Twigs were used for thatching and wattles in traditional European houses, and its charcoal in gun powder. Birch is also used to make leather durable (oil), for natural insect repellent (oil), and as a wool dye (bark - light brown, root -red brown), and to dry the soil of soggy gardens (by planting a stand of birches).
Medicinal:
Birch contains Methyl Salicylate which possesses counterirritant and analgesic properties. Used as a folk cure for rheumatism (infusion from leaves and bark), skin irritations/wounds (poultice from leaves, bark, catkins), skin tonic (bath infusion), skin lotion (oil from bark), and toothbrushing (chewing on twigs). Its tea is used to heal mouth sores, to break up kidney/bladder stones, its bark (oil) as an astringent/aid for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, non-hereditary baldness, and skin eruptions (with infusions of twigs, leaves, bark). Black birch is used to heal urinary problems and expel worms, diarrhea, mouth sores, rheumatism and bowel troubles. The young shoots and leaves are used as a tonic laxative and the inner bark for fevers. The fresh summer sap helps expel excess fluid and treat oedema, and the birch buds are used for colds, rheumatic conditions, stomach ulcers/pains, liver/gall problems, and kidney/bladder stones. Birch charcoal is ingested to relieve ingested poisons or indigestion bloating.
Mystical:
By binding together birch twigs and gently striking possessed people and animals with it, the haunting spirits can be exorcised. Russian folk would hang a stem of it tied with a red ribbon to rid themselves of the evil eye. Many farmers would plant birch around their houses to protect against lightning. Modern Druids burn it to cleanse and purify themselves during ceremonies. In Scandinavia, switches of birch are used on the bodies to stimulate the process of purification in the sauna, and in Britain a birch rod was used rather ferociously to purify criminals of their sins and misdeeds, and on lunatics to expel the evil spirits from within. To get rid of the spirits of the old year, one would "beat the bounds" with a broom made of birch. Birch also represents the first moon - the moon of inception, and in rituals of deciding which spiritual seeds one should plant in the year. Magical workings in this moon will add strength and momentum to these rites. To communicate well with the Goddess, meditate in a birch grove. For magical parchment, gather her bark only by a tree chosen by one that has been struck by lightning (chosen by Thor). Used for Earth Mother magic. Birch is used to make sets of runes for divination by gathering the wood during the waxing of the moon.
Legends and Lore:
Birch is considered feminine and is associated with the planet Venus, the element water, the God Thor, and imbued with the powers of protection, exorcism, and purification. She represents the symbol of the Bardic school or grade. The tree is first planted on virgin soil where one wants to create a wood or forest -"the tree that helps birth the forest" which leads to it being given the name "Pioneer tree" or "Tree of Birth", and is why it often symbolizes the first level of Druid working. The whiteness of the bark indicates cleanliness and determination in overcoming difficulties. It represents new starts, new journeys, and clear direction. If drawn by card, rune, or stave, it symbolizes new beginnings or the start of a new endeavor or thing in ones' life. It demonstrates the purification of the self. Roman lectors carried Birch rods. It is one of the three pillars of Wisdom (Oak, Yew, Birch). The "Lieschi" or "Genii of the Forest" are said to dwell in their tree tops. According to legend if the spirit of the birch tree (The One With the White Hand) touches a head it leaves a white mark and the person turns insane.
ELDER
Description: The Elder grows to be about 30-50 feet tall, with a span of 20-40 feet. It tolerates wet to dry soil and is drought tolerant.
Uses:Physical:The bark of the older branches was used in the making of black dye and also the root. The leaves yield, with alum, a green dye and the berries dye blue and purple (with alum) and violet (with alum and salt). Inside the stem is a thick soft pith which can easily be hollowed out used to make flutes, pan pipes and a surprisingly loud reeded whistle. children have made pop-guns and pea shooters from the hollowed out stems.small pegs, skewers, spoons, small turned items, combs and children's toys. The hollowed out stems make natural beads,
Medicinal:
will help in the early stages of a cold or 'flu, and is excellent for a sore throat and catarrh. an excellent remedy for asthma.An old cure for colds and coughs, and especially bronchitis, was to make a "rob" (a vegetable juice thickened by heat) from elderberries. Use 5lbs of fresh ripe berries, crushed with 1lb of sugar and evaporate to the thickness of honey. One or two tablespoons mixed with hot water and taken at night will act as a demulcent to the chest and throat. An infusion of the leaves, rubbed into the skin, will prevent mosquitoes, midges and flies settling on you. A spray of leaves worn in the hat also helps. The same mixture can also be sprayed onto plants to keep off aphids and other small insects. The leaves can also be made into an ointment as a remedy for bruises, swellings, sprains, chilblains and wounds, bringing a cooling effect. Take three parts fresh elder leaves, heat them up with 6 parts Vaseline until the leaves are crisp. Then strain and store. The flowers, which are at their best at midsummer, also have many uses from eye bath to skin tonic, for colds and 'flu and catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, such as hay fever and sinusitis. Gather the flowers on a dry day and dry them fast. The do discolour but are perfectly OK. I have found the best method is to hand the clusters upside down in paper bags in the sunshine. The bags catch the flowers as they dry and drop off. When completely dry, store them in dark screw-top jars.A tea made of the fresh flowers makes an excellent spring/summer tonic, take fresh each morning to purify the blood. The can also be added to salads, cakes and made into wonderful summer drinks such as elderflower cordial and elderflower champagne.
Mystical:
Flutes made of elder were used to summon spirits, and elder was also a common wood of wands. Justice was often dispensed under an alder, so the hilt of a coven sword was often made of elder wood.It is said in Irish folklore that it is the elder stick and not ashen ones which are used by witches for their magic horses, which makes me wonder whether the bark was pershaps used for inducing trance. The earliest folk tales praise elder's ability to ward off evil or malevolent spirits, and to undo evil magic. Elder blossom was worn at Beltane to signify witchcraft and magic and elder twigs and to undo evil magic. Elder blossom was worn at Beltane to signify witchcraft and magic and elder twigs were woven into a head-dress at this time to enable the wearer to see spirits.Much of the folklore around Elder suggests its ability to drive away evil spirits. As a protection against evil (and later against witchcraft) its branches were hung in doorways of houses, cowsheds buried in graves and its twigs were carried. It can be used to bless a person, place or thing, by scattering leaves and berries to the four directions, and over the thing or person being blessed.
Other:
The flowers are used to make cordial and white wine. The leaves, however, are poisonous.The ripe berries, popular with birds, are used to make preserves and as the basis of a red wine. Elder also accompanied the deceased. "In the country parts...when anyone dies, the grave digger silently walks to the elder, and cuts a rod to measure the corpse with; the man (hearse driver) who is to convey it to the grave does the same, and wields this rod as a whip." These rods were not left unattended for "he that has silently carried off an undertaker's measure, and leans it against a house door at night, can rob the people inside without their waking."
Legends and Lore:
Early European folk tales tell of a dryad, Hylde-moer, The Elder Tree Mother, who lives in the elder tree and watches over it. Should the tree be chopped down and furniture made of the wood, Hylde-moer would follow her property and haunt the owners. Similar tales tell that if a child's cradle were to be made of elder, Hylde-moer would pinch the child black and blue and give it no peace or rest. Thus it is considered unlucky to make a cradle out of elder wood - birch being the property wood for a cradle, signifying a new start or inception.According to Grimm's Teutonic Mythology, "In Lower Saxony the Sambucus nigra is called ellorn, ell-horn. Arnkiel's testimony...is beyond suspicion: 'Thus did our forefathers also hold the ellhorn holy, and if they must need clip the same, they were wont first to say this prayer: "Dame Ellhorn, give me somewhat of thy wood, then will I also give thee of mine, if so be it grow in the forest." And this they were wont to do sometimes with bended knees, bare headed, and folded hands, as I have ofttimes in my young days both heard and seen.'"
ELM
Description:Large deciduous tree. Susceptible to Dutch Elm disease and accordingly not planted any more.Height 40m. Age up to 500 years.Typical hedgerow tree but found up to 300m. Requires non calcerous top soil. In mixed woods with Whitebeam and small leave lime and in Oak and Ash woods.Common in North and West of Britain and Ireland. Native throughout Europe and W. Asia.Grown from seed which is not dormant. Approx 40,000 seed per kg. Does not sucker. Takes approx 30 years before seeds are produced and then every 2 or 3 years. In the wild seed germinate shortly after falling. Strong and supple pale brown wood. Prone to shake. Cannot be split leading to particular uses. Does not decay when immersed in water.
Uses:Physical:
Used to be used to make chests, water pipes and troughs and for sea defenses. Also for sections for cow sheds, cribs and mangers, hubs of wheels, coffins and furniture.
Other:Leaves once used for livestock.
FIR
Description:The fir grows to be 50' - 100' feet in height. The fir has a spread of about 20' at full maturity. Lives to about 50-70 years. This tree grows at a medium growth rate. The fir does well in Full sun to partial shade.The fir grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, clay, sandy, well-drained, wide range of soils. Sensitive to drought conditions; requires good drainage.The fir has pyramidal shape. This tree has leaves that spiral; and are simple; needle-like; 1 to 1-� inches long..
Uses:Physical:telegraph poles, pit props, fencing and flagpoles, furniture, ship masts, huts, rail ties,
Other:bird and animal species find shelter and food in its majestic foliage.
HAWTHORNE
Description:Deciduous tree dense leaved and thorny with short trunk. Commonly used for stock proof hedging. New shoots and leaves are reddish. Distinctive white blossom with strong scent and red berries (haws) later. Height 10 - 15m. Age long lived - 250 years. Found on all soil types. Protects seedlings of other broadleaved trees particularly oak from predation and hence aids natural regeneration.Throughout British Isles and Europe to 500m.Seed is deeply dormant - treat as for Acer campestre. Approx 8000 germinable seeds per Kg.Also grown from cuttings. Grows rapidly for first 15 years or so. For hedges grow in seed beds for 2 years and then transplant into rows. Ready to plant into hedges at 4 years. Weeding improves growth significantly. Laying hedges to make them stockproof is an old country skill. White streaky or pale pinkish. Tough hard and heavy wood.
Uses:Physical:Walking sticks, tool handles, engraving and all turnery. Good firewood.
Other:Haws attractive to birds and spread in this way.
Legends and Lore:
The Greeks and Romans saw the hawthorn as symbolic of hope and marriage, but in medieval Europe it was associated with witchcraft and considered to be unlucky
HAZEL
Description:Deciduous shrubs and small trees frequently coppiced and used for hedges. Many superstitions associated with hazel form Celtic times.Height max 6m. Max age 70-80 years. Not acid soils. Often found as understorey in oak woodlands.All of British Isles and Europe, West Asia and North Africa. Catkins very distinctive in February when nothing else in flower or leaf. From seed - dispersion aided by animals. Easily grown from nuts kept cool and moist till spring.White to reddish, tough and flexible. Was extensively coppiced providing long sticks for a variety of uses.
Uses:Physical:Used in past for cask hoops, basketry, walking sticks, hurdles, thatching, spars and devining rods. Good firewood.Hazel was used heavily in past for cask hoops, basketry, walking sticks, hurdles, thatching, spars and devining rods
Other:Nutritious and tasty nuts taken by large birds and by squirrels and mice that store the nuts. Nuts produced from pruned bushes grown in open conditions like a fruit orchard.
Legends and Lore:
Celtic legend says it is the receptacle of knowledge; the Salmon of Knowledge is said to eat the 9 nuts of poetic wisdom dropped into its sacred pool from the hazel tree growing beside it. Each nut created a spot on its skin. The hazelnut was once a symbol of fertility in England.
HOLLY
Description:Small evergreen tree.Height 15m Wide range of soil types - from calcerous to poor and acid. Locally can form almost pure woods. Suitable for hedging and pollarding. Tolerates shaded positions in beech and oak woods.Native to British Isles. Particularly found in West but absent from Northern Scotland. Also Western Central and Southern Europe.Seed deeply dormant. Treat as Acer campestre but start treatment in January for sewing the season after next. Approximately 22000 seeds per kg. Distributed by birds eating berries. Creamy white wood dense with even grain.
Uses:Physical:Formerly used for carving inlay and engraving. Twigs yield birdlime. Good firewood even when green.Holly was used in the construction of chariot wheel shafts and spear shafts, carving inlay and engraving. The trees were pollarded to create thin shoots.
Mystical:Gifts of holly boughs were believed to have the power of repelling lightning and evil spirits.
Other:
Trees were pollarded and used for winter feed especially in North and West of England. Berries are poisonous though used as an emetic.The Holly's traditional association with Christmas harkens back to an older, pre-Christian tradition where Holly and Ivy symbolised the fertility of the the earth and nature: Holly is associated with the death and rebirth symbolism of winter in both Pagan and Christian lore. Both Holly and Ivy were originally part of the Roman Saturnalia, one of several solstice festivals that has contributed much to the modern celebration of Christmas The druids held holly in high esteem as a plant of death and regeneration, its red berries represented the color of blood and life. Holly was seen as a `female' plant or representative of the Goddess (Holly remains a girl's name to this day) . Her consort, the God, was variously personified as either ivy or mistletoe (so how come Ivy is a girl's name too?). In Arthurian legend, Gawain (representing the Oak King of summer) fought the Green Knight, who was armed with a holly club to represent winter.
OAK
Description:Large deciduous tree and probably our most common tree. Height 30 - 40 m. Age 1000 year or more.Basic fertile soils ph 4.5 - 7.5 including heavy soils. Mature trees tolerate flooding even by sea-water. Usually found in mixed woodland.Throughout Britain and Ireland and most of Western Europe and Asia Minor.See Quercus Petraea. Approx 110 - 450 seeds per kg.Pale brown strong wood. More susceptible to epicormic growth.
Uses:Physical:Wines and spirits matured in English Oak casks.Oak built the ships that built the empire and carried the trains that sustained it - truly a mighty oak!.
Legends and Lore:The oak is frequently associated with Gods of thunder and lightening such as Zeus and Thor possibly due to oak's frequently being hit by lightening during storms. Specific oak trees have also been associated with the 'Wild Hunt', which is led by Herne in England and by Wodin in Germany (As in Woden's day - Wednesday) .According to faerie legend Oakmen are created when a felled oak stump sends up shoots. One should never take food offered by them since it is poisonous.
PINE
Description:There are something like 100 species of pine trees, but the Scots Pine is the only one that is native to Britain.Large evergreen and only native British Pine. Height 40m. Age - typically up to 150 years but 300 possible. Light and sandy soils at low or moderate elevation. Does not like sea winds or high rainfall. Now believed to have been native to Scotland and Ireland only at time of separation of England from continent although must have been found over the whole Ireland and Britain as the Ice sheets retreated. Found from Spain to Siberia. Grown from seed. Moist chill for up to ten weeks before sewing. Approximately 120,000 germinable seeds per kg. Strong general purpose timber.
Uses:Physical:Preservatives are effective on this wood hence suitable for outdoors. Used for fencing, joinery, building, flooring, box and packing case manufacture, railway sleepers, pitwood, fibreboard, chipboard, and telegraph poles. Referred to by the timber trade as "redwood" or "deal".
Other:The needles yield a medicinal oil also pitch, tars, resin and turpentine obtained from the wood.
ROWAN
Description:Small vigorous hardy deciduous tree producing large number of red berries in autumn. Coppices well. Height 15m but up to 18m. Age 100 years or moreLight and peaty soils not water logged up to 1000m. Pioneer species not tolerant of shading except in some Scots Pine woods.Commonest West and North of Britain but native throughout Britain and Ireland. Also Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor.Grown from seed. Treat as per Whitebeam. Approx 200,000 seeds per kg.Dense hard pale brown wood.
Uses:Physical:Turnery and carving and good firewood. Used to make bows in middleages. Formerly used for tool handles, mallet heads, bowls and platters.
Other:Berries are edible and used to make rowan jelly which is eaten with game. Enjoyed by birds who disperse seed.
WILLOW
Description:Deciduous small tree with long thin leaves.Height 16m.By streams in association with Alder and downy birch but not waterlogged soils.Through Britain but commonest in England and throughout North Africa and parts of Asia.From sets - insert short lengths of shoots into suitable soils leaving one or two buds above ground.Pale brown wood.
Uses:Physical:
Shoots used for rough baskets and hurdles. Burns rapidly. Pollarded every 4-5 years to produce crop of straight poles.the wood of cricket bats
Medicinal:
Willow bark contains Salicin which is used in the treatment of rheumatic fever and various damp diseases.
Other:
Shoots and leaves browsed by animals particularly horses and need protection when small. Useful for rapidly growing windbreaks and screens.
Legends and Lore:
Willow has a bad reputation with ancient travellers believing that they were stalked by uprooted willows wishing to swallow them.
| i don't know |
What was the name of the spaceship in Alien? | USCSS Nostromo | Xenopedia | Fandom powered by Wikia
― Hoop to Ripley , regarding the Nostromo (from Alien: Out of the Shadows )
Following its destruction, the Nostromo incident was subject to a cover up. The Weyland-Yutani personnel who had given the ship its secret mission to LV-426 destroyed all records of ever having done so, along with any information regarding the emergency beacon being transmitted by the derelict ship on LV-426. [8] The beacon itself was later deactivated by the crew of the Anesidora . [9] Weyland-Yutani lost a substantial amount of money as a result of the Nostromo's disappearance, a fact that no doubt helped facilitate the cover up — the incident became a black mark in the company's records, and consequently it was something of a taboo subject amongst employees. [10] The loss of the Nostromo was relegated to the pages of history where it went down as lost without a trace. [11]
Crew
Edit
The Nostromo's name was taken from the eponymous hero of the 1904 novel Nostromo by Joseph Conrad . The ship was originally called the Snark, then later the Leviathan, before Ridley Scott chose the name Nostromo due to his love of Conrad's works. [13] People and places from Conrad's works would go on to feature repeatedly as the names of space-going vessels in the Alien franchise , inspiring the names of the Narcissus (also from Alien ), the USS Sulaco (from Aliens ), the USCSS Patna (from Alien3 ), the USS Verloc (from Aliens versus Predator 2 ), the USS Marlow (from Aliens vs. Predator ) and the USS Sephora (from Aliens: Colonial Marines ).
Scale models
Edit
Three scale models of the Nostromo were made for filming: a 12-inch (30 cm) version for medium and long shots, a 4-foot (1.2 m) version for rear shots and a 12-foot (3.7 m), 7-short-ton (6.4 t) rig for the undocking and planetoid surface sequences. The latter of these was so large it could only be moved using a forklift truck, which would plug into two slots on the back of the model. [14] The basic outlines of the smaller models were made of wood and plastic, while the larger had a welded metal frame. Most of the fine surface details were added from model kits of battleships, tanks and World War II bombers, while the miniature of the attached refinery contained parts from several Star Wars model kits in its construction — the release mechanism that secures the Nostromo to the refinery featured the legs of R2-D2 as decorations on its upper surface, [14] while the refinery's underside incorporated panels from Darth Vader's TIE fighter. [15]
Filming of the miniatures took place at Bray Studios near Maidenhead, Berkshire. The Nostromo models were originally painted yellow. However, after the model unit had spent several weeks filming the model, Scott decided to repaint the ship grey and reshoot all of the model work himself. At one point, the refinery being towed by the Nostromo featured towering spires considerably higher than those that appear in the final film, but just before filming Ridley Scott personally removed the upper sections (allegedly with a hammer and chisel). [14] A separate model, approximately 40 feet (12 m) long, was created for the Nostromo's underside, from which the Narcissus would detach and along which Kane's body was launched during the funeral scene. [14] For the scene in which the Nostromo detaches from the refinery, a 30-foot (9.1 m) docking arm miniature was created to the same scale as the largest Nostromo model. To film the sequence, the Nostromo was pushed away from the refinery by the forklift — which was concealed under black velvet — causing the arm to extend out from the refinery, creating the illusion that the arm was pushing the ship forward. [14] Shots from outside the Nostromo in which the characters are seen moving around inside through windows were filmed using larger model sections that contained projection screens showing pre-recorded footage.
Interiors
Edit
The interior of the Nostromo was designed by conceptual artist Ron Cobb . The set constructed for filming was all interconnected and largely sealed, meaning cast and crew had to walk through the various corridors and chambers to reach other areas of the ship. Several crew members commented that the confines of intricate set meant filming was more akin to shooting on location than in a studio, and that the interior's enclosed nature helped to create a feeling of claustrophobia appropriate to the film. [14] In such a confined set, lighting was a constant issue. To compensate, some of the roof sections were constructed of clear plastic that allowed natural light from the studio outside to filter through, but even so sometimes actors had to resort to holding the flamethrower they were carrying close to their face so that the pilot flame would illuminate them for the cameras. [16]
The look of the Nostromo's corridors was designed to evoke the feeling of a World War II submarine. [15] Much of the interior was dressed with various aircraft parts, acquired by the production team from RAF stock that was being decommissioned nearby at the time; [14] for example, the crew chairs on the bridge were taken from fighter aircraft, with at least some of them being ejector seats. [17] Much of the set dressing in the medbay was genuine medical equipment. [18]
The Mother interface room was designed to mimic a niche in a cathedral, with the myriad of blinking lights representing candles. Much of the ship's interior was fully functional, in that many of the various buttons actually performed some function when activated. [17] All the on-set video equipment was also real, and any footage seen on the various screens in the movie was played for real during filming. [18] The ship's bridge was originally designed as a large, open space with several "floating" consoles and crew seats that projected into a vast glass window at its front. [19] However, cost concerns meant this ambitious set was scrapped in favour of a cheaper design; elements of the original version were notably recycled for the bridge of the Prometheus in the film of the same name some 33 years later. The Nostromo's bridge was made more claustrophobic still when Ridley Scott had the production crew drop the ceiling of the originally spacious set by some 4 feet just before filming began, creating the far more cramped and enclosed space seen in the film. [17]
Trivia
Edit
One of the opening scenes of Alien shows the computer waking-up, after which a console reads "CAPACITY. 200 000 000 TONNES". This means that, even with the weight of the refining equipment factored on top of the load of ore, the Nostromo was likely not hauling its full potential capacity.
Some of the computer displays from the Nostromo were reused in Ridley Scott 's later film Blade Runner.
Some moviegoers mistake the refinery for the Nostromo, and have confused the Nostromo itself when it detaches from the refinery for the shuttle Narcissus. The refinery is never actually inhabited in the film, as even the Alien remained on the Nostromo itself.
Originally, there was supposed to be an eighth member of the crew, a security officer called Fazio . He was scripted to be killed by the fully grown Alien not long after Kane's death while searching through the ship. However, the character was cut from the movie early in production.
The conceptual warning symbols designed by Ron Cobb for the interior of the Nostromo were later reused for the trophy/achievement icons in the video game Alien: Isolation .
Appearances
| Nostromo |
What was the Joker's real name in Batman? | Derelict (Alien) | Annex | Fandom powered by Wikia
Edit
The Derelict is a large, asymmetrical, wishbone -shaped craft, with a thickened central section between the two horns, which bend upwards. It has three large openings near ground level between the two horns, leading into the ship's interior. It is through one of these openings that three of the Nostromo crew members ( Captain Dallas , Navigator Lambert , and Executive Officer Kane ) entered the ship. The interior of the Derelict resembled more a giant beast than a spacegoing vessel, with its skeletal walls, circular gangways and steep passages. (The Xenomorph nest in Aliens implied that the aliens had transformed the ship as they had the terraforming station).
The Derelict may be a type of bioship from an advanced and ancient race (the Space Jockeys ). It is organic in appearance, and it shows signs of being partially fossilized ; though it is still functional, since it is still sending out an automated radio transmission. The dead Pilot is also fused to the command chair on the ship's bridge equivalent.
One interesting aspect of the ship is that exactly what part of the ship seen by the Nostromo's crew goes completely unexplained. It would seem to be the bow, or front, because the Space Jockey is apparently the pilot but this is uncertain. The exterior of the ship looks almost like the stern (back-end) of a ship that has hit the ground and buried its nose in the dirt. Whichever theory one chooses to accept will also dictate which backstory the viewer will accept.
Crew
Edit
The fossilized Space Jockey
In an enormous cockpit room, on a turntable-like structure was a giant alien life form that appeared to have been dead for an extremely long time, since it was fossilized . It appeared to have grown out of its equally enormous chair. It was sitting at a giant telescopic object that pointed upward that is assumed to be the pilot's controls. It also had a huge hole in its chest with bones bent outward, as if something exploded from the inside.
Very little is known about this long dead organism inside the Derelict, which the Alien production team named Space Jockey . H.R. Giger , designer of the Derelict and the Space Jockey, originally named it simply "The Pilot". Lambert of the Nostromo brought up the question of what happened to the rest of the crew on the Derelict, since no remains of any other Space Jockeys were found on board.
Cargo
Edit
Kane, the executive officer, found a large hole near the side of the Space Jockey's "turntable". The hole opened out into a pit, apparently burned through by acid. The crewman volunteered to go down and investigate.
Upon reaching the bottom he discovered that he was inside an enormous cave-like cargo space filled with thousands of "leathery objects like eggs," covered by a thin layer of blue mist that reacted when broken. Ridley Scott states during the Director's Commentary on the Alien Special Edition DVD that the eggs are the cargo of the Space Jockey's ship with the ship being a sort-of war ship designed to carry these biological weapons, or perhaps a science vessel carrying the eggs as cargo for scientific study.
This room was called "the egg chamber" for obvious reasons, and is the scene of the first contact with the Alien organism, when the facehugger bursts out from one of the eggs, penetrates Kane's helmet (offscreen), and attaches itself to his face.
Origins
Edit
The origin of the Derelict and its inhabitant, the Space Jockey, is not depicted and virtually nothing is ever said about either throughout the entire Alien series. The Atmosphere Processor explosion, which occurred near the central colony complex near the end of the second film, probably did not destroy the Derelict, as colonists had been on LV-426 for several years before its discovery; however, Alien: Resurrection states that the Derelict was destroyed in the explosion. In Aliens: Special Edition, the Jordan family are said to have headed out past 'the Illian Range', supposedly a mountain range, which may have protected the Derelict from the explosion. The Derelict was never seen again after Alien except for its brief appearance in the 1991 Special Edition of Aliens which depicted its discovery by the Jorden family, on the now colonized LV-426. Following this extended introduction, all but one of the colony members are killed by the alien species.
According to the computer game Aliens versus Predator , the derelict ship survived the explosion and the Company established a new colony, atmosphere processor, and research facility dedicated to studying the derelict ship and its contents. All were destroyed ten years later during a second alien infestation, when an unnamed Marine disabled the atmosphere processor's cooling systems, causing another explosion.
Trivia
Edit
In a very early draft of the script, the eggs were originally meant to be housed in a completely separate architectural structure, shaped in the form of a massive pyramid. These illustrations of the discarded sequence were done by British illustrator and science fiction artist Chris Foss .
According to the book Giger's Alien, the eggs were originally meant to be housed in a completely separate architectural structure, shaped in the form of a massive pyramid. This would imply the previous existence of a native civilization, wiped out by their reverence for the creatures. This is possibly what the structure and ancient history scene of Alien vs. Predator was based on.
More than 100 prop eggs were created for the scene of Kane's exploration of the " cave " under The Derelict. One special hero-egg prop was created with a top that could peel open by hydraulics. The scene of Kane being attacked was filmed on September 10, 1978.
Ridley Scott wanted an early warning system around the Alien eggs that would signal the eggs to the approach of a possible host organism. This effect was achieved through the use of a blue scanning laser that was projected through smoke to highlight the apparent membrane covering the eggs. The laser used was loaned to Scott by the rock group The Who .
Ridley Scott has stated in respect to the production of Alien that he wanted to make "a slasher movie in space". The Derelict is intended as an updated version of "a dark, old, haunted house ," as is the Nostromo.
See also
| i don't know |
How old is the prostitute, played by Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver, supposed to be? | Jodie Foster 'Taxi Driver' costume - Business Insider
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Jodie Foster. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
The Tribeca Film Festival held a 40th anniversary screening of "Taxi Driver" Thursday night, and many of the principals behind the movie were there to talk about it, including director Martin Scorsese, screenwriter Paul Schrader, and stars Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shephard, and Harvey Keitel.
During the talk, Foster, who was 13 at the time of shooting, revealed what she thought of the costumes she had to wear to play Iris, the prostitute Travis Bickle (De Niro) saves at the end of the movie.
"I was mortified," she told the audience at the Beacon Theater in New York City. "Just the hot pants and the dumb hat and the sunglasses. The first day I met the costume designer and put on the clothes, I cried."
Jodie Foster played a 12-year-old prostitute in the movie "Taxi Driver." AP Photo
Foster also said she had to go through a four-hour psychiatric evaluation just to star in the film.
"The Board of Education didn't want me to work on it," Foster said. "A young actor needs to have a tutor on set and they said I couldn't have one so we hired a lawyer and they had to determine if I was psychologically sane enough to play the part and I passed."
When the film was released in 1976, some criticized the fact that Foster was subjected to such mature material, including a lot of violence, at a young age. But Foster said during the talk that she enjoyed the experience immensely, especially all of the fake blood in the movie's gory finale.
"Seeing these big gallons of kyro syrup [fake blood] and all the guys would teach me what they were doing with it, it was fascinating," she said. "People asked me how frightening that last scene was to shoot. Honestly, it was kind of fun."
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Brandon Lee died during the making of which film? | Taxi Driver: Its Influence on John Hinckley, Jr.
TAXI DRIVER
Poster advertising the Martin Scorcese's 1976 about a psychotic taxi driver
In the years leading up to John F. Hinckley Jr .'s attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan , he became obsessed with the movie "Taxi Driver." Hinckley saw the movie at least fifteen times, read and re-read the book it was based upon, and bought the soundtrack to the film, listening to it for hours on end. Hinckley even began to model certain aspects of his life on the actions of the main characters. Most importantly, Hinckley developed an intense obsession with an actress in the film, Jodie Foster .
PLOT: The film stars Robert DeNiro as the main character, Travis Bickle, a violent taxi cab driver alienated from society. Bickle becomes interested in a woman named Betsy who works for a presidential candidate, and tries to attract her attention, but is unsuccessful. Rebuffed by both society and the object of his affection, Bickle decides to assassinate the presidential candidate so that he may win Betsy's admiration. He is never able to get close enough to the candidate, however, to complete his assassination attempt. Bickle then becomes interested in saving Iris, a young prostitute played by Jodie Foster. He goes to the hotel where twelve-year-old prostitute brings her customers, and shoots her pimp, the hotel manager, and a client, rescuing Iris from the horrible environment. At the end of the movie, Travis Bickle holds a bloody finger to his temple, acting like a man who is blowing his own brains out. In the context of the movie, however, it is a gesture of triumph. Travis Bickle is a hero.
IDENTIFICATION: One of Hinckley's defense experts at trial, Dr. William Carpenter, Jr., stated that John Hinckley identified in many ways with Travis Bickle and "picked up in largely automatic ways many [of his] attributes." Hinckley began to imitate Bickle's preference for army fatigue jackets and boots, and developed a fascination with guns. He adopted Bickle's preference for peach brandy and, like the movie character, began keeping a diary. According to Carpenter, Hinckley's isolation from society and vulnerability led him to unconsciously begin to mimic Bickle's traits. In Carpenter's words, Hinckley "absorbed the identity of Travis Bickle." Carpenter even believed that when Hinckley took a bus cross-country from Los Angeles, Washington was merely a stopover on his route to Yale, and another attempt to "rescue" Jodie Foster as the film script demanded.
The prosecution contended that Hinckley merely "imitated" Travis Bickle, much like a fan of a rock star might choose to wear the star's clothes or sunglasses. To the prosecution, Hinckley's identification with Bickle was conscious, not unconscious.
Hinckley probably saw a lot of himself in the psychotic Travis Bickle. More importantly, he may have seen in the movie what he thought were clues to extricating himself from his lonely, alienated state. In the movie, Bickle's violence is rewarded.
LYNN COLLINS: Hinckley also fashioned a make-believe girlfriend named Lynn Collins on Betsy's character in "Taxi Driver." Just as Travis Bickle had written home to his parents about a rich and beautiful girlfriend, John wrote home about Lynn, creating vacations and visits and break-ups that were all a fabrication of his mind. Hinckley's mother JoAnn, came to feel such a warmth and connection with Lynn after several years of corresponding about her with John, (obviously John never brought her home to meet the folks), that she felt an emptiness when she was told by the FBI that Lynn Collins did not exist. Feeling the loss as though it were a close personal friend, JoAnn Hinckley was most devastated by the fact that without Lynn in his life, she could not think of a single person with whom her son had had a relationship in several years.
AT TRIAL: "Taxi Driver" was shown by the defense during John Hinckley's trial. Hinckley's reaction to the showing of the movie demonstrated the depth of the impression it had made on him. Twisting in his chair to get a better look at the main character as Robert DeNiro's mug appeared on the screen, he was so engrossed in the movie that he watched it mouth open, eyes fastened to the screen. He took his eyes off the movie only twice. The first time was when Betsy turns Travis down for a date, after which Hinckley took off his glasses and turned his head aside. The second time John took his eyes off the movie was when Iris, played by Jodie Foster, embraces her pimp. Upon watching this scene, Hinckley buried his face in his hands. At the conclusion of the movie, the defense rested.
INFORMATION ON THE MOVIE (CAST, REVIEWS, IMAGES, ETC.):
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Which type of car featured in The Italian Job? | Cars in The Italian Job (1969)
• Mini Coopers
They're not terribly exotic, but you can't talk about The Italian Job without talking about the trio of Mini Coopers in red, white, and blue that do the work of get away cars. The stunts they perform are equally amazing and adorable, with a ridiculously fun soundtrack by Quincy Jones playing in the background. It's improbably that they could each tote more than 300 pounds of gold, but they have been souped up by guys in matching red, white, and blue jumpsuits, so ...
Engine: 1.3-liter inline 4-cylinder
| Mini |
What was the first film to win a Best Actor Oscar for Jack Nicholson? | Total Recall: 50 Most Memorable Movie Cars << Movie & TV News and Interviews – Rotten Tomatoes
Buckaroo’s rocket car, a customized 1982 Ford F-350 from The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
The Marines’ M577 Armored Personnel Carrier from Aliens
Austin’s Jaguar E-Type Series I (aka his “Shaguar”) from Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Mike’s 1995 Porsche 991 Turbo (964) from Bad Boys
Mike’s 2003 Ferrari 575M Maranello from Bad Boys II
The Clampett’s customized 1921 Oldsmobile Model 46 from The Beverly Hillbillies
The 1977 Concordia II (aka “The Black Moon”) from Black Moon Rising
Marie’s 1989 Mini from The Bourne Identity
Bruce’s new Saleen S-7 from Bruce Almighty
The Cat’s car from The Cat in the Hat
The customized 1973 Chevrolet Corvette from Corvette Summer
Stuntman Mike’s 1970 Nova with custom safety modifications from Death Proof
Frankenstein’s customized 1970 Chrevrolet Corvette from Death Race 2000
Brian’s customized 1995 Toyota Supra Turbo from The Fast and the Furious
Brian’s customized 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) from 2 Fast 2 Furious
Jefferson’s 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 from Fast Times at Ridgemont High
The customized AMC Pacer from Good Burger
Professor Fate’s 1908 Hannibal 8 from The Great Race
The 1934 Citroën 11 Légère Cabriolet from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Gadget’s customized 1963 Lincoln Continental from Inspector Gadget
Tony Stark’s 2008 Audi RS8 from Iron Man
Joe’s 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona from Joe Dirt
Mr. Miyagi’s 1948 Ford Super De Luxe from The Karate Kid
The evil 1981 Western Star 4800 from Maximum Overdrive
Jerry’s 1969 Chevrolet El Camino from The Mexican
The 2054 Lexus CD from Minority Report
Billy’s 1964 Buick Skylark Convertible from My Cousin Vinny
The Herkimer Battle Jitney from Mystery Men
The 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda from Phantasm
The 1959 Cadillac Convertible from Pink Cadillac
The 1933 Mercedes-Benz LG3000 from Raiders of the Lost Ark
The 6000 SUX from Robocop
The 1936 Voisin C28 from Sahara
The customized 1972 Bedford CF (aka “The Mystery Machine”) from Scooby-Doo
The customized 1989 Chevrolet K-2500 from Tango & Cash
The 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am from Thunderbolt and Lightfoot
The turbine powered 1970 Lola T70 from THX-1138
Alanzo’s 1979 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Lowrider from Training Day
Frank’s 1995 BMW 735i from The Transporter
Frank’s 2005 Audi A8 L from Transporter 2
The 1988 Cadillac Sedan DeVille from Twins
Gator’s 1971 Ford Custom 500 from White Lightning
The mysterious Dodge M4S Turbo Interceptor from The Wraith
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The sequel to the movie Mad Max was called Mad Max 2, but what was the third in the series called? | Mad Max Primer: Is 'Fury Road' a Sequel or Prequel? Should You See 3D? - Page 2 of 2 - /Film
Mad Max Primer: Is ‘Fury Road’ a Sequel or Prequel? Should You See 3D?
Posted on Friday, May 15th, 2015 by Russ Fischer
The action is insane whether you see it in 2D or 3D… and 2D makes seeing all the weird details easier.
Should I See Fury Road in 3D?
Our advice would be to see 2D if you have a choice — this is a film with an incredible amount of constantly-moving detail, and 2D is going to be the best way to see all of that. Seriously: nearly every frame in this film is bristling with little thoughts and concepts. There’s a whole world here, and you want to see it all.
When George Miller had the chance to present the movie to press for the first time here in Los Angeles, he showed the film in 2D. That’s a pretty good endorsement.
That said, I’m catching the IMAX 3D presentation this weekend out of curiosity, and if you have access to a theater with reliably bright and well-calibrated projection, it should still look great in 3D. Plus, there are a couple bits in the film that are clearly designed as 3D gags.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, 1985
Can You Recap the Other Mad Max Films?
Sure! We’ll make this quick and as non-spoiler as possible.
The original Mad Max, released in 1979, established Mel Gibson’s character Max Rockatansky, a cop in a society that had mostly broken down, and who is pretty much broken down himself by the end of the film. It’s a pretty small movie with a group of cops in conflict with a gang led by a poetic villain called The Toecutter. The bad guys want revenge for the death of one of their own, and the cops go after the gang for their flagrant bad-ness. Max is kinda caught in the middle, and it isn’t until the gang violently impacts his own life that he really goes into “mad” mode.
The Road Warrior, from 1981, is the film most like a chronological sequel in the series than any other. Max, driving the same car and bearing his wounds from the first movie, comes across a motorized gang besieging a stronghold built around an oil well and minor gasoline refinery. Pulled into that conflict, Max looks out for himself throughout, but ends up helping the oil refiners in their attempt to escape the gang forces led by a hulking but well-spoken chieftain who calls himself Lord Humongous. The Road Warrior is the movie that really made this series weird, and it
(The film is really called Mad Max 2, but was retitled for US release; the thinking was that not enough people knew what Mad Max was.)
The third film, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, from 1985, is even more loose as a chronological sequel, but close enough. Max, in pursuit of stolen property, meanders into Bartertown, a rough attempt at civilization jump-started by the entrepreneurial Aunty Entity (Tina Turner). A power struggle in Bartertown leads Max to shelter in a cove inhabited by a Lost Boys-like band of kids who think Max is their savior.
All three films end with Max essentially alone, and The Road Warrior and Thunderdome are both narrated by characters who place Max in a position of near-legend.
The implication in Fury Road is that this is yet another sequel, but aside from the character’s name, his survival skills, a fondness for vehicles, and disintegrating mental state, there’s not much here to explicitly connect this Max to the guy played by Mel Gibson. There are some visual signifiers — the Interceptor, his knee brace — but they don’t do much to establish when this movie takes place relative to the previous three.
***
We’ll have a lot more on Mad Max: Fury Road next week, including a lot of info on the making of the film, and more conversation about what’s actually in it.
| Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome |
Noah had 3 sons, Ham and Shem were 2, who was the other? | George Miller Reveals 'Wasteland' Title for Next 'Mad Max' Sequel | FirstShowing.net
George Miller Reveals 'Wasteland' Title for Next 'Mad Max' Sequel
Source: The Playlist
We knew it was coming, as George Miller is already confirmed for more Mad Max sequels along with Tom Hardy, but the title for the next Mad Max movie might have been revealed. Hidden in the George Miller episode of The Q&A with Jeff Goldsmith podcast (found via The Playlist ), Miller discusses the plans for the expanded Mad Max universe now that Rockatansky is back in Fury Road . "We've got one screenplay and a novella. It happened because with the delays [on Fury Road] and writing all the backstories, they just expanded." So what's the next title? Mad Max: The Wasteland. Bring it on. Furiosa better be in it, too.
Speaking of Furiosa, that's where things get interesting, as she deserves her own sequel. This tweet from a new George Miller account mentions "more" - but it's not a verified account so do not take this as real yet:
Hello Twitter! Thanks for all the kind words written and said about the film. We had a lot of fun making it..and there's more Max to come.
— George Miller (@GMillerMax) May 17, 2015
We knew there would be more but… Our friends at SlashFilm point out that this latest update from George Miller differs ever so slightly from what he first said about a trilogy years ago. Back in 2011, he said they wanted to make a trilogy and were finishing scripts. "We've written the script for the second and almost finished the third. We never intended to, they were part of the exploration of the characters," he said at the time. Apparently he even mentioned the title Mad Max: Furiosa back then, but supposedly that might not be the case any more. Or things have changed now that everyone loves Charlize Theron as Furiosa, and she deserves a spin-off movie of her own, while Max could continue into The Wasteland himself. We'll have to keep an eye out for details. I'm definitely up for more of George Miller's Mad Max no matter what it's called.
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Bo
He has Hardy under contract, but no mention of her also being signed up. He better do it quickly and if she isn't she can for sure demand some big money. Especially if the next film is planned around her. I find it hard to believe the next film would involve her and he wouldn't already have her under contract. He did it with Hardy. Not with her. Why? Could it be she's not in the next one? Yet? Ummm.....
Why?
They will all be back. It's all lawyers and the bottom line, from her on out. Warner Bros just kicked started a new billion dollar franchise with MMFR. So Batman and Mad Max will be pretty much all they will be dumping money into for the next ten years!
Griff
My only concern is Miller's continued involvement - I'd like to see him direct as many of these bad boys as he can. FR proved the franchise can easily survive the loss of Gibson but it still needs Miller's eye, I think. The guy is 70 now, and once he's gone it'll be someone else's baby and that might feel a bit... odd.
Bo
Hard to say they will all be back. She simply may not want to. She doesn't need the money or the aggravation that comes with making this kind of film. And with Hardy, whom I like much more than her, which doesn't amount to a hill of beans in the long run. They don't need her; not really. It is Mad Max after all and just as many folks will show up for the next round with or without her, I would think. Who knows? Who cares? Whatever happens it'll be worth viewing. Again, I would think.
Alex Billington
This is probably it, really, more than anything. They likely don't have her details figured out yet and now with all the buzz about her, it definitely makes things a bit different. Will just have to watch and see how it plays out from here...
Bo
I agree. It will be interesting, well mildly, to see if 'they', after all the buzz she's getting, decide to fashion another film around her. It is Mad Max after all. That, plus the huge money she will ask for and all the perks she would rightfully want in order to be as comfortable as possible on location as these movies are very, very difficult to make. I don't know why she'd want to do it again. Once would seem to be enough and she certainly doesn't need to career-wise. We'll see what we shall see.
Xerxexx
Do not become addicted to water, it will take hold of you and you will resent its absence.
DAVIDPD
That guy was like an old version of Bane.
Xerxexx
Much more intimidating though...and creepy.
oscar
tom hardy and charlize theron had differences on stage filming fury road. wed have to see if they are willing to work together again.
DAVIDPD
Everyone has their price.
gyro captain
Please tell him to get Bruce Spence (aka Gyro Captain from Road Warrior or Jedediah the Pilot from Beyond Thunderdome) to appear on the next movie (and all movies to come).
Snake Plissken
That would be beautiful.
DAVIDPD
I would bet Furiosa and company will be excluded in the sequels. It seems Max plays better when each film is an evolution from the last. I wouldn't be too surprised if it were another solo adventure film. He needs a dog though.
Chris Groves
Going by Wiki, one sequel title being thrown around at one point was "Mad Max: Furiosa" which would make me think she WOULD be back. But Theron doesn't seem too stoked about coming back....so maybe they pull the classic 'bring X character back and kill them off' move. Max on a rampage of revenge wouldn't be so bad.
Terry Craig
Yeah, apparently Theron and Hardy were quite frustrated by each other on set.
Chris Groves
Then I say they have no better excuse to bring Theron back and kill her off, and then have Max go on a rampage of revenge...
ProjectionistHP
He would revenge them why? He would have let them to die if he could have driven the truck in the first try, and he leaves them as soon as he can... Max has only a bit of goodness left in him under his survival instict, that bit made him help Furiosa, not enough to go on revenge rampage...
Trey Wilson
Bring it the fuck on!
Chris Groves
I say bring Theron/Furiosa back and make a 'dramatic death' out of her.
ari smulders
Thursday Ultron and mad max, Yep I am late...
Kesuke Miyagi
More Furiosa make no sense. Need more Max-San.
IT-- II --IT
Still more 'on board' ------------------decades STALE, ----------------------------franchise slum -------------------------------------TORTURE PORN. BTW --it looks like they're using ---------------------- the SAME art director as ISIS. Probably ARE!
avconsumer2
Great. Now, can we get Hardy to enunciate a bit more next time around? Pro-ject Tom! Pro-ject!
ragethorn
I walked out of that theater in complete shock. A little disappointed actually that it WASN'T the best action movie I'd seen. In reality, it was just as great as Road Warrior and that's not a bad thing. Then something began to happen. Every morning I've woken up since watching it Friday night, I've wanted to see it again more and more and more. George Miller f'n mind ninja's me!
Mike Zarquon
All the movies should have Max in it. It's part of the franchise where he and other strange characters fight to survive in a post apocalyptic world. Furiosa could contact Max to help her rid of some of those annoying wasteland human scavengers that were depicted in the chase scene of MMFR.
ari smulders
Seen it just now and it was mindblowing and visionary! It was the best action movie of the last decade for sure and onley a visionar could have made this. Each frame was perfectly timed and when the V8 weren't roaring the character development en dialogues where at pace of the rest of the movie. I never give a movie a 10 but this was 9.9 and the sad part is, we never ever be so fully satisfied after watching a movie. Tonight back to the cinema watching age of Ultron... Realy realy astonishing movie...
bzink
I really dont get the "more furiosa" comment. Here is the thing, the movies are about Max and his story. If you want to have other characters come in and out that is great, but personally, I would like to see more of Max since that is what the movies are based on. I like the Furiosa character, its not her that has built the series.
Boogie
Hey this tweet turned out to be fake, so maybe update it or take it down, I mean come on.
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Who recorded 3 albums in the 1970s, which became known as the Berlin Trilogy? | The History of David Bowie's Berlin Trilogy: 'Low,' 'Heroes' and 'Lodger'
REDDIT
Hulton Archive, Getty Images
By 1976, David Bowie ’s life in Los Angeles was in free fall. Though “Fame” and “Golden Years” were Top 10 hits the year before, Bowie was lost in a haze of cocaine addiction. To escape the drug scene in L.A., Bowie and wife Angela headed for Europe; after stops in Switzerland and France, Bowie settled in Berlin, a city then still divided by the Berlin Wall. The next three years would be one of Bowie’s most productive periods, as he recorded a trio of albums that became known as his Berlin Trilogy. Low and Heroes debuted in 1977, with Lodger arriving two years later.
“Life in L.A. had left me with an overwhelming sense of foreboding,” Bowie told Uncut . “I had approached the brink of drug-induced calamity one too many times, and it was essential to take some kind of positive action. For many years Berlin had appealed to me as a sort of sanctuary-like situation. It was one of the few cities where I could move around in virtual anonymity. I was going broke; it was cheap to live. For some reason, Berliners just didn’t care. Well, not about an English rock singer, anyway.”
Angela Bowie, in Backstage Passes: Life on the Wild Side with David Bowie, said that “Berlin called to him in other ways. He chose to live in a section of the city as bleak, anonymous, and culturally lost as possible: Schoneberg, populated largely by Turkish immigrants. He took an apartment above an auto parts store and ate at the local workingmen’s cafe. Talk about alienation.”
Bowie was joined in Berlin by Iggy Pop , who was battling his own issues with heroin. Bowie would produce Iggy’s solo albums The Idiot and Lust for Life in 1977. Brian Eno of Roxy Music and longtime Bowie producer Tony Visconti also came to Berlin; they would contribute to all three of Bowie’s subsequent Berlin projects.
“Working with Bowie is much more than going to a studio,” Visconti told Sound On Sound . “It’s a social event, too. We would eat together, go to shows together, go to clubs together, and really soak in the local culture. That was always his way of working.”
Listen to David Bowie Perform ‘Sound and Vision
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For Low and Heroes, Bowie shifted to ambient music, focusing on tone and atmosphere rather of traditional rock riffs. It wasn’t until Lodger that Bowie returned to guitar-based rock. Sales of the albums were respectable but disappointing to RCA Records, because they failed to spin off any hit singles in the U.S.
Bowie told NYRock that despite his drug problems, Low “was a relatively straight album. It didn’t come from a drug place. And I realized at the time that it was important music. It was one of the better things I’d ever written – Low, specifically. That was the start, probably for me, of a new way of looking at life.”
Recorded in France and Germany, the album’s spacey effects were largely created by Eno, who played a portable EMS Synthi A synthesizer. Visconti used an Eventide Harmonizer to alter the sound of the drums; the producer claimed the audio processor “f–s with the fabric of time.”
“It wasn’t a difficult album to make; we were freewheeling, making our own rules,” Visconti told Uncut. “But David was going through a difficult period, professionally and personally. To his credit, he didn’t put on a brave face. His music said that he was ‘low.’ Despite a few really bad days we had quite a lot of fun making Low, especially when all the radical ideas were making sense and things were starting to click. I remember after a couple of weeks of recording, I made a rough mix of the entire album so far and handed a cassette of it to David. He left the control room waving the cassette over his head and grinned ecstatically saying, ‘We’ve got an album; we’ve got an album.’”
Listen to David Bowie Perform ‘Heroes’
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Guitarist Robert Fripp of King Crimson provided a harder-edged sound on Heroes. Quotation marks were used around the title to express irony. Like Low, Heroes was recorded at Hansa Studios, known at the time as “Hansa by the Wall” for its proximity to the imposing structure that divided West from East Berlin. The view from the control room would inspire Bowie to write the title track.
“I always said it was a couple of lovers by the Berlin Wall that prompted the idea,” Bowie told Performing Songwriter . “Actually, it was Tony Visconti and his girlfriend. Tony was married at the time. And I could never say who it was. [Laughs.] But I can now say that the lovers were Tony and a German girl that he’d met whilst we were in Berlin.”
“It was much harder working on Heroes than Low,” Eno told NME . “The whole thing, except “Sons of the Silent Age,” which was written beforehand, was evolved on the spot in the studio. Not only that, everything on the album is a first take! I mean, we did the second takes but they weren’t nearly as good. It was all done in a very casual kind of way.”
Eno also offered an insight on Bowie’s habits. “He gets into a very peculiar state when he’s working. He doesn’t eat. It used to strike me as very paradoxical that two comparatively well-known people would be staggering home at six in the morning, and he’d break a raw egg into his mouth and that was his food for the day, virtually.”
Though Heroes has become one of Bowie’s signature tunes, the single did not crack the Top 100 when it was released.
Listen to David Bowie Perform ‘Fantastic Voyage’
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After spending much of 1978 touring to support Low and Heroes, Bowie began work on Lodger, a concept album about a homeless traveler. Recorded in Switzerland and New York City, Lodger abandoned the low-key instrumentals of the first two albums and incorporated New Wave and world music into a pop format. Adrian Belew took over for Fripp on guitar. Experiments included playing “All the Young Dudes” backwards, and having musicians trade instruments.
“I think Tony lost heart a little, because it never came together as easily as both Low and Heroes had,” Bowie told Uncut . “This had a lot to do with my being distracted by personal events in my life, and I would still maintain though that there are a number of really important ideas on Lodger.
By the early ’80s, Bowie decamped Berlin for New York City. But he remained committed to the music of the Berlin Trilogy.
“For whatever reason, for whatever confluence of circumstances, Tony, Brian and I created a powerful, anguished, sometimes euphoric language of sounds,” Bowie once said. “In some ways, sadly, they really captured, unlike anything else in that time, a sense of yearning for a future that we all knew would never come to pass. It is some of the best work that the three of us have ever done. Nothing else sounded like those albums. Nothing else came close. If I never made another album, it really wouldn’t matter now. My complete being is within those three. They are my DNA.”
David Bowie Year by Year: 1965-2016 Photographs
Image of
| David Bowie |
In mythology, what was the name of the 3-headed dog that guarded the gates to Hades? | Hansa Studios – Berlin, Germany | Atlas Obscura
See more things to do in Berlin »
Originally built in 1913 for the Berlin Builder’s Society, it soon shifted to serving as a chamber music concert hall, cabaret, and then cultural hub for artists and writers in the Weimar era. It seems the acoustics are great for everything.
In the early 1970s, Peter and Thomas Meisel took over the building and founded Hansa Studios. The neoclassical Meistersaal, a 1910 chamber music concert hall and 650-square-meter space with a polished floor and coffered ceiling, became Studio Two. Many iconic albums were recorded on the premises, including Iggy Pop’s Lust For Life and The Idiot (1977), Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ The Firstborn is Dead (1984) and Your Funeral, My Trial (1986). Hansa Studios remains most famous for hosting David Bowie, who came to Berlin during the summer of 1976. During his time in the city, he wrote the ‘ Berlin trilogy ’: Low, Heroes, and Lodger, though Heroes was the only album recorded entirely in Berlin itself, at Hansa.
Berlin Music Tours runs the only official tours of the studios, which may still be one of the most regal and stately music studio s still in operation.
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The Ironman event consists of 3 elements - a marathon, swimming, and which other? | Ironman Triathlon | IronMate
Ironman Triathlon
Ironman Triathlons
The Ironman triathlon is a non-stop event consisting of swimming 2.4 miles (3.8k) cycling 112 miles (180km) then running a marathon 26.2 miles (42.2km).
The men’s wining time is between 8 -9 hours depending on the toughness of the course and the first female to finish is 9 hours –9 hours: 30 minutes. There is often a deadline or cut off time in which to be an official finisher you must finish in less than 15 hours 30 minutes to17 hours according to the individual race organization. The average time depends on the course but is usually 11-12 hours (males) and 12-13 hours for females.
Women have often finished in the top 20 overall amongst the full time professional men. The biggest average age groups are between 35-44 years. The oldest competitor is often in their late 60’s and can be 70+.
Athletes come from all different sports badminton, windsurfing, ice hockey, running, swimming, cycling.
It is suggested that you compete in shorter triathlons for a number of years building up in distance to half Ironman before you attempt a full distance Ironman triathlon.
To qualify for the Hawaii Ironman world triathlon championships you need to finish high in your age group in one of the many official half Ironman or full distance triathlons around the world.
The following pages include information on training schedules, training and racing mistakes, frequently asked questions, Ironman triathlons around the world course information, training for the Ironman next year and what to do?
If you found my web sie helpful remember to send a link to a friend, thanks
Don't miss.... more from Ironmate Mark.
Which Ironman do should I choose?
Choose an event you can prepare for?
This is what marathon runners who are training for the Ironman need to know
INFORMATION ON EACH AND EVERY IRONMAN WORLDWIDE
The following will be updated on a regular basis.
Will include details of the race course,special needs bags.
| Cycling |
What is the name for the pinkish corner of the eye? | Cayman athlete to tackle US Ironman for charity | Cayman Compass
Cayman athlete to tackle US Ironman for charity
Cayman athlete to tackle US Ironman for charity
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Chris Bailey will be taking part in the Ironman 70.3 in Wisconsin on Sunday.
Chris Bailey will be taking on an Ironman challenge in the U.S. on Sunday to raise money to help young children with heart problems.
Mr. Bailey is one of four athletes who are heading to Racine, Wisconsin, on Friday for the Ironman 70.3 triathlon.
The “70.3” refers to the total distance in miles covered in the race, consisting of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run. Each distance of the swim, bike and run segments is half the distance of that segment in an Ironman triathlon.
Mr. Bailey, Daniel Cummings, Darrel Evans Jr. and Aldo Bertagna, all part of a group of Cayman-based athletes known as the Breakaway Squad, will be traveling to Wisconsin for the triathlon. Mr. Bailey is doing the Ironman 70.3 as part of the “Mountains and Marathons Challenge,” an initiative led by veteran marathoner Derek Haines, who aims to raise $1 million dollars for the charity Have a Heart Cayman Islands.
The Mountains and Marathons Challenge involves multiple marathons and two Ironman challenges, as well as ascents of three mountain peaks by Mr. Haines, Vico Testori and Barry Yetton. The mountaineering part of the challenge was completed by the trio last month.
All money raised by the athletes and climbers goes to the Have a Heart Foundation, which pays for operations at Health City Cayman Islands for young children from across the Caribbean, Central and South America.
“This is the second Ironman 70.3 I will do this year,” said Mr. Bailey. “It is one of three, with the final one being in Miami in October.”
He trains 15 to 20 hours a week, including swimming, cycling and running.
“My routine at present … is broken down into three to five hours swimming, six to eight hours cycling and three to five hours running, with a few ‘brick’ sessions, swim followed by bike or bike followed by run thrown in,” he said.
For Bailey, the cycling portion of the course is the part he is most looking forward to.
“It’s a relatively flat and fast course, which should help as the Cayman training is pretty flat,” he said.
“I enjoy the swim and the cycle, but at 260 pounds, I am a big runner so the knees and hips take some punishment.”
“For me,” he added, “it becomes a mental struggle to keep going, forget the hurt and the tiredness and just keep willing yourself forward.”
As well as favoring his knees and hips, he’s had another problem along the way – a chest infection.
“I recently had to travel for work which took me to three different countries in the space of two weeks, which in itself impacted the training schedule,” said Mr. Bailey. “I then managed to acquire [this] ‘wonderful’ chest infection which massively restricted my ability to breathe and train.
“I have managed to just about get it under control,” he said. “Ironman 70.3 and full Ironman require a dedication to training like no other sport. Endurance racing in three disciplines means three different types of training.”
Next up in the Mountains and Marathons Challenge is Shane Delaney, who will take part in an Ironman in Spain in October. After that, it’s Mr. Haines’s turn again, when he will travel to Havana, Cuba, in November for a marathon and then run in the Cayman Islands Marathon in December.
For more information and how to donate, visit www.MM4HH.com .
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What is the name for the white half moon shape on your fingers? | what is the white half circle on your fingernail? - Nail Problems Message Board - HealthBoards
Nail Problems Message Board
HealthBoards > Skin & Beauty > Nail Problems > what is the white half circle on your fingernail?
what is the white half circle on your fingernail?
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what is the white half circle on your fingernail?
what is the white half circle on your fingernail and what does it mean if you dont have one?
Posts: 2,603
Re: what is the white half circle on your fingernail?
The white half-moon at the base of the nail is called the Lunula and is the leading edge of the Matrix where the nail plate cells are 'born'. The longer the lunula, the thicker the nail plate. One can usualy see the Lunula on the thumbs, forefingers, middle fingers and a little bit on the ring finger, but rarely on the pinkie finger. If you do not see the Lunula on your nails, it just means that your nail plate is thinner because of reduced nail plate cell production. This is always genetic and doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with your nails.
| Lunula |
What is the crease between your lips and your nose called? | 15 Things You Never Knew About Your Nails | The Huffington Post
15 Things You Never Knew About Your Nails
09/24/2013 08:42 am ET | Updated Sep 24, 2013
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Laura Schocker Executive Editor, Realsimple.com
Getty
Aside from the occasional manicure, broken fingernail or stubbed toe, most of us tend to take our nails for granted, not giving them much beyond a passing thought.
But they might be more complicated than we think. For starters, nails are made up of more than just the part we paint over with polish. "The nail plate (hard part of the nail) grows out from the matrix (the root) in a shape something like an ocean wave," says Jessica Krant, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, founder of Art of Dermatology and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York City. "The white portion of the nail at the base (most easily visible at the thumbs) is called the lunula (little moon). This is the end of the matrix showing."
Intrigued? Here are 15 more things you might not know about your nails:
Fingernails grow an average of 3.5 millimeters per month.
That's just over a tenth of an inch. And nails on your dominant hand tend to grow faster. Toenails, on the other, uh, hand, grow an average of 1.6 millimeters a month, according to the American Academy of Dermatology .
White spots on your nails don't indicate a calcium deficiency.
"Calcium deficiency causing white spots on nails is the most common myth, followed by zinc deficiency. The truth is that white spots are common and harmless and don't indicate any specific vitamin deficiency at all," Krant says. "Most likely they are signs of previous trauma to the nail plate (the hard part of the nail) or the matrix (the source of the nail plate, which is located underneath the cuticle under the skin). Just like folding or denting a piece of clear plastic leaves a white spot, so does pressure or trauma to the nail."
Nails are made out of the same stuff as hair.
Both nails and hair are made up of keratin, just put together in a different way, Krant explains. And that means the same foods that are good for your hair are good for your nails. "A varied diet rich in vitamins, antioxidant fruits and veggies, protein, and minerals is key for healthy nails and hair," she says. "Keratin is a protein, and healthy oils and fats are also needed to keep the skin, hair, and nails moisturized and strong."
Men's nails grow faster than women's nails.
The possible exception, according to the American Academy of Dermatology , is during pregnancy.
Nails are what separate the primates from the mammals.
While most mammals have claws to help them with daily tasks, fingernails are something that distinguish primates (including humans) from the rest of the group, LiveScience reports :
Scientists suspect primates sort of lost their claws and fashioned broad fingertips topped with nails to aid in locomotion. While claws would have provided excellent grip as our mammalian ancestors clambered up large tree trunks, they would have been a nuisance for larger-bodied primates trying to grasp smaller branches while scrambling across tree canopies for fruits. Rather, primates developed broader fingertips made for grasping.
Nail biting is called onychophagia.
It's also the most common "nervous habit," WebMD reports , a category which includes other behaviors such as hair twisting or pulling, tooth grinding or picking at the skin. Roughly half of children between 10 and 18 bite their nails, according to WebMD , but most people stop on their own by age 30. While nail biting is largely harmless (albeit unsanitary), possible health risks include contributing to skin infections and aggravating nail bed conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic .
Last year, experts considered including nail-biting , along with other "pathological grooming" habits, as a type of obsessive compulsive disorder in the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. (For tips on how to quit the habit, click here .)
You actually should let your nails "breathe" between manicures.
You might want to reschedule that weekly mani appointment -- according to Krant, it's best to reduce the amount of time your nails are polished to keep them at their healthiest. "Believe it or not, that hard thing on the tip of your finger is living tissue, and oxygen does penetrate through the nail plate to the nail bed," she says. "When you smother the nail and the nail bed beneath it, the nail has a harder time fighting off infections like the wart virus or a nail fungus. Also, nail polish is quite drying to the nail, so keeping them polished all the time (and re-doing the manicure repeatedly, with the drying chemicals used to remove polish) can eventually dry them out and make them less flexible and strong."
Nails are a window to the entire body.
"There is a huge amount that a well-trained dermatologist can tell about your overall health just by examining nails. From nail bed discoloration (blueish means lung disease), to capillaries in the cuticles (autoimmune disease), to yellow, white, or banded nails, sometimes very serious or even life-threatening disease can be diagnosed just by examining the tips of your fingers," Krant says. "So if you see something wrong or unusual, like a dark brown patch on your cuticle that also has an accompanying brown streak up across the whole nail plate (melanoma), see a dermatologist for help." For more things your nails can tell you about your health, click here .
Nails grow faster in the summer than in the winter.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology , different times of year (as well as your age, genes and a handful of other factors) can affect nail growth speed.
About 10 percent of dermatological conditions are nail-related.
Roughly half of nail disorders are caused by fungal infections, according to the AAD (and they're more frequent in toenails). Other common conditions include white spots (see above), vertical lines , bacterial infections and ingrown toenails. Senior citizens tend to have more nail problems than younger people.
Stress can take a toll on your nails.
In addition to stress-related picking and biting, chronic stress can inhibit nail growth, HuffPost previously reported . It's important to manage stress and get plenty of sleep for optimal nail health ( and for a whole bunch of other reasons ), according to Krant. "Chronic stress and fatigue divert the body's energy and nutrients away from growing healthy nails and hair," she says.
There's a reason we can't stand nails on a chalkboard.
Just the thought of it is enough to make us cringe -- but why? According to 2011 research, part of the reason is because the noise hits a frequency that's naturally amplified by the shape of our ear canals, HuffPost reported at the time . The problem might also have a psychological component -- when study participants were told the source of the noise, they tended to rate it as more unpleasant compared to those who were told it was part of a musical composition.
Cuticles have a purpose.
And that's why many experts recommend against removing them for aesthetic purposes. "The cuticle is there to seal moisture and environmental germs out of the body, which is why it's very important not to pick at the cuticle or to let manicurists cut it off," Krant says. "It must be treated gently and left in place as much as possible."
The hardness of your nails is mostly genetic.
Not much can be done about nail shape or how quickly they grow in, Krant explains, but nails that constantly break or peel could signal being dried out. "Hand washing, doing dishes without thick rubber gloves, house cleaning, working with paper, getting frequent manicures, and using a lot of hand sanitizer are all culprits that contribute," she says. To protect your hands, use a thick hand and nail cream that you use regularly (not just once a day): "If you get into the habit of reapplying frequently, you keep your cuticles smooth and unclipped, and you gently file off rough nail edges instead of picking at them, your nails will start to peel and break less."
Your nails need blood to survive.
Ever wonder why your nail sometimes falls off after an injury? Here's the explanation: "Since the nail plate needs blood flow, oxygenation, and nutrients to grow normally, a crush injury (or kicking the edge of the door really, really hard by mistake) can disrupt the delicate microscopic connections that provide the nutrition, and that already growing nail may not be able to recover well enough to keep growing," Krant says. "It may fall off completely, and after time be replaced by a new perfectly healthy nail when the matrix and nail bed are able to reattach themselves to a freshly growing nail." If the damage happens at the root of the nail, under the cuticle, it can become permanently scarred, which might mean that you'll always grow a misshapen nail after that.
Also on HuffPost:
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What is the name for the revolving spikey wheel on the end of a cowboy's spurs called? | Spur
Spur
Western-style cowboy spurs with rowels, chap guards and buttons for the spur straps
A spur is a metal tool designed to be worn in pairs on the heels of riding boots for the purpose of directing a horse to move forward or laterally while riding . It is usually used to refine the riding aids (commands) and to back up the natural aids (the leg, seat, hands and voice). The spur is used in many equestrian disciplines. There are rules in most equestrian organizations about spur design, use and penalties for using spurs in any manner that constitutes animal abuse .
Contents
7 References
Etymology
This very old word derives from Anglo-Saxon spura, spora, related to spornan, spurnan, to kick, spurn; cf. Medieval High German Sporn, modern German Sporn, Dutch spoor, Frisian spoar. [1] The generalized sense of “anything that urges on, stimulus” is recorded in English from circa 1390.
Design
Parts of a simple spur
The parts of a spur include:
The “yoke”, “branch”, or “heel band”, which wraps around the heel of the boot.
The “shank” or “neck”, which extends from the back of the yoke and is the area that touches the horse.
The rowel, seen on some spurs, a revolving wheel or disk with radiating “points” at the end attached to the shank.
Spur straps on an English “Prince of Wales” spur
Spurs are usually held on by a leather or leather-like strap, called a spur strap, that goes over the arch of the foot and under the sole in front of the boot heel. Some western designs have a leather strap that goes only over the top, with a heel chain or a rubber “tiedown” instead of a strap under the boot. There are also styles with no straps where the heel band is simply very tight and slips on wedged between the sole and heel of the boot. Some spur designs have a slot for running the spur strap through, others have “buttons,” sometimes on the heel band itself and sometimes attached to the heel band by hinges, that allow a strap with buttonholes to be attached.
When used in military ranks, senior officers, and officers of all ranks in cavalry and other formerly mounted units of some armies, wear a form of spur in certain orders of dress which is known as the box spur, having no spur strap but a long metal prong opposite the neck, extending between the arms of the heel band, which is inserted into a specially fitted recess or “box” in the base of the boot heel. Due to the prong, such spurs can only be worn with appropriately equipped boots. This construction is shown in the illustrations of the swan neck and Waterford spurs below.
Spurs seen in western riding may also have small curved-up hooks on the shank in front of the rowel, called “chap guards,” that were originally used to prevent the rider’s chaps from interfering with the rowels of the spur. The shank angle from the yoke can vary from “full”. to “one half”, to “one quarter” to “straight”. Some cowboys also added small metal Pajados, also known as Jingo Bobs or Jingle Bobs, near the rowel, to create a jingling sound whenever the foot moved. Rowels can vary in size and number of points.
In the history of veterinary science , the word “rowel” described a small disk of leather or other material that was used as a seton stitch .
History
Western spur rowel with jingo bobs
The spur was used by the Celts during the La Tène period (which began in the 5th century BC), and is also mentioned by Xenophon (c. 430 – 354 BC.) [2] [3] Iron or bronze spurs were also used throughout the Roman Empire . [4] The spur also existed in the medieval Arab world . [5] Early spurs had a neck that ended in a point, called a prick, riveted to the heel band. Prick spurs had straight necks in the 11th century and bent ones in the 12th. The earliest form of the horseman’s spur armed the heel with a single prick. In England, the rowel spur is shown upon the first seal of Henry III and on monuments of the 13th century, but it does not come into general use until the 14th century. The earliest rowels probably did not revolve but were fixed.
An iron prick-spur (13th–14th century) and an iron spur with eight-pointed rowel (15th century)
The spurs of medieval knights were gilt and those of squires were silvered. “To win his spurs” meant to gain knighthood, as gilded spurs were reckoned the badge of knighthood. In the rare cases of ceremonious degradation , the spurs were hacked from the disgraced knight’s heels with the cook’s chopper. After the battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302, where the French chivalry suffered a humbling defeat, the victors hung up bushels of knights’ gilt spurs in the churches of Kortrijk as trophies of what is still remembered by the Flemings as the Guldensporenslag (the battle of the golden spurs). The English named the French rout from Thérouanne as the Battle of the Spurs , due to the rapidity of the French cavalry’s flight.
Prick spurs were the standard form until the 14th century, when the rowel began to become more common. The prick design never died out entirely, but instead became a thicker, shorter neck with a dulled end, such as the modern “Prince of Wales” design commonly seen in English riding .
Boot with spur, 19th century
Though often decorated throughout history, in the 15th century, spurs became an art form in both decoration and design, with elaborate engraving, very long shanks and large rowels. Though sometimes it has been claimed that the design changes were used because of barding , the use of barding had fallen out of fashion by the time the most elaborate spur designs were created. More likely, the elaborate designs reflected the increased abundance of precious metals, particularly silver , that followed the European exploration of the Americas that began in 1492. Spur designs in Spain and colonial Mexico were particularly elaborate. For example, the spurs of the Spanish Conquistadors were sometimes called Espuela Grande, the “Grand Spur,” and could have rowels as large as six inches around. [6]
In northern Europe, the spur became less elaborate after the 16th century, particularly following the Stuart Restoration , but elaborate spur designs persisted, particularly in the Americas, descendants of which are still seen today, particularly in Mexico and the western United States , where the spur has become an integral part of the vaquero and cowboy traditions. The spur as an art form as well as a tool is still seen in western riding , where spurs with engraving and other artistic elements, often handmade and utilizing silver or other precious metals are still worn.
Collecting of particularly beautiful antique spurs is a popular pastime for some individuals, particularly aficionados of western history and cowboy culture.
Spurs as modern honours
Just as a medieval knight was said to have “earned his spurs,” the awarding of spurs has continued in the modern era as an honour bestowed upon individuals in organizations with military heritages, and among motorcycle riders. Members of the Papal Orders of Knighthood receive gilt spurs directly from the hands of the Pope ; members of the British Order of the Garter similarly receive gilt spurs from the Monarch. Inductees into the American Order of the Spur receive gold-coloured (usually brass) spurs if they have earned their membership through combat, or silver-coloured (usually nickel) spurs if they have not seen combat, but complete a rite of passage .
Basic designs and wear
Spurs are worn with the tip of the neck pointed downward, sitting on the spur rest of the riding boot , if there is one, with the buckle of the spur strap worn on the outside of the foot.
Spur styles differ between disciplines. Spurs for western riding tend to be heavier, often decorated, and have rowels that rotate. The neck of western spurs is usually longer and the rowel wide in diameter, to accommodate the leg position of the Western-style rider, where the stirrup is adjusted long, and the heavy leather used for the saddle ‘s fenders and stirrups places the rider’s leg a bit farther from the horse.
English riding spur
Spurs in English riding tend to be very sleek, slim and conservative in design, with a shorter neck, as the saddle and leg position is closer to the horse. They usually have a rounded or blunt end. Rowels are not as popular as the plain blunt end, although there are types that include a rowel or smooth disk on the end. When used in sports requiring finesse, such as dressage , the spur’s purpose is not to speed up a horse, but to give accurate and precise aids in lateral and complex movements, such as pirouettes, travers and renvers, and the airs above the ground . Dressage riders tend to ride in “Waterford” style spurs with a rounded knob at the end. Conversely, show hunter and jumper riders may use a flatter end to encourage forward movement, such as the Prince of Wales design.
Motorcycle Spurs from Loop Spurs
Another type of modern spur is those used on motorcycles . They are characterized by rowels worn as foot jewelry, hung off of boots. They can be similar in appearance to spurs worn by equestrians. Their bright material attracts motor vehicle drivers to the presence of motorcyclists, especially to their feet where riders are most vulnerable when stopped in traffic. Their owners may further customize them by adding miniature strobing LED lights. They help traffic light sensors detect their presence in intersections where inductive loops are used. They are also awarded by motorcycle clubs.
Equestrian riding technique
The spur is a refined tool, designed to allow the rider to transmit very subtle signals to the horse that are nearly invisible to any other observer. No matter the discipline, it is important that a rider has a correct position before using spurs, with a deep seat, legs lengthened to the extent allowed by the stirrups , heels down, with knees and thighs rolled in so that the rider has a solid base of support. A swinging or unstable leg may inadvertently jab the horse with the spur as the rider sits, thus irritating, distracting, or frightening the animal, and chronic misuse may deaden the horse to the leg aids. Improper use may also provoke dangerous or undesirable behaviors such as bucking or running away.
Spurs are rarely used in sports such as horse racing , where the rider’s leg is not significantly in contact with the horse.
Most spurs are activated by the rider flexing the heel slightly up and in. A roweled spur permits an additional type of action; a rider can roll the spur lightly against the side of the horse rather than being limited to simply pressing inward.
Rodeo spurring
A pair of barrel racing spurs with unique non-rowel design
The exception to the use of spurs in a subtle fashion is in the rodeo events of bull riding , saddle bronc and bareback riding , where the rider is required to spur in an elaborate, stylized fashion, touching the horse or bull at every stride. This requirement is designed to resemble the behavior of old-time horse-breakers who would deliberately provoke a horse to buck. In modern times, riders are required to use spurs in a manner that is merely encouraging an animal that is already predisposed to buck; they are not to produce pain. Spur design and use is strictly defined by rodeo rules, spurs are dull and rowels must turn freely. In fact, the way spurs are to be used in bucking events generally makes it harder for the rider to stay on: in bareback bronc competition, the spurs must be above the point of the horse’s shoulder at the first jump and remain forward at all times, deliberately creating a very awkward position for the rider that requires both strength and coordination to stay on the horse. In saddle bronc competition, the rider must make a full sweep with the spurs from shoulder to flank with each jump, requiring great concentration and any error in balance putting the rider in a position to be quickly unseated. Bull riders are allowed a position that is the closest to that of classic equestrianism, they are not required to spur the bull, but if they choose to spur, may do so with their legs down in a style that resembles a normal riding position.
Types
Swan neck, rowels
Waterford spur
Spurs are divided into Men’s, Women’s, and Children’s, according to width (which must fit on the heel of the rider’s boot). Spurs are further divided according to the length of the neck, with 1⁄4 in (0.6 cm) being relatively small (and a common size in children’s spurs), with some being 2–3 in (5–7.5 cm) long. Many competition rules limit the length of the neck.
Round end: end is a metal ball about the size of a small marble, making it one of the milder spurs.
Knob end: end of the spur is squared off but blunted at the edges.
Prince of Wales: has a flat end, making it slightly sharper. This is a popular spur.
Rowelled spur: the end of the spur has a toothed wheel which spins. This is the most common western-style spur, although it is seen on some English-style spurs. Teeth are dulled at the points. A rowel with many small teeth is milder than one with only a few, larger teeth. Most rowels have at least eight teeth on each wheel. Other variations, more common in English riding, include:
Disc: the end has a small rowel-like rolling disc without teeth, which allows the spur to roll on the horse’s side when applied, decreasing chance of spur marks. Popular in dressage. Severity depends on thickness of disc.
Roller spur: end of the neck has a plastic “roller,” which moves as the horse’s side is touched. This spur tends to reduce spur-rubs on sensitive horses. It is considered very mild.
Swan-neck: the neck of the spur goes upward at an angle, before leveling off, looking similar to the neck of a swan. This is commonly seen in dressage .
Waterford: the end of the neck has a large, round metal ball, making the spur softer and less likely to cause spur rubs.
Le spur (English) or Barrel Racing Spur (Western): a spur with small “teeth” or ridges on the inside of the heel band, instead of a neck. For use, the rider does not have to turn in the heel. A quicker and more subtle design, but also more apt to be accidentally used when not intended.
Half Mounted: The spur is decorated on one side only with silver, copper or bronze decals, logos or coverings.
Full or Double Mounted: The spur is decorated on both sides (in and out) with precious metals, images and designs.
References
| Spur |
If a quaver is an 8th note in music, what is a 64th note called? | spurs nedir, ne demek, spurs anlamı - Sesli Sözlük
spur
A short road used to connect one road with another road or settlement Any type of road can have a spur - B-roads, A-roads and motorways alike all have examples All spurs must have a 'parent' road which they exist to serve Frequently a spur will be of a similar standard to its parent and will often assume its number, and will in almost all cases terminate on its parent rather than go across it Hence the M23 motorway has a spur to Gatwick Airport, which is also numbered M23 This duplication of numbers is safe since any traffic on the M23 spur will be going to or from the M23 proper See number
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What is the dot called above an 'i' or 'j' called? | Word Fact: What’s the Name for the Dot Over the i and j? | Dictionary.com Blog
Home » Symbols and Punctuation » Word Facts » Word Fact: What’s the Name for the Dot Over the i and j?
Word Fact: What’s the Name for the Dot Over the i and j?
January 5, 2015 by: Dictionary.com 110 Comments
While many languages, such as Arabic and Hebrew, add specific accents to the letters or characters throughout their alphabet, the English alphabet has only two letters that include a diacritic dot. This mark is added to a letter to signal a change in either the sound or meaning of a character. What is the additional name of this curious dot that hovers over the ninth and tenth lowercase letters of the English alphabet, and how did it get there?
The small distinguishing mark you see over a lowercase i and a lowercase j is called a tittle – an interesting name that seems like a portmanteau (combination) of “tiny” and “little,” and refers to a small point or stroke in writing and printing. Generally, a diacritic dot such as a tittle is also referred to as a glyph . However, in regards to i and j, the removal of the mark is still likely to be read as I or J; as such, these are not examples of a glyph.
Derived from the Latin word titulus, meaning “inscription, heading,” the tittle initially appeared in Latin manuscripts beginning in the 11th century as a way of individualizing the neighboring letters i and j in the thicket of handwriting. With the introduction of the Roman-style typeface in the late 1400′s, the original large mark was reduced to the small dot we use today.
Many alphabets use a tittle specifically in the case of the letter i. For example, the absence or presence of a tittle over the i in the modern Turkish alphabet, also Latin-based, helps to differentiate two unique letters that represent distinct phonemes .
The phrase “To a T” is believed to be derived from the word tittle and the following passage from Edward Hall’s Chronicles circa 1548: “I then… began to dispute with my selfe, little considerynge that thus my earnest was turned euen to a tittyl not so good as, estamen.”
Now that you’ve satisfied your desire to know the source of that little dot, consider this: Why does the letter Q almost never appear without a U right next to it? Find your answer, here .
What other mysteries of the alphabet would like us to explore? Let us know.
| Tittle |
Change the first letter in the surname of a famous jockey to get the surname of a famous New Zealand cricketer. Whats the name of the jockey and the cricketer. | What is the dot over i and j called in English? - Susan Day
Susan Day
What is the dot over i and j called in English?
The dot over i and j is called a tittle.
This is one of those posts you are going to read because you’re curious.
I bet you didn’t know the dot over the i and the j even had a name or a title? Who would?
Well, on this blog we like to keep our fans up to date and informed.
And, you never know if it will come up at a trivia night!
The name of the dot is a ‘tittle’ and are known as ‘superscript’ dots according to the Oxford Dictionary.
If was first used in Latin manuscripts in the 11th century to distinguish i from strokes nearby that were forming other letters.
Then it was a mark but when printing was invented and people started using Roman styled typefaces it was changed to a dot.
The word ‘tittle’ has fallen out of use now but it used to mean a very small amount or an “iota”.
You might still hear people say that something will not make an iota of difference, meaning it will make little if not any difference at all.
‘Tittle’ comes from the Latin word ‘title’ but has since lost any association with it.
You might have heard someone remark that something is so exact and precisely like something else it can be likened “to a T”.
Well, the letter T in this example stands for tittle; the original saying was “to a tittle”.
So, next time you are making a note in haste or jotting down something you shouldn’t forget, spare a thought for that tiny dot above the i and do your best to put it in its proper location, to a T!
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Which two words, allegedly heard for the first time in the song Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf, describe a style of rock music? | John Kay - Questions & Answers
John Kay
John Kay - Questions & Answers
We sat down w/John Kay and asked him the hard questions...
When you started, did you ever think that you would still be active 30 years later?
Well of course, when we started out years ago, I don't think anybody planned 30 days ahead, let alone consider that 30 years would some day come. I must also say that there was really no master plan or some ingenious revelation that is responsible for us still being around. It was really two factors more than anything, I believe....number one, the fact that there were enough people on various parts of the globe that were into what we were doing, be it the old stuff or the more recent recordings.....and the other one was that a number of people within our 'Wolf organization have seen to it that we have always made the very most out of what we had to work with as far as fan loyalty, reputation in the business, doing good, consistent live shows, so that we were maximizing on what there was for us. It was a roller coaster ride, and there were times when things were not going our way, and so then you had to be kind of tenacious, and stick to it, and grit your teeth a little bit, and play twice as hard and hope that the word of mouth brings on another wave of resurgence of your popularity....and that really has been the case.
Complete this sentence: Steppenwolf is about......
That's not that easy, because when you are in it you have a totally different perspective than when you're outside of it standing looking at it and I'm not sure whether I am the person most qualified to say what Steppenwolf is about. Maybe some of the fans that are part of the Wolfpack Fanclub, and so forth, who have been following us (some of them for up to 29 years) would be more qualified. And I think it varies from person to person. Certainly the cards and letters with their respective stories about Steppenwolf music or songs or lyrics would indicate that. Steppenwolf is about giving a damn and doing it to music, I suppose.
For those younger fans who didn't grow up in the 60's, what is Steppenwolf named after and why did you choose it?
Steppenwolf was originally a book written by Herman Hesse, (a German author) and it was a book I was totally unfamiliar with when the band that became Steppenwolf was in its infancy. The young man who lived next door to where Steppenwolf started to rehearse (by the name of Gabriel Mekler, born and raised in Israel) he had read the book. When it came time to put a name on the demo box that was going to go to the first label, he said "Well, what is the band called?" and aside from the obvious joke names and other obscene suggestions which were not marketable, he finally said, "Well look, how about 'Steppenwolf'? I think it's a word that looks good in print, and it denotes a certain degree of mystery and power and you guys are kind of rough and ready types." Everybody said that sounds pretty interesting and if we don't get a deal we can always scrawl another name on the box and send it to somebody else, so let's go with that for now. Well, that's what it's been now for many years and, to be honest, it's been a very good name.
When I talk to college kids today, the 60's is almost a myth to them. It's a fabulous time. They wished they could have lived through it. Are your memories of the 60's as groovy as the kids think it was? Was it as good as we think it was?
Well, I supposed to some extent our experience is perhaps a little bit outside the mainstream in the sense that we, Steppenwolf, were just catching our first big wave of success. So, in addition to living through the 60's in the way that all other Americans, or for that matter people in various parts of the world were, we had the added bonus, so to speak, of having our music hit the charts and all the rest that went with the success of a rock & roll band. My personal recollection of the 60's was one of a tremendous amount of activity, both in terms of what we were up to (zipping all over the country and the world and TV shows and recording and what have you) and to some extent also a very frantic time as far as what was going on in the streets and the halls of government etc. Were they as groovy? Well, I personally feel it was a mixed bag of blessings...I felt this was a rare opportunity for the idealism and the energy of youth to join forces with the experience and know-how of the previous generation and like two horses on the same wagon pull us, as a species, forward in terms of our joint development. Unfortunately, what seemed to have happened is the normal youth with its arrogance and it's ignorance thought it knew it all, and naturally the older generation knew that they didn't know it all and resented them claiming to know it all and so rather than kind of shaking hands and working together it was an "us and them" thing, and it manifested itself in many different ways, the majority of which, to my way of thinking, were not really productive. Since then, things that have been the fallout of the '60s, some people like to kind of point at that and say well all they gave us was drug abuse and so on and so forth.....I happen to disagree with that strongly. I feel that the '60's were a vibrant, exciting, progressive time. There were the normal bandwagon jumpers who did it because it was the thing to do at the time. But those who really were progressive thinkers and had something fresh to say and play, and so on, I think that's why so many younger people who ready about or see documentaries realize that they unfortunately missed a very vibrant, important time. So, when it's all said and done, I guess the short answer is...with hindsight and with the time-span that permits certain wounds to heal a little bit, it probably is a bit more rosy in our recollection than it was, but I'm certainly not one to trash the '60's. I think it had a tremendous amount of things to offer that have been absorbed by society since and that still are with us today in a positive way.
Q#5: Could you describe your personal politics and how you got there?
At the core lies the fact that I was born and raised in post Second World War Germany. As a result, I witnessed how, what was at the point a relatively new concept for the German population (The Weimar Republic notwithstanding which was in ill-fated, short-lived attempt of democracy) to see the population after World War II be politically interested and motivated and active with frank discussions and a lot of back and forth as to which road to take with the new nation, etc. That was something that, although I was a boy, I witnessed in our family, in our adult neighbors and what have you...and when I came to Canada I learned that to a certain extent that whoever wins the war gets to write the official version of the war. The history books vary somewhat from nation to nation. Perhaps because of my interest in history (be it ancient history, mythology, recent history) coupled with growing up in a country at a time where politics and the actions of human beings and the results thereof where very much stamped on all of our consciousness. The Hitler regime certainly did not leave one single life untouched in Europe during that period. All of those things combined, I think, were at the core of my on-going interest in paying attention to the world around me and when I, through rock & roll and other forms of American roots music eventually found my way to folk music, I found that there was a type of music where politics or social commentary were well known. Eventually, through the likes of not only Dylan and many others of a similar persuasion, I found that there was a type of music where making comment on the times and conditions one lived in was considered appropriate. So, that's how I kind of segued from there into what Steppenwolf eventually did with it's hard rock.
There are a number of Steppenwolf songs that are anthems for a generation. Was there a moment when it became clear to you that that's what they were, or were they that from the moment they were created?
I have never sat down to try and write an anthem, so to speak. There have been times to when the musical idea to which I wrote melody and lyrics suggested that it could be a powerful song, but until you've written the lyrics you really don't know whether there is the making of an anthem. Certainly "Born To Be Wild" has become one, and to some people "Magic Carpet Ride" is one. "Born To Be Wild" (this is how ironic life is) almost never happened. "Born To Be Wild" was the third single off our first album and the record company argued about which of the tunes that remained from the album that had not been released to date should be the next single. So management and band on one side and label on the other side had this tug of war and finally the compromise was to put "Born To Be Wild" on one side, put the other song that the record company preferred on the opposite side, send it to radio, and let them fight it out. Well, within a relatively short period of time (early summer of 1968) 9 out of 10 played "Born To Be Wild." After that came Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda and did Easy Rider, and, of course, "Born To Be Wild" and "The Pusher" were in that film and helped to spread the name Steppenwolf internationally through the success of the film. And once that all took place, that song, "Born To Be Wild", had at that stage reached it's global anthem status. When we played in a soccer stadium in Buenos Aires a few short years ago with The Cult and went into "Born To Be Wild", all these Argentinean kids sang in perfect phonetic English every line. We had never been to Argentina in 29 years, so it's one of those things that just outgrew its constraints and became its own animal. As a performer the only time, I think, that you really sense the power of a song is when you observe the effect that it has on the audience. When they're really transfixed by it, when they forget where they are and they're no longer concerned around them, but strictly this response to the song or the music, then I think you have an inkling of it. I think that past a certain stage, early on when you finally realize yes I will be able to do this successfully for a while and it is something I do for a living, I think that at a certain point you loose the ability to completely put yourself back into the shoes of what it was like to be in the audience. Certainly not in the sense that you could put yourself into the shoes of the audience and see yourself the way they see you..... you can see other performers, like I often do, but I think it removed a degree of objectivity past a certain point.
Do you think of yourself as disabled? When answering could you talk about how sight problems might have affected your response to music?
I was born with a birth defect that left me lacking in the eye department...I'm totally color blind, which means that my world is black and white and gray....I am very light sensitive....hence, I've been wearing dark glasses since I was about 3 years old and I'm so-called legally blind, which means that I can't drive and a few other things. Perhaps because of the fact that I grew up in Germany after World War II (and then later during my high school years in Canada), but in Germany with people returning (those that were lucky enough to return) with limbs missing, families that lost (as did my father's family) up to 6 boys in the war and so on and so forth, it seemed relatively insignificant by comparison to real suffering. Certainly my mother understood my difficulties and tried to help me in whatever way possible. One of those attempts at helping me took the form of her managing to get me into the Rudolph Steiner School in Hannover, Germany where we lived after we escaped from East Germany in the 50's. This was tremendously helpful to me since I could not read the blackboard and schools were overcrowded in post-war Germany....this sort of private attention really helped me to learn, not only in the normal sense, but also their way of teaching was one that broadened one's horizons and taught the humanities..... and it was no wonder this particular school had been banned during the Hitler regime because they were far too humane, I think, in their view of the world and its inhabitants. In any event, there were certain benefits, I think, that I derived. I was always fairly tall and big for my age and would perhaps with normal eyesight have gravitated towards physical pursuits. It turned out that team sports were really not in the cards. However, as a young child, music...albeit in the early years it wasn't rock & roll...it was the Russian Cossack music and other things that I did not necessarily understand the lyrics of, but that as one of the Neville Brothers said, "Music from the heart goes to the heart"....somehow, this music connected with me in a way that the pain and humanity of it connected deeply with me....and it gave me my first inkling that music was more than just something that's in the background while you do your homework, or whatever. When rock & roll came....(that is after the goose bumps and the Little Richard baptism and so forth)....after that I knew what I had as a boy in the way of a daydream. You're in that adolescent period where you don't really think about reality 10 years from now, but what you'd like to be if your wish list could be granted, so to speak. It was at that time also that you realize the lack of sight was something that....sometimes you didn't need it. Stevie Wonder, I suppose, and Ray Charles and others will tell you that the ears work very well even if the eyes don't so, overall I have made peace with that situation a long time ago. And in Canada, when I went to certain special classes where some of the people were outright blind, I had the good fortune of making a friendship with a fellow that I'm still in touch with who's one of Canada's finest blind skiers.....totally blind. And when you see the capabilities of others who are worse off in that sense than you are in keeps it in perspective for you.
Tell me about the culture of American music, coming to it as an outsider and what did you find in the music that was so compelling?
My first exposure to American music of any kind was through the Armed Forces Radio Network in Germany......Little Richard was the first one that connected with me in a manner that was beyond "this is a nice tune." This was one where I didn't understand a word, yet the rhythm and that guttural, primal, intense vocal performance, that pounding piano and buzzing saxophone. There was just something about that that I just literally sent chills or goose bumps up and down my spine. I became addicted to listening to rock & roll wherever I could find it, which was quite limited in the mid to late 50's in Germany. When I then came to Canada during my high school years and learned to speak English, some of which I accomplished by listening to the radio all the time. I was like a kid in a candy store. The radio dial, particularly my first summer in Canada when I knew no one, had no friends and really no place to go, I would listen to everything -- country music, R&B from Buffalo, Sunday morning black church service music also from Buffalo, 100 miles away. It was still at a distance. While obviously Canada was nothing like Germany, nevertheless Canada wasn't quite like the US either. So, after my first 5 years in Canada (which were very good years, I'm very fond of Canada and think very well of Canadians and enjoy visiting there) when I came to the States, first to Buffalo and then to California (where I was later to spend 20 years of my life) much of what I had fantasized about as a child in Germany was not necessarily to be found there in the sense that the rock & roll movies that I saw in Germany and in Canada (Don't Knock The Rock and Alan Fried stuff) they were, as so much of Hollywood stuff is, somewhat distorting what it was really about. It was only when we were in Steppenwolf and we were traveling through all the states that I started to absorb the realities or the geography and different cultural groups and regional territories that were the birth places of some of the roots music that in various combinations created rock & roll. That is one of the reasons that some years ago I moved to Nashville, TN. Because you can draw a circle around Nashville (a 500 mile radius) and you will cover a lot of territory that in one form or another (be it blue grass, Appalachian music, the Delta, Clarksdale, New Orleans, or what have you, Macon, GA and so on and so forth) there is so much in the way of blues and country and various other types of music that were the building blocks of that music that I still to this day love to perform. I feel very much at home here. There are many things that as a stranger initially threw me for a loop. The whole civil rights movement that I observed primarily from Canada was something that puzzled me to no end. I didn't have the background in American history to comprehend many of the underlying demons that were at work there. With time and my interest in history per se, I have been and still remain to this day an amateur student of American culture and history. I find it a fascinating and endless subject.
There was a period of time when you buried Steppenwolf and then embraced it again. I would if you could talk about this period and what lead you to have this new incarnation?
Steppenwolf initially was like so many rock bands....you had five guys who were like the three Musketeers. They were in a garage, they had their instruments, we're all in this together, etc. We were one of the lucky ones who actually saw that happen. Then comes the success and then also comes the inflated ego. Certainly the late 60's, with its lifestyle preferences such as drugs and what have you, didn't help to keep the young egos totally in check. We had, for instance, our guitarist was barely 17 years old.... there was friction beginning to develop which was not helped by the fact that our record company insisted on two albums a year to be delivered by us....the fact that we were writing our own material and also were expected to tour to promote the releases and possibly have young babies and families and what you at home, not withstanding we were to deliver two albums. Well, the workload was pretty substantial. The lack of sleep, the drugs, the egos, the "yes" people, whatever, started to cause the beautiful dream to have sort of a dark cloud behind it. And initially (I would say '71) I pulled the plug on Steppenwolf because I felt that the fun had, quite frankly, gone out of it.....it had become work......we were dancing to somebody else's schedule, etc. On top of that, there was a degree of second guessing within the band with respect to, well you know, this new tune – is that really Steppenwolf? And I would say, well, wait a second guys....when we did our first album any tune that we felt had merit, that we could do a credible job on was Steppenwolf. I mean, that's what we played. It didn't have to be "Born To Be Wild" number 14. Something of a different shade or color was perfectly acceptable. What happened here? Well there were differences of opinion, one thing lead to another. Eventually I said, "I'm pulling the plug and I'm going to sit still here for a little bit and I want to do a solo album that's based more on where some of my personal musical roots were, etc." that lasted for two solo albums worth. On the heels of that, our management company said, well you know, there's (they also handled several other acts) a big time agent over here from Europe and we're doing a big tour over in Europe with one of our other groups. He said, "There is a real interest in a Steppenwolf farewell tour. Would you consider going there?" Well, I consented to go as long as my own band, The John Kay Band, could be the opening act for this tour......the idea being that I could recruit some of the Wolf following for my own efforts. We went.....the tour was enormously successful.....but, more importantly, the fact that we had been apart from each other now for a considerable period of time caused the batteries to have been somewhat recharged. There was a degree of fun again and so forth. So it was decided upon our return from Europe that we would take our new stuff into the studio and see what we'd come up with. The results were encouraging and resulted in us signing with CBS Records (Mums distributed by Epic CBS) for three albums in the mid 70's. Unfortunately our new management company decided to become a motion picture production company.....they did Death Wish and some other things......all of a sudden things started to unravel and in relatively short order (by '76) the same sort of difficultird that we had countered in '71 and my dislike of what was beginning to develop caused me to pull the plug on the Wolf thing for a second time. Naturally, this sort of thing can cause people in the management and record company end of things to pull their hair out. What are you doing? Well listen, I have a life. I have also a wife. I have a daughter, and I never pictured myself as being in the employ of somebody else's needs.....this is supposed to be something that represents my own view of what my life should be about, which is a degree of freedom to do the things that fulfill me in some fashion.......so call that self indulgent, call it being a prima donna, but that's how it is. Well, OK. Off I went for a couple of years. We went to Hawaii a lot, the family became a family once again, since we had time together, we explored the Southwest. My daughter was about 8 or 9 years old. And, all of a sudden, those experiences, for a change, started me writing tunes of various kinds and resulted in a solo album for Mercury Records cut in Muscle Shoals, Alabama with some southern players. Oddly enough, Larry Byrom, who had been a Steppenwolf guitarist during the Monster album and the Steppenwolf Seven period (one of our better efforts, both of those), was the house guitar player at the Muscle Shoals studio I was at. So, I had a partner there in crime, so to speak. It was an enjoyable experience. However, on the heels of the release of the solo album something totally unexpected happened which was that word reached me that there was a band out there in 1979 calling itself Steppenwolf. I thought, well that's odd, I don't remember going on the road! So we looked into it and it turned out that an ex-member that we had fired in the mid '70's had not been able to make ends meet, had come across some unscrupulous so-called agent and put themselves out there with some other bar musicians as Steppenwolf and were trashing the name. It was something that didn't sit well with myself and Jerry Edmonton (the two of us being co-owners of Steppenwolf Productions, Inc. and so on and so forth). To make a long story somewhat shorter, by 1980 after numerous attempts to use the judicial system to put a stop to these bogus activities and not getting really the response that we had hoped for, I went out on the road as John Kay and Steppenwolf, and the reason for the name change, I guess, is fairly obvious because by that point there had been more than 2, and at one point there had been 3, separate, bogus Steppenwolf bands.....because it's one of those things where, listen, if I can hold up a gas station and nobody calls me to task on it, then the guy watching the first guy hold up the station goes across the street and does it too. So we had numerous bands out there and I finally had enough.....so in January 1980 out on the road we went as John Kay & Steppenwolf. There was a tremendous amount of damage to be repaired.....the group's name has been trashed and left basically in the, sort of, beer bars on the outskirts of secondary markets.....and only almost non-stop touring for the better part of four and a half to five years enabled us to gradually rebuild some credibility to the name. It was a real character building period and one that I would gladly pay handsomely for being able to avoid ever having to go through again. But having gone through it, I will say this.....I now appreciated many things in my life and certainly my profession and the success of what we do professionally much more so than when I was a young 24 year old who was handed his first gold record and who sort of "yeah we paid our dues."......"after all we did this for 2, ..or was it 3 years.....so this bowling trophy is appropriate". You have no sense of what....no grip on reality until you see someone who's been struggling for 25 years and still can't get arrested beyond just the local club level and who's vastly talented. So this experience in the 80's certainly put things somewhat more in perspective and has enabled me to enjoy the fruit of our collective labor.....probably more so than at any other period in my life.
How do you think people perceive John Kay and who are you really?
John Kay, as perceived by a lot of people, is the guy in the black leather pants with the dark glasses who kind of growls his songs and, as a young woman in the late 60's told me, "Well, you know, I was afraid to do this interview because I saw you on stage and you looked like you were going to jump off the stage and kick the crap out of the first three rows." She was from New York and she used this term, "you look like a hitter." I said, well I'm very intense about what I do but I generally like to treat people the way I like to be treated and don't get physical or aggressive with anyone unless I feel I've been unduly provoked. There is John Kay the private citizen, very definitely. But what a lot of people, I think, are confused by is the John Kay on stage is not a different John Kay, It's just another facet of John Kay. Maybe I'm quirky in this way, buy I happen to think that most of us, if we really think about it, we tend to let different aspects of our personalities show or come to the surface depending on where we are, with whom, under what circumstances. I'm one way with my mother. I'm somewhat different with my wife, with my daughter, with my business associates, with my band mates. There are degrees of, just different aspects of, the personality. When I'm on stage, I do have this sort of attitude. This is my territory. I'm up here, this is my turf. I don't let audiences intimidate me. This is what we do. We care about our fans and our audience. It's not like we want to do that BOC thing, you know, "on your feet or on your knees" kind of thing. I don't view ourselves in that way. It's just that we play fairly intense, fairly aggressive music and when I sing and spit out my lyrics, so to speak, it tends to come out in a sort of intense, and to some people somewhat intimidating or frightening, kind of way. That's something that wasn't really done by design. I think that partially it was because of the dark glasses, which hid my eyes, the leather pants and the connection with Easy Rider and motorcycles. I mean, once that was established that was something that a lot of people focused on. It was sort of like we need something quick, something that we can have as a cubby-hole for this band. Let's see...leather pants, dark glasses, "Born To Be Wild," Easy Rider, motorcycles. Hey, biker band! And it went into that little pigeon-hold and when afterwards we would have an album like Monster, which was a social, political concept album, people were scratching their head saying, "Wait a minute. We just put you in that other biker band pigeon-hole. I'm not going to take the trouble now to reevaluate." I mean media, generally speaking, likes to tag you and then move on. They don't really come back to reassess you. Once in a while you have someone like David Bowie who managed to reinvent himself with every album and it was expected. Which Bowie do we get this time, kind of. But with us if was sort of "Born To Be Wild," OK, we know who and what they are and that tag will stick. That was one of the problems that band itself was, sort of, arguing about that led to my pulling the plug on the band the first time...because there was a one dimensional perception of the band that some of the media and others had of us which was limiting and was sometimes difficult for us to overcome as an obstacle with songs Snowblind Friend" which were acoustic and not what they expected.
Can you draw a character portrait of the average Wolf Pack member, the average fan who is the core audience?
The Wolfpack, our fan club, is comprised of an astonishing variety of lifestyles and people and characters. Now, one thing that they have fairly well in common is that the majority of the membership tends to be somewhat older. That's a given because the ones that are most intensely into what we do are people who kind of grew up with our music. There are younger faces that have joined their ranks in the interim and we are very pleased about that. But the older group (35 and older, so to speak) they are a fairly diverse lot. You will see someone who probably Monday through Friday wears a three-piece suit. We have doctors, lawyers, Indian Chiefs. We have one guy from Germany who comes every year for Wolf Fest, our annual fan fair in Nashville, which is just for the Wolfpack Fan Club. He is a molecular, God, atomic molecular something. He's one of the leading guys in his field. He comes to visits at Vanderbilt University in Nashville and gives lectures. The German government set him up at the University of Leipzig to put their whole research computer department together and so forth. Well, this guy looks like a hippie. He told us one time, "I love to study" (and what he studies is stuff that's way above my head) "by cranking Steppenwolf music full blast while I'm studying." Well, that flies in the face of what my mother always told me when I was doing homework. You know, no music, no this, no that. Well, there are people from Denmark, from Holland, from Norway. They all come to Wolf Fest and obviously many people in the United States and Canada. When we go and play outdoor shows what's always interesting to me is the first three to four to five rows are the teens. They are somewhere between 12 and 22 or so. And the further back you get, the somewhat older they get until you get to that crowd that is not as physical in the way they express their excitement about watching you play. But they're back there and I love this particular.....this motley combination of ages and lifestyles.....you'll see guys with motorcycles and leather jackets. You'll see people bringing their kids. The second or third generation kind of combination of fans is what enables us to go out on stage and say we're on-going. Not only in the sense that we have new records, new songs to add to what is already familiar to the fans, but as we're doing this, in addition to our stalwart, loyal fans from early on, younger faces are joining their ranks. So there's a refreshing, constant addition of something that stimulates us.
What made you write you autobiography?
Writing Magic Carpet Ride, my autobiography and that of Steppenwolf for that matter, was something that came about through the normal, anecdotal sort of story telling. You're on the tour bus with somebody or you meet someone backstage somewhere and somebody starts to "oh year that reminds me of when we" and so forth. Well, there were a lot of these sort of "you ought to write a book" comments and, quite frankly, I was always too busy with other things and I probably would not have been able to write a book earlier, that would have contained what, for me anyway, was a very important part of the book which is that the boy that came from Germany and had a day dream that became reality in America. In spite of the fact that things weren't letter perfect as the success came and the ups and downs and the griping and the, you know, there was good and bad. But overall, I wouldn't have traded my position with others and I wouldn't have changed much if I had to do it over again. But the thing that was lacking was that during the hectic periods of activity what was lacking?....was the ability of stepping back and taking a look at who I am now, where have I been , how much have I reached in terms of my own personal goals and how do I feel about where I am today? And that was something that really snapped into focus for me when we had overcome the de facto destruction of the name Steppenwolf in the early 80's with the bogus bands and we had rebuilt and we had some new records that were coming out.....we had a combination of musicians who were not just good players and writers and knew their way around a recording studio, but who were really quite fond of each other, who enjoyed each other's company, who could go out for 20 weeks in a row (which we did in the late 80's for several years on end) and enjoy each other's company and respect each other as people. That part was something that had unfortunately been lacking during the early years of success due to our immaturity and the crazy lifestyle and the hectic pace. When I settled in Tennessee in 1989 and within 18 months thereof we put out one of our best efforts in quite some time on IRS Records called Rise and Shine, at that point when I looked around and said, "Man, you are right now in your life where you really want to be". The last few years in LA you were sort of saying, "well, someday we're gonna probably want to pick up here and go somewhere else because things are changing and I'm changing and not necessarily in the same direction." When looked around where I was in Tennessee, I liked the people I saw.....I certainly liked where I lived and I was at peace with my lot in life more so than any other time preceding, and I felt at that point, that I was ready to write the book because I didn't want it to end or just, you know, we had a lot of hit records and we were as crazy as everybody else and we were face down in the gutter.....that sort of thing didn't do much for me. There had been a lot of show and tell books and a lot of books about the excesses and the mondo successes and I wanted to tell a story that I had thought might be of interest to not just someone who is a dyed in the wool Wolf fan, but someone who might read this book because there's actually a human story there that's not half bad in terms of interest potential. And so when I had reached a point where I felt it had come full circle, I had visited the former East Germany after the wall came down and had rediscovered members of my family that I had literally not seen in over 40 years. When the little town that I spent the first five years of my life in, when they asked us to do a benefit for the local orphanage there, and we did.....there was much affection on the part of these people and there were family members of mine that came that we got to visit with......and when I returned to Tennessee from there, I felt that loop that started with the little boy in Arnstadt, East Germany that escaped with his mother in '49 to West Germany and who went off to see America and sing rock & roll for a living, he had returned to the source, so to speak. And there was a degree of completion in all of that made me feel now it's time to write this book.
Who have you influenced among the younger generations of musicians?
As far as Steppenwolf having influenced others is concerned, there are, of course, numerous incidents where as we travel and do our concerts people who are in local or regional bands or what have you come up and tell you how they do this song of yours or that song or they grew up in a household with your music and they were influenced by it. As far as well known performers are concerned, it's difficult to say because you don't want to imply something like this.....this is almost like I don't feel right about being the one to even say it. But I know that, for an example, I know that Travis Tritt has done "The Pusher" on stage; I know that Bruce Springsteen has done "Born To Be Wild" on stage (and so have others)....I know that Slash from Guns N Roses has mentioned Steppenwolf and there may be a couple other people that I can't think of right now. It is, of course, something that I take (I don't want to say pride in) but it's something that I'm glad about, particularly when it's someone whose work and whose artistic direction or integrity you respect and admire......it's nice to know that somewhere along the line they were aware of what you did or a song that you did. I know how I feel about the likes of Little Richard and the rock & roll pioneers and my blues Icons......you know, the Muddy Waters and the Howlin Wolves and people like that....who had a tremendous influence on me. But there are so many......if I had to draw a list of whose songs did you really listen to or try to play, the list is phenomenally long because it goes through just about all of the outstanding people that were in the country music field of the late 40's into the early 60's, as well as the same counterparts in R&B and rock & roll....so there's just so many people. It's something that, I'm assuming, is similar with most other contemporary performers where they have crossed the path musically of dozens, if not hundreds, of people and it you were one of those it's not half bad.
Does being called a "rock legend" make you feel uncomfortable? How does it strike you?
A rock legend? Well, again it's one of those things were I think of Little Richard as a rock legend but I'm aware of the fact that someone who is younger than I often will come up to me and say, "Oh, you're a legend." Well, as long as I'm not a legend in my own mind. Mack MacAnnally one time when I was down in Muscle Shoals in '78 or thereabouts, they were all kicking around album titles for somebody and it was the old thing-- "a man and his music," no, no that's not it, "a legend in his time," no, no. Mack said finally, "so and so, a rumor in his own room." I like to think of it along those terms a little bit more because for me to view myself as a legend, I think, is kind of inappropriate. I mean, that pretends that you could crawl inside the head of someone else and see yourself through the eyes of the other person.....I certainly don't profess to be able to do that. I am aware of the fact that others view me this way, some do, and it's something I'm not uncomfortable with, but it's certainly something that I don't (I don't want to say encourage) but it's something...I'm kind of neutral on it because I don't want to step on somebody else's...You know, if I was standing in front of whoever, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Ray Charles, somebody like that, and I was searching for the words to express my admiration without making a fool of myself I would appreciate it if they didn't cut me off at the legs saying, "No, legend. I don't want to hear that word." So when I hear others use it in the context of what I've done I let them choose their own words and I appreciate the favorable comments and if they choose to use legend I can live with that.
Of the songs that you've performed on stage, is there one that would surprise people that it's your favorite?
Some songs wear a little better than others. I think that I've been asked the question many times as to which is my favorite, and I'm wondering whether my attitude towards that is a little bit like the parent that might have numerous children but it tends to maybe gravitate towards the one that is a little overlooked cause that one's a little too shy or it's the one that needs a little extra push or help because....they just do. There are tunes that over the years did not get the recognition that the "Born To Be Wild's," and "Magic Carpet Rides" and others did. But by the same token, I know through the letters and comments of those who listen closely that it didn't go out there and never connect and those are songs like "Desperation" and another one that I really like a lot is "It's Never Too Late." And oddly enough, that song...in fact both of those tunes....are songs that have brought a lot of specific letters over the years, where at someone's darkest hour this was one of the songs that they played......I'm assuming along with others by other artists, that gave them a little of that......for instance, Peter Gabriel has a wonderful tune called "Don't Give Up" and there are many other songs of similar orientation by a variety of artists. So a couple of tunes that I've always been very partial to from the early Steppenwolf days are those particular ones....and in many ways that red thread of, I don't want to necessarily say that at the core of those lyrics is a spirituality, but there's a tinge of that, and that has found its way through many songs over the years with Steppenwolf. My own friend and financial advisor in L.A. called me up from his car a few weeks ago and said, "You know, I've been listening to all those Steppenwolf albums I had over the years and never really realized how there's a degree of spirituality in this that I never somehow caught." And I said, "well, it wasn't something that was intentional".....I wasn't sitting there with, you know, a clerical white collar writing these deep hidden messages as to the meaning of life. But yeah, there is..John Kay does have some inner life that does, in fact, find its way into some of the lyrics. Whether it was in more recent years "Hold On" or from our newest release which is the Feed The Fire CD the title cut "Feed The Fire," there are certain tunes I am very partial to because they come from the deepest part from which I have yet been able to find some motivation for my lyrics. So, I guess it's a little bit self-indulgent on my part but as long as some of our own tunes can still give me goose bumps on occasion then this is one of the big reasons why I'm still doing this.
Could you reconstruct the writing of the lyrics to "Born To Be Wild?"
"Born To Be Wild" is, at this point, an animal of its own. It has its own sort of life. It is, of course, joined at the hip to Steppenwolf but it really does have its own. A good example of that was when I, some years ago, woke up and turned on CNN and I heard "Born To Be Wild," but what I saw on the screen was the guys in the space shuttle doing stuff. It turned out, CNN said, Houston control wakes up the crew every morning with a different tune..... this morning happens to be "Born To Be Wild". Wolf In Space. Well, these sort of things happen without us ever having any sort of input control or even knowledge, at times, of it. Give you an idea: Recently some fan said he found a vinyl, a 45, of "Born To Be Wild" many years old issued in Angola, of all places. I mean, we hear about Thailand, we heard about Saudi Arabia. Angola, that one threw me for a loop. So, the tune has become this perpetual motion machine and it was created initially by Mars Bonfire, the writer, who had changed his name from Dennis Edmonton which was his name when he was a guitarist in The Sparrow, a Canadian band that I also belonged to, and that his brother, Jerry Edmonton, was drummer of.... and Jerry and I together with a couple other people started Steppenwolf. Dennis went his own way, called himself Mar Bonfire, and one day handed a demo to his brother Jerry saying, "I wrote this new tune. You guys are starting a band, would you consider it?" We listened to it and here was "Born To Be Wild" written I a somewhat subdued, semi-ballad flavored manner. That's due to the fact that Dennis, or Mars, has a very soft voice. Well, later Dennis explained, or Mars explained, that he had walked down Hollywood Boulevard and saw a poster which depicted a motorcycle (a Harley probably) breaking through the pavement. You know, the "bike from hell." There were chunks of asphalt flying every which was and it said "Born To Ride." Well, I know that a year or so prior to this we, The Sparrow, while still playing in Yorkville Village in Toronto, had all gone to see John Hammond, Jr., who we were fans of. John, who has become (as I recently once again saw in Nashville) just a real consummate blues musician and singer, was already at that early age very intense and had a lot of cool guitar riffs, one of which was in flavor reminiscent of what later became the key riff in "Born To Be Wild". Not a cop, not a rip-off, but something that in terms of the approach and the mood if it was something that inspired Mars. He wrote the riff, he saw "Born To Ride", the lyrics "Born To Be Wild" resulted and, of course, "heavy metal thunder." I like smoke and lightening, heavy metal thunder" that was something that someone later down the line arguably altered or adapted to become the tag for a whole new type of intense rock & roll called heavy metal. Now there's another camp that subscribes to the theory that heavy metal was something used in Naked Lunch by William Burrows, which is also true. Who knows?....who was the first person to go out there and say this is "heavy metal music"...but we've been accused and/or credited (depending on how one views these things) with having something to do with it as well.
Tell us the story behind "Magic Carpet Ride"....
"Magic Carpet Ride" was a bass riff to begin with that our original bassist, Rushton Moreve, was always noodling around with during sound checks and what have you. When we in the midst of recording our second album, and oddly enough Mars Bonfire arrived in order to help out where he could, I think more importantly at the time he has a new song called "Faster Than The Speed Of Life" which he wanted us to hear, we were during a break, and guys picked up their instruments, and sure enough Rushton started playing that bouncy bass riff of his again. Well Mars, who is an excellent guitarist and particularly a very tight rhythm guitarist, joined in, and so did the rest, and pretty soon what became the basic track for Magic Carpet Ride emerged. Well, Richard Podolor, our main engineer...(at that time Gabriel Mekler was still our producer) and everybody kind of said "....don't forget that" and they started to roll tape right away to capture what was going on. From that, we then said, "well, it's a nice groove, but it needs this, it needs that" and we spent a couple more hours doing the various things which then eventually comprised what came out as the single. It was really at that point, the first time that everyone involved with the project said "....if this ain't a hit, we need to switch professions". In fact, initially, it out sold Born To Be Wild, it's predecessor....it was due to the fact that Born To Be Wild was included in the film "Easy Rider" some months later, that gave Born To Be Wild it's second lease on life and spread it internationally which was very useful for Steppenwolf, because when we then went touring in Europe and elsewhere, they at least knew who we were because of "The Pusher" and "Born To Be Wild" having been in the movie "Easy Rider".
Do you remember the circumstances that led to the inclusion of "The Pusher" and "Born To Be Wild" in the Easy Rider soundtrack?
I remember exactly the circumstances because we had been called by our management company saying "You know Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper have made this film, and it seems they've run out of funds, it's kind of a low budget production and so they're not going with the standard Hollywood scoring approach for the music content of this thing. They have invited a number of performers to come and view a private screening they've taken the liberty of placing certain songs in the film to illustrate what their intentions are, and they are hoping that the various artists like the film well enough to permit them to use songs and then work something out". So we went to this private screening. Of course the soundtrack contained works by Dillon, The Band, and Hendrix and The Fraternity of Man (which later more or less changed into Little Feat) etc., including the two songs you mentioned by Steppenwolf. I, for whatever reason, was slightly late getting there....and so I just caught the tail end of "The Pusher" which is early on in the film with the limousine and Phil Spector scene, but by the time Born To Be Wild played in the film, I had settled in and was beginning to get into the flick, and yeah, it came on like gangbusters, and I personally felt it was the right song for the right scene. It may very well have a lot to do with the fact that to this day, obviously the song is very much tied to not just young adolescents who are into their rebellious stage, but also the entire biker community. Little did I know that sitting in the screening room that I was witnessing, really, the launching of the key song. At that point it had been our first hit, and it was a big one, and that was fine but, we already had Magic Carpet Ride under our belt, and it was even bigger....so nobody really knew that this film was going to give us international exposure to the point that these requests for us to come down later this year in Lima, Peru, or Santiago, Chile or, you know, we've played places like Saipan and obviously Japan and Australia, all of those things tend to start with that one song.
What prompted the Feed The Fire album? How long was it in the works? Was the material created specifically for the new album?
This Feed The Fire project is a very unusual one, even as crazy as some of our things in the past have been due to certain circumstances. We had several tunes written in the late 70's and we were in a demo stage and presented these tunes for the purpose of getting a recording deal. To kind of keep things reasonably short on this, what resulted was that the label that said, "Yeah, let's run with this," accepted these demos as masters and we were kind of scratching our heads going, "Well, wait a minute.....we wanted to set the deal, then we get the budget, then we go in the studio, then we record for real," because on these demos were drum machines, synthesizers. This was during that period of that sort of techno-pop. There was a lot of that stuff going on. They said, "no, no. These are fine. Give us three more and we've got the album and we want to put it out eight weeks from now and you guys got the whole summer tour. Let's go!" Well, it was at a time when our manager had not exactly had tremendous success getting the ear of the various A&R people in the corporate glass towers of LA and New York and this deal was a pretty good one under the circumstances for us. So we ran with this. Well, if was something that never came to pass. The record came out, it had an initial flurry of air play and it died in a relatively short period of time because it as a label that had been involved in other types of musical product and artists and so forth. They were not really experienced and we felt like guinea pigs. In any event, this particular project crashed and we were very disappointed because we had a lot of our..all of the years of rebuilding the Steppenwolf name, all of that gritting your teeth and rebuilding from the little clubs to the big clubs, etc, etc.....all of those human experiences of giving each other in the band moral support and not letting some of the setbacks and the grind of the road make us throw in the towel......all of those things went in the songs "Rock Steady, I'm Rough and Ready," "Hold On, Never Give Up, Never Give In" and a couple of others. And so we felt that some of our better writing had sort of come out and took a nose-dive and went nowhere. Well, not too many months ago, working with what are now my partners on the record end of things in Nashville, TN, listened to these particular recordings amongst other things that we were kicking around and they said, "These songs are really good. These are good songs. Have you ever considered to do it for real, do it the way you had intended to had you had the time and money?" I said, "No. To be honest with you, we were all rather dejected after this o ne." By the time Rise and Shine came out on IRS Records in 1990, we had a fresh batch of tunes and so we were always thinking forward instead of looking over our shoulder because, to a certain extent, we always felt that in order to avoid that nostalgia/run on auto-pilot act keep playing new songs along with the more familiar stuff on stage. Make sure everybody knows how you view yourself in terms of who and what you are and where your focus in the future is. So we didn't look over our shoulder with respect to these tunes. Well, they said you ought to consider it. So Michael, my co-producer and keyboardist and writing parter, and whose been with the Wolf and my right hand man since 1981 now, started the project and we got.... what it deserved..the drums, the organ the big rotating Leslie and all that. Around that time we had also written some additional tunes. Not enough to make an all new album, but songs that seemed to fit together with the cord tunes in terms of their general philosophical orientation. The most surprising, and perhaps the most gratifying, part of this whole particular project was, that an idea that Michael recently written on the bus, on the piano (on the tour bus) which I had been toying with and I finally started to write some lyrics to....and it was a real intense two and a half days.....you know, eat and sleep and do the normal things but other than that your mind was totally preoccupied. Not in a feverish frenzy, but in almost a semi-serene way and the lyrics for "Feed The Fire" came. And then we were all in the band very much gratified by the result of this tune. But I, for one, viewed it as the last tune of the album which hopefully created a mood that could linger with the listener when the entire CD was done playing on its system and hopefully leave a positive, hopeful note. And we didn't want to step on that mood by having a different tune come in.....it need to be the last tune. But other than that, I viewed it as a very private tune and one that was probably going to be, like the songs I mentioned a little earlier, "It's Never Too Late" and so forth, a nice tune, but it's not going to get the spotlight. Well, it turns out that even the case-hardened independent promotion people that are out there chose this song as the single and it's the one that's going to get the video. So that was a left turn of events that none of us had counted on or really dared to hope for because we felt this tune was somewhat less representative..well, I shouldn't say less representative..it was different from what the average Steppenwolf listener would probably expect from us in terms of the intensity of the song and the mood and flavor of the tune. So we, ourselves, felt that it was perhaps not one that was a contender as a single. But now that it is, we're very much gratified by it and we'll give it our best shot, see whether or not it connects. Like the man said, what comes from the heart hopefully goes to the heart.
Feed The Fire is a really solid album........!!
I'm glad you feel that way because there is a lot of honesty in there. And I must tell you that some of the tunes that we've played now on the road for a while, particularly when you consider that it's not always easy sledding to get an audience to really pay attention to a new song that they're really unfamiliar with when you present it to them for the first time on stage rather than in the privacy of their home listening to a CD. When you get a response that is genuine, not polite applause but genuine response, there were a few that sustained all of us in the band many times. When we could by alternating between familiar material and unfamiliar material, we could reach an agreement, a truce with the audience which is .. I know you came to hear this song. Here it is. It made you happy. Now here's a song that's new. It makes us happy. What do you think? When there's a genuine response to that we knew that we not just kidding ourselves that we had something to offer beyond the familiar. Even though, perhaps, in recent years past there would be the well known A&R man at the multi-mega international conglomerate saying, "There's too much echo on the cowbell and I don't hear it." So we have really in recent years tried to reach our fans directly in whatever way we can. That's we have our own publishing companies, recording studio, vehicles, merchandise company, web page and data base and fan club and so forth. Because in order for us to be able to reach them by getting around the obstacles, sometimes of non-existent help or air play or whatever it might be that we had to go through in recent years, we found the more we know were they are and reach them directly, the more we can breathe easier and go out and play our hundred dates a year and make a handsome living doing what we still feel is the best job that we ever hope to have. I mean, who gets to say what's think in the music that they write, to perform in front of what have become real friends and be handsomely rewarded for it and have some sort of balance in your life with respect to professional versus private, inner and material life and other things? I am one of the most fortunate people that I know.....I'm still married to the same woman after 30 years and that is not because she just puts up with it....somebody once facetiously said, "Well, that's because you were on the road for half of that time," and to some extent they have a point. But to actually feel like there is nothing that is a major gap, a major void in your life, that's rare. A day doesn't go by where I don't silently give thanks for my good fortune to live the way I do, to have this sort of balance, to see the people who come to Wolf Fest. It's always an awkward thing....they come to tell you how much what you've done means to them. It's very difficult not to want to sort of say, "No, no, no. You've got it backwards.....you guys are the reason why after 30 years we still get to do this." When the bus leave in the spring and the guys are sitting in the front lounge going "Wow, it's like going on vacation. I've been at home doing taxes. I've got the kid to do this with." Here we're going out. It's kind of like the cliché of Willie Nelson, "on the road again, making music with my friends." Well, there's something to that. I got to tell you I get kind of antsy, restless, when spring comes. As much as I enjoy swimming in the lake here and doing things in and around the house, I also get that itch to get the guitar and get out there and we've got some new tunes and we're gonna play the new stuff for our friends. So it's something that I'm very appreciative of and not the least of which is that in spite of the rebuilding and breaking out, etc., reaching the nadir, I guess, of my own personal life at a certain point and having come all the way through that. Perhaps that's one of the reasons why I appreciate so much. It hasn't just been an easy ride. There have been times when you had to find out what you were made of and what you were capable of because you were thrust into a situation that you hated but you were unwilling to throw in the towel and let somebody take something from you that they had no right to.
Talk a little about the show, the act of performing night after night.
The show is something that while, of course, we try to have consistency of performance quality and so on, it's something that to a certain extent has the element of surprise package about it every night. Will this amplifier blow up? Will this guy break a drumstick in the middle of his solo? Aside from the technical stuff of will it all work, how many shows have we done the last few days and have they been in the desert area and taken a toll on my vocal chords and now I'm barely sort of bluffing my way through the vocal parts, but it has to be done. That's when it's miserable. That's when you are up there going, "Man, I spent a whole day away from a very nice place where I live in Tennessee for express purpose of being on this stage for 90 minutes or whatever it is tonight and make that whole day of whatever it was (it might have been a regular day, it might have been a boring day), you know, whatever it was leading up to being on the stage. Now I can't do my best job." What's worse is that I hate to act and fake but I do feel that I owe it to the audience to not say, "Well, as you can tell the pipes are shot and it's not going to be all that great." They're there to forget whatever their trouble are. They set an evening aside, they spent good money, they probably worked hard for the money to see us do our thing. So I don't have the luxury of laying my difficulties on them. It's really my job to do the best I can under the circumstances and to look like I'm not suffering up there at a minimum. Well, that's when it's bad. When it's good, it's great. When the band is cooking and the sound is good and the audience is into it with us, yeah, those are the nights and thank God we have a fair amount of them. Maybe because of the maturity and the fact we approach it professionally. We try to have everything run like clock-work so there are as few factors at work there that could throw a monkey wrench into the show. When it's one of those things where you walk off the stage just tingling, just buzzing, that's a hard thing to walk away from.
Did you ever record in German?
Although German is, of course, my first language and there are some wonderful German poets like Schiller and Geothe and so forth. I was never one who enjoyed hearing, at least in the early days of rock & roll, German lyrics set to rock & roll tunes. There were feeble attempts in the late '50's when I was still living there to take Elvis songs and others and put a German singer with German lyrics to it. I felt somehow that wasn't the real McCoy. Even though I didn't understand the English lyrics, they just went hand in glove with that rhythm, that music and I didn't want to hear it in German. Now since then, In more recent years, in situations where we toured in Germany and had occasion to hear other performers and recordings over there, the sort of stilted (for lack of a better term) kind of tin-pan ally approach to the early German texts that were attempted while I was still a kid there that in the area of rock & roll, anyway, with self-contained groups who write their own material in German. A lot of that has long gone by the wayside and so there are people doing pretty good creative work where the German is in a conversational manner rather than this sort of stilted thing where they're trying to translate from English into German and it just doesn't fit somehow. There are some people I've heard where I say, "Wow, you know, they're singing it in their own language in the way that I think rock & roll in the States was," that is kind of conversational slang, street language set to music. They're doing that now in Germany and it's working in some instances fairly well. But myself, having grown up with that other earlier version of German, I never really .. and because I came to Canada at the age of, I was just about 14, while German chronologically is my first language, English is my true first language at this point in the sense that I think and dream and whatever in English. While I speak reasonably good German, which is refreshed every time I speak to my family over there by phone or we tour or we visit over there. It is still a language that is in essence frozen more or less at that moment when I left. And so a whole professional vocabulary, the expressions and terminology's that you become familiar with as you get older and you're in your 20's and your 30's, that is missing to a great extent in my German. Consequently, I'm not as comfortable. At times I do interviews in Germany in German but when I'm at a loss as to how to put something I'll just slip into English until I get past that particular hurdle. And most of them speak quite adequate English over there.
How many people have been in Steppenwolf?
At last count, I think in the 29 years of Steppenwolf's existence we had just about 20 people. Now that seems like a lot buy when you consider that the changes were by and large very gradual .. 1 for instance, a lot of people are unaware of the fact that the original line-up of Steppenwolf did not last all that long. That is, we were formed the summer of '67 and after the second album which was delivered at the end of '68, practically a year and a half later, we already had our first change which was a new bass player. Then came a new guitarist, which was Larry Byrom from Huntsville, AL and then subsequent to that the Nashville area, who replaced Michael Monarch, our original guitarist who was 17 years old and had difficulty handling the lifestyle and the hectic pace and the success and the money and what have you. So there was a change of face on average, I would think, every 18 months or so. But since it was one face at a time, It seemed like the audience sort of just took it in stride. It wasn't as though these guys broke up and all of a sudden there's a whole new crew of brand new faces. It was a gradual thing so that by the time the mid '70's rolled around the only original member other than myself was Jerry Edmonton, the drummer. When I went on the road in 1980 at John Kay and Steppenwolf, by that time I was the only one left. Ironically, this current line-up of personnel has been together far longer than any previous one. Michael Wilk, keyboardist and co-producer, etc., has been with Steppenwolf since 1981. Ron Hurst, our drummer, has been with us since 1984. The only one who is a recent addition is Danny Johnson who hails originally from Shreveport, LA., but who has been out on the West Coast for quite awhile and has played with a variety of people that range just a tremendous gap of, tremendous range of people. I guess years ago Rick Derringer. He's been in Alcatraz which was a band produced by Eddie Van Halen. He played with Rod Stewart for a while. He's played with some Cajun musicians. Just a real roots blues rocker that fits wonderfully into this line-up. We're very pleased to have him. He instills a degree of, you know, this may not be perfect but it's real -- that sort of thing. We're enjoying that and we hope that we can really put his talents to use in some of the newer songs that will be written.
Does it strike you as extraordinary that your records have never been out of print in 30 years?
It is fairly remarkable, I think, that after 29 years we continue to sell an astonishing number of records annually world-wide. I distinctly recall a comment that a then financial advisor to Steppenwolf made in the early '70's when we changed labels from ABC Dunhill to CBS. One of the things that ABC Dunhill wanted as a prerequisite for our way out of the existing contract, which was still binding, was that we would give them back the rights to the master recordings that we had over there, the "Born To Be Wild's," etc. We were hemming and hawing and this person said, "God, it's slowly coming off the charts, 18 months, 2 years. How long do you think this stuff will sell?" We kind of looked at him and said, "Well, he's probably right, I guess." So we gave them back the masters. Well, I once told this story to somebody recently who said, "Oh, bad move, bad move. You guys lost millions." I probably would have said yes to him a few years ago but this happened, as I said, very recently and I said, "No, wrong. Good move." We were stupid. We didn't know how good a move it was and it was in spite of ourselves. But here's what happened. We gave them back the masters. We had our period with CBS in the mid '70's and here came the late '70's and I did a solo effort that didn't really go anywhere and here came the bogus Wolf bands. All of a sudden, I'm faced with what am I going to do? What do I want to do? This rubs me the wrong way. I can't stand to see the name being dragged through the mud. Do I want to take another whack at it? Meantime, the person who a few years prior to that said "yeah the stuff won't sell anymore" had, at that point, been a soothsayer. In fact, the catalog had fallen off and wasn't selling all that well, partially because ABC Dunhill and shortly thereafter (this was late 1979) the advent of the compact disk and classic rock radio came. All of a sudden, the catalog of ours that had just about gone out of print not only was revived by a very aggressively marketed MCA Records catalog push but, because of the compact disc, we were reselling two-thirds of the records we ever did sell to the previous fans in a compact disc version around the world. So when 1990 or thereabouts rolled about, looking over our shoulder with respect to the money that we had made was quite phenomenal. The point of all this is that had we owned our own masters 1977-8 or 9, which were pretty lean years of insecurity, or "where now brown cow," we probably, particularly since the catalog was non-existent in sales just about, probably would have sold it, hell, I don't know, for half a million bucks to anybody who would have offered that amount to us and really taken it in the shorts with respect to what we have in future earnings that came to pass because we didn't own the masters. Sometimes your own stupidity .. You know, you pay for your mistakes but sometimes, I guess, you're just plain lucky and we certainly were in this instance. We have tried to use our past as a means of bank rolling our future, and so far, it's worked pretty well for us.
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What Olympic sport is derived from the Greek word for naked? | Party songs: part seven of 1000 songs everyone must hear | Music | theguardian.com
808 State
1989
Very much done a disservice by being lumped in by some with the whole Madchester movement, 808 State, named after the Roland TR-808 drum machine, were true electronic innovators. The original line-up was Martin Price, Graham Massey and Gerald Simpson, but the later soon went solo as A Guy Called Gerald and made his own mark with Voodoo Ray. Massey and Price brought in two fresh-faced DJs by the name of the Spinmasters, aka Darren Partington and Andy Barker, who also hosted a seminal radio station on Sunset Radio. Their first two albums, Newbuild and Quadrastate, were pioneering records, and their big crossover hit Pacific State still sounds like nothing else. LB
Dancing Queen
Abba
1976
Not so much a celebration of dancing, more a piece of reflective melancholy told from the position of the wallflower, a broken-hearted woman who takes vicarious pleasure in watching a 17-year-old dancer. But it’s the musical mix of light and shade that brings this psychodrama to life, the way in which an effortlessly funky disco beat and Benny Andersson’s triumphant piano pounding are slyly undercut by the neurotic strings and the bittersweet vocal delivery. JL
AC/DC
1980
When vocalist Bon Scott died of alcohol poisoning in 1980, AC/DC briefly considered calling it a day. Instead, they recruited singer Brian Johnson and released their best single a few months later. The sky-scraping verse, with its themes of immortality, was a typically audacious way for the band to reaffirm itself. The iconic riff remains a bedroom guitarist’s rite-of-passage, still pertinent in the Guitar Hero age, while the song’s surprisingly sparse arrangement predates modern minimalists such as Chicago rock trio Shellac. JP
Because I Got High
Afroman
2001
Joseph “Afroman” Foreman’s cautionary comedy about the drawbacks of the weed serves as the most effective anti-drug song of the 21st century thus far. A fondness for marijuana leads to an increasingly absurd chain of events in which the protagonist flunks his college class, misses his child support payments, gambles his money away, is unable to perform sexually, loses both his legs in a car accident and is left homeless. JL
Aphex Twin
1999
Rumour has it that there is a demo version of this song, with Richard D James, aka Aphex Twin, playing the original idea for the song on guitar. Windowlicker might sound like the strangest song ever to gain mainstream appeal, but at its heart lies a really good tune – and that’s why, despite the permanently shifting song structure and the lunatic polyrhythms, it’s become a something of a classic. EW
I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor
Arctic Monkeys
2005
In an explosion of buzzsaw guitar, Arctic Monkeys announced themselves to the world in spectacular style. Insanely addictive, it masked an observational narrative that made the simple act of eyeing a girl up in a nightclub sound like an act of espionage. Most of all, it made everyone who heard it want to dance – and instant megastars of its creators. Tom Jones, Joe Perry and Sugababes have all had stabs at it, cementing its status as the defining indie party track of the modern age. DM
Ashford and Simpson
1979
Husband and wife team Ashford and Simpson were both songwriters and artists in their own right. As songwriters they wrote for Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and several Motown artists, where their hits included Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and You’re All I Need to Get By for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. As artists, their biggest hit was the schmaltzy Solid. In between, they wrote some of the greatest, sweeping orchestral disco songs of the late 70s. Bourgie Bourgie, spun regularly by the legendary DJ Larry Levan at seminal New York nightclub Paradise Garage, was pretty much disco perfection. Anyone who still thinks disco equals Saturday Night Fever should do themselves a favour and search this out. LB
The B-52’s
1989
A seemingly effortless meld of Don Was’s slick big-band production, Fred Schneider’s fairground bark, the piping harmonies of Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson and the dirty blues guitar of Keith Strickland, Love Shack gave the B-52’s their first mainstream hit more than a decade into their career. Inspired by the cabin in Athens, Georgia, where the band wrote their early songs, it was a tribute to original guitarist Ricky Wilson who died of Aids-related illnesses in 1985. GM
Yes Sir, I Can Boogie
Baccara
1977
How female Spanish duo Baccara were ever earmarked for pan-European disco success considering their background in flamenco and traditional Spanish songs is anyone’s guess, but in 1977 they managed it with this humongous Eurodisco classic. All breathy vocals and Abigail’s Party seductiveness, if this doesn’t reveal your camp side on the dancefloor nothing will. MR
(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)
Beastie Boys
1987
It’s more than likely that all the woes listed by the Beastie Boys have been experienced by all western teenage boys (“Your dad caught you smoking and he said ‘No way!’”), yet Fight for Your Right was only ever intended as a parody of such meathead anthems as Mötley Crüe’s version of Smokin’ in the Boys Room. Its audience, however, didn’t care about irony and revelled in its gloriously crass rebellion without a cause. JP
Benga and Coki
2007
You didn’t have to be a dubstep aficionado to hear this 2007 crossover. The single, hooky electronic tone and devastating bass rumble piped out from teen-held mobile phones on buses all over the world, bridging the worlds of dubstep and grime. Currently usurped in soundsystem dancefloor ubiquity by Warp-signed Mujava’s similarly woozy Township Funk. EW
Big Time Sensuality
Björk
1993
Björk has gone on record as saying this song, the most club-friendly from the Nellee Hooper-produced Debut, is about a nascent, platonic friendship. As it was released at the height of a boom in UK clubbing, it was adopted as an ecstasy anthem and reflected a night out on the hug drug (“We just met and I know I’m a bit too intimate but something huge is coming up”). Further, in the last line Björk exclaims, “I don’t know my future after this weekend,” which will chime with many who “dropped out” due to their E experiences. JB
Let’s Start II Dance Again
Hamilton Bohannon
1981
Stevie Wonder’s former drummer Hamilton Bohannon scored his biggest hit with 1978’s Let’s Start the Dance, a massive chunk of irresistible boogie powered by Carolyn Crawford’s roof-raiser vocal. Bohannon recorded three more versions, the best of which was this, featuring a rap from Dr Perri Johnson. The good doc was more radio jock than rapper, but when a man announces himself with “tang, tang, boogie bang, let’s rock the house, let’s shock the house”, what’s not to love? SY
Let’s Dance
David Bowie
1983
Few people know more about making people dance than Nile Rodgers. As the guitarist in Chic, he helped write and produce some of the best songs of the disco era, including Everybody Dance, Le Freak and Good Times. No surprise then that when David Bowie asked Rodgers to produce his second album of the 80s, it resulted in a dancefloor gem. The clipped bass, rhythmic guitar chops and rising chants that telegraph the chorus work in any setting, from wedding discos to fashionable east London bars. CC
Laura Branigan
1984
Branigan rose to prominence through her contributions to the Flashdance soundtrack in 1983 but is best remembered for Self Control. An Italo disco-style production lends hipness: a languid electronic intro is rudely interrupted by a heavy guitar before snapping into a bouncy synthetic backing for Branigan’s hymn to nocturnal activity. Her dramatic alto voice and content about “creatures of the night” made this a worldwide hit in both pop and disco circles. JB
Hang On in There Baby
Johnny Bristol
1974
If Barry White had gargled with Listerine instead of iron filings he may well have sounded like Johnny Bristol. Mainly known as a songwriter and producer at Motown and CBS, although his solo career did not yield many hits, Hang On in There Baby is a song so triumphal that as the chorus takes from the verse you find yourself chuckling at how damn infectious it is. “I’m gonna give you more than you ever dreamed possible,” croons Johnny. It would be churlish to resist. BB
Cannibal and the Headhunters
1965
Originally recorded by New Orleans eccentric Chris Kenner and covered, over the years, by Wilson Pickett, Rufus Thomas, the Walker Brothers and Patti Smith, this rambunctious rock’n’roll classic received its definitive version from this Chicano quartet from east Los Angeles. Based around a hollering “naaah/na-na-na/naaaa” riff, it not only references dozens of r’n’b dance crazes (the pony, twist, mashed potato, alligator, hand jive etc) but musically links Afro-Cuban rhythms with early rock’n’roll. JL
Love Will Keep Us Together
Captain and Tennille
1975
This huge debut hit from the oddly-named American MOR duo is officially a guilty pleasure. But why anyone should feel guilty about loving this prime slice of FM pop fluff remains a mystery. Written by Howard Greenfield and the perennially underrated Brill Building veteran Neil Sedaka, Love Will … is an emptily joyous and beautifully arranged pop nugget by a duo whose in-demand muso skills saw them moonlight with the Beach Boys, Elton John and Pink Floyd. GM
Ray Charles
1980
Until 1980 Ray Charles had never recorded this, which was sung first (as Shake a Tail Feather) by the Five Du-Tones, then more famously by James and Bobby Purify. But Charles became synonymous with it courtesy of his cameo in the Blues Brothers film. It’s an unashamedly corny take on the all-singing, all-dancing musical showstopper, with Chicago’s notoriously rough south side erupting as one hot-stepping mass. Ray’s performance was so electric even the two wannabes jumping in front of him couldn’t spoil it. SY
Le Freak
Chic
1978
The story is that Chic’s Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards were turned away from a New Year’s Eve party at the notoriously exclusive Studio 54 nightclub. They retreated to Rodgers’s nearby apartment for a jam session, angrily chanting “fuck off!” over a simple funk riff. The anger was soon replaced by exuberance and was sweetened by soaring strings, chicken-scratch guitar and a disco beat, but it’s Bernard’s throbbing, slapping bassline that compels you to dance. JL
Class Action
1981
A brilliant cover version of Phreek’s club classic, this electronically reconstituted version featured the original vocalist Chris Wiltshire, was produced by legendary New York figure Bob Blank and remixed by Paradise Garage DJ Larry Levan (who apparently was absent from the studio during “his” remix). The lyrics are perfectly poised between the heartbreak of the verse to the forget-my-man partying of the chorus. Tonight is party time! BB
Machine Gun
Commodores
1974
Scoring their biggest hits with ballads such as Three Times a Lady, Nightshift and Easy, you could be forgiven for remembering Lionel Richie’s breakthrough band as something other than the hard-funk act they actually were. This instrumental funk anthem – the lead track of their debut Motown LP – complete with frenzied keyboard lines, proved to be a disco smash and remains widely used at US sports fixtures today. MR
The Cramps
1980
As might be expected of a man who once told the audience of a children’s TV show, “I’m on drugs, they’re good drugs,” Cramps frontman Lux Interior knew a thing or two about having a good time. And it sounds like the whole band had a blast on this tribute to getting loaded. Poison Ivy’s psychobilly guitar is suitably uninhibited, while Lux bellows “The drug train, woo woo!”. Sadly, Lux died in February, but evidently, he enjoyed himself while he was here. CC
Somebody Oughta Turn Your Head Around
Crystal Mansion
1972
Based around the talents of Philly singer Johnny Caswell (who also had a northern soul hit with You Don’t Love Me Anymore), Crystal Mansion included this song on their debut album, which was imbued with the optimism of Haight-Ashbury rather than the cynicism of Altamont. There’s something about the drum, guitar and vocal combination that is so winning; it usually has the dancefloor grinning like loons within 30 seconds. How can you not love a song that features the couplet: “We’ll build a far-out factory/ And manufacture harmony.” Ace. BB
Da Funk
Daft Punk
1995
Choosing just one party record by Daft Punk is no easy task. You could make a good case for Around the World, Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger and One More Time. But it has to be their second single, Da Funk, because it re-wrote the rulebook. At the time, house and techno dominated clubland. Da Funk’s mid-tempo drum slug and barking acid riff didn’t sound like anything else then, and they still don’t now. CC
Roy Davis Jr
1998
By the mid-90s this Chicago-based member of acid house innovators Phuture hit a new groove, confecting gospel, soul and a sweet trumpet loop into Gabriel. It was one of the biggest dance tracks of the year, selling more than 250,000 copies and becoming a cornerstone of the UK garage scene that dominated the late 90s. More than 10 years on, it’s now a key revival tune of the emerging funky house scene. EW
Groove Is in the Heart
Deee-Lite
1990
One classic song is all a career really needs, and this perennial party favourite is the track for which the New York trio will always be remembered. At its heart was the simplest of ideas; that falling in love is a bit like dancing. But there’s nothing simple in the delivery, pulling house, funk, disco and hip-hop together into a package that is wild, woozy and very, very strange. DM
Just Can’t Get Enough
Depeche Mode
1981
No matter how inventive the rearrangement, how annoying the charity cover version or how ubiquitous its appearance in advertising makes it, there’s no escaping the pure pop thrill of new-wave veterans Depeche Mode’s naive, breakthrough single, the final contribution from early songwriter Vince Clarke (before leaving to form Yazoo and later Erasure) and an anthem in British gay clubs ever since. MR
Doobie Brothers
1973
Not many country-tinged, California rock records can tear up a Balearic dancefloor two decades later, but Long Train Runnin’ is one of those rare songs that have managed to completely transcend genre and era, having been rediscovered by the next generation of DJs. It helped that the song had originally been born out of a loose jam, around a loose guitar riff and laidback funky bassline, which lent itself easily to the Balearic dancefloors of the late 80s and 90s, as did the rhetorical chorus of “without love, where would you be now?”. The later Bananarama cover, however, featuring the Gyspy Kings on guitar, is not a Balearic classic, trust me. LB.
Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick
Ian Dury and the Blockheads
1978
Chas Jankel’s musical nous and Ian Dury’s wordsmithery combine to perfection on this blast of brilliant nonsense that sold nearly a million on its initial release. The music is a thick funk gumbo (largely down to Norman Watt-Roy’s heavy, busy bassline) as Dury rhymes the likes of “Borneo” with “Bordeaux”, “Eskimo” with “Arapaho” and “Milan” with “Yucatan” before breaking into the gloriously nutty chorus. Davey Payne’s double saxophone break is manic; the Blockheads never hit these heights again. MW
Boogie Wonderland
Earth, Wind and Fire
1979
Boogie Wonderland captures the essence of late-70s disco so perfectly it should be sealed and preserved for future generations. The winning formula was simple: take a bunch of veterans who knew which way the wind blew (EWF were former jazz-funkers, backing singers the Emotions were soul stars at Stax), add a song that celebrated the disco itself and a barrage of snares and horns that lit up like glitterballs. The song has since become a mainstay of 70s revival nights and film soundtracks. SY
Shirley Ellis
1965
Bronx soul songstress Ellis wrote her footnote into music history with this blistering novelty dance hit. Co-written with her husband Lincoln Chase, this go-go dance classic seems like an innocent playground skipping-rope rhyme set to a tough, brassy, post-Motown arrangement. But historians have posited the theory that the infectious chant about monkeys chewing tobacco and going “to heaven in a little rowboat” derives from coded slave songs about escaping bondage on the underground train to the Mississippi river. GM
Be Faithful
Fatman Scoop featuring the Crooklyn Clan
1999
Every DJ has an emergency record, a track that gets the party started in a hurry. In 1999, hip-hop jocks in trouble reached for Be Faithful. New York production duo Riz and Sizzahandz sampled the guitar from Faith Evans’s 1998 single Love Like This and added plenty of extra low end, while Fatman Scoop hyped the crowd with nonsense such as, “Can I get a ‘what what’?” Far from sophisticated, but it never failed. In 2003, it was re-released and went straight to No 1. CC
Doctor Love
First Choice
1977
Following guitarist Norman Harris and much of Philadelphia International’s MFSB orchestra to New York’s Salsoul stable in the disco boom, this trio are probably regarded today as underground disco’s best-loved girl group. Singer Rochelle Fleming needs only one man to cure her from the pain of her disastrous former encounters in love, the good Doctor. The instrumental break, with its irresistible, twinkling keys, has been sampled countless times in house music and is a delight to dance to every time it’s aired. MR
The Gnu
Flanders and Swann
1959
This exquisite three-minute gem serves as a fine introduction to this duo’s witty wordplay, well-crafted rhymes and surreal situations. Over Donald Swann’s genteel piano accompaniment, Michael Flanders introduces us to a talking gnu who casts a critical eye over the irregularities of the English language (“I’m a g-nu/ How do you do?/ I’m the g-nicest work of g-nature in the zoo”) while pouring scorn on the pompous humans who continually misidentify him (“Call me bison or okapi and I’ll sue”). JL
Think About It (What Is Wrong With the World Today)
Flight of the Conchords
2008
In which the peerless Kiwi “digi-folk” duo pay homage to a certain strain of “protest song” – the vague, directionless, apolitical soul ballad exemplified by Buffalo Springfield, Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, the Stylistics and any number of acid jazz copyists. As FOTC describe an inner-city dystopia where kids are “killing each other with knives and forks” and “getting diseases from monkeys” over the chords from Marvin Gaye’s Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), it’s clear that they’re actually rather good blue-eyed soul crooners. JL
One Nation Under a Groove
Funkadelic
1978
George Clinton was always as much cult as band leader, so it’s only right that his biggest hit aped the language of the pledge of allegiance. Smooth and mellifluous where p-funk was so often about cartoonish splashes of colour, One Nation is held together by the surprisingly melodic chorus. It starts mid-groove, as if the song has no beginning or end, but is simply a never-ending party the listener had dropped in on. “Here’s a chance to dance our way out of our restrictions,” sings Clinton. Funk as resistance movement. SY
Biology
Girls Aloud
2005
After sinking to a low in 2004 with insipid covers of I’ll Stand By You and Jump (For My Love), Xenomania saved the girls from going down the dumper with the Chemistry album and this incredible single. It outlandishly boasts a surfeit of melody and not one but three choruses. The lyrics warn sisters of the perils of desire delivered at a breathless pace: “You fall on your knees and the geek at your feet says you’re neat.” JB
Gorillaz
2005
Dare was the tipping point for Gorillaz, the moment when the music eclipsed the annoying virtual band concept. It starts with a Shepard scale, an auditory illusion that sounds like it’s continually rising, but in fact never gets any higher. A lot like the song itself. There’s no verse-chorus structure, just Damon Albarn’s falsetto, fuzzy synth bass and a guest appearance from Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder on loop, but the excitement keeps on building throughout. Clever stuff. CC
All I Want for Christmas Is a Dukla Prague Away Kit
Half Man Half Biscuit
1986
Aside from a passing reference in the Undertones’ My Perfect Cousin, Subbuteo had been criminally overlooked in rock’s canon. Until, that is, Wirral-based pop-culture obsessives Half Man Half Biscuit wrote this keenly observed reminiscence about playing in a tournament at a friend’s house, after his Scalextric failed to perform. A decade on, you could still hear the pain in: “You’d always get palmed off with a headless centre-forward, a goalkeeper with no arms and a face like his.” PMon
Rokit
Herbie Hancock
1983
One of the most influential figures in modern jazz, Herbie Hancock was quick to embrace the nascent New York rap scene. Displaying a surprising lack of virtuosity on Hancock’s part, Rokit centred around the trade off between an instantly recognisable synth line and some then groundbreaking scratch work from DJ Grand Mixer D.ST. Barely charting in the US, it went top 10 in Britain, soundtracking a thousand ill-advised lino-based excursions into breakdancing. CCat
WFL (Think About the Future)
Happy Mondays
1989
As the acid house revolution gripped the nation, Happy Mondays, in what was still quite an unusual move, let DJ Paul Oakenfold loose on their track Wrote For Luck. “I knew that rhythms in rock records never worked,” Oakenfold later reflected, “so it had to be more rhythmic, especially the bottom end.” Oakenfold changed the bassline and drums, with a loop from NWA, and brought Shaun Ryder’s vocals up in the mix. With layers of Mark Day’s swirling guitar and Paul Davis’s dreamy keyboard lines over the top, the end result was an elongated, spaced-out ecstatic dancefloor smash which reflected the euphoric mindstate of many on the dancefloors in 1989. LB
Richie Havens
1981
A cross genre, cross era, stone cold Balearic classic. Back to My Roots was originally written and recorded by Lamont Dozier – one-third of the legendary Holland-Dozier-Holland Motown production team – for his solo album Peddlin’ Music On The Side. But it’s the Richie Havens version from 1981 that most DJs keep in their record boxes as an absolute guaranteed dancefloor filler to reach for in case of emergency. The long opening piano riff, funky wah-wah guitar, percussion from Sly and the Family Stone session legend Andy Newmark and gospel backing vocals, all build to one undeniable deep groove. Danny Krivit’s recent re-edit is worth searching out as well. LB
House of Pain
1992
Irish-American rappers House of Pain always played second fiddle to west-coast contemporaries Cypress Hill, who never fashioned anything as great as Jump Around. From the fanfare that launched a thousand cannabis habits to the squeal that ushers in every jump (sampled from Prince’s Gett Off), it united college halls and rock clubs long after they sank into insignificance. DM
Last Night a DJ Saved My Life
Indeep
1982
It was some years before the notion of DJ as saviour would really take hold, and when it did, it wasn’t radio but club jocks who were the objects of adoration. Arriving at the fag-end of disco, Last Night … was all Chic-y guitar chops, dub-funk bassline and inspired sound effects (telephone, flushing toilet, car brakes). But the theme is a simple one of heartbreak cured by music, a statement of faith in the regenerative powers of the great song. SY
Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough
Michael Jackson
1979
A lot happened in the four years between Michael Jackson’s 1975 album Forever, Michael and the follow-up, Off the Wall. Disco had crossed into the mainstream and he’d grown from a boy into a young man. Like all young men, he had sex on his mind. “Touch me and I feel on fire,” he sings in a pure falsetto over a pulsing bass groove from Louis “Thunder Thumbs” Johnson. Years later, a similar request led to a courtroom. CC
Michael Jackson
1979
If Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough is the populist party choice from Michael Jackson’s fifth album, Off the Wall, disco connoisseurs prefer the title track. Written by British musician Rod Temperton, who went on to compose Thriller, it’s built on a nervous, high-pitched bassline. The tension is released when the song shifts into a lower key for the chorus and Jackson sings, “Tonight, got to leave the nine to five up on the shelf/ And just enjoy yourself.” Pure class. CC
I Love Rock’n’Roll
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
1982
Seventies beat-poppers the Arrows originally wrote and recorded this hymn to the devil’s music to worldwide indifference. Sassy ex-Runaway Joan Jett liked it so much she covered it twice, most successfully in 1982, when she condensed rock’n’roll’s intricate magic into a pounding three-chord strut. Even Britney armed with a vocoder could not match this for vitality. DM
Nightclubbing
Grace Jones
1981
Nightclubbing was written by David Bowie and Iggy Pop and appeared on Iggy’s 1977 solo debut, The Idiot. But Grace Jones claimed the song for herself when she made it the title track of her fifth album. The original is boozy, dog-end-of-the-night rock. Jones, a regular on the glitzy late-70s/early-80s New York club scene, injects it with icy glamour, her contralto voice slinking with feline grace around the one-finger piano line and Sly Dunbar’s echo-drenched percussion. CC
Grace Jones
2008
After a triumphant gig at last year’s Meltdown festival, Grace Jones comeback album was eagerly anticipated. Disappointingly, most of it, like Williams Blood, turned out to be quite pedestrian. That was until the up-and-coming Belgian cosmic disco duo and remixers du jour Aeroplane worked their magic on it, turning it into a slow burning, glitteringly futuristic disco smash that built into a intense euphoric crescendo. Unbelievably, the remix was initially rejected, but word of mouth, or word of internet blogs, spread, and it’s now available. Aeroplane’s debut album is due this summer. LB
Cocktails for Two
Spike Jones and His City Slickers
1944
The original 1934 version was a genteel ballad that celebrated the end of prohibition, a time where the “carefree and gay” were free to drink at a “romantic rendezvous”. Spike Jones gleefully pushed this gaiety to extremes, punctuating his 100mph arrangement with various hooters, whistles, honking horns and belching singers to create a symphony of silliness. It’s the perfect example of how Jones created comedy records where the hilarity was sonic rather than lyrical. JL
George Kranz
1984
Din Daa Daa was No 1 on the US dance chart in 1984. However, German percussionist George Kranz owes his clubland immortality to DJ Alfredo, resident at Ibiza’s iconic Amnesia nightspot in the late 80s, when the song became a Balearic classic. The words of the title are looped up, while Kranz, who has a serious case of onomatopoeia, echoes the drum fills (“Rat-ta-ta-ta-toom!”). Then the track explodes with a strident synth chord. Just try not dancing. CC
Upside Down
Fela Kuti
1976
When American political activist Sandra Smith (later Isidore) introduced visiting Nigerian musician Fela Kuti to the writings of Malcolm X and the philosophies of the Black Panther party in 1969, she could never have imagined the effect. The subsequent radical, angry politics of Africa’s first musical megastar informed most of his lyrics, including this blistering, near 15-minute epic, describing pan-African disorganisation. Sung by Isidore, you’d be hard pushed to find a better record to dance to. MR
Bappi Lahiri/Parvati Khan
1982
Recently sampled by MIA, this Parvati Khan-vocalled glitzy dance nugget is the sound of disco fever sweeping Bollywood. In its original setting (in the film Disco Dancer), it cures the Jimmy of the title of his disco phobia after his mother is electrocuted by an electric guitar (don’t ask). Yet even without the surreal plotlines, Bappi Lahiri’s Bontempi-electro settings and infectious Abba string stabs continue to help the most committed wallflowers get their bosh on to this day. MM
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Cyndi Lauper
1983
One of pop’s most ecstatic classics, this debut single and huge global hit from former Blue Angel singer Lauper is also one of pop’s greatest feminist statements. In an echo of Aretha Franklin’s dramatic female empowerment reworking of Otis Redding’s Respect, Girls … was written by new-wave popster Robert Hazard from an entirely male perspective. Lauper changed the gender of the lyric and transformed it into an electro-pop call-to-arms for the right to hen party. GM
LFO
1990
Old-school bassheads will remember fondly the purple sleeves and raw, outer-galactic bass’n’bleeps of early Warp records releases. LFO provided the fifth release on the label, which was recorded in the basement studio of Leeds rave emporium The Warehouse and was played, on C90, at the club before being signed. It sold 130,000 copies and went to No 12 in the charts. Brutal and brilliant. EW
Can’t Stand Me Now
The Libertines
2004
From a poetic point of view, the release of Can’t Stand Me Now could not have been more perfect. From an intra-band harmony perspective, it couldn’t have been worse. Released just as Pete Doherty and Carl Barât’s tumultuous relationship was beginning to finally fall apart due to Doherty’s drug habit, you can hear the spite in the love me/hate me lyrics. A No 2 hit at the time, it remains the most famous mission statement from the London could-have-beens. WD
Is It All Over My Face
Loose Joints
1980
Known primarily as a cult contributor to the leftfield disco scene, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Arthur Russell’s work across several genres of avant garde music has been rediscovered and critically acclaimed since his death from Aids in the early 90s. This hypnotic and truly unforgettable slice of disco voodoo was salvaged from tempestuous collaborative studio sessions by Paradise Garage DJ Larry Levan, whose female-voiced remix is now classed as the definitive version. MR
Love Loves to Love Love
Lulu
1967
Despite having recorded a sublime version of Here Comes the Night with genius American r’n’b producer Bert Berns several years earlier (predating Them’s version), it wasn’t until Scottish singer Lulu teamed up with UK producer Mickie Most that the hits began to flow. This slightly psychedelic pop-funk track was the first, followed shortly by Shout, and is instantly recognisable for its fuzzed guitar intro, which Fatboy Slim famously sampled for Santa Cruz. MR
M
1979
Pop Muzik was produced and helmed by pop situationist Robin Scott and made in Paris by an all-star cast that included the wunderkind keyboard player Wally Badarou, who provides its bubbling swing. It had the high gloss of the Human League with a towering kickdrum that sounded like it was carved out of solid granite. The lyrics are pure bubblegum (“try some buy some fee-fi-fo-fum”), the result dancefloor candy floss. BB
Cross the Tracks (We Better Go Back)
Maceo and the Macks
1975
Bebop-influenced saxophonist Maceo Parker tried to leave his longstanding place within James Brown’s band several times over the years (for a while he even joined the Parliament/Funkadelic collective), but always returned having failed to secure equal success solo or as a band leader. This insane funk instrumental, heavy with Moog synthesizer, allegedly played by Brown, was an integral party piece of the early hip-hop movement and remains a soundsystem curveball to this day. MR
There But for the Grace of God
Machine
1979
In between the early success he enjoyed alongside his brother in Dr Buzzard’s Savannah Band and forming his own stage persona as Kid Creole, Tommy Browder – aka August Darnell – found time to lend his almost peerless satirical songwriting skills (not to mention his considerable production abilities) to this female-voiced disco anthem. Critiquing social attitudes of the time, the often misunderstood lyrics see new parents deciding to leave the Bronx in favour of “somewhere far away, with no blacks, no Jews and no gays.” MR
Beautiful Stranger
Madonna
1999
Pop queen Madonna rounded off the 1990s in fine style when, following successful collaboration on the Ray of Light album, she reunited with British producer William Orbit for this theme to the second Austin Powers movie. Inspired by the film’s 60s theme, the pair eschewed their previous dance styles in favour of an understated, Mamas and the Papas-sampling, guitar-led groove. Although successful on the UK charts, this song wasn’t released as a single in the US.
Curtis Mayfield
1970
In 1970, former Impression Mayfield was making a name for himself as a pioneer of gritty urban realism. Move On Up, however, reads more like a motivational pep talk: Mayfield’s super-sweet vocals imploring the listener to “remember your dreams are your only schemes” over an irresistibly kinetic mix of Latin rhythms, orchestral funk and Chicago horns. Nabbing the central hook for 2005’s Touch the Sky, Kanye West reintroduced the world to Move On Up’s relentlessly positive charms. CCat
White Lines (Don’t Do It)
Grandmaster Melle Mel
1983
It wasn’t just White Lines’ billing (originally credited to Grandmaster and Melle Mel, to imply Flash was involved) that was confusing. Although the title and much of the lyric indicate an uncompromising anti-drug song, the record was more than a little ambivalent, as shown in the repeated sniffing and their excitable way with the word “high”. The soundtrack to a million knowing winks on the dancefloor. SY
Kids
MGMT
2008
Brooklyn-based duo MGMT emerged in 2007 with an intoxicating blend of squelching electro-funk, wiggy progisms and 70s pop-rock sensibilities. Produced by Flaming Lips associate Dave Fridmann, Kids remains their signature tune; its mix of gurgling synths, pounding drum machines and make-believe lyrics overcoming hints of hipster irony to rock harder than a Shoreditch warehouse party. Much to the band’s chargrin, the track was recently appropriated by French premier Nicolas Sarkozy for use at political rallies. CCat
Missy Elliott
2001
Though we can’t say for sure whether it’s about ecstasy consumption, this club track, best heard as a Basement Jaxx remix, is taken from the album Miss E ... So Addictive (on the cover the E is circled) and is heralded by Elliott hollering, “This is for my motherfucking club heads!” In the song, Missy initially appears all coy after spotting a fella she likes across the dancefloor and so opts for an orange juice and to “go X it out”. A little while later she’s buying everybody drinks, wants to lick the fella’s face and demands they strip off their clothes. Must have been that orange juice, eh? JB
Dudley Moore and Peter Cook
1967
This stand-out moment from the film of the same name sees the satanic Peter Cook transform into a proto-punk crooner – somewhere between John Lydon and Berlin-era Bowie – mirthlessly outlining his utter lack of interest in a woman who is hopelessly in love with him (“I’m not available. You fill me with inertia,” he drawls). But it’s Dudley Moore’s instrumental backing – all phased psych-rock drums, ye-ye girls and avant jazz chord changes – that makes this such an exquisite pop parody. JL
Hot in Herre
Nelly
2002
“Good gracious ass is bodacious,” raps the southern short-ass on this steamy jam, before encouraging said hottie to get undressed. “It’s getting so hot I’m gonna take my clothes off,” she obliges, rather too quickly, over a slinky keyboard line and a jerky beat, courtesy of the Neptunes back when Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo were still intent on weirding out the charts. Hot in Herre may have lacked subtlety and spelling ability but it more than made up for it in the party-starting stakes. MM
New Order
1987
The year before the acid house explosion, New Order were perfectly placed to understand the power of the new drug that would fuel the scene. They owned a nightclub, The Hacienda, for starters, and their music was heavily influenced by visits to New York nightspots, with producer Stephen Hague appropriating a Jellybean style for True Faith. Sumner nailed the ecstasy experience in the opening lines: “I feel so extraordinary/ Something’s got a hold of me/ I get this feeling I’m in motion/ A sudden sense of liberty.” Peter Hook’s bassline and the rich melody were designed to enhance their new-found clandestine experience. JB
Randy Newman
1977
The funniest things about Newman’s only pop hit (which was only kept from the US No 1 spot by the Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive) are not to do with the song. Despite its diatribe against the vertically challenged being an obvious satire on discrimination – starring the line, “We don’t want no short people round here” – many believed that Newman’s Disney-esque ditty was serious. Maryland went as far as drafting legislation to ban the song from being played anywhere in the state. GM
I’m in the Mood for Dancing
The Nolans
1979
Anyone who drunkenly selects this hen-party favourite at a karaoke night will quickly realise that it’s not as simple as it sounds. The identikit disco drums are overlaid with a fiendishly complicated series of chord changes that might have impressed Chopin. The song modulates after every chorus, first up, then down, then up again. Respect is due, Ms Bernie Nolan. JL
Oasis
1994
Never was hedonism so succinctly articulated. Britain wasn’t much fun in 1994 under John Major, encouraging a boozy, devil-may-care attitude. This shameless, streamlined T-Rex steal heralded the impending sea change that was Britpop in Liam’s cry: “You gotta make it happen.” JP
Got Your Money
Ol’ Dirty Bastard
1999
Get the girls on the floor and you’ve got yourself a party. Got Your Money is a hip-hop party all on its own. Produced by the Neptunes when they were at their peak, MCed by the sadly departed Ol’ Dirty Bastard and featuring Kelis, Got Your Money was an all-star cast of late 90s talent – and it shows. A tune that never fails to ignite a party. BB
Hey Ya!
OutKast
2003
Despite lyrics worthy of Morrissey at his most morose (“If nothing is for ever then what makes love the exception?”), this all-too-familiar story of a stalling relationship is set to an iconoclastically joyous backing: Funkadelic synths, a Prince-like rhythm and a stupidly addictive, Fisher-Price-keyboard figure. Besides exhibiting the ever-enjoyable sound of André 3000 at his most cocksure, this is one of the great “bollocks to love – let’s dance!” songs. JP
Phuture
1987
The record that named a movement was created by a series of accidents. Roland’s 303 was a synth that failed to recreate the bass guitar sound (its intended purpose) but threw out a wall of squiggly noise unlike anything else. Played off anonymous tape by DJ Ron Hardy, Acid Tracks was christened by his clubbers (its creators Phuture had provisionally called it In Your Mind), likening the 12-minute electronic maelstrom to a trip. Adopted by British clubbers, the subsequent revolution lived longer than this extraordinary, pummelling beast of a record. SY
Papa’s Got a Brand New Pigbag
Pigbag
1981
In which this strange collective – comprising various Cheltenham-based post-punkers with links to Mark Stewart and the Pop Group, among them future trip-hop pioneer Nellee Hooper – managed to take a wiry punk-funk bassline, a free-jazz saxophone freakout and the ancient riff from the Tarzan movies and somehow turn it into a Top 3 hit. Even weirder is the fact that this punk-jazz oddity remains a popular soundtrack at dozens of football grounds every Saturday. JL
Pitman
2002
The alter-ego of Nottingham producer Styly Cee, Pitman is the hip-hop heckler, the faux miner shouting abuse from the back of rap’s eternal game of show-and-prove. Witness the Pitness is a take on the Roots Manuva classic that belches out insults at Adam F and the Streets (“We don’t give a frig about your frigging aerial/ Stick it up your arse with your pirate material”) in the manner of a pub-crawling Viz character. The more witless the invective, the funnier it gets. SY
Streams of Whiskey
The Pogues
1984
In which Shane MacGowan’s twin obsessions of Brendan Behan and dangerously heavy drinking are laid bare. This was the Pogues in their early, full Celtic punk mode, a riotous tin-whistle-and-accordion stomp that revealed nothing of their subtler side, but secured their status as every piss-up’s ideal accompaniment. At the time, MacGowan’s own problems were but a twinkle in the bottom of a bottle, and the video depicting him popping up out of a wheelie bin seemed a good joke, not a prediction. SY
Tito Puente
1968
By 1968, Tito Puente was no longer the Afro-Cuban dance king, with a younger generation of Nuyoricans taking his beats and mixing them with funk and garage rock. The resulting hybrid (boogaloo) became so big that Puente decided to have a go himself. Based around an eight-note bassline and a thrilling horn fanfare, this song became the centrepiece of his live set – and would be later sampled to death by hip-hop producers. JL
Sorted for Es and Wizz
Pulp
1995
The ultimate after-the-Britpop-party anthem, as Jarvis Cocker and co steal the melody of Leo Sayer’s Moonlighting and define the dark side of drugs, festivals and coming down. The Mirror got itself in a tizz about the single sleeve that explained how to make a drug wrap, but if they’d listened they would have heard one of the most despairing of all drug anthems, with its pensive acknowledgment that communal highs are always followed by private lows. GM
Queen
1974
This standout track from their finest album, Sheer Heart Attack, is a reminder that, beneath the music-hall whimsy and the operatic pretentions, Queen were also a fabulous heavy metal quartet. Here Brian May flits between chugging, Angus Young-style power chords and heavy blues riffage while the rest of the band belt out multi-tracked harmonies. As Queen started to conquer stadiums in the 80s, an echo-drenched, nine-minute call-and-response version would become the highlight of their live shows. JL
Feel Good Hit of the Summer
Queens of the Stone Age
2000
“Nicotine, valium, vicodin, marijuana, ecstasy and alcohol, C-C-C-C-C-cocaine!” So runs the entire lyric of this aptly titled single, on which veteran hellraiser and ex-Judas Priest singer Rob Halford guested. This mantra, bolstered by the California band’s trademark thrashy but compressed sound, was initially dismissed by the band’s label, but eventually released on the grounds that it wasn’t actually condoning drug abuse. The message isn’t exactly “just say no”, either. JP
The Rapture
2002
Exhuming the post-punk experiments of PiL and the Pop Group, New York’s the Rapture created a punk-funk monster for their breakthrough 12-inch. The result of a collaboration between Tim Goldsworthy and LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, and with no real lyrics outside of the title, the group sadly never came close to topping this – a hypnotic fusion of dirty bass, disjointed guitar and flagrant cowbell abuse. CCat
All Night Long (All Night)
Lionel Richie
1983
Before blowing his credibility for good with the mawkish Hello, Richie delivered a sophisticated single that has proved timeless. Lionel’s first line, after some nifty percussion and a flurry of strings, makes this a perfect song for kick-starting a party – “Well, my friends, the time has come, to raise the roof and have some fun.” The song reaches a crescendo of Jamaican chanting that, though difficult to sing along to, cements its life-affirming quality. JB
Ce Ce Rogers
1987
Maybe it was MDMA-induced empathy, but when house music exploded in the late 80s it really felt like it could change the world. Cleveland singer Kenneth Jesse Rogers III and house music pioneer Marshall Jefferson summed up the egalitarian mood on Someday. “If we can just open our eyes / We can make the world a paradise,” sang Rogers over minor piano chords. On the dancefloor of clubs such as The Hacienda in Manchester it felt, briefly, like paradise had already arrived. CC
Witness (1 Hope)
Roots Manuva
2001
Rodney Smith’s party-starter has become one of the few UK hip-hop tracks to gain status outside of the narrow confines of that scene. Smith is on record as saying he wanted to make something that translated in clubs with “a shit system and pissed-up people”, and its wild, cranked-up bassline certainly transferred. Possibly the biggest sound ever achieved by UK hip-hop. EW
Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
1974
If it were possible to entirely power sound systems on happiness (and clearly it is not), then Once You Get Started might be the appropriate fuel. Co-written by Chicago stalwart Gavin Christopher (who also co-wrote his sister Shawn Christopher’s sole hit Don’t Lose the Magic), it is given wonderous life by Chaka Khan’s effortless voice. It’s not the best song she ever did but it’s the most fun. “Once you get started/ Oh it’s hard to stop.” Can’t argue with that. BB
Baby Let’s Dance Together
Sapan Chakraborty
1978
The 1978 Hindi movie Shalimar might have flopped but its soundtrack album remains a highly collectable favourite with freak-funk fans. This crazy slice of big-band r’n’b – all wobbly drums and lip-smacking horn riffs – is a perfect example of how Bollywood’s music directors (in this case RD Burman’s assistant) would take western pop idioms (jazz, funk, soul, disco) and put them through an exotic eastern prism in one of Bombay’s ramshackle recording studios. JL
Runaway
Salsoul Orchestra
1977
At disco clubs the opening guitar of this singalong favourite is a call to arms to anyone not yet on the dancefloor. Sung by Loleatta Holloway and backed by a sizeable number of the SO/MFSB staple players, the lyrics see the former soul diva revelling in the position her carefree, unattached status enables. It was covered virtually note for note by Masters at Work’s Nuyorican Soul project in the 1990s. MR
The Bottle
Gil Scott-Heron
1974
A rare protest tune that delivered its message on site, as it were, railing against the dangers of drink over a jazz-funk beat that tore up UK clubs from the northern soul meccas to London’s rare groove scene. The Bottle’s cast of characters (prison widow, discharged backstreet abortionist) are all skid-row alcoholics, portraits drawn with a journalist’s eye by the poet-singer. The lyrical vérité makes for an odd party anthem, demonstrating how little people are engaged with the words when their bodies are in motion. SY
Pluto Shervington
1976
This jaunty, calypso-tinged Top 10 hit introduces Ozzy, a Rasta who’s too slack to observe Rastafarianism’s vegetarian dietary code. He is embarrassed at the market when the butcher boy offers him meat (“Hush your mouth, mind me brethren hear”) before furtively asking for a pork chop, euphemistically described as “dat”. This “Carry On Rasta” scenario is continued as Ozzy hides the meat in his hat before bumping into a rather more observant Dread on the way home. JL
Gin House Blues
Nina Simone
1975
Nina always could start a fight in an empty room. Her cover of this 1925 blues song (best heard on her 1975 Paris live album) makes the drunkard’s bragging seem like a mix of Dutch courage and stroppy militancy (she could’ve fought the army and the navy without the benefit of booze). It also has staying power, almost doubling the length of the song as Nina and her band keep swinging punches. SY
Sister Sledge
1979
The major works of disco geniuses Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic were always double-edged celebrations of dancing. They gave several of their greatest songs to Philly sisters Kathy, Kim, Debbie and Joni Sledge, and on the surface, Lost in Music is a loving tribute to making music. But the chorus is in a troubled minor key, and the lyrical imagery of losing everything including sanity and being permanently “caught in a trap” is hardly the stuff of dreams. GM
He’s the Greatest Dancer
Sister Sledge
1979
This Chic-composed and produced disco hit is a gay anthem that just happens to be sung by women. She’s out “cruising” with friends in “Frisco”? She spots a guy who has the body of Adonis and a face “that would make any man proud”? This guy has the moves and the designer threads … but never even notices our heroine? Typical Edwards/Rodgers disco subversion, full of elegant ideas like the perfect man being full of “arrogance – but not conceit”. GM
Skee-Lo
1995
Emerging into a hip-hop world increasingly preoccupied with self-aggrandisement and gangster posturing, Skee-Lo was something of an anomaly. Referencing Buffalo Springfield’s For What It’s Worth and concerned chiefly with being a short-arse who can’t pull, I Wish harked back to the good-time rap of A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. Fourteen years on its laid-back grooves and self-deprecating humour still raise a smile. CCat
Dance to the Music
Sly and the Family Stone
1968
Dance to the Music was the ideal introduction to Sylvester Stewart’s rainbow coalition, a democratic calling card that gave everyone their say while stressing the primacy of the unit. But Dance to the Music mixed more than genders and races, blending rock, pop, jazz and funk with psychedelic soul, a sound that inspired much of the best music of the next half-decade. Despite Sly’s dominance, pride of place here goes to trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, who bellows the title as introductory command and later tells all the squares to go home. SY
The Specials
1979
Suggesting the best refuge from rising unemployment and approaching Thatcherism was to go on the lash, Nite Klub proved the Specials were equally adept at storming Stax soul musicianship as they were at amphetamine-fuelled ska. Ever the curmudgeon, however, Terry Hall refused to join in the fun – “the girls are slags and the beer tastes just like piss”. Improbably, an even more thrilling version can be found on 1981’s live Dance Craze LP. CCat
You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)
Sylvester
1978
Formerly a member of ramshackle, San Fransisco-based transvestite performance troupe the Cockettes (who at one time also counted Divine among their number), sizeable singer Sylvester had already released some great soul, funk and rock records by 1978, but success eluded him until he upped the tempo considerably and focused on disco. Speedy yet subtle, his biggest hit served as a template for the hi-NRG disco sound and was memorably performed, in part, at half-speed during live shows by Syl and formidable backing singers Two Tons of Fun. MR
The Smiths
1985
In retrospect, the Smiths’ sixth single seems an unlikely party record. Johnny Marr’s keening guitar paired with Morrissey’s despondent vocal are anything but upbeat. But mid-80s indie clubs were about who was the most misunderstood, not having fun. The lines, “There’s a club if you’d like to go/ You could meet somebody who really loves you/ So you go and you stand on your own/ And you leave on your own/ And you cry and you want to die”, captured the mood perfectly. Remember, this was before ecstasy. CC
Memorabilia
Soft Cell
1982
In 1982, following the success of their synth-pop cover of Tainted Love by Gloria Jones, Soft Cell travelled to New York, where they met Cindy Ecstasy, a face on the city’s club scene who introduced them to the drug of the same name. The lads from Leeds were smitten and recorded the mini-album Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing under its influence. The driving bassline and nagging synth buzz on opening track Memorabilia anticipated house music four years later. If only they hadn’t let Cindy rap. CC
Sparks
1979
After expressing admiration for disco producer Giorgio Moroder’s innovative work on Donna Summer’s I Feel Love, oddball brothers Ron and Russell Mael were teamed up with him for their revitalising No 1 In Heaven album, which produced this gameshow-inspired hit single. “Too bad there ain’t 10 of you, then I’d show you what I’d do,” mocks Russell over a metronomic, hi-NRG-edged disco rhythm that still sounds fresh, and for Sparks, unusually accessible. MR
I’m a Man
The Spencer Davis Group
1967
The final single for the Spencer Davis Group prior to brothers Muff and Steve Winwood, the latter the group’s singer and chief songwriter, leaving the band. An uncompromisingly tough and fast-paced beat number, its percussion builds intensely before the stirring Hammond organ line crashes in. It was famously given a proto-heavy metal workout by Chicago on their debut album. MR
Sueño Latino
1989
Manuel Göttsching’s 1984 album E2-E4 repeated one bubbling synth riff for 59 minutes. Far from being boring, it was an ambient masterpiece. It became a Balearic favourite thanks to DJ Alfredo (him again). Then, in 1989, Italian DJ collective Sueño Latino lifted the track’s hypnotic hook and added a house beat and some breathy vocals from Carolina Damas. Thus the Balearic sound went global. Ex-ravers of a certain age still get watery eyed when they hear the opening bird call. CC
Saturday Nite Special
The Sundown Playboys
1972
Released on the Beatles’ Apple label, this manic slice of Cajun zydeco is performed by an outfit who’ve been making manic party music since 1945, singing in the archaic dialect known as Acadian French. The eerily androgynous, high-pitched yodelling vocals on this track – belted out at top volume to make themselves heard above the sound of the accordion and fiddle – have been cited by Morrissey as a key influence. JL
Wipe Out
The Surfaris
1962
One of those happy pop accidents, whereby Surfaris members Bob Berryhill, Pat Connolly, Ron Wilson and Jim Fuller hastily threw together a tune intended as a B-side and ended up with one of rock’s most enduring classics. A punk-tempo surf-guitar instrumental illuminated by Wilson’s high-speed drum tattoo, it introduced itself with the sound of a surfboard breaking and a manic male voice giggling excitedly and girlishly announcing the title. Said voice belonged to Surfaris’ manager Dale Smallen. GM
The Sugarhill Gang
1979
Having a DJing nightmare? Dead dancefloor and you need a pee and a fag? Cue up the full, 14-minute version of the first hip-hop hit single and leave the party to take care of itself. Based on the backing track of Good Times by Chic and rapped by three dodgy MCs borrowing heavily from the early Bronx rhymes of street-party pioneers such as the Cold Crush Brothers, Rapper’s Delight is still the best party rap tune of all time. GM
Do What You Wanna Do
T-Connection
1977
Nassau’s greatest export – alongside Beginning of the End – produced one of disco’s great feel-good records. The vocal, squeezed into the first third of the song, is over before the main course arrives in the form of a series of stupendous breaks accompanied by keyboards slaloming off-piste, punctuated by a joyous “woo” or two before the mayhem resumes. Woo! BB
West Street Mob
1983
Although Break Dance – Electric Boogie wasn’t the first old-school hip-hop record to dismember the Incredible Bongo Band’s take on Apache, it’s the most cherished for the way it blends the original’s crucial elements (bongo intro and brass fanfare) with the emerging electro. This amounted to little more than a vocoder delivering instruction in the way of the breakdance. But repeating “spin on your back, spin on your knees” in a robot’s voice was as much a part of the B-boy era as visits to the chiropractor. SY
My Generation
The Who
1965
In four chords and three minutes, My Generation neatly encapsulates the attitude of every teenage wave of the past 40 years. It transcends its own modish origins by being completely non-specific to any particular time, place or youth movement; punks, indie kids and emos can all revel in its two-fingered sentiment. A prime example of a song that, once released, no longer belongs to the band, but to The Kids. JP
Last Night Changed It All
Esther Williams
1976
It’s no fun being dumped, but you get over it eventually. This song by little-known 70s soul/disco singer Esther Williams is about the precise moment you realise it’s all going to be OK. Lush strings glide over a drum break that’s been sampled by Public Enemy, Eric B and Rakim and De La Soul, while Williams sings the chorus, “Last night changed it all/ I really had a ball,” like she’s gone straight from the club to the studio following her epiphany. CC
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher
Jackie Wilson
1967
Originally unable to nail the vocal track, Wilson was instructed by producer Carl Davis to “jump and go along with the percussion”. It worked a treat. In perhaps the most joyous two and a half minutes ever committed to tape, Wilson – backed by members of the Funk Brothers – builds Higher and Higher up into a crescendo of gospel-inspired ecstasy, capturing the optimism and seemingly endless possibilities of new-found love. CCat
Turn Off the Lights
Larry Young
1975
Originally released in 1975, Larry Young’s tune became an unlikely warehouse anthem during the rare groove era. Propelled by a growling bassline, Linda Logan’s maniacal vocal and what sounded like a toddler tap-dancing on a Stylophone (Young was the keyboard player), Turn Off the Lights was that rare beast: a jazz-fusion tune you could actually dance to. BB
| i don't know |
If you are a Greek man and wear a fustenella what kind of garment would you be wearing? | Is it a sin for a woman to wear pants?
Is it a sin for a woman to wear pants?
The Question:
Is it a sin for a woman to wear pants? MUST women always wear dresses?
The Answer:
Deuteronomy 22:5 (KJV) - The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman�s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.
Deuteronomy 22:5 (NIV) A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this.
The argument about whether it is sinful for a woman to wear pants is based primarily on this verse, stating that pants "pertain" to a man, so it is unholy for a woman to wear them. It is interesting that in Biblical times neither men nor women wore pants or trousers as in our culture today, so to brand all trouser-like garments as "pertaining to a man" and sinful for a woman to wear shows an ignorance of history and customs.
Biblical men and women wore robes, and the closest thing to our pants of today was when women pulled their skirt tails between their legs to the front, tucked into their girdle and formed a kind of pant to work in the fields. Yet I don't ever hear someone proclaiming that men ought to wear robes and NOT pants, as this originally was a form of women's clothing!
Exodus 20:26, 28:42-43 " And do not go up to my altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it- Make linen undergarments [breeches] as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh. Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants."
Leviticus 6:10 The priest shall then put on his linen clothes, with linen undergarments [breeches] next to his body, and shall remove the ashes of the burnt offering that the fire has consumed on the altar and place them beside the altar.
Leviticus 16:4 "This is how Aaron is to enter the sanctuary area: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments [breeches] next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on."
Some say that these verses prohibit women from wearing pants. In the KJV these garments are called breeches, which is an old fashioned way of saying trousers or pants. However the newer translations have the more correct translation "undergarments".
"Breeches" or undergarments in the Hebrew is miknac {mik-nawce'} from kamac {kaw-mas'} a primitive root, to store up, save (Qal) stored up (participle) in the sense of hiding. It is translated in the KJV as "breeches", but literally means underwear, drawers, trousers, specifically a priestly undergarment of linen, which were clearly special undergarments worn by the priests ... not pants as men wear today.
And there is no indication that the average man wore these, just the priests. Notice in Leviticus 16:4 that these were "sacred garments" only worn for special occasions, and that the man had to wash himself before putting them on. The reason for wearing them was not to expose the priest's nakedness as he climbed the steps to the altar.
Revelation 1:6, 5:10 -and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen...You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
Some even go so far as to say women aren't allowed to wear ANY "crotched garments", even underwear. I certainly don't think it's modest to go about in a dress without underwear. If anything, since we are a nation of kings and priests unto God, ALL of us, these verses would promote the wearing of underwear I would think.
As for undergarments, bras are a relatively new invention. Does that mean it isn't holy to wear them? I remember when burning your bra was a big deal (in the sixties) ... and how sinful many church people thought it was NOT to wear one! It's always amusing to me how people pick and chose what parts of the Bible, especially the Old Testament, with which to whack you over the head.
Deuteronomy 22:5 (KJV) - The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman�s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God. Leviticus 18:22 (KJV) - Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Leviticus 20:13(KJV) - If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
So if Deuteronomy 22:5 doesn't specifically address whether women should wear pants or not, what does it mean?
I've been thinking of the wording in Deuteronomy 22:5 ... "things which pertaineth to a man" ... or woman ... what are the distinctive things that a man or woman wears that defines their sexual identity? In Biblical days, both men and women wore robes and tunics ... so their garments were not that different... the woman's was longer and she wore a veil after marriage when outside the home. How do we apply that today? Not so easy really ... Should we make men wear shorter tunics and women longer ones?
The Hebrew word for woman in this verse is 'ishshah {ish-shaw'} translated in the KJV as wife 425, woman 324, one 10, married 5, female 2, meaning woman, wife, female: woman (opposite of man), wife (woman married to a man), female (of animals), each, every (pronoun). It comes from 'iysh {eesh} translated in the KJV man 1002, men 210, one 188, husband 69, any 27, meaning man, male (in contrast to woman, female), husband, human being, person (in contrast to God), servant, mankind, champion, great man, whosoever, each (adjective).
In Genesis 2:23 the 'ishshah/'iysh combination is used, kind of a play on words: The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called `woman' ['ishshah] for she was taken out of man ['iysh]."
The word for man in Deuteronomy 22:5 verse is not what you would expect ('iysh), but geber {gheh'-ber} translated man 64, mighty 2, man child 1, every one 1; meaning man, strong man, warrior (emphasizing strength or ability to fight).
The Hebrew word here translated " shall not wear that which pertaineth" is one word: k@liy {kel-ee'} translated in the KJV, vessel 166, instrument 39, weapon 21, jewel 21, armourbearer + 05375 18, stuff 14, thing 11, armor 10, furniture 7, carriage 3, bag 2, misc 13. It means an 1a) article, object (general) 1b) utensil, implement, apparatus, vessel: implement (of hunting or war); implement (of music); implement, tool (of labor); equipment, yoke (of oxen); utensils, furniture 1c) vessel, receptacle (general);1d) vessels (boats) of paper-reed.
This would indicate to me that the garments referred to here would be specifically those implements of male attire suited to a warrior, emphasizing strength or ability to fight. In other words, garments and implements that make a woman resemble a male warrior.
The word used for "women's garment" is simlah {sim-law'} (through the idea of a cover assuming or resembling the shape of the object beneath); translated in the KJV as raiment 11, clothes 6, garment 6, apparel 2, cloth 2, clothing 2; meaning wrapper, mantle, covering garment, garments, clothes, raiment, a cloth. This would refer to garments that make the man resemble the shape of a woman.
Since elsewhere the Bible declares that homosexuality is an abomination to God, and also a man dressing to assume the form of a woman, or a woman dressing to assume the shape and likeness of a male warrior, then it is clear that Deuteronomy 22:5 is referring to what we call transvestitism or cross-dressing, a deliberate attempt to appear as the opposite sex, primarily for sexual purposes.
Are there any verses that give specific directives as to how women should dress? I have heard some say that the only garment that is appropriate for women to wear is the modern-day long dress.
I Timothy 2:9 (KJV) In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
I Timothy 2:9 (NIV) I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
The word for "apparel" in I Timothy 2:9 according to Strong's concordance is katastole {kat-as-tol-ay'} meaning 1) a lowering, letting down 2) a garment let down, dress, attire. Vine's has this to say about katastole: "connected with katastello, to send or let down; hence, dress, attire, in GENERAL (cp stole, a loose outer garment worn by KINGS and persons of rank, - Eng. stole); I Tim 2:9, "apparel"
Some use the term "apparel" in this verse in I Timothy 2:9 to attempt to claim that women should always wear dresses, and ONLY dresses. But the word translated as apparel in the KJV refers to a long, loose fitting, outer garment worn by both men and women.
I fail to see in this definition the idea of a "woman's dress" as we know it in modern times. The emphasis should be on modesty in our attire ... Even a dress that goes from neck to ankle with long sleeves can be sexy ... Modesty is somewhat in the eyes of the beholder, you might say.
Modesty in Greek is kosmios {kos'-mee-os} translated in the KJV as modest 1, of good behavior 1; meaning well arranged, seemly, modest. In the dictionary, modest is defined as 1. Having or displaying a moderate estimation of one's own talents, abilities, and value. 2. Shy and retiring in disposition. 3. Observing conventional proprieties in speech, behavior or dress: DECOROUS. 4. Quiet and humble in appearance: UNPRETENTIOUS. 5. Not extreme: MODERATE.
I Timothy 2:9 (NIV) I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
Furthermore Paul qualifies what he means by "modest apparel" by using the words decency and propriety. Decency in the Greek is aidos {ahee-doce'} translated in the KJV as shamefacedness 1, reverence 1; meaning a sense of shame or honor, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect. Propriety in the Greek is sophrosune {so-fros-oo'-nay} translated sobriety 2, soberness 1; 3 meaning 1) soundness of mind 2) self-control, sobriety, from sophron {so'-frone} meaning 1) of a sound mind, sane, in one's senses 2) curbing one's desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate.
So our decisions about what we wear should include regard for others and how they react to our garments, plus present an appearance designed to control and curb desire. There is also the idea of appropriateness of our clothing to a specific situation. What may be modest attire on the beach may not be appropriate for a church service or a formal dinner. Also, we should not follow our culture's penchant to try to be "sexy" or to "attract" the opposite sex.
Paul also includes cautionary remarks about overdoing jewelry and hairdos. Roman women spent hours on their toilette and often had many slaves to help them. Their garments were extremely ornate, embroidered, and costly, and their hair was dressed with elaborate braiding and jewels. They dressed to show off their wealth and social status and to draw attention to themselves. This Paul admonishes us not to do.
I Timothy 2:9 (NIV) I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
Paul also goes on to say that godly women should adorn themselves with good deeds that give honor to God. That is, we should be more concerned with the inward man and bringing honor to God than attracting undue attention by our attire.
Peter echoes this idea in I Peter 3:3-4: Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
The bottom line on women's clothing is that what constitutes "modest apparel" is one of those "doubtful disputations" that Paul talks about in Romans 14, and application in our times and culture is a matter of the heart before God. It's one of those things that can sidetrack us and shipwreck us if we aren't careful.
I think the most Biblical guideline for women's (or men's) clothing is that it not INTENTIONALLY provoke lust ... so I'd rule out skimpy, short, tight, etc also... As in all things, lust is usually in the eyes of the beholder ... and a long skirt wouldn't deter a spirit of lust! I also don't set myself up as judge on someone else's dress code ... because of my stand on Christian liberty!
However, I'm opposed to someone dictating what anyone should or should not wear, stating, "Well PAUL said you MUST wear a flowing DRESS 10 inches below the KNEE" or you're naked or something! Women didn't even wear dresses, as we know them in Paul's day. After all if clothing were ESSENTIAL for salvation, why did God create Adam and Eve without it?
I'm all for letting the Holy Spirit guide believers in their dress ... and putting the emphasis on the inward man ... that's the part that will last forever. And not to go to extremes, as one very dear lady said one time in a Sunday School class, where we were discussing whether Christians should wear jewelry or not: "I was always taught that the more you took off for God, the closer you would get to Him". My comment was "Then the closest you are to Him is when you are in the shower!"
I come from a denomination that once went overboard on the dress issue in the past. Modesty starts in the heart not in the length of skirt thereof! And I have no problem with women wearing pants or even tasteful shorts. I believe God looks on the inward man. This issue so easily gets into legalism. Sanctification has little to do with dress or lack thereof ... "clothesline preaching" won't win anyone to Christ.
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Fustanella
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A Souliote warrior wearing fustanella, by Dupré Louis.
Fustanella (for spelling in various languages, see chart below ) is a traditional pleated skirt -like garment that is also referred to as a kilt worn by men of many nations in the Balkans ( Southeast Europe ). In modern times, the fustanella is part of Balkan folk dresses. In Greece , a short version of the fustanella is worn by ceremonial military units like the Evzones , while in Albania it was worn by the Royal Guard in the interbellum era. Both Greece and Albania claim the fustanella as a national costume. [1]
Contents
Origins[ edit ]
A young man with a chiton. Roman copy of a Greek original of the 4th century BCE.
A relief circa 400 BCE depicting the builder of the sanctuary of Vari Cave , Archedemus the Nympholept , wearing a fustanella-like garment.
Some scholars state that the fustanella was derived from a series of ancient Greek garments such as the chiton (or tunic) and the chitonium (or short military tunic). [2] [3] [4] Although the pleated skirt has been linked to an ancient statue (3rd century BC) located in the area around the Acropolis in Athens , there is no surviving ancient Greek clothing that can confirm this connection. [4] However, a 5th-century BC relief statue was discovered in Vari Cave , Attica , by Charles Heald Weller of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens depicting a stonecutter, Archedemus the Nympholept , wearing a fustanella-like garment. [5] The Roman toga may have also influenced the evolution of the fustanella based on statues of Roman emperors wearing knee-length pleated skirts (in colder regions, more folds were added to provide greater warmth). [6] Folklorist Ioanna Papantoniou considers the Celtic kilt, as viewed by the Roman legions , to have served as a prototype. [4] Sir Arthur Evans considered the fustanella of the female peasants (worn over and above the Slavonic apron) living near the modern Bosnian - Montenegrin borders as a preserved Illyrian element among the local Slavic-speaking populations. [7]
In the Byzantine Empire , a pleated skirt known as the podea (Greek: ποδέα) was worn. [8] [9] The wearer of the podea was either associated with a typical hero or an Akritic warrior and can be found in 12th-century finds attributed to Emperor Manuel I Komnenos (r. 1143–1180). [9] On Byzantine pottery sherds , warriors are shown bearing weapons and wearing the heavy pleated fustanella, including a mace-bearer clad in chain-mail . [10]
In his Lexicon of Medieval Latin, Charles du Fresne suggests that fustanum (a piece of cloth) originates from the Roman palla. [11] Cotton fustana was among the belongings of Pope Urban V (1310–1370). [12]
Greece[ edit ]
Sgraffito pottery fragments from the 12th century showing Greek warriors wearing the fustanella, from Corinth , Greece . [13]
Archaeological evidence shows that the fustanella was already in common use in Greek lands as early as the 12th century. [13] Byzantine Greek [14] [15] warriors, in particular the Akritai , wearing fustanella are depicted in contemporary Byzantine art . [16] This is also confirmed by akritic songs of the 12th century. [17] The full-pleated fustanella was worn from the Byzantine Akritic warriors originally as a military outfit and seems to have been reserved for persons of importance. [13] [18] It was frequently worn in conjunction with bows , swords , or battle-axes and frequently shown covered with a jointed corselet , or with a vest of chain mail . [13]
The fustanella is thought originally to have been a Tosk Albanian costume introduced into Greek territories during the Ottoman period. [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] During the Ottoman period, the fustanella was also worn by the klephts and the armatoloi . [25] Fustanella was a suitable garment for guerrilla mountain units, thus it was worn by the klephts of the Ottoman period for the same reason it was worn by the akritai warriors of the Byzantine era earlier. [26] It subsequently became part of the national dress of Greece as a consequence of the migration and settlement of Arvanites in the region. [27] [28] [29] In the early 19th century, the costume's popularity rose among the Greek population. [30] [31] During this era of post-independence Greece, parts of Greek society such as townspeople shed their Turkish-style clothing and adopted the fustanella which symbolised solidarity with new Greek democracy. [32] It became difficult thereafter to distinguish the fustanella as clothing worn by male Arvanites from clothing worn by wider parts of Greek society. [32] According to Helen Angelomatis-Tsougarakis, its popularity in the Morea (Peloponnese) was attributed to the influence of the Arvanite community of Hydra and other Albanian-speaking settlements in the area. [30] The Hydriotes however could not have played a significant role in its development since they did not wear the fustanella, but similar costumes to the other Greek islanders. [30] In other regions of Greece the popularity of the fustanella was attributed to the elevation of Albanians as an Ottoman ruling class such as Ali Pasha , the semi-independent ruler of the Pashalik of Yanina . [30] In those areas, its lightweight design and manageability in comparison to the clothing of the Greek upper classes of the era also made it fashionable amongst them in adopting the fustanella. [30] The fustanella worn by the Roumeliotes (Greeks of the mountainous interior) was the version chosen as the national costume of Greece in the early 19th century. [33] Of the Roumeliotes, the nomadic Greek speaking Sarakatsani pastoralists wore the fustanella. [34] The Aromanians , a Latin speaking people who within Greece also wore the fustanella. [34] During the reign of King Othon I (1832–1862), the fustanella was adopted by the king, the royal court and the military, while it became a service uniform imposed on government officials to wear even when abroad. [35] [36] In terms of geographical spread, the fustanella never became part of the clothing worn in the Aegean islands , while in Crete it was associated with the Independence war of 1821 and as a government uniform. [37] By the late 19th century, the popularity of the fustanella in Greece began to fade when Western-style clothing was introduced. [36] [37] In modern Greece, the garment is seen a relic of a past era with which most members of the younger generations do not identify. [38]
The Greek fustanella differs from the Albanian fustanella in that the former garment has a higher number of pleats. For example, the "Bridegroom's coat", worn throughout the districts of Attica and Boeotia, was a type of Greek fustanella unique for its 200 pleats; a bride would purchase it as a wedding gift for her groom (if she could afford the garment). [39] A fustanella is worn with a yileki (bolero), a mendani (waistcoat) and a fermeli (sleeveless coat). The selachi (leather belt) with gold or silver embroidery, is worn around the waist over the fustanella, in which the armatoles and the klephts placed their arms. [40]
During the 18th and early 19th centuries, the skirts hung below the knees and the hem of the garment was gathered together with garters while tucked into the boots to create a "bloused" effect. Later, during the Bavarian regency , the skirts were shortened to create a sort of billowy pantaloon that stopped above the knee; this garment was worn with hose , and either buskins or decorative clogs . This is the costume worn by the modern Greek Evzones , the Presidential Guard.
Albania[ edit ]
A 14th-century document (1335 AD) listing a series of items including a fustanum (a cloth made of cotton ), which were confiscated from a sailor at the port of the Drin River in the Skadar Lake region of Albania. [41] During the Ottoman conquest of Albania in the late 15th century, Albanian Tosks who arrived in southern Italy wore the fustanella which distinguished them from Albanian Ghegs who wore tight breeches. [42] In the 19th century, within the area of contemporary southern Albania and northern Greek Epirus , British traveler John Cam Hobhouse noticed that when traveling from the Greek-speaking area (region south of Delvinaki ) into the Albanian-speaking area (to the direction of Gjirokastër and its surrounding environs), apart from different languages a change of clothing occurred. [43] Those Albanian speakers wore the Kamisa shirt and kilt, while Greek speakers wore woolen brogues. [43] Other British travelers within the region such as Lord Byron celebrated the Albanian costume and described it as "the most magnificent in the world, consisting of long, white kilt, gold-worked cloak, crimson velvet gold laced jacket and waist-coat, silver mounted pistols and daggers". [44] In 1848–1849, British painter Edward Lear traveling within the area of contemporary Albania observed that the fustanella was for Albanians a characteristic national costume. [45] While during the 19th century the use of the fustanella was worn over tight fitting triq pants amongst male Albanian Ghegs by village groups of the Malësorë or highlanders of the Kelmend , Berisha , Shala and Hoti tribes. [46] They reserved use of the fustanella for elites during important and formal occasions such as dispute resolutions, election of local tribal representatives and allegiance declarations. [46] In the middle of the 19th century, Albanian guerilla fighters abandoned the Turkish pants and begun wearing a kilt similar to the fustanella of the Greek Evzones. [47]
The Albanian fustanella has around sixty pleats, or usually a moderate number. [48] It is made of heavy home-woven linen cloth. [48] Historically, the skirt was long enough to cover the whole thigh (knee included), leaving only the lower leg exposed. [48] It was usually worn by wealthy Albanians who would also expose an ornamented yataghan on the side and a pair of pistols with long-chiseled silver handles in the belt. [48] The general custom in Albania was to dip the white skirts in melted sheep-fat for the double purpose of making them waterproof and less visible at a distance. [49] Usually, this was done by the men-at-arms (called in Albanian trima). [49] After being removed from the cauldron, the skirts were hung up to dry and then pressed with cold irons so as to create the pleats. [49] They then had a dull gray appearance but were not dirty by any means. [49] The jacket, worn with the fustanella in the Albanian costume, has a free armhole to allow for the passage of the arm, while the sleeves, attached only on the upper part of the shoulders, are thrown back. [48] The sleeves are not usually worn even though the wearer has the option of putting them on. [48] There are three types of footwear that complement the fustanella: 1) the kundra, which are black shoes with a metal buckle, 2) the sholla, which are sandals with leather thongs tied around a few inches above the ankle, 3) the opinga, which is a soft leather shoe, with turned-up points, which, when intended for children, are surmounted with a pompon of black or red wool. [48]
Among the Greek population in southern Albania, a sigouni, a sleeveless coat made of thick white wool, is worn over the fustanella in the regions of Dropull and Tepelenë . [50]
Republic of Macedonia[ edit ]
In the area that is now Republic of Macedonia , the fustanella was worn in the regions of Azot , Babuna, Gevgelija , the southern area of the Great Morava , Ovče Pole , Lake Prespa , Skopska Blatija, and Tikveš . In that area, it is known as fustan, ajta, and toska; possibly because the costume was introduced in the country as a cultural borrowing from the Albanians of Toskëria (subregion of southern Albania). [51]
Status and practicality[ edit ]
While the image of warriors with frilly skirts tucked into their boots may seem impractical to a contemporary audience, modern paratroopers use a similar method to blouse their trousers over their jumpboots. [52] Lace was commonly worn on military uniforms in the West well into the 19th century, and gold braids and other adornments still serve as markers of high rank in formal military uniforms. Fustanella were very labor-intensive and thus costly, which made them a high status garment that advertised the wealth and importance of the wearer. Western observers of the Greek War of Independence noted the great pride which the klephts and armatoloi took in their fustanella, and how they competed to outdo each other in the sumptuousness of their costume.
Name[ edit ]
The word derives from Italian fustagno ' fustian ' and -ella (diminutive), the fabric from which the earliest fustanella were made. This in turn derives from Medieval Latin fūstāneum, perhaps a diminutive form of fustis, "wooden baton". Other authors consider this a calque of Greek xylino (ξύλινο), literally "wooden" i.e. "cotton"; [53] others speculate that it is derived from Fostat , a suburb of Cairo where cloth was manufactured. [54] The Greek plural is foustanelles (Greek: φουστανέλλες) but as with the (semi-correct) foustanellas, it is rarely employed by native English speakers.
Name in various languages[ edit ]
Native terms for "skirt" and "dress" included for comparison:
Language
A Greek and an Arnaut wearing the Fustanella costume, Russia, 1862.
Macedonian costumes at the Museum of Macedonia in Skopje.
Spiridon Louis , Olympic marathon champion (1896).
At the carnival in Venice, painting by Mikhail Scotti .
Greek Presidential Guard officer, Athens.
Arnaut in Cairo, by Jean-Léon Gérôme .
Albanian leader Hamza Kazazi , photographed ca. 1858.
Black fustanella, worn by Greek Macedonian.
Royal Guard of Albania in 1921.
Souliote warrior, painting by Dupré Louis (1820).
Aromanian shepherd in traditional clothes, photo from the early 1900s, Archive: Manachia Brothers.
Guard of honour at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Syntagma Square , Athens, 2006.
Changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, 2005.
^ Koço 2004 , p. 161
^ Smithsonian Institution and Mouseio Benakē 1959 , p. 8: "From the ancient chiton and the common chitonium (short military tunic), fastened by a belt round the waist and falling into narrow regular folds, is derived the fustanella which by extension gives its name to the whole of the costume."
^ Fox 1977 , p. 56: "The young shepherd wears a fustanella, descendant of the military tunic of ancient Greece, now rarely worn except by certain regiments."
^ a b c Skafidas 2009 , p. 148.
^ Weller 1903 , pp. 271–273: "The figure is that of a stonecutter bearing the tools of his craft, the hammer or pick, and the square. The word Archedemus, cut twice in the background before his face (p. 299), seems to be his name. The figure is a little above natural size and is dressed in an exomis...At the waist a transverse groove marks the girdle, below which drop the stiff folds of the fustanella-like skirt to the region of the knees."
^ Notopoulos 1964 , pp. 110, 122.
^ a b Kazhdan 1991 , "Akritic Imagery", p. 47: "While 35 plates have the warrior wearing the podea or pleated skirt (sometimes called a fustanella) attributed to Manuel I, the "new Akrites," in a Ptochoprodromic poem, and 26 have him slaying a dragon, neither iconographic element is sufficient to identify the hero specifically as Digenes because both the skirt and the deed characterize other akritai named in the Akritic Songs."
^ Morgan 1942 , pp. 133, 317–318, 333.
^ Bulletin Archéologique du Comité des Travaux Historiques et Scientifiques, p. 284 : L'Inventaire d'Urbain V (1310–1370), en 1369, enregistre "unum matalacium de fustana alba, cotonno munitum".
^ a b c d Morgan 1942 , pp. 132–133: "Most of these men are warriors with long curling locks falling down their backs, clad in pleated tunics or chain mail with short pointed caps on their heads. They wield swords, and protect themselves with shields, either round or shaped like a pointed oval...The mace-bearer of No. 1275 is clad in chain mail with a heavy pleated fustanella worn about his hips. The importance of this latter piece is very considerable, for the details of the costume, often shown on Incised-Sgraffito figures, are very clear, and make it certain that the fustanella exists as an independent garment and is not an elaboration of the lower part of a tunic. It is consequently demonstrable that this characteristic garment of latter-day Greece was in common use as early as the twelfth century in Greek lands."
^ Harrison 2002 , p. 268: "Roman, Greek (if not used in its sense of 'pagan') and Christian became synonymous terms, counterposed to 'foreigner', 'barbarian', 'infidel'. The citizens of the Empire, now predominantly of Greek ethnicity and language, were often called simply ό χριστώνυμος λαός ['the people who bear Christ's name']."
^ Wolff 1974 , p. 31.
^
Tzanelli, Rodanthi (2008). Nation-Building and Identity in Europe: The Dialogics of Reciprocity. PALGRAVE MACMILLAN. pp. 78–80. ISBN 0-230-55199-8 .
^ Maxwell 2014 , pp. 170–171: "The foustanela, like the Scottish kilt or Lady Llanover's Cambrian Costumes, provides ample material for authenticity—fabrication debates, not least because its origins apparently lie in Albania. During the Greek independence war, however, its Greek connotations became so powerful that foreign Philhellenes adopted it to show their sympathy for the Greek cause. Henry Bradfield, a surgeon who served in Greece, observed one English gentleman who tried to make a foustanela from a sheet. Philhellene enthusiasm for the foustanela survived knowledge of its Albanian origins; Philhellene William Whitcombe described the foustanela as a light Albanian kilt" in his 1828 memoirs."
^ Ethniko Historiko Mouseio (Greece), Maria Lada-Minōtou, I. K. Mazarakēs Ainian, Diana Gangadē, and Historikē kai Ethnologikē Hetaireia tēs Hellados 1993 , p. xxx.
^ Notopoulos 1964 , pp. 113–115: "A comparison of the fustanella warriors on the Byzantine plates with the klephts of the Greek Revolution of 1821–30, shown in the primitive paintings of Makriyiannes, shows that we are dealing in both instances with a garment which is peculiarly suited to a fast, mobile guerrilla mountain type of warrior...This kind of warfare, also described in the Akritan ballads, called for a fast mobile guerrilla type of soldier. What kind of dress is suitable for this kind of warfare? Nothing better than the fustanella worn by the Akritan warriors in the Byzantine plates."
^ Bialor 2008 , pp. 67–68 (Note #4): "Also, Albanians, Arvanito-Vlachs, and Vlachs, from the fourteenth until the nineteenth centuries, had settled major areas of Northwestern and Central Greece, the Peloponessos and some of the Saronic and Cycladic islands. Though usually remaining linguistically distinct, they participated "as Greeks" in the War of Independence and in the further development of the new nation. As a consequence of extensive Albanian settlement, the Greek national dress up until the twentieth century was the Albania foustanella (pleated skirt) with pom-pommed curved shoes called tsarouchia."
^ St. Clair 1972 , p. 232: "Gradually, more and more Greeks found ways of getting themselves on the Government's pay roll. The money was never accounted for in detail. A captain would simply contract to provide a number of armed men and draw pay for that number. Again, the opportunities for embesslement were eagerly seized. Anyone who could muster any pretensions to a military status appreared in Nauplia demanding pay. It was probably at this time that the Albanian dress made its decisive step towards being regarded as the national dress of Greece. The Government party, being largely Albanians themselves, favoured the dress and a version of it was common among the Greek klephts and armatoli. Now it seemed that anyone who donned an Albanian dress could claim to be a soldier and share in the bonanza."
^ Skafidas 2009 , p. 148: "The modern fustanella appears in Greece worn by Albanians, and especially the Arvanites, as Greeks of Albanian ancestry were called, most of whom fought alongside the Greeks against the Turks in the long war of independence."
^ a b c d e Angelomatis-Tsougarakis 1990 , p. 106: "On the other hand, Albanian dress was daily becoming more fashionable among the other nationalities. The fashion in the Morea was attributed to the influence of Ydra, an old Albanian colony, and to the other Albanian settlements in the Peloponesse. Ydra, however, could not have played a significant part in the development since its inhabitants did not wear the Albanian kilt but the clothes common to other islanders. In the rest of Greece it was the steadily rising power of Ali Pasha that made the Albanians a kind of ruling class to be imitated by others. The fact that the Albanians dress was lighter and more manageable than the dress the Greek upper classes used to wear also helped in spreading the fashion. It was not unusual even for the Turks to have their children dressed in Albanian costume, although it would have been demeaning for them to do so themselves."
^ Gerolymatos 2003 , p. 90: "Greek fashion in the nineteenth century saw men dressed in the Albanian kilt while women followed the Muslim tradition of covering themselves up, including the face and eyes."
^ a b Welters 1995 , pp. 59: "According to old travel books, the nineteenth-century traveler could readily identify Greek-Albanian peasants by their dress. The people and their garb, labeled as "Albanian", were frequently described in contemporary written accounts or depicted in watercolours and engravings. The main components of dress associated with Greek-Albanian… men an outfit with a short full skirt known as the foustanella."; p. 59–61. "Identifying the Greek-Albanian man by his clothing was more difficult after the Greek war of Independence, for the so-called "Albanian costume" became what has been identified as the "true" national dress on the mainland of Greece. In admiration for the heroic deeds of the Independence fighters, many of whom were Arvanites, a fancy version of the foustanella was adopted by diplomats and philihellenes for town wear."; p. 75–76. "The townspeople who gave up their Turkish-style clothing after Greece attained its independence communicated solidarity with the new Greek democracy by wearing foustanella. This was clear example of national dress. At the same time, those who dwelled in villages and on mountainsides kept their traditional clothing forms, specifically the sigouni and the chemise."
^ Beller & Leerssen 2007 , p. 168: "The Aegean, the Peloponnese and the Roumeliotes of the mountainous interior each claimed precedence based on their records of trials and exploits during the War of Independence. The political muscle of the latter ensured that their traditional dress (fustanella) was chosen as the national costume; it has remained a universal emblem of Greekness."
^ a b Welters 1995 , p. 70: "The name Roumeliotes was applied to the Sarakatsani because centuries ago they returned to mainland Greece to pasture their sheep every summer (Koster and Koster 1976: 280)."; p. 63. "Sarakatsani men were not as uniform in their attire as Sarakatsani women. The men wore outfits made from handwoven wool with either trousers (panovraki) or foustanella skirts depending on the local tradition (Papantoniou 1981:11)."; p. 67. "Papantoniou associates two types of male garments with the Vlachs, the white trousers (of the type seen in Fig. 3.4) and the homemade foustanella (Papantoniou 1981: 11, 41). It should be remembered that both trousers and foustanella were also worn by Sarakatsani men."
^ Maxwell 2014 , pp. 172: "Othon apparently arrived in Greece wearing a Bavarian military uniform, but soon adopted the foustanela (see Figure 8.1) not only for official portraits, but in daily life. Courtier Hermann Hettner wrote that the King habitually received guests in "the Greek national costume, resplendent in silver and gold." Othon dressed his court in foustanela as early as 1832; queen Amalia also dressed her ladies-in-waiting in analogous Greek costumes. The costume seems to have genuinely pleased Othon: after being forced from power in 1862, he continued to wear it in his German retirement. Othon also made the foustanela a service uniform by imposing it on government officials… Government officials also wore the foustanela abroad, which occasionally led to embarassment… Othon showed less enthusiasm for the foustanela as a military uniform. He initially intended to use Bavarian-style uniforms in his army, but backed down when threatened with mass resignations and the resultant banditry."
^ a b Skafidas 2009 , p. 150.
^ a b Maxwell 2014 , pp. 176: " By the end of the nineteenth century, the foustanela was no longer an everyday costume. Civilians wore what James Verinis dubbed the "town foustantela" [astiki enthimasia fóustanela] only on special occasions. On the Aegean Islands, where it had never been part of peasant dress, the toustanela appeared even more ceremonial. At the turn of the century, Harriet Boyd Hawes, a British archaeologist in Crete, reported that Locals had seen the foustanela "if at all, only in patriotic plays representing heroes of the Revolution of '21." Hawes also found that when she dressed her Greek assistant in one, he could overawe Local villagers who mistook it for a government uniform."
^ Smithsonian Institution and Mouseio Benakē 1959 , p. 31; Fox 1977 , p. 56.
^ Smithsonian Institution and Mouseio Benakē 1959 , p. 8: "The yileki (bolero), the mendani (waistcoat) and the fermeli (sleeveless coat) which are worn with the fustanella, and their mode of decoration, are reminiscent of the ornamented breastplates of ancient times. The selachi (leather belt) with its gold or silver embroidery, worn round the waist over the fustanella, and in whose pouches the armed chieftains, the Armatoli and Klephts of the War of Independence placed their arms, recalls the ancient girdle; 'gird thyself' meant 'arm thyself' (Homer, Iliad)."
^ Gjergji 2004 , p. 16: "Among the most important documents is one of the year 1335, which relates how at the port of Drin, near Shkodra, a sailor was robbed of the following items: (ei guarnacionem, tunicam, mantellum, maçam, de ferro, fustanum, camisiam abstulerunt). This is the earliest known evidence in which the "fustan" (kilt) is mentioned as an item of clothing along with the shirt."
^ Nasse 1964 , p. 38: "The Albanian soldier who arrived in southern Italy during the days of Scanderbeg wore a distinctive costume; if he was a "Gheg" (northern Albanian), he wore rather tight breeches and a waistcoat; if he was a "Tosk" (southern Albanian), he wore a "fustanella" (a white pleated skirt) and a waistcoat."
^ a b De Rapper 2005 , pp. 182–183: "By the beginning of the nineteenth century and later on, the British, French and Austrian travellers who visited Lunxhëri, most of them arriving from Ioannina, described the Lunxhots as Albanian-speaking Orthodox Christians, and had the feeling that, starting north of Delvinaki, they were entering another country, although the political border did not exist at the time. Greek was not spoken as it was further south; there was a change in the way of life and manners of the peasants. As one traveller reported Hobhouse 1813: Every appearance announced to us that we were now in a more populous country. (...) the plain was every where cultivated, and not only on the side of Argyro-castro [Gjirokastër]... but also on the hills which we were traversing, many villages were to be seen. The dress of the peasants was now changed from the loose woollen brogues of the Greeks, to the cotton kamisa, or kilt of the Albanian, and in saluting Vasilly they no longer spoke Greek."
^ Athanassoglou-Kallmyer 1983 , pp. 487–488: "Delacroix's fascination with the near east in the 1820s, in part as a result of his interest in the Greek War of Independence, accounts for a number of studies of oriental costumes, among which the best known are perhaps his oil sketches representing dancing Suliots (Fig.38). A water-colour of Two Albanians, in a private collection in Athens, can now be related to this group of works (Fig.34). Two chieftains are shown within a landscape that recedes towards a low, distant horizon. The man on the left poses in rather stiff contrapposto. His companion sits cross-legged, Oriental style. The standing man wears the white kilt, and embroidered vest and sash typical of Albanian dress...As opposed to the rather general handling of the setting, the figures are depicted with great specificity. Delacroix must have intended the latter to serve as mementoes, as records of ethnic types and dress, part of the process of collecting Orientalist visual imagery in which he was engaged in the 1820s. His enthusiasm at the lush beauty of the Albanian costume must have matched that of his favourite poet at the time, Byron. In a letter to his mother from Epirus dated 12th November 1809, Byron had marvelled at 'the Albanians, in their dresses, (the most magnificent in the world, consisting of long, white kilt, gold-worked cloak, crimson velvet gold laced jacket and waist-coat, silver mounted pistols and daggers)...he admitted to having succumbed to the temptation and acquired some of these 'magnificent Albanian dresses...They cost fifty guineas each, and have so much gold, they would cost in England two hundred'."
^ Koço 2015 , p. 17: "The closely observing eye of the painter Edward Lear, in his travels around Albania in 1848 and 1849, depicted the fustanella as a typical national costume of the Albanians."
^ a b Blumi 2004 , p. 167: "While quite popular among those who depicted Malesorë life in paintings, the use of the foustanella among Ghegs was basically reserved for formal occasions; it was worn by groups in the Kelmendi, Hoti, Shala and Berisha village groups. On such important occasions such as declarations of allegiance, the settlement of disputes and the election of paramount representatives, elite males would adopt these long white garments and wear their tirq underneath. The foustanella became famous once King Otto of Greece declared it the national dress of independent Greece, probably due to the fact his largely Albanian speaking army wore it."
^ Snodgrass 2014 , p. 209: "Albanian rebels abandoned Turkish pants for the foustanella, a short kilt similar to those worn by Greek security guards."
^ a b c d Konitza 1957 , p. 67.
^
Lada-Minōtou, Maria (1993). Greek Costumes: Collection of the National Historical Museum . Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece. p. xxvii.
There are, however, examples where the sigouni is worn over a pleated skirt of the foustanela type, as at Dropoli and Tepeleni in Northern Epirus
(in Greek). Athens: Kentro Leksikologias. ISBN 978-960-86190-0-5 .
Beller, Manfred; Leerssen, Joep (2007). Imagology: The Cultural Construction and Literary Representation of National Characters: A Critical Survey . Amsterdam and New York: Rodopi. ISBN 90-420-2317-1 .
Bialor, Perry A. (2008). "Greek Ethnic Survival Under Ottoman Domination" . Research Report 09: The Limits of Integration: Ethnicity and Nationalism in Modern Europe. Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts.
Blumi, Isa (2004). "Undressing the Albanian: finding social history in Ottoman material cultures". In Faroqhi, Suraiya; Neumann, Christoph. Ottoman costumes: from textile to identity . Istanbul: Eren. pp. 157–180. ISBN 978-975-6372-04-3 .
De Rapper, Gilles (2005). "Better than Muslims, Not as Good as Greeks: Emigration as Experienced and Imagined by the Albanian Christians of Lunxhëri". In King, Russell; Mai, Nicola; Schwandner-Sievers, Stephanie. The New Albanian Migration . Brighton-Portland: Sussex Academic. pp. 173–194.
du Fresne, Charles (1678). Glossarium ad Scriptores Mediae & Infimae Latinitatis (Volume 2) . Lutetiae Parisiorum: Ludovicum Billaine.
Ethniko Historiko Mouseio (Greece), Maria Lada-Minōtou, I. K. Mazarakēs Ainian, Diana Gangadē, and Historikē kai Ethnologikē Hetaireia tēs Hellados (1993). Greek Costumes: Collection of the National Historical Museum. Athens: Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece.
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Konitza, Faik (1957). Albania: The Rock Garden of Southeastern Europe, and other Essays . Boston, MA: Vatra.
Maxwell, Alexander (2014). Patriots against fashion: Clothing and nationalism in Europe's age of revolutions . Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-1-137-27713-8 .
Morgan, Charles Hill (1942). Corinth: The Byzantine Pottery . 11. Cambridge, MA: Published for the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Harvard University Press. OCLC 36957616 .
Nasse, George Nicholas (1964). The Italo-Albanian Villages of Southern Italy . Washington, District of Columbia: National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council.
Notopoulos, James A. (1964). "Akritan Ikonography on Byzantine Pottery" (PDF). Hesperia . 33 (2): 108–133. doi : 10.2307/147182 . ISSN 0018-098X . JSTOR 147182 .
Skafidas, Michael (2009). "Fabricating Greekness: From Fustanella to the Glossy Page". In Paulicelli, Eugenia; Clark, Hazel. The Fabric of Cultures: Fashion, Identity, and Globalization . New York and Oxford: Taylor & Francis (Routledge). pp. 145–163. ISBN 978-0-415-77542-7 .
Smithsonian Institution; Mouseio Benakē (1959). Greek Costumes and Embroideries, from the Benaki Museum, Athens: An Exhibition Presented Under the Patronage of H.M. Queen Frederika of the Hellenes . Washington, District of Columbia: Smithsonian Institution.
Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2014). World Clothing and Fashion: An Encyclopedia of History, Culture, and Social Influence . London and New York: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-45167-9 .
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Verinis, James P. (May 2005). Spiridon Loues, the Modern Foustanéla, and the Symbolic Power of Pallikariá at the 1896 Olympic Games (PDF). Journal of Modern Greek Studies. 23. pp. 139–175. doi : 10.1353/mgs.2005.0010 .
Weller, Charles Heald (1903). "The Cave at Vari. I. Description, Account of Excavation, and History" . American Journal of Archaeology. 7 (3): 263–288.
Welters, Lisa (1995). "Ethnicity in Greek dress". In Eicher, Joanne. Dress and ethnicity: Change across space and time . Oxford: Berg Publishers. pp. 53–77. ISBN 978-0-85496-879-4 .
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The Ligurian Sea is an arm of which body of water? | Ligurian Sea - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com
Ligurian Sea
n an arm of the Mediterranean between northwest Italy and Corsica
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a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
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| Mediterranean Sea |
Which expanse of sea in the Orkney Islands was the main base of the British Grand Fleet in World War I? | Map of the Mediterranean Sea and Mediterranean Sea Map Size Depth History Information Page
other bodies of water
The Mediterranean Sea was an important route for merchants and travelers during ancient times as it allowed for trade and cultural exchange between emergent peoples of the region.
Several ancient civilizations were located around its shores; thus it has had a major influence on those cultures. It provided routes for trade, colonization and war, and provided food (by fishing and the gathering) for numerous communities throughout the ages.
This inland sea is bordered on the north by Europe, the east by Asia, and in the south by Africa. This 969,100 sq. mile body of water is approximately 2,300 miles in length, and has a maximum depth of 16,896 ft.
The typical Mediterranean climate is hot, with dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Major crops of the region include olives, grapes, oranges, tangerines, and cork.
Major subdivisions include the Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea, Balearic Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea, Ionian Sea and Ligurian Sea.
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Who is the Greek God of the Sea? | Sea Gods & Goddesses | Theoi Greek Mythology
A COMPLETE LIST OF GREEK SEA GODS & GODDESSES
AEGAEUS (Aigaios) A god of violent sea-storms. He was an ally of the Titans.
AEOLUS (Aiolos) The king of the winds. He kept the storm-winds, squalls and tempests locked away in the hollows of the floating island of Aiolia, to be released at the command of the gods.
ACHEILUS (Akheilos) A shark-formed sea Daemon.
ALCYONE & CEYX (Alkyone & Keyx) The former king and queen of the realm of Trachis were transformed into a pair of kingfishers. The birds presided over the halcyon days, a period of calm seas good for sailing.
AMPHITRITE The goddess queen of the sea, wife of Lord Poseidon. Amphitrite was the goddess who spawned the sea's rich bounty--fish and shellfish--as well as dolphins, seals and whales.
APHROS One of the Ichthyocentaurs or fish-tailed centaurs. Aphros was the god of the sea-foam who, along with his brother Bythos, carried Aphrodite ashore at her birth.
APHRODITE The goddess of love and beauty. She was born from the foam of the se, when the castrated genitals of Ouranos were cast down from heaven. Although Aphrodite was a heavenly goddess she retained a close kinship with the sea.
ARGYRA One of the sea nymphs whose name means the "Silvery One." She loved an Achaean man named Selemnus who was transformed into a river.
BENTHESICYME (Benthesikyme) One of the sea nymphs, a daughter of the god Poseidon. Her name means "deep wave" and she was the wife an Ethiopian king named Enalos "the man of the sea."
BRIAREUS (Briareos) The god of violent sea-storms. He was one of the Hecatoncheires, three hundred-handed, fifty-headed giants, and a son-in-law of Poseidon who made his home on the floor of the Aegean sea.
BYTHOS One of the Ickhthyocentaurs or fish-tailed sea-centaurs. He and his brother Aphros brought the goddess Aphrodite to shore following her sea-birth. His name means "sea-depths".
CABEIRO (Kabeiro) A sea nymph native to the shores of the island of Lemnos. She was a goddess of the Samothracian Mysteries, and the mother by Hephaestus of the Cabiri.
CALLISTE (Kalliste) The sea nymph of the Island of Calliste.
CAPHEIRA (Kapheira) The sea nymph nurse of the god Poseidon.
CARCINUS (Karkinos) A gigantic crab who allied itself with the Hydra against in a battle against Heracles. It was crushed beneath the hero's foot and placed amongst the stars as the constellation Cancer.
CETEA (Ketea) The monsters of the sea's depths. One, sent by Poseidon to ravage Troy, was slain by Heracles, another sent to punish the Ethiopians which was destroyed by Perseus.
CETO (Keto) An ancient sea-goddess. She was the goddess of the monsters and dangers of the deep. Her name means "whale" or "sea-monster."
CHARYBDIS (Kharybdis) The monstrous Daemon of whirlpools and the tides. She was chained to the sea-bed where her inhallation caused the seas to rise and fall.
CYMOPOLEIA (Kymopoleia) A sea-nymph of high storm waves. She was the wife of the Aegean storm-giant Briareus.
DELPHIN The leader of the dolphins. He aided Poseidon in the wooing of Amphitrite, and as a reward was placed amongst the stars as the constellation Delphin.
DORIS One of the Oceanides, the wife of Nereus and mother of the fifty Nereides. She may have presided over the mingling of fresh water with the brine as her name suggests.
EIDOTHEA A prophetic sea-nymph. She was the daughter of the seal-herder god Proteus.
ECHIDNA (Ekhidna) A monstrous she-dragon, half serpent and half fair Nymph. She was born of the scum of the sea or the sea-gods Phorcys and Ceto, and was associated with slime, sea-rot, fetid salt-marshes, eels and lampreys. By the storm-giant Typhoeus she became the mother of many a foul beast.
ELECTRA (Elektra) One of the Oceanides, the wife of the sea-god Thaumas and mother of the Rainbow (Iris) and the Storm-Gusts (Harpyiae). She probably presided over her namesake "amber"-coloured clouds often seen accompanying the rainbow.
EROTES The winged gods of love. Like Aphrodite they were regarded as minor sea-deities and frequently appear in maritime scenes depicted in Roman mosaic.
EURYBIA An ancient sea-goddess with power over the shifts of the sea. Her descendants included the Winds and the Stars.
GALATEA (Galateia) One of the fifty Nereides. She probably presided over her the "milk-white" swirls in the brine as her name suggests.
GALENE One of the fifty Nereides, she was the goddess of calm seas.
GLAUCUS (Glaukos) The fisherman's sea-god. Glaukos was originally a fisherman who was turned into a fish-tailed god after eating a magical herb.
GORGONS (Gorgones) Three monstrous sea Daemones with snaky locks, bronze claws, wings, and wide grinning tusked mouths. As daughters of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto they probably represented dangers of the sea, such as submerged rocks and reefs.
GRAEAE (Graiai) Three grey-haired, prematurely old sea Daemones, who shared but one tooth and one eye between them. They probably presided over the froth of sea-foam.
HALIA A sea nymph of the brine, mother of the Daemones of Rhodes. When she was raped by her sons she leapt into the sea for shame.
HALIAE (Haliai) The nymphs of the sea. They included not only the Nereides, but also the daughters of Poseidon and the other sea gods.
HARPIES (Harpyiai) A pair, or three, winged sea Daemones, daughters of the sea-god Thaumas. They were spirits of whirlwinds, water spouts, and violent storm gusts.
HELLE The goddess nymph of the Hellespont sea. She was the sister of the boy Phrixus who fell sea from the back of the flying Golden Ram during her escape from Greece. Poseidon rescued and transformed her into a sea-goddess.
HIPPOCAMPS (Hippokampoi) The fish-tailed horses of the sea, four of whom drew the chariot of Poseidon.
ICHTHYES (Ikhthyes) A pair of divine fish who brought Aphrodite ashore following her sea-birth. As reward they were placed amongst the stars as the constellation Pisces.
ICHTHYOCENTAURS (Ikhthyokentauroi) Twin sea-centaurs, Aphros (Foam) and Bythos (Depths), who carried Aphrodite to shore in a cockle shell following her sea birth.
INO Another name for Leukothea.
LADON A monstrous, hundred-headed sea-serpent, son of the sea-gods Phorcys and Ceto. He guarded the western reaches of the sea, and the island and golden apples of the Hesperides.
LAMIA A monstrous shark-shaped sea Daemon. She was a devourer of men.
LEUCOTHEA (Leukothea) The goddess of the Ionian sea, a protector of sailors and fishermen. She was originally a princess named Ino who was entrusted with the nursing of Dionysus. Hera drove her husband mad, and fleeing his anger she leapt with her son Melicertes into the sea, where the gods transformed the pair into marine-deities.
MELICERTES (Melikertes) Another name for the child sea-god Palaemon.
NEREIDS (Nereides) A band of fifty goddess nymphs. They were providers of the sea's rich bounty of fish and protectors of sailors.
NEREUS An ancient fish-tailed sea-god. He and his fifty Nereid daughters presided over the sea's rich bounty of fish and salt.
NERITES A sea Daemon who was transformed into a shell-fish by the goddess Aphrodite.
OCEANUS (Okeanos) The Titan god of the earth-encircling, fresh-water river Oceanus. In late classical times he was re-imagined as a god of the briny sea.
OEOLYCA (Oiolyka) A sea nymph daughter of the stormy sea-gods Briareus and Cymopoleia. She probably presided over storm surges and flooding waves. Her name means "the Lone Wolf."
PALAEMON (Palaimon) A sea-god protector of sailors and fishermen who was depicted as a boy riding dolphin-back. He was originally the boy Melicertes, child of Ino of Thebes. His father was driven mad by Hera, and Ino, fleeing his wrath, leapt into the sea with the child where the two were transformed into marine divinities.
PALLAS A warrior sea nymph, friend and companion of Athena.
PHORCYS (Phorkys) An ancient sea god who presided over the many dangers of the sea. His name is connected with the Greek word for seal.
PONTUS (Pontos) The Protogenos or primordial god of the sea. Pontos was little the liquid form of the sea itself rather than an anthropomorphic god.
POSEIDON The king of the seas and lord of the sea-gods. Poseidon received his domain when the three sons of Kronos drew lots for division of the universe. He dwelt in a golden palace on the sea bed with his queen Amphitrite and son Triton.
PROSEOOUS DAEMONES Evil sea Daemones which haunted the dark caverns of the island of Rhodes. They were imprisoned beneath the island by their father Poseidon for their crimes.
PROTEUS An old shape-shifting, prophetic sea-god. He was the herder of Poseidon's seals.
PSAMATHE One of the fifty Nereids. She was the goddess of sandy beaches.
RHODE A sea-nymph daughter of the god Poseidon. She was the goddess of the island of Rhodes.
SIRENS (Seirenes) Three dangerous sea Daemones with the heads of women and the bodies of birds. They lured sailors to their deaths with their irresistable siren-song. Some say they leapt into the sea in despair when Odysseus sailed past unharmed.
SCYLLA (Skylla) A monstrous sea Daemon who preyed on passing sailors. She had the upper body of a nymph, the tail of a fish, and a ring of six ravening dog-heads circling her waste. Some say she was slain by Heracles but restored to life by her father the sea-god Phorcys with flaming torches.
TELCHINES (Telkhines) Sea Daemones native to the island of Rhodes. They were practitioners of fell magic, bringing forth storms and drought, and killing men with the power of the evil eye. The gods buried them in the depths of the sea.
TETHYS A Titan goddess associated with the sources of fresh-water who was later imagined as a sea-goddess similar to Thalassa.
THALASSA The Protogenos or primeval goddess of the sea. She was the mother of the fishes by her male counterpart Pontus.
THAUMAS An ancient sea god. He presided over the wonders of the sea. By Electra he was the father of Iris (rainbow) and the Harpyiae (storm gusts).
THETIS The leader of the fifty Nereids. She presided over the spawning of marine life in the sea.
THOOSA A sea nymph, the mother of the Cyclops Polyphemus by Poseidon. She may have presided over "swift" currents and sea rips, as her name suggests. Her parents and siblings represented other dangers of the sea.
TRITEIA A militant sea nymph of the Achaean coast. She was a companion of the god Ares.
TRITONIS The goddess nymph of the Libyan salt-lake Tritonis.
TRITON The herald of the god Poseidon. A blow of his conch-shell horn calmed the waves.
TRITONES Fish-tailed Daemones of the sea, the male counterparts of the sea nymphs. They belonged to the train of Poseidon.
MYTHOLOGY IN POST-CLASSICAL ART
The Triumph of Galatea by the Italian Renaissance painter Raphael Sanzio (1483-1520). The other figures in the scene are Erotes , Tritons , Nereids and Ichthyocentaurs .
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Standing on the Arabian Sea what is the principal seaport of Pakistan? | The Sea God in mythology ***
The Sea God in Ancient Mythology
The Greek Sea God
According to ancient Greek mythology a Sea God featured in every major dynasty of gods
The First dynasty of Ancient Greek Gods were the Primeval or Primordial deities
The Second dynasty were the Titans
The Third dynasty were the famous Olympian gods
The names of each Sea God from all of the dynasties are detailed in this article.
Picture of Poseidon, the most famous Sea God
The Sea God Family Tree and Genealogy
According to Ancient Greek mythology the very first sea god was a primeval deity called Pontus. All of the gods of the oceans were descended from his line. The Titan sea god was called Oceanus. The most famous sea god of all was the Olympian god Poseidon (his Roman counterpart was Neptune. The following family tree provides an instant overview of the different generations of Ocean gods.
Sea God Names, Roles and Descriptions
The roles and the names of the different generations of Sea God who feature in Ancient Greek mythology. The following chart details the sea god names, roles and descriptions, together with facts about sea creatures and sea monsters. The chart provides a list detailing fascinating additional info to increase your knowledge about the Goddesses and Gods of the Ocean who featured in Greek Mythology and legend.
Ancient Greek Sea God Names and Descriptions
Sea God Names: Sea God Roles and Descriptions
Pontus : Pontus was the first great god of the sea and was the consort of his sister Gaia, the Earth Mother. The children of Pontus and Gaia were the sea-deities Nereus, Thaumas, Phorcys, Ceto, and Eurybia. Pontus created all the creatures and spirits of the sea and every sea god was descended from his line. Like many deities associated with the ocean he is often depicted with a pair of lobster-claw horns that adorned his head.
Poseidon: The sea god Poseidon was name of the Greek god of the seas.
Neptune: The sea god Neptune was the Roman counterpart of Poseidon
Thaumas: The sea god Thaumas was the son of Gaia and Pontus. He married an Oceanid called Electra, whose union produced the monstrous Harpies . Thaumas personified the wonders of the sea. His name was derived from the Greek word 'thaumatos' meaning "miracle" or "wonder."
The Harpies: The Harpies were the daughters of the sea god Thaumas and the Oceanid Electra. The Harpies, whose names were Aello, Ocypete, and Celaeno, were vicious winged monster and the personifications of sudden tempests. They had the faces and bodies of women and the wings and claws of birds.
Eurybia: Eurybia was a primeval sea goddess and the daughter of Gaia and Pontus. She became the consort to the Titan Crius and gave birth to Astraeus, Perses, and Pallas
Phorcys: Phorcys was the son of Pontus and Gaia and the sea god of the hidden dangers of the deep. He was consort to his sister Ceto, the primordial sea goddess and their union produced terrible monsters (Echina, Scylla , Ladon, the Sirens, the Gorgons and the Graea )
Ceto: Ceto was the primordial sea goddess daughter of Pontus and Gaia. Her consort was Phorcys and their union produced terrible monsters (Echina, Scylla, Sirens, Ladon, the Gorgons and the Graea)
The Gorgons: The Gorgons were the daughters of Phorcys and Ceto. The petrifying gaze of the Gorgons (Euryale, Stheno and Medusa) were believed to have created the reefs and rocks of the sea. The gorgons, in particular Medusa, featured in the mythology of and legend of the hero Perseus.
Echidna: Echidna was a daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. Echidna was a monstrous sea dragon, half woman half snake (the mother by Typhon of many monstrous offspring)
Scylla: Echidna was another daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. Scylla was a terrifying she-monster who devoured passing sailors
Ladon: Ladon was the hundred headed sea serpent, the off-spring of Phorcys and Ceto, that guarded the golden apples in the garden of of the Hesperides
Oceanus: Oceanus was the lord of the ocean and a principle god in the first dynasty of Titans. He was the son of the primordial gods Uranus and Gaia. His consort was his sister Tethys. Their children were the Oceanides (3000 daughters) and the Potamoi, the river gods (3000 sons). In later myths, Oceanus was replaced by Poseidon.
The Oceanides: The Oceanides were minor goddesses and water nymphs, the 3000 daughters of the Titan gods Oceanus and Tethys.
Picture of the Oceanides
The Potamoi: The Potamoi were river gods and the 3000 sons of the Titans Oceanus and Tethys. They were the brothers of the Oceanides.
Sea God Names: Sea God Roles and Descriptions
Ancient Greek Sea God Names and Descriptions
Sea God Names, Roles and Descriptions
The roles and the names of the different generations of Sea God who feature in Ancient Greek mythology. The following chart details the sea god names, roles and descriptions, together with facts about sea creatures and sea monsters. The chart provides a list detailing fascinating additional info to increase your knowledge about the Goddesses and Gods of the Ocean who featured in Greek Mythology and legend.
Ancient Greek Sea God Names and Descriptions
Sea God Names: Sea God Roles and Descriptions
The Naiades: The Naiades were the daughters of the Potamoi (river gods). The Naiades were water nymphs who were believed to inhabit the freshwater streams, springs, wells, fountains, wetlands, rivers and lakes.
The Sirens: The Sirens were sea nymphs, part woman and part bird, and the daughters of the Potamoi river-god Achelous and Malpomene, the muse of tragedy. According to ancient Greek mythology the Sirens were fated to die if someone heard their singing and escaped them. They sat on the shore and lured mariners with their seductive and compelling music and song.
Nereus: Nereus was the son of Pontus and Gaia. He was referred to as the 'Old Man of the Sea' and lived in the depths of the sea with his wife Doris, an Oceanide sea-nymph, and their daughters, the Nereids Sea Nymphs . Nereus was the personification of the sea in its calm and placid moods and was always ready to assist distressed mariners in danger.
The Nereids: The Nereids were the 50 daughters of Nereus, the god of the Mediterranean Sea and his wife Doris. The Nereids were the nymphs of the sea who had in their care the rich bounty of the ocean. They aided sailors who needed their help and were attendants and members of the retinue of Poseidon.
Sea Nymphs: Sea-nymphs were beautiful, supernatural, young maidens who were believed to inhabit the oceans and featured in the legends and mythology of Ancient Greece. The Sea-Nymphs were minor goddesses who were the daughters of Oceanus or Nereus. The names of the groups of sea-nymphs were the Naiades, the Nereids, the Oceanides and the most famous of all were the sea nymphs known as the Sirens and the Mermaids.
Poseidon: Poseidon was the famous Greek god of the sea who presided over the oceans, tempests, storms and earthquakes. He was commonly called the 'Earth-Shaker'. He was also revered as the father of rivers and fountains. He was the son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea and the father of the merman Triton, Proteus and the sea Nymphs Rhode and Benthesicyme.
Proteus: Proteus was the eldest son of Poseidon, his mother was a sea-nymph, or Nereid, called Amphitrite. He was a prophetic sea-god, and the herdsman of the seals of Poseidon. He was a shape-shifter which he used to avoid having to make a prophecy. He would only provide an answer to someone who was capable of capturing him.
Triton: Triton was the son of Poseidon, his mother was a sea-nymph, or Nereid, called Amphitrite. Triton was a messenger and herald for his father. He was usually depicted as a merman, having the upper body of a human and the tail of a fish and carried a trident. His special attribute was a conch shell, on which he blew like a trumpet to calm or raise the waves.
Mermaids: The Mermaids were the daughters of Poeidon who were sea nymphs, supernatural beings who lived beneath the sea but would occasionally come ashore. These mythical aquatic creatures are depicted with the head and torso of a human female and a fish-like tail.
Sea God Names: Sea God Roles and Descriptions
Ancient Greek Sea God Names and Descriptions
Picture of Odysseus and the Sirens
Sea God
Names of each sea god according to Ancient Greek mythology
Interesting information and Facts about the ancient Greek Sea God
Legends in Greek Mythology associated with each Sea God
Facts and information about the Ancient World for schools and kids
Greek mythology and names of each Sea God
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The Gulf of Venice is the northern part of which sea? | Gulf of Venice | gulf, Europe | Britannica.com
Gulf of Venice
Gulf of Gabes
Gulf of Venice, Italian Golfo Di Venezia, northern section of the Adriatic Sea (an arm of the Mediterranean Sea), extending eastward for 60 miles (95 km) from the Po River delta , Italy , to the coast of Istria , in Slovenia and Croatia . It receives the Po, Adige, Piave, and Tagliamento rivers. Marshes, lagoons, and sandspits border the gulf’s shores as far as Trieste , Italy, where the low plateau of the Istrian Peninsula begins. A northeast wind, called the bora, causes rough seas and creates shipping hazards in the gulf.
The rise of the city of Venice as a maritime power at the northwestern end of the gulf gave special importance to Adriatic shipping routes in the Middle Ages. Modern ports along the gulf, apart from Venice, include Pula and Rovinj (both in Croatia) and Trieste, which is located on a northeastern inlet, the Gulf of Trieste.
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Article Title: Gulf of Venice
Website Name: Encyclopædia Britannica
Date Published: July 20, 1998
URL: https://www.britannica.com/place/Gulf-of-Venice
Access Date: January 17, 2017
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| Adriatic Sea |
Which river flows into the Dead Sea? | Italy Cruise Ports Map | All Inclusive Italy Cruise Vacation Packages
Italy Cruise Ports Map
Italy Cruise Ports Map - Rome, Venice, Naples, Sicily
Below is a list and map of Italy’s cruise ports of call. The larger ones like Rome, Venice, Naples, Livorno, and Genoa are visited by the large cruises lines. Smaller luxury cruises also visit the smaller Italian ports. Whichever Italy cruise vacation itinerary you choose you will be sure to enjoy the Italian ports on a cruise around Italy .
Explore Italian Port Cities with a Mediterranean Cruise Around Italy
Italy cruises are a lovely way to travel around Italy. See all of Italy by sea in one trip. Forget about packing and unpacking and moving from one hotel to another. The cruise ship is your floating hotel. Visiting Italy’s ports will allow you to experience the different Italian regions , explore its famous art cities, and taste the Italian culture region by region. When you cruise to Italy’s ports you’ll sample the distinct areas so you’ll know where to return for your next trip to Italy .
Agrigento
Agrigento is located on Sicily’s southern coast. It is the site of some of the best preserved and largest ancient Greek Temples. Sicily was the center of the Magna Grecia . At that time Hellenistic culture flourished, which included the worship of many Gods. The various Temples here dedicated to these Gods date back to the 6th century BC. If you are interested in ancient Greek and Ancient Roman history then you’ll certainly enjoy a tour during your Italy cruise tour to Agrigento.
Ancona
Ancona is located on the Adriatic Seas in the Marche region. Right in Ancona there is evidence of both Roman and Greek settlements, and there is a hilltop cathedral in the city. Ancona is not a very popular tourist destination so you’ll find an authentic Italian experience. It is not a major Italy cruise port but you may contact Italian Tourism travel agents who will find you a cruise from Rome or cruise from Venice that includes Ancona on its itinerary.
Bari
Bari is a major city in the southern Italian region of Puglia , the heel of Italy’s boot. Bari and Puglia exhibit the confluence of many cultures that during the centuries have melted into a unique culture. Bari’s centro storico, its old section is nice to wander. And the Bari art museum is full of treasures from ancient Roman, Greek, and Ottoman inhabitants. There are several churches. In one you’ll find the skulls of those massacred by the Ottomans. The castle in Bari dates to the 12th century. There are beautiful beaches in Bari on the Adriatic coast. Bari is a common port of call on Adriatic cruise itineraries.
Cagliari
Located on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia (Sardegna), Cagliari was the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia from 1324 to 1720. And also from 1798 to 1815. In 1861 Sardinia joined the Kingdom of Italy. Cagliari is an important regional cultural, educational, political and artistic center. It is known for its distinct and diverse Art Nouveau architecture, vibrant nightlife and several monuments. The old part of the city (called Castello, the castle) lies on top of a hill, with a wonderful view of the Gulf of Cagliari (also known as Angels Gulf). You’ll find lots of Western Mediterranean cruises that include Sardinia and Cagliari.
Civitavecchia Rome Cruise
Rome’s cruise port is Civitavecchia located in the Lazio region. It is located 45 minutes outside of Rome’s historic center (centro storico). Cruises from Rome that sail around the Western Mediterranean go to France, Spain, Sicily and Mediterranean islands. Cruises to the Eastern Medterranean sail around Italy to the Greek Isles, Turkey, and Venice. There are plenty of pre cruise and post cruise all inclusive Rome tour options . If your cruise passes through Rome for the day you’ll find affordable Rome shore excursions to the Vatican Museum and other Rome sightseeing highlights .
Crontone
Crotone is a city in Calabria located on the Ionian Sea. It was founded around 700 BC as the Achaean colony of Croton. During the ancient Greek Magna Grecia Crotone city flourished. The literature from the day describes the character of its inhabitants having formidable physical strength combined with simple sobriety of their lives. When visiting Crotone tour the national archaeological museum. There are also art galleries. For kids and adults the Antiquarium di Torre Nao is a favorite southern Italy destination.
Gaeta
Gaeta is located south of Rome in the region of Lazio, on the Riviera di Ulisse. It is a fishing and oil seaport. It is surrounded by a national park. The Italians have summer homes here along the beach. Tiberius’ Villa at Sperlonga is close to Gaeta. In town the sightseeing highlight is the Aragonese-Angevine Castle. The churches show off southern Italy’s flair for the Gothic and Baroque styles. In the summer evenings Italians enjoy a passeggiata. Enjoy a the local seafood, an espresso, and the local gelato!
Genoa
Genoa is located in Liguria on the Mediterranean in northern Italy and is one of Italy’s original maritime republics. Genoa’s historic center is beautiful. There is a selection of pretty churches and an art museum. If you are touring Italy with your kids they will love visiting Europe’s largest aquarium in Genoa. Genoa is close to the Italian Riviera destinations like the Cinque Terre, Portofino, and Santa Margherita. Many cruises that include Genoa on the itinerary permit embarkation and disembarkation here. In addition to Genoa shore excursions we have pre cruise and post cruise vacations. Visit the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre and the Dolomites before your Italy cruise.
Livorno
Livorno is Tuscany’s cruise port. It is a lovely town. Many cruise travelers pass through on their way to tour Florence, Pisa, and the classic Tuscan hill towns. Lucca, Pietrasanta, San Gimignano, Volterra are all within a day trip of Livorno. The Ligurian Coast vacation destinations Portovenere and Cinque Terre are also closeby. Livorno is known as the Venice of the Mediterranean because of its canals that run through the city.
Messina
The Sicilian port of Messina is the busiest of Italian ports. The traffic between Calabria and Messina is the source of most of the passenger traffic. Cruise passengers typically head south on shore excursions to Taormina and Mt. Etna. Messina is famous for its citrus fruits. Zesty lemons, juicy mandarin oranges, tasty olives and rich wines are all grown around Messina. Its art museum includes important paintings by Caravaggio and Antonello da Messina.
Naples
Naples cruise port in the region of Campania welcomes visitors to southern Italy. Families, friends, and groups traveling together will love our Naples shore excurison options and low group prices . This city captures everyone’s imagination. It is home of the Pizza Margherita. The Naples Archaeology Museum is best museum of Western Civilization. Drive around the Bay of Naples to Mt Vesuvius. Visit the ancient Roman archaeological sites in Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae . Enjoy the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast and Capri. Its rich cultural history makes this city an Italy cruise sightseeing highlight. Click official Naples cruise terminal website for more Naples port information.
Palermo
Palermo is one of Sicily’s major cities and its capital. The city was founded by the Phoenicians around 734BC. The mix of cultural influences is evident in Palermo’s unique architecture, music, culinary traditions and other sightseeing highlights. Its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque churches and its historic sights are well worth visiting. The cathedral in Monreale and Cefalu are also close. The closest Greek Temple is in Segesta.
Portofino
Just down the coast from Genoa, in the region of Liguria, is the picture perfect postcard town Portofino. Many small and mid size cruise ships include Portofino on their cruise itinerary. If the ship you’re on can’t get into the harbor, you’ll be ferried from the ship to the land. The “fine port” is typically full of yachts hosting the rich and famous so be sure to dress the part. Santa Margherita, located just down the road, is another popular Italian Riviera vacation destination.
Portovenere
Portovenere is the quintessential Italian small port. It is located along Northern Italy’s Ligurian coast,south of the Cinque Terre. Small and mid size ships visit Portovenere. The larger cruise ships that visit this area dock in La Spezia. There is plenty to enjoy around Portovenere. Hike up to the castle. Visit the churches and shop the local stores. A “shore excursion” from Portovenere to Cinque Terre is easily done by taking the water ferry in Portovenere. The ferry will stop in four of the five Cinque Terre hamlets so you may get off and on the boat to visit these seaside hamlets which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as is Portovenere).
Ravenna
Ravenna in the Emilia Romagna region is described as the city of mosaics. It was Rome’s Western Capital and the Byzantine Empire’s eastern Capital. The city’s long Roman and Byzantine history contributes to the beautiful artwork you will find here. The city has eight UNESCO World Heritage monuments. This designation is due to the number of buildings and structures with renowned 5th century mosaic work.
Rimini
Italian cruise port Rimini is located on the Adriatic Sea. It is one of Italy’s most famous seaside resorts. It is located on the Adriatic Riviera south of Venice. It is rich with cultural history. It was inhabited by the Etruscans, Umbrians, Greeks, Gauls and Romans. In modern history Federico Fellini, the great Italian movie director, may be its most famous son. Its beaches are among the finest in Italy.
Siracusa
Located in Sicily Siracusa was once described by Cicero as “the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all.” It was founded by Ancient Greek Corinthians. It later became part of the Roman Republic. Then it joined the Byzantine Empire. This 2,700 year-old city played a key role in ancient times. It was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean. It exerted influence over the entire Magna Grecia area of which it was the most important city. Today it is a lovely city to stroll around. There are archaeological sites with an ancient Greek Theater. Here you’ll breath 3,000 years of Western civilization where it was born.
Savona
Savona is an Italian port located 30 miles west of Genoa It is about 100 miles from Nice, on the French Riviera. Between them is the Italian Riviera. Savona was a ship building industrial port. Christopher Columbus farmed land in the area while chronicling his journeys. Today you’ll find many Western Mediterranean cruises that include Savona in its itinerary. Here you can enjoy the Ligurian beaches or do some sightseeing.
La Spezia
Located in northern Italy just north of Tuscany in the region of Liguria. This Italian port allows Italy cruise travelers to visit the popular northern Tuscan towns of Carrara and Pietrasanta. Art lovers always love these two towns. From La Spezia it is a short trip by train to the wildly popular Cinque Terre located along the Ligurian Coast.
Taormina (Giardini Naxos)
Taormina has been a popular tourist destination for thousands of years. It is located in the hills. Below it are the popular Sicilian beaches in Giardini Naxos. From Taormina there is an aerial tramway down to the Ionian sea. These beaches are favorites because of the warm Mediterranean sea water and high salt content. The ancient Greek Theater overlooking Mt Etna is a famous Taormina post card picture. It is still used for concerts, opera, and theater performances. Of course this site’s archaeological merits are without comparison. The theater’s location and its structure are simply harmonic.
Trapani
Trapani juts out into the Mediterranean sea on Sicily’s northern coast. The Greek Temples in Segesta are a short distance. They are of course a popular Trapani shore excursion destination. After the Greeks Carthage seized control of the city in 260 BC. Then they ceded it to Rome in 241 BC following the Battle of the Aegates in the First Punic War. Various ancient legends tell of mythical origins for the city. In the first legend, Trapani stemmed from the sickle which fell from the hands of the goddess Demeter while she was looking for her daughter Persephone, who had been kidnapped by Hades. The second myth features Saturn, god of the sky, who eviscerated his father Cronus with a sickle which, falling into the sea, created the city. In ancient times Saturn was the god-protector of Trapani. Today Saturn’s statue stands in a piazza in the center of the city.
Trieste
The northern Italian city Trieste in the Friuli region is a secret gem. It’s on the border of Slovenia. Trieste is charming like all the towns along the Dalmatian Coast and Italy’s Adriatic coast. On town there is the classic castle, square, and cathedral. All are notable while strolling around. illy coffee is located here. Compare the coffee of Trieste to Torino , Rome, and Naples while cruising among Italian ports.
Venice
Venice located in the Veneto region is one of Italy’s four original maritime republics. The days of the cruise from Venice are coming to an end. You’ll still cruise from Venice. But the route will not include the main lagoon. Cruising by St Mark’s square will be a thing of the past. Venice cruises typically include ports of call along the Dalmatian Coast. Then the itinerary goes east to Turkey and the Greek Isles. Or the itinerary cruises around Italy to all the great Italian ports on the Amalfi coast like Sorrento where you may visit Pompeii, Capri, and Naples. A Venice cruise to Rome or Barcelona is the classic itinerary.
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In which ocean are the Kara, Beaufort and Lincoln Seas situated? | Kara Sea | Sea in Arctic Ocean
Kara Sea
Kara Sea
The Kara Sea is a part of the Arctic Ocean lies north of Siberia. It is separated from the Barents Sea on the west by the Kara Strait and Novaya Zemlya, and the Laptev Sea on the east by the Severnaya Zemlya.
Geography
The Kara Sea covers roughly about 1,450 kilometers long and 970 kilometers wide with an area of around 880,000 km and a mean depth of 110 meters (360 ft).
The Kara Sea's Northern boundary is marked by a line running from Cape Kohlsaat in Graham Bell Island, Franz Josef Land, to Cape Molotov (Arctic Cape), the northernmost point of Komsomolets Island in Severnaya Zemlya.
Climate
Compared to the Barents Sea, the Kara Sea is much colder, remind frozen for over nine months of a year. Novy Port and Dikson are the main ports of the sea and it is an important fishing spot though the sea is ice-bounded for all but two months of the year.
The average air temperature is below 32 F (0 C) in the north (9 to 10 months) and in the south (7 to 8 months) a year. In January the average temperatures are from 30 to 43 F (-1 to 6 C) and the minimum is -51 F (-46 C). In July the average temperatures are from 30 to 43 F (-1 to 6 C), with a maximum of 61 F (16 C). Summer brings snow, fogs and snow squalls, while in winter brings gales and snow storm. Water temperature in winter are from 29.1 F (-1.6 C), while in summer it reaches 43 F (6 C) in the southwestern part of the sea and 36 F (2 C) in the north.
Fauna
Cod, salmon, and sturgeon are the fishes found in Kara sea and also sea mammals include seal, sea hare, walrus, white whale, and polar bear.
Islands
Kara Sea has many islands and island groups. Arkticheskiy Institut Islands, the Izvesti Tsik Islands, the Kirov Islands, Uedineniya or Lonely Island, Vize Island, and Voronina Island are the islands located in the open sea of its central regions. The largest group of island here is the Nordenskild Archipelago, with five large subgroups and over ninety islands. Bely Island, Dikson Island, Taymyr Island, the Kamennyye Islands and Oleni Island are the other important islands in the Kara Sea.
| Arctic Ocean |
Delia Smith is associated with which football league club? | Arctic Ocean | Britannica.com
Arctic Ocean
smallest of the world’s oceans, centring approximately on the North Pole.
Displaying Featured Arctic Ocean Articles
Russia
country that stretches over a vast expanse of eastern Europe and northern Asia. Once the preeminent republic of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.; commonly known as the Soviet Union), Russia became an independent country after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991. Russia is a land of superlatives. By far the world’s...
Iceland
island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean. Lying on the constantly active geologic border between North America and Europe, Iceland is a land of vivid contrasts of climate, geography, and culture. Sparkling glaciers, such as Vatna Glacier (Vatnajökull), Europe’s largest, lie across its ruggedly beautiful mountain ranges; abundant hot geysers...
Greenland
the world’s largest island, lying in the North Atlantic Ocean. Greenland is noted for its vast tundra and immense glaciers. Although Greenland remains a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, the island’s home-rule government is responsible for most domestic affairs. The Greenlandic people are primarily Inuit (Eskimo). The capital of Greenland is Nuuk (Godthåb)....
ocean
continuous body of salt water that is contained in enormous basins on Earth’s surface. When viewed from space, the predominance of Earth’s oceans is readily apparent. The oceans and their marginal seas cover nearly 71 percent of Earth’s surface, with an average depth of 3,795 metres (12,450 feet). The exposed land occupies the remaining 29 percent...
North Pole
northern end of Earth’s axis, lying in the Arctic Ocean, about 450 miles (725 km) north of Greenland. This geographic North Pole does not coincide with the magnetic North Pole—to which magnetic compasses point and which in the early 21st century lay north of the Queen Elizabeth Islands of extreme northern Canada at approximately 82°15′ N 112°30′ W...
Svalbard
archipelago, part of Norway, located in the Arctic Ocean well north of the Arctic Circle. The islands lie between longitude 10° and 35° E and latitude 74° and 81° N, about 580 miles (930 km) north of Tromsø, Norway. The archipelago is composed of nine main islands: Spitsbergen (formerly West Spitsbergen), North East Land, Edge Island, Barents Island,...
Arctic Ocean
smallest of the world’s oceans, centring approximately on the North Pole. The Arctic Ocean and its marginal seas—the Chukchi, East Siberian, Laptev, Kara, Barents, White, Greenland, and Beaufort and, according to some oceanographers, also the Bering and Norwegian seas—are the least-known basins and bodies of water in the world ocean as a result of...
Northwest Passage
historical sea passage of the North American continent. It represents centuries of effort to find a route westward from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean through the Arctic Archipelago of what became Canada. History of exploration The quest for the passage was one of the world’s severest maritime challenges. The route is located 500 miles (800...
Bering Strait
strait linking the Arctic Ocean with the Bering Sea and separating the continents of Asia and North America at their closest point. The strait averages 98 to 164 feet (30 to 50 metres) in depth and at its narrowest is about 53 miles (85 km) wide. There are numerous islands in the strait, including the two Diomede Islands (about 6 square miles [16 square...
Jan Mayen
island, part of the Kingdom of Norway, in the Greenland Sea of the Arctic Ocean, about 300 mi (500 km) east of Greenland. It is approximately 35 mi long and 9 mi across at its widest point, with an area of 144 sq mi (373 sq km). It is the peak of a submarine volcanic ridge, and Beerenberg volcano (7,470 ft [2,277 m]), the last major eruption of which...
Spitsbergen
largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, part of Norway, in the Arctic Ocean. Spitsbergen, with an area of 15,075 square miles (39,044 square km), is approximately 280 miles (450 km) long and ranges from 25 to 140 miles (40 to 225 km) wide. The terrain is mountainous, and most of the island is covered with glaciers. The highest point on the island...
Wrangel Island
island, in Chukotka autonomous okrug (district), far northeastern Russia, lying in the Arctic Ocean and separating the East Siberian Sea from the Chukchi Sea. The long, narrow island is about 78 miles (125 km) wide and occupies an area of some 2,800 square miles (7,300 square km). It is separated from the Siberian mainland by Long Strait. Wrangel Island...
Ellesmere Island
largest island of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, Baffin region, Nunavut territory, Canada, located off the northwest coast of Greenland. The island is believed to have been visited by Vikings in the 10th century. It was seen in 1616 by the explorer William Baffin and was named in 1852 by Sir Edward A. Inglefield’s Expedition (which navigated the coast...
Yenisey River
river of central Russia, one of the longest rivers in Asia. The world’s sixth largest river in terms of discharge, the Yenisey runs from south to north across the great expanse of central Siberia. It traverses a vast region of strikingly varied landscapes where ancient peoples and customs as well as an enormous economic infrastructure are found. Physical...
Franz Josef Land
archipelago of 191 islands in the northeastern Barents Sea, the northernmost territory of Russia. It falls administratively into Arkhangelsk oblast (province). The islands, with a land area of 6,229 square miles (16,134 square km), consist of three groups. The easternmost includes Rudolf Island, whose Fligeli Cape is the northernmost point in Russia,...
Ob River
river of central Russia. One of the greatest rivers of Asia, the Ob flows north and west across western Siberia in a twisting diagonal from its sources in the Altai Mountains to its outlet through the Gulf of Ob into the Kara Sea of the Arctic Ocean. It is a major transportation artery, crossing territory at the heart of Russia that is extraordinarily...
Lena River
major river of Russia and the 11th longest river, or river system, in the world. It flows 2,734 miles (4,400 km) from its sources in the mountains along the western shores of Lake Baikal, in southeastern Siberia, to the mouth of its delta on the Arctic Laptev Sea. The area of the river’s drainage basin is about 961,000 square miles (2,490,000 square...
Mackenzie River
major river system in the drainage pattern of northwestern North America. Its basin is the largest in Canada, and it is exceeded on the continent only by the Mississippi-Missouri system. The Mackenzie system drains an area of some 697,000 square miles (1,805,200 square km), which is almost as large as Mexico. From the headwaters of the Finlay River,...
Prudhoe Bay
small inlet of the Beaufort Sea and Arctic Ocean, indenting the northern coast of Alaska, U.S. It is situated about 200 miles (320 km) east-southeast of Point Barrow. The bay has been the centre of drilling activities since the discovery of vast petroleum deposits on Alaska’s North Slope in 1968. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline links the area to Valdez,...
Beaufort Sea
outlying sea of the Arctic Ocean situated north of Canada and Alaska. It extends northeastward from Point Barrow, Alaska, toward Lands End on Prince Patrick Island, and westward from Banks Island to the Chukchi Sea. Its surface area is about 184,000 sq mi (476,000 sq km). The average depth is 3,239 ft (1,004 m) and the greatest depth 15,360 ft. It...
Severnaya Zemlya
Russian “Northern Land”, archipelago, Krasnoyarsk kray (region), northern Russia. It lies in the Arctic Ocean between the Kara Sea (west) and Laptev Sea (east). Severnaya Zemlya lies immediately north of Cape Chelyuskin, the most northerly point in Siberia, from which it is separated by Vilkitsky Strait. The Severnaya Zemlya archipelago, which has...
Tuktoyaktuk
hamlet, Inuvik region, northwestern Northwest Territories, Canada, lying on the Beaufort Sea. It is situated 20 miles (32 km) east of the Mackenzie River delta and 100 miles (160 km) northeast of Inuvik town. Tuktoyaktuk (an Inuit word for “reindeer that looks like caribou”) was established in 1936 as a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post and transport...
Novaya Zemlya
archipelago in northwestern Russia, lying in the Arctic Ocean and separating the Barents and Kara seas. Novaya Zemlya (“New Land”) consists of two large islands, Severny (northern) and Yuzhny (southern), aligned for 600 miles (1,000 km) in a southwest-northeast direction, plus several smaller islands. The two major islands are separated by a narrow...
Barents Sea
outlying portion of the Arctic Ocean 800 miles (1,300 km) long and 650 miles (1,050 km) wide and covering 542,000 square miles (1,405,000 square km). Its average depth is 750 feet (229 m), plunging to a maximum of 2,000 feet (600 m) in the major Bear Island Trench. It is bounded by the archipelagoes of Svalbard and Franz Josef Land (north), the Norwegian...
White Sea
an almost landlocked extension of the Arctic Ocean indenting the shores of northwestern Russia. It is connected to the more northerly Barents Sea by a long, narrow strait known as the Gorlo (“Throat”). The boundary between the two seas runs along a line joining Cape Kanin Nos and Cape Svyatoy Nos. The area of the White Sea is approximately 35,000 square...
Kaffeklubben Island
island and one of the world’s northernmost points of land, in the Arctic Ocean, 37 km (20 nautical miles) east of Cape Morris Jesup, Greenland. Kaffeklubben (Danish: “Coffee Club”) was discovered in 1900 by Robert E. Peary, the American Arctic explorer. The island was visited in 1921 by the Danish explorer Lauge Koch, who named it for the Kaffeklub...
Arctic Archipelago
Group of Canadian islands, Arctic Ocean. They lie north of the Canadian mainland and have an area of about 550,000 sq mi (1,424,500 sq km). The southeastern islands are an extension of the Canadian Shield; the balance consists of the Arctic lowlands to the south and the Innuitian Mountains to the north. The archipelago includes the large islands of...
Devon Island
largest of the Parry Islands, in Nunavut, Canada, in the Arctic Ocean south of Ellesmere Island and west of Baffin Bay. It is about 320 miles (515 km) long, 80–100 miles (130–160 km) wide, and has an area of 21,331 square miles (55,247 square km). Chiefly an ice-covered plateau, the island rises from about 2,000 feet (600 metres) in the west to reach...
Kara Sea
marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean, located off western Siberia (Russia), between the Novaya Zemlya islands (west), Franz Josef Land (northwest), and the Severnaya Zemlya islands (east). It is connected with the Arctic Basin (north), the Barents Sea (west), and the Laptev Sea (east). It has an area of 340,000 square miles (880,000 square km). Average...
Chukchi Sea
part of the Arctic Ocean, bounded by Wrangel Island (west), northeastern Siberia and northwestern Alaska (south), the Beaufort Sea (east), and the Arctic continental slope (north). It has an area of 225,000 square miles (582,000 square km) and an average depth of 253 feet (77 m). The sea is navigable between July and October both eastward and westward...
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Author Wilbur Smith was born and lived most of his life in which country? | Wilbur Smith Biography
THE LIFE
Wilbur Addison Smith (so named after Wilbur Wright, the flight pioneer) was born on 9 January 1933 in Broken Hill, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) to British-born parents. He went to Michaelhouse in Natal, South Africa before continuing to Rhodes University where he graduated with a degree in Commerce in 1954. He was an accountant and tax assessor for the Inland Revenue for a few years before he started to write.
Wilbur has married four times. On 28 August 1964, he married Jewell Slabbert, but they later divorced. He then married Anne who produced 2 children (a son, Shaun, and a daughter, Christian), but their married dissolved too. He remarried, in February 1971, to Danielle (Dee Dee) Antoinette Thomas (who had a son, Dieter, from her previous marriage). After that, he dedicated every book to her (25 in total), making a point of starting each new book on their anniversary and using the gold pen which she gave him. Danielle acted as his researcher, soundboard and editor, usually censoring the racier parts of his stories. She even wrote her own successful novels. (Click here to find out more). Unfortunately, she died from a cancer-related brain tumour in December 1999. He is currently married to his fourth wife, Mokhiniso. They married in May 2000.
He met Mokhiniso (Niso) in a book shop in London. Niso was born in Tajikistan, a former state of the Soviet Union north of Afghanistan and trained at the Moscow University as a lawyer. They met in December 1999, when she was buying a John Grisham novel, recommended to her by her language teacher, who said that reading popular English books aloud would improve her accent. Smith told her that he knew a much more suitable author and led her to the Wilbur Smith section and signed her purchase. Niso now speaks very good English: I have the best English teacher in the world!
He lives on part of the original Cecil John Rhodes Estate, on the side of Table Mountain in Constantia in Cape Town, South Africa. His home is called 'Sunbird Hill'.
He also owns a farm, a game reserve and houses in London and the Seychelles, his favourite holiday destination.
Wilbur (and his late wife, Danielle, whom he considers the most beautiful woman in the world), normally travels from November to February, often spending a month skiing in Switzerland, and visiting Australia and New Zealand for deep sea fishing. During his summer break, he visits environments as diverse as Alaska and the dwindling wilderness of the African interior.
His favourite singer is Frank Sinatra and his favourite movie is LAWRENCE OF ARABIA.
At school, Wilbur was the captain of the shooting and cross-country teams.
At school, At Rhodes University, Wilbur was sent to hospital three times in one term because of motor-cycle crashes!
THE LITERATURE
Wilbur's first attempt at writing, a novel which remains unpublished, was rejected nearly 20 times! He now keeps it in a safe place to bring himself back down to earth when he begins to believe his own publicity.
Wilbur soon sold several short stories to magazines and to the BBC, but one short story got out of hand . He got so caught up with the characters that he decided to expand it into a novel. Two and a half years later, he completed WHEN THE LION FEEDS . He sent it to London and within ten days - almost a record for an unknown author - he received a cable announcing its acceptance by Heinemann.
His first published novel, WHEN THE LION FEEDS , was originally banned in South Africa, along with his next three books, for its 'indecent, obscene and objectionable' subject content. He was under surveillance by the state security police and even his phone was tapped! He is quoted to have said: There's nothing like a good book banning to set an author on his feet!
He bases his many characters with physical disabilities on himself. He had polio when he was a child and his right leg is withered. His father, a sheet metal worker, was the model for many of the intimidating men in his novels. There is no need for me to plot my novels in detail. My characters sweep me along with them on a voyage over which I often have very little control. I merely follow and record their strivings and endeavors. One another occasion, he said, It is the golden egg syndrome. When you go through life with an open mind and you have a devilish imagination like I have, the ideas present themselves to you. I always think about my ideas like a hunter, I don't chase them but sit at the waterhole waiting for them to present themselves. Often a character will appear to me out of the shadows pleading: 'Please write my story'.
His books have sold over 80 million copies, most of them bought by women. They have been translated into 26 languages around the world.
Apart from English, he can also speak Afrikaans, Zulu, and some other African dialects.
In the US, where Wilbur's novel have been largely ignored in the past, his novels more than quadrupled in sales in 1996-1997.
His favourite literary character is Sean Courtney from the Courtney novels.
Wilbur's perception on his writing over the years: Perhaps my books are a little more polished, and my philosophy a little more refined. As to the taste of my readers, I still believe they love an engrossing story. That is what I am and will always be, a storyteller. The creative process never gets easier but the inspiration hasn't stopped. Writer's block is a dirty five-letter word and it doesn't apply to me at all. I have the great treasure house of Africa for stories. I'll never run out of subjects.
Wilbur's perception as an author: Sometimes I marvel that I should be paid for having so much fun!
THE COMMENTS
Wilbur hates interviews: I think you can get to a stage where you have said everything possible there is to say.
Wilbur hates interviews: I think you can get to a stage where you have said everything possible there is to say.
On writing, he comments: It just naturally came - I had to do it. But there was a little break along the way. My Papa said, when I told him I wanted to be a journalist, 'Go and get a real job'. So I ended up as an accountant, but immediately went back to writing - it was in my blood, I think.
He is kind to the 50+ servants he employs at all his global residences: Anyone who has worked for us for 25 years, I buy them a house, and we educate all their children. I've got about 25 kids going to technical college.
Wilbur loves wild Africa: [As a boy, it] was just paradise for a small boy. There was endless fresh air all around you, endless space. Dogs, horses, guns, fishing rods, a constant supply of companions, in the form of small black boys. We'd go off into the bush, bird-nesting, and all the other horrific things like that - which I realize now, as a conservationist, how terrible they were!
Wilbur pursues a relatively solitary life in the bush: I feel jealous and possessive if I find car tracks less than a year old!
Wilbur has a ranch in the Karoo, South Africa. It is a giant conservation exercise, which, he says, is my way of saying thank you to Africa for all the good things I've had out of it. I bought a number of sheep stations, took all the sheep off and ring-fenced it - all 26 000 acres. I've introduced back all those species of African antelope which were there before the white man came.
Although educated at the prestigious Michaelhouse in Natal, South Africa, Wilbur doesn't look back on those days with fond memories: Times of joy and happiness were interrupted by long periods of incarceration in a boarding school, which were horrible. I was able to appreciate the freedom, after having been locked up in a boarding school.
I am a story-teller, says Smith. In literature, words are played like notes to play a symphony. I would never attempt to write literature. I wrote adventure stories...It's my job to entertain - to create illusion.
When asked how he would like to die, he replied: Unexpectedly. I don't want any warning beforehand. Let it happen when it must!
Wilbur drives a Toyota Land Cruiser for fun and a Rolls-Royce Silver spirit for posh. He hopes that the Rolls will last him for the rest of his life. Like an old pair of shoes, it just gets better and better the more you drive it!
His favourite author is C. S. Forester: He tells such a damn good story!
I'm an omnivorous beast, comments Wilbur on his favourite food, but I think nice young springbok steak takes a lot of beating. I'd cook it myself the way I like it - very rare with lots of garlic - and probably serve it with a side dish of pasta.
His biggest regret is that he hasn't one... Except, he adds, I should have bought IBM shares when they were $5 each!
Wilbur firmly believes in bringing back the death penalty in South Africa. No question about it - yes! And in many cases, I'd like to be the hangman!
His first sexual experience took place at boarding school... Under the sheets. Yes - by myself!
If he could have lived in any era of time he would have chosen the period in which he has lived. It's romantic to think about living in another era, but then you wouldn't have air travel, four-wheel-drive vehicles, anti-malaria pills, awareness of health and all those good things. But you must remember that I've lived at a time when a lot of the old Africa hadn't entirely gone, so I was born at just the right time. If I'd lived a little earlier I might have been killed in World War 1, and if I'd lived a little later, I might have been killed in World War 2.
The last time he was drunk was a long time ago. I've been merry on occasions, but I've learnt to be moderate in most things.
What gets him out of bed in the morning is the promise of a new day and all it has to deliver!
He would like his eulogy at his funeral to say: THE OLD DEVIL SPENT IT ALL!
Jack Nicklaus (US golfer): His books are terrific.
Nina Bawden (UK author): Masterly storytelling.
Evening Standard: Wilbur Smith writes as forcefully as his tough characters act.
Daily Express: The world's leading adventure writer.
The Washington Post: Action is the name of Wilbur Smith's game and he is the master.
The Sunday Times: Wilbur Smith is an adept at thrilling and harrowing scenes, researches his facts, gets it all too horribly spot-on. Terribly competent... Something between Alistair Maclean and Nicholas Monsarrat.
The Scotsman: Mr Smith is a natural storyteller who moves confidently and often splendidly in his period and sustains a flow of convincing incident without repeating his excitements.
The Irish Times: A thundering good read is virtually the only way to describe Wilbur Smith's books.
| Rhodesia |
Dr Smith was the cowardly troublemaker in "Lost in Space". What was his first name? | Wilbur Smith - Worldwide Bestselling Author : Literary lion’s roaring 70s
Wilbur Smith - Worldwide Bestselling Author
Literary lion’s roaring 70s
Interview by Kevin Ritchie
Wilbur Smith is content.
“I don’t want to sound smug, but damn it, I am, my life’s been great.” The 78-year-old author is on an unprecedented global publicity tour for Those in Peril, his 33rd book, which launches internationally on Tuesday.
He’s sold 120 million copies in 26 languages since When the Lion Feedswas first published in 1964 – and then promptly banned by the National Party government – but there’s no stopping him.
“I feel great, I’ve got the inclination and I’ve got the energy,” he says.
His appearance certainly belies his age.
Sitting behind the antique partner’s desk in the suite of rooms that is his study, an annex to the sprawling bungalow in Bishopscourt, in the lee of Table Mountain, Smith could easily pass for 65.
There’s not an ounce of spare fat on him and what’s left of his hair is shaved close to the skull. His handshake is firm; all that suggests otherwise is a stiffness and a pronounced limp when he walks.
When his wife Mokhiniso walks into his study, the years fall away. Smith’s positively skittish around her. There’s a gulf of 39 years in their ages; she’s young enough to be his daughter at least, but when they’re together, the age difference actually seems to shrink to 10 or 15.
Smith married her within months of his third wife Danielle finally losing her six-year battle with brain cancer.
Mokhiniso, or Niso as everyone refers to her, seems to play the same critical role in Smith’s life that Danielle did for the 30 years she was married to the writer.
She’s charming and elegant, in a core of steel, with a prodigious memory for detail.
Smith is delighted to hear that Boris Johnson, today the Lord Mayor of London, actually interviewed him almost 20 years ago, but can’t remember the article.
Mokhiniso does: “Yes, darling, it was Birds of Prey (one of Smith’s blockbusters) and he was on the Daily Telegraph.” It was in that interview that Johnson put his finger on one of Smith’s enduring traits – the often breathtaking violence in his tales and the lust, “venerated among schoolboys for his dog-eared sex scenes”.
There are plenty of those in Smith’s latest adventure, set in present-day Africa among the Somali pirates. It’s a rollicking yarn that starts with a bang and never lets up until the final – even for Smith fans – terrible denouement, after the indulged daughter of a Cape Town-born oil tycoon is captured in her super yacht and then brutally sexually enslaved by the man who was once her lover before turning out to be the ringleader.
There’s lashings of derring-do, bodice ripping and stomach-swooping danger as her mother, helped by a former SAS major, plots her safe return. The difference this time is that the setting of the book is totally up to date.
It’s a contemporaneity that Smith has shied fromsince his other “stand alone” books, choosing instead in recent years to range between Egypt of the pharaohs 4 000 years ago to African colonial sagas, battling the elements, shooting elephants and siring feuding dynasties that run from the 1600s to the 1980s, but never beyond.
His critics call him one-dimensional and formulaic. His fans – who are legion – liken him to a modern Charles Dickens for his ability to explain Africa.
One of them, Andrew Kenny, once memorably wrote to newspapers to demand that Smith should have got the Nobel Prize for literature instead of Nadine Gordimer. Another fan was buried with all Smith’s novels in his coffin.
None of Smith’s books has ever gone out of print. He’s Pan Macmillan’s most successful author of all time, collecting 22 of the publishing house’s coveted Golden Pan statues, awarded to authors whose books exceed one million sales.
His nearest rival could only manage seven – and that was Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond.
It’s a long way for the little boy who grew up on the Zambian Copperbelt before being sent to high school at Michaelhouse in KwaZulu-Natal, long before John van de Ruit immortalised it in Spud.
Smith isn’t particularly enamoured of his time at the little Eton on the Veld: “I wasn’t good with ball and bat, I read books, I spoke out, I was a bit of a rebel.” As for Spud, “Yes, I’ve read it. It’s enjoyable, it reminds me of Richmal Crompton’s 'Just William' books. It’s amusing.”
Rhodes University would prove a happier time. Smith qualified as a chartered accountant and only began writing after the collapse of his first marriage. He cashed in his leave, resigned from the Receiver of Revenue in the then- Rhodesia and took himself off to the hills of Inyanga to write what would become When the Lion Feeds.
The rest is history.
Now, at a time when most people have already retired and many are contemplating life in frail care, Smith’s about to use the launch of his new book to woo a brand new market of younger readers between the ages of 25 and 35 into the fold.
It’s a novel approach from the man one reviewer described as being like Coca-Cola and Baywatch “because his fame is so widespread he needs no introduction”.
Smith dismisses this: “That’s no reason for complacency.” He adds: “We’re trying to convince younger readers that their fathers were right. If that’s their only reason for not reading these books, then we’re saying, ‘give your dad a chance, find out what you’ve been missing’.” It’s unclear if this extends to Smith’s own children.
He has three from his first two abortive marriages; Shaun and a daughter Christian, and their half-brother Lawrence. He adopted Dieter, Danielle’s son from her first marriage, and ultimately made him his sole heir.
Today he is reportedly reconciled with Shaun, who went on to serve in the Rhodesian SAS before becoming a successful businessman in Plettenberg Bay. Of Christian, who launched a public attack in 1993 on her father, accusing him of abandoning her and her brother, there is no word, as there is none of Lawrence.
Shaun’s son, a self-confessed tik addict at a halfway house in Cape Town, whom Shaun has in turn disowned, does want to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps though and write a book of the underbelly of the Mother City.
Smith explains it thus: “They lead their lives, and I lead mine. I’m not the clingy type.” Of Dieter, the specialist doctor who unsuccessfully sued Smith, airing the family’s dirty linen in the process after his mother’s death and his stepfather’s remarriage, Smith is unequivocal: “He’s gone. Forever. To America. It’s not far enough.” Then he asks: “Have you heard the story about the old man dying? The old man is lying on his deathbed in his farm house, when his four sons arrive. They enter his deathbed and ask him where he’s put his money.
“The old man wheezes and gurgles, his withered hand comes out from beneath the sheets like a claw. Two fingers point downwards.
“Unceremoniously, his sons dump him off the bed and turn the mattress over, but there’s no money. They ask him again as he lies on the floor. His two fingers point down again. They race out of the room and into the cellar, but there’s no money.
“A year later, the old man’s fully recovered, he’s sitting on his stoep with his gorgeous 26-year-old bride about to enjoy a glass of red wine, when a bakkie screeches to a halt outside the house and his four boys pile out.
“ ‘Dad,’ they say, ‘we’re so glad to see you fully recovered, but we just wanted to find out about our inheritance, you know, because even though you’ve recovered, it’ll happen again, so where were you pointing to?’ “ ‘Of course it’ll happen again,’ says the old man. ‘The only problem was that the last time I didn’t have the strength to turn my wrist and lift up my two fingers to all of you.’ “ Smith chortles. As far as he is concerned, he’s in the prime of his life.
“I’m 78, I reckon 88’s a good time to go, before you start drooling into your food or peeing yourself, so that’s 10 years.” He’s looking forward to meeting his fans on the road. “It’s a privilege to meet anyone who pays money for a book I’ve written,” he says, but he warns that the PR tour will be relentless; afterwards, though, will be time for fun.
“It’s off to Argentina, the place I love most in the world after Africa, for steak and bird shooting and then Russia for Niso and I to catch salmon.” Their next stop will be New York where he intends renting a house for seven months.
After that it’s back to Cape Town, where the couple spend five months of every year – a far cry from when Smith was publicly threatening to leave the country if Winnie Madikizela-Mandela ever became president. For her former husband though, Smith has nothing but the greatest respect.
“The attention with his recent health scare was a bit ghoulish, but I think that’s what happens with a great man. It’s sad, terribly sad when you see an old bull going back. He’s so revered everywhere; his absence will be sorely missed, even in his advanced old age.” As for himself, though, he might not be able to walk for five days after elephants, three of whose tusks sit in copper boots atop carved tables in his study, but Smith believes he’s in fine shape despite a recent scare with arrhythmia.
“This morning I looked at myself in the mirror, a misty mirror as I came out of the shower, and said ‘You’re looking OK, you’ve had a great innings.’ “I’ve lived a life that few can emulate; things that didn’t end well at the time have turned out to be blessings in disguise.
“My life’s been great. Now I’m going to start living even faster and doing even more than I’ve ever done before.”
This interview, by Kevin Ritchie, appeared in the Weekend Argus and Saturday Star on 12 March 2011 and the Sunday Tribune on 13 March 2011
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Smith & Wesson manufacture what? | Manufactures Smith & Wesson
$325 USEDSmith & Wesson 22LR M&P 15-22 Rifle View Listing
$400 USEDSmith & Wesson 9mm SW99 Pistol View Listing
$400 USEDSmith & Wesson M&P 357 Pistol View Listing
$495 USEDSmith & Wesson M&P 40 Pro Series C.O.R.E. Pistol View Listing
FIREARMS
| Firearm |
What was Will Smith's character's name in "Men in Black"? | NRA Museums:
Steampunk Guns
Smith & Wesson Model 30 Revolver
SN 673704. The Model 30 was built on the small I frame and based on the Hand Ejector Model of 1903. In 1960, the I frame size was dropped and the J frame became standard for the Model 30. Model 30 revolvers built on the J frame have -1 stamped behind the model number.
Massachusetts natives Horace Smith and Daniel Baird Wesson, famous for their revolver designs, are also known for having developed the first practical American-made self-contained metallic cartridge, the .22 rimfire short. Both men were experienced in the design and manufacture of firearms, and in 1852, they formed a partnership for the purpose of manufacturing magazine-type arms. Their Norwich, Connecticut factory produced the iron-frame lever-action Volcanic pistol, patented in 1854 (see case 42 gun #1), which was a direct predecessor to the Henry and Winchester lever-action rifles that became famous during the Civil War and post-war periods.
The Volcanic was a lever-action pistol that featured a front-loading tubular magazine located under the barrel. This gun used a unique type of ammunition that consisted of a hollow-base conical bullet containing propellant and backed by a primer disc. In 1855, Smith & Wesson sold their interest to the newly-organized Volcanic Repeating Arms Company. The firm's manufacturing facilities moved to New Haven, with Smith serving as plant manager for the new company, and Wesson working as plant superintendent. Soon, however, both men left Volcanic and returned to Springfield, Massachusetts, Horace Smith's hometown. In 1857, Volcanic went into receivership.
The firms assets were purchased by Oliver Winchester, a Volcanic stockholder, and was reorganized as the New Haven Arms Company. Production was discontinued entirely in 1860, but the company survived, and by 1866 it became known as Winchester Repeating Arms Co. In November 1856, Smith and Wesson formed a second partnership to develop and manufacture a revolver that chambered metallic cartridges. Wesson had continued earlier experiments intended to produce a self-contained metallic cartridge, and by August, 1856, he had completed a wooden model of a pistol designed to chamber a rimfire cartridge.
Wesson soon discovered that a key feature of his design, a revolving cylinder that was bored to a constant diameter from end to end, had already been patented by Rollin White, a former employee of Samuel Colt. Smith and Wesson entered into an exclusive license to use White's patent in the manufacture of their revolver. White was to receive royalties of 25 cents per gun produced until the expiration of his patent in 1872. During Smith & Wesson's first year of production, White saw a meager $1 in compensation, but this was soon to change.
By 1858, Smith & Wesson's production of both revolvers and ammunition was increasing, and would soon outgrow their original manufacturing facilities. In 1860, the partners completed a new building that would allow continued expansion. Eventually, Smith & Wesson would sell their interests in ammunition manufacturing, but the production of revolvers would continue. Wesson's original design, the seven-shot Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 First Issue Revolver, was manufactured between 1857 and 1860. This model, with modifications, continued in production as the Model No. 1 Second Issue and Model No. 1 Third Issue Revolvers, with nearly 260,000 of all three variants produced before discontinuation in 1881.
By this time, the firm's product line, payroll, and output had increased dramatically. Revolvers chambered for .32, .38, and .44 caliber cartridges supplemented the original .22s, and the firm employed about 500 workers and produced 400 revolvers per day. Smith & Wesson had become dominant in the manufacture of revolvers, and the company's products were sold around the world. In July, 1873, Horace Smith retired after selling his interest in the company to D. B. Wesson. By 1880, Daniel's three sons, Walter H., Frank L., and Joseph H. Wesson, were working alongside their father, but Daniel continued to make all major decisions.
Frank Wesson died in 1887, but Walter and Joseph continued as partners in the firm until D. B. Wesson's death in 1904. Both Walter and Joseph were well-qualified to assume management of the family business, but neither they nor the executors of their father's estate could agree on the future direction of the company. Without Daniel B. Wesson's strong guidance, the firm experienced a prolonged period of weak leadership. Between 1912 and 1915, the two brothers alternated as president, until Walter's failing health forced him to cease active involvement with Smith & Wesson. Joseph then became president, but his own health problems frequently kept him away from his office.
In 1917, the United States entered the First World War, and Smith & Wesson received large government contracts to produce revolvers for military use. The company expanded its operations into a new facility, and increased its workforce as well, but Joseph's ill health, as well as labor disputes, created major problems for the gun manufacturer. Consequently, the government took over management of the firm until the war ended. With the return of peace, a surplus of military arms and the import of large numbers of inexpensive guns produced additional challenges. Joseph Wesson died in 1920, and Harold Wesson, Joseph's nephew, assumed leadership of the company.
Faced with dwindling sales and operating losses, Harold Wesson sought to diversify the company's product line. With the exception of two brief forays into the manufacture of shotguns and sewing machines, the firm had always concentrated its efforts on the production of handguns, but Harold's tenure as president saw Smith & Wesson's entry into the manufacture of handcuffs, washing machines, and toilet flush valves. None of these ventures stemmed the flow of red ink.
By the outbreak of the Second World War, Smith & Wesson was nearly bankrupt, and operational control of the company passed into the hands of Carl R. Hellstrom, a consulting engineer who had been hired as plant superintendent. Hellstrom brought Smith & Wesson back from the brink, and his wartime and post-war management of the firm saw a renewed concentration on the manufacture of handguns, as well as an expansion of both the company's production facilities and its product line. Although still located in Springfield, Massachusetts, Smith & Wesson has been a corporate subsidiary since 1965, when the Wesson family sold their interest to the Bangor Punta Corp.
During this period, the company expanded its product line to include a holsters and other firearms-related accessories, as well as riot control equipment and other items intended for use by law enforcement agencies. In 1984, Bangor Punta was purchased by Lear Siegler Corp., which in turn was acquired by Forstmann Little & Co. in 1986. The new owner was primarily interested in Lear Siegler's automotive and aerospace operations, and Smith & Wesson was sold to Tompkins P.L.C., a British holding corporation. Under Tompkins ownership, Smith & Wesson continued as an innovative company.
The firm expanded its line to include a new semi-auto pistol in the increasingly popular .40 S&W chambering, as well as their polymer Sigma Series pistols, which are available in a variety of calibers. The company established a second manufacturing facility in Maine, and it invested heavily in computerized machine tools, robotics, and other state-of-the-art technology. Smith & Wesson diversified into the manufacture of car parts, tools, and even golf clubs. As an added source of revenue, the firm opened several retail stores, as well as catalog and Internet sales operations, which sold a number of non-firearms products branded with the highly-recognizable interlocking "S&W" trademark.
Unfortunately, these new products could not offset losses incurred by a decline in handgun sales, coupled with increasing costs associated with anti-gun lawsuits brought against the industry by a number of U.S. cities and by crime victims. In March 2000, Smith & Wesson was the sole firearms manufacturer to sign on to a deal with the Clinton Administration which required the firm to comply with a number of dubious "safety" and marketing requirements; in return, S&W was dropped from government lawsuits. Far from having the desired effect, Smith & Wesson faced immediate backlash from the gun-owning public in response to what was seen as a sell-out to anti-gun hysteria.Sales plummeted as the shooting community spontaneously boycotted Smith & Wesson products.
As a result, the firm's management began to distance itself from this agreement. At present, the agreement between S&W and the government has not gone into effect. In May 2001, Tompkins sold Smith & Wesson to Saf-T-Hammer, an Arizona-based firearms safety and security firm. The company's product line is focused is on preventing unauthorized gun use and unintentional firearms-related accidents, and its customers include firearms distributers, retailers, law enforcement agencies, and gunsmiths.
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James Todd Smith, born 1968, is an American award winning rapper and actor. What is he better known as? | LL Cool J — Free listening, videos, concerts, stats and photos at Last.fm
old school
James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968 in Bay Shore, New York), better known as LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James), is a Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor signed to Def Jam. He has released twelve studio albums over his 27 year career, has starred in numerous feature films and currently plays Agent Sam Hanna on the hit show NCIS: Los Angeles.
Born in Bay Shore, New York, and raised between St. Albans, New York and Hollis… read more
| LL Cool J |
Which French side knocked Bolton Wanderers out of the 2006 UEFA cup? | LL Cool J - News, Photos, Videos, Bio. Free music downloads at MP3.com
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LL Cool J
Genres: Hip-Hop , rap , hip hop , 80s , rnb
Biography
James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968 in Bay Shore, New York), better known as LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James), is a Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor signed to Def Jam. He has released twelve studio albums over his 27 year career, has starred in numerous feature films and currently plays Agent Sam Hanna on the hit show NCIS: Los Angeles.
Read More...
Born in Bay Shore, New York, and raised between St. Albans, New York and Hollis, New York in the borough of Queens. The only child of Ondrea (née Griffith) and James Smith, Jr. Smith is of both African American and Native American descent. He spent his youth singing in the church choir, participating in the Boy Scouts and delivering newspapers.
Def Jam released his first record, the 12" single "I Need a Beat" in 1983. The single sold over 100,000 copies. The success of "I Need a Beat" helped lead to a distribution deal with Def Jam and Columbia Records in 1985. Soon after, he dropped out of Andrew Jackson High School to record his debut album.
He is known for romantic ballads such as I Need Love and Hey Lover as well as pioneering hip-hop such as I Can't Live Without My Radio, I'm Bad, The Boomin' System, Mama Said Knock You Out, and 4, 3, 2, 1. L has also appeared in several films. LL Cool J is one of a few hip-hop stars of his era to sustain a successful recording career for more than two decades. He has released 12 albums and a greatest hits compilation so far, with his next album, Exit 13, set to be released in September, 2008. The album will be the last for LL's record deal with Def Jam Recordings, a deal which has lasted for over twenty two years, making it the longest single hip hop deal to date. He now resides in Manhasset, NY with his wife and four children. Read more on Last.fm . User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.
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Benfica and F.C. Porto compete in which country? | Época 64/65 - Taça de Portugal: F.C.Porto - Benfica (1-1) - YouTube
Época 64/65 - Taça de Portugal: F.C.Porto - Benfica (1-1)
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Published on Jul 30, 2016
16 avos-de-final (2ª Mão)
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Which country did Oliver Kahn play for? | S.L. Benfica – Hooked on Soccer
Home / Shop / Portugal / S.L. Benfica
S.L. Benfica
Founded in 1904 by a group of people led by Cosme Damião, Benfica is one of the “Big Three” clubs in Portugal that have never been relegated from the Primeira Liga – the other two are rivals FC Porto and Sporting CP. The team is nicknamed Águias (Eagles) for the symbol atop the club’s crest, and Encarnados (Reds) for the shirt colour. Since 2003, their home ground has been the Estádio da Luz, which replaced the original one. Benfica is the most supported Portuguese club, with an estimated fan base of 14 million supporters worldwide, and the European club with the highest percentage of supporters in its own country. By August 2015, it had 156,916 paying members. The club’s official anthem, “Ser Benfiquista”, refers to its supporters who are called Benfiquistas. Benfica is honoured in three Portuguese Orders: those of Christ, of Merit and of Prince Henry.
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Who were the first ever English team to win away against Real Madrid? | Real Madrid's record against English sides (Squarefootball :: original football articles)
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Real Madrid's record against English sides
Posted by Colin Illingworth at 02:00 AM in Champions League , La Liga , Real Madrid , Spain | Permalink
Real Madrid host English champions Manchester City tonight and Roberto Mancini will be hoping to achieve something that only two English sides have managed in European competitions . . . beat Madrid at the Bernabeu.
Arsenal were the first English side to beat Real Madrid at home in 2006 thanks to a sensational solo goal from Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. The Gunners took a 1-0 lead back to north London and held on to knock the Spanish giants out of the competition, as Arsenal went on to face Barcelona in the final.
Three years later Liverpool joined that exclusive club, thanks to Yossi Benayoun's head. The Israeli international, who is currently back at West Ham United on loan, gave the Reds a 1-0 lead to take back to Anfield, and boy did they make the most of it. They sent the Spanish giants packing with a 4-0 defeat, 5-0 on aggregate.
Tottenham aimed to make it a hat-trick of wins for English clubs at the Bernabeu in 2011, but Harry Redknapp's men were torn apart, losing the game 4-0. And that's the risk for Manchester City fans. If you give Real Madrid a sniff of a chance they will punish you. But City have the chance to do something their fierce rivals United have failed to manage in four attempts.
United were the first English team to face Madrid in Europe in 1956/57 but left the Bernabeu on the back of a 3-1 defeat. Eleven years later, United recorded a 3-3 draw there, beating Real at home as Matt Busby's side went on to reach the final and clinch the European Cup for the first time. In 2000 United returned to the Bernabeu and recorded a goalless draw. Three years later they were shot down 3-1. The mighty Manchester United are still waiting for their first win at the Bernabeu. Could City go there tonight and beat them at the first time of asking? It will be a tough ask.
Derby County were given a football lesson in the 1975/76 season as they lost 5-1, while Leeds United put up a better fight in 2001 in the group stages as they lost out in a five-goal thriller.
In the UEFA Cup Ipswich Town played out a goalless draw there in 1973 as did Spurs in 1985, but whereas the Tractor Boys saw them off 1-0 at Portman Road, Spurs lost 1-0 at the Lane.
Real Madrid will start as favourites for tonight game and Ronaldo in particular will want to put City in their place. The visitors may be sitting in the top four but they have yet to keep a clean sheet this season and that will be a huge concern for Roberto Mancini, who will have his own scores to settle with Jose Mourinho.
Two defeats in 11 games against English opposition is quite a feat. Can City make it three in 12? Whatever your views, we'd love to hear from you.
To view Manchester City's record against Spanish sides, click here
...Display PP 2010/11 here
| Arsenal |
Who had a hit single in 1991 with The One And Only? | Real Madrid 0-1 Arsenal: Match Report | Arsenal first team, ladies and academy results and fixtures | Arsenal.com | Arsenal.com
Match News
By Richard Clarke in Madrid
In an otherwise dark, dark season, this result stands out as brightly as the brilliant white shirts worn by the Real Madrid side so soundly beaten by Arsenal on Tuesday night.
A virtuoso goal from Thierry Henry two minutes after the interval was enough to secure a first leg lead in this Champions League Knockout Round tie. But this was no smash-and-grab raid by an English outfit counterattacking on the Continent.
The visitors might have scored in the opening seconds, should have had another in the 10th minute and continued to go forward all night. Madrid had their opportunities too but, in the main, they were outhustled by wonderfully committed Arsenal side.
In the build-up to this game Arsène Wenger had overused the word “belief”. That and defensive stability, he argued, would be fundamental to his side’s chances against an in-form Madrid side. In the end, they displayed both qualities in abundance.
The second leg is still to come, of course, but this was a great performance on a great night capped by a great goal.
We can only hope that, as Wenger also suggested in his pre-game press conference, this can be the springboard to lift them further up the Premiership so they can enjoy European nights such as this night year.
The formation the manager chose to employ was no surprise but the players he filled it with did cause a mild raising of the eyebrows. Alexander Hleb was chosen ahead of Robert Pires on the right of a five-man midfield while Jose Antonio Reyes returned from injury to take his place on the opposite flank.
With eight players injured, mostly defenders, Mathieu Flamini maintained his job swap from right midfielder to left back. There was little option.
The Santiago Bernabeu is one of football’s cathedrals. And tonight’s congregation was as passionate and expectant as ever. Real Madrid’s illustrious history makes them feel they almost own the European Cup. They were not going to be knocked out by a side that had never reached the last four.
However, the opening stages suggested precisely that.
The visitors may have had the lead after only 80 seconds. Madrid gave away the ball in midfield and Henry drove forward. He spotted the run of Reyes into the left hand channel. The former Sevilla striker shot left-footed across Madrid keeper Iker Casillas. He thrust out his left hand to bat the ball aside.
In the eighth minute, Henry cleverly fed Ljungberg who had scampered into the area. The Swede’s first touch beat Casillas but also pushed the ball wide. Ljungberg tried to hook his foot around the ball and shoot but Roberto Carlos thundered in with a crucial tackle at the vital moment.
At this stage it was all Arsenal. They were playing with a confidence rarely seen this season. In the 10th minute Reyes curled in a gorgeous ball from the left and Henry rose above his marker to meet the ball with his head. He planted his header wide when he should have scored.
The visitors were continuing to impress. The midfield triumvirate were working well. Gilberto sat in front of the back four allowing Ljungberg and Fabregas hustle and harry their counterparts for Madrid. The home had no platform from which sustain pressure and launch their attacks.
It took until the 26th minute for their first chance to arrive. Zinedine Zidane crossed from the left and David Beckham crashed his header wide at the far post.
However just after the half-hour Madrid should have scored. Flamini's mistake allowed Ronaldo to feed Beckham. Lehmann rushed out to the edge of his area to block just as the England captain got his shot away.
By now the home side had evened up the balance of play. Lehmann was increasingly busy. Before the interval, he pouched a long range shot from Robinho and then punched clear a 30-yard free-kick from Roberto Carlos.
However, just as the fourth official indicated two minutes of injury time, Ljungberg nearly dribbled through on his own only for Casillas to hacked clear.
At half time it was so far, so good� then, two minutes after the restart, it got much, much better.
Fabregas fed Henry in the centre circle and the striker held off Ronaldo and skipped past Alvaro Mejia and Guti before racing into the area and muscling past Sergio Ramos. He then planted an angled shot past Casillas and into the far corner of the net. It was stunning even by Henry’s high standards which are as lofty as the rafters of the Bernabeu.
The 28-year-old celebrated his 34th Arsenal goal in the Champions League by running towards to the 3,500-strong visiting support with his arms out wide. The cathedral had its messiah for the night
Madrid seemed stunned. In the minutes that followed Ljungberg prodded goalwards and Henry blazed wide at the far post.
The home side did clear their collective head to muster some opportunities by the hour-mark, mostly notably when Raul nodded over at the near post. But, for the most part, they were lacking the final ball and Arsenal’s defenders had a dogged demeanour this evening.
With 20 minutes left, Lehmann rushed out to deny Beckham but, at the other end, Ljungberg and substitute Abou Diaby had much clearer chance to extend the visitors’ lead. On both occasions they were denied by Casillas.
Madrid continued to fire in crosses but they never forced a decent save out of Lehmann. The nearest was they came was a scramble in dying minutes.
Arsenal
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BBC 2 started its programming on 20 April, in which year? 1954, 1959 or 1964? | Popular Fifties TV Shows from The People History Site
Food Prices From The 1950's
Below you will find a number of TV shows that were popular back in the Fifties, many are available as DVD Sets or you can find them being repeated on specialist TV stations ( Terrestrial and Cable ) that feature popular old 50s TV Classics. Great fun , while doing the research it bought back many fond memories of my childhood. I wonder how many others found themselves humming along with the theme music.
Rawhide
Rawhide was an American television Western about cattle drives featuring Trail Boss "Gil Favor" played by Eric Fleming and ramrod "Rowdy Yates" played by Clint Eastwood. The theme music "Rawhide" performed by Frankie Laine. Series ran from 1959 till 1966.
Perry Mason
Perry Mason based on a fictional defense attorney "Perry Mason" played by the actor Raymond Burr and his faithful secretary, "Della Street" . Series ran from 1957 till 1966.
The Phil Silvers Show
The Phil Silvers Show a comedy television series based on the fun and antics of Sergeant Bilko a master sergeant in the United States Army . Series ran from 1955 till 1959.
Lassie
Lassie an American television series featuring the adventures of Lassie and his human companions which started with 11 year old boy Jeff Miller (1954–1957), seven-year-old Timmy Martin (1957–1964) after that she spent some time with forest rangers and the final years as a companion at a children's home. Series ran from 1954 till 1973.
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger an American television series featuring The Lone Ranger ( masked Texas Ranger ) with his White Horse Silver and his Indian sidekick, Tonto fighting the bad guys. Best remembered for the words "Hi-yo, Silver, away!" . The series originally was a Radio series dating back to 1933 . TV Series ran from 1949 till 1954.
Bonanza
Bonanza American cowboy television series featuring the adventures of the Cartwright family headed by Ben Cartwright played by Lorne Greene with his new wife and three sons Hoss, Little Joe and Adam, who lived on a cattle ranch called Ponderosa. . TV Series ran from 1959 till 1973.
Wagon Train
You can not include westerns from the TV shows of the fifteis without including the most popular of them all "Wagon Train" , This Webmaster is close to 60 years old and still remembers the opening song ". The first series aired from 1957-1962, and the second series aired from 1962-1965.
77 Sunset Strip
77 Sunset Strip American private detective series set in Los Angeles, featuring Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Roger Smith, and Edd Byrnes. The show was a major hit and soon actors and actresses were vying for the chance to appear as guest spot , the list of those who had a guest appearance included William Shatner, Mary Tyler Moore, Shirley MacLaine, Dyan Cannon, Susan Oliver, Roger Moore, and Diane Ladd. TV Series ran from 1958 till 1964.
The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin
The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin American children's television series about a young boy Rusty played by Lee Aake and his German shepherd dog, Rin Tin Tin in the American West helping to bring law and order to the area. This was one of many fifties TV shows of the period which were focussed on pets and other animals. TV Series ran from 1954 till 1959.
Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke American Cowboy Western drama series adapted from Radio show based in Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The start of the series featured James Arness playing the role of Marshal Matt Dillon which he continued to play for the shows 20 year run and Milburn Stone playing Dr. Galen "Doc" Adams. The programme held the number 1 slot for TV audiences for four years from 1957 to 1961 and was the last of the western cowboy series to end. Series ran from 1955 till 1975.
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone is an American TV series based on fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and horror usually with an unexpected twist at the end of the show. The series was reintroduced in 1985 and again in 2003. Original Series ran from 1959 till 1964.
American Bandstand
American Bandstand originally began as a show on WFIL-TV Channel 6 in Philadelphia just called "Bandstand" in 1952 but changed to "American Bandstand" when it moved to the ABC television network in 1957 where it was hosted by Dick Clark and seen by millions across the US, The years the show were on range in all it's forms went from 1952 - 1989 . The list of groups and music stars reads like a whose who of music over 35 + years and includes some of the biggest stars in the industry including ABBA, The Bay City Rollers, Chuck Berry, David Bowie, Sheena Easton, Aretha Franklin, Bill Haley & His Comets, I could fill five pages just with those stars who appeared.
The $64,000 Question
The $64,000 Question was one of the most popular of the quiz shows in the fifties, like many off the TV shows of the time they had a single sponsor ( which started as Revlon cosmetics in 1955 ) . The show did not last long after Revelations in the press that quiz shows were made that many of the shows were fixed to ensure the contestant the sponsors wanted to win did win. Original Series ran from 1955 till 1958. .
Perry Como Show
The Perry Como Show featuring Perry Como was a variety show which ran first as "Perry" on NBC filmed live from the "Chesterfield Supper Club" in 1948. The show moved slots and Times over the year featuring the music of Perry Como and the other popular stars of the day and finally ended in 1963. .
Dragnet
Dragnet was one the many shows from the period that began on radio and moved over to television, Dragent was about police and parts of the show still remain in the memories from those old enough to have seen the series including part of the opening title and these words "Ladies and gentlemen: the story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent." The series ran on Television from 1951 - 1959, a new series was created and shown from 1967 - 1970 .
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| 1964 |
Who wrote The Three Musketeers? | BBC ON THIS DAY | 15 | 1964: The Sun newspaper is born
1964: The Sun newspaper is born
The Sun newspaper is published today for the first time.
It is replacing the Mirror Group's Daily Herald, which has been losing readers and advertising revenue for several years.
The newest arrival on Fleet Street is promising to follow a "radical" and "independent" agenda - unlike its predecessor which had strong ties to the Labour party. The TUC sold its 49% stake in the paper in 1960.
Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) and the International Press Corporation (IPC) took over ownership of the Herald in 1961.
It was previously owned by Odhams Press, which had seen it reach a circulation of two million in 1933, the highest in the world at the time.
The Sun is a radical newspaper
Sydney Jacobson, Editor
In a bid to broaden the Herald's appeal once more, MGN, is relaunching the paper as the Sun, with the slogan "A paper born of the age we live in".
Editor Sydney Jacobson said his new paper would be "totally independent, no ties with any party or movement... totally free to make up its own mind."
The paper's launch coincides with the announcement of a general election next month.
Prime Minister Sir Alec Douglas-Home, whose Conservative party has been in power for 13 years, will be up against the man described as Labour's thrusting new grammar school boy, Harold Wilson.
Asked where his party's loyalties would lie in the coming election battle, Mr Jacobson replied: "The Sun is a radical newspaper. Can a radical newspaper support the present government?"
It is a competitive time for newspapers. Faced with rising costs, the Daily Sketch was the first to raise its cover price from 3d to 4d in June, but others are expected to follow suit.
The Daily Mirror - The Sun's stablemate - has a current circulation of five million but even so it is not expected to be able to resist the price increase beyond the end of the year.
The Mirror Group is splashing out on free beer and christening mugs for new babies to promote the Sun's arrival and Herald's demise.
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In what year was the first Six Nations Championship played? | What is the Rugby Union Six Nations tournament? - CBBC Newsround
What is the Rugby Union Six Nations tournament?
11 February 2015
Image copyright Getty Images
Check out this guide to find out all you need to know about the Six Nations.
Rugby Union Six Nations tournament
The Six Nations is a rugby union tournament played every year between the top countries in Europe.
The six countries who take part are England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy.
For the first 90 years of the championships there were only five countries involved, but Italy were invited to take part in 2000.
Rugby Union
Rugby Union is played by teams of 15 players, with each team made up of eight forwards and seven backs.
Even at the top level it used to be amateur; that is, played for fun by people who had other jobs too, but now the top players are all professionals.
The biggest competition in Union is the World Cup, played every four years, but the most famous one in this country is the Six Nations championship.
The Grand Slam
If a team wins all five of its matches it is called a Grand Slam, but to win a Grand Slam is very hard.
England won a Grand Slam in 2003, but only after losing their final match in the three seasons before.
The Triple Crown
The Triple Crown is a special prize that only the four home unions are able to win.
Image copyright PA
Image caption A team can only win the triple crown if they beat all three of the other home unions
Rugby facts
The sport gets its name from the place where it was invented, Rugby School in Warwickshire, England.
In 1816 a pupil called William Webb Ellis got a bit bored during a match of football and decided that picking up the ball would make things more interesting.
Although the game has come a long way since, even splitting into two codes; Rugby Union and Rugby League, that's where it started.
One of the most important rules of the sport is that the ball can only be passed backwards.
| two thousand |
Who directed the 1960 film The Magnificent Seven? | Rugby Football History
All Blacks Barbarians Canada British & Irish Lions Ireland Scotland Springboks USA Wales Wallabies
History of the IRFU
Dublin University, founded in 1854, was the first organised Rugby Football Club in Ireland. Students at the University had first learnt the game while at English Public Schools. Other clubs which were formed at the time and are still in existence include, Wanderers founded in 1869; Lansdowne (1873); Dungannon (1873); UCC (1874); Co. Carlow (1873); Ballinasloe (1875); NIFC (1868); Queen's University (1869).
Ballinasloe and Athlone amalgamated in 1994 to form Buccaneers.
From 1874 to 1879 there were two Unions. The Irish Football Union had jurisdiction over Clubs in Leinster, Munster and parts of Ulster; the Northern Football Union of Ireland controlled the Belfast area.
When the first International was played against England in February 1875, the teams were twenty a side and the Irish team included 12 players from Leinster and eight from Ulster.
The first fifteen a side match was in 1877 and the first Munster players were chosen in 1879.
In 1879 the two Unions agreed to amalgamate on the following terms:
(i) A Union to be known as the Irish Rugby Football Union was to be formed for the whole country.
(ii) Branches were to be formed in Leinster, Munster and Ulster.
(iii) The Union was to be run by a Council of eighteen, made up of six from each province.
The Council was to meet annually. The Council of the Union still meets annually, but the day to day affairs are managed by a Committee comprising a President, two Vice-Presidents, the immediate Past President, the Honorary Treasurer and nineteen members. In 1885, twenty-six Clubs were affiliated to the Union of which ten were in Ulster, nine in Leinster, seven in Munster. The Connacht Branch was formed in 1886.
The first All Blacks team visited Dublinin November 1905 and the IRFU made the match the first all-ticket rugby international in history due to the high level of interest. Ireland played only seven forwards, copying the then New Zealand method of playing a "rover". The game ended New Zealand 15 Ireland 0.
On 20 March 1909, Ireland played France for the first time, beating them 19-8. This was Ireland's biggest victory in international rugby at that time, their highest points tally and a record five tries.
30 November 1912 was the first time the Springboks met Ireland at Lansdowne Road, the 1906 tour game having been played at Ravenhill. Ireland with seven new caps were overwhelmed by a record margin of 38-0, still a record loss to South Africa who scored 10 tries.
In 1926, Ireland went into their final Five Nations match unbeaten and with the Grand Slam at stake lost to Wales in Swansea. Ireland again came close to a grand slam in 1927 when their sole loss was an 8-6 defeat by England.
In 1948 when, inspired by tactician and fly-half Jack Kyle, they beat France in Paris, England at Twickenham and a 6-0 win over Scotland at Lansdowne Road. They clinched their first Grand Slam in the Five Nations with a win against Wales at Ravenhill, Belfast. Ireland were champions and Triple Crown winners again in 1949.
The Irish used only 19 players in clinching the 1949 Championship and Triple Crown, only the fourth time that the Triple Crown had been retained by a home nation.
1950s
In 1951, Ireland were once more crowned outright Five Nations champions and were unbeaten going into their final game. They failed to win the Grand Slam or Triple Crown following a 3-3 draw with Wales in Cardiff.
The year of 1952 saw only Ireland's second overseas tour, the first for over half a century - as they headed to Argentina for a nine-match trip which included two Test matches. Ireland won six, drew two and lost one of the matches, their Test record being won one, drawn one.
On 27 February 1954, Ireland were due to play Scotland at Ravenhill in Belfast. The new Irish captain, Jim McCarthy, told IRFU president Sarsfield Hogan that the eleven Republic-based players would not stand for "God Save the Queen" alongside the Scottish team. It was agreed that an abbreviated anthem, known in Ulster as "the Salute", would be played that afternoon and that the Irish team would never play again at Ravenhill. Ireland went on to beat Scotland 6-0 but did not play in Northern Ireland again until 2007.
On 18 January 1958 Ireland beat Australia 9-6 in Dublin, this was the first time a major touring team had been defeated.
1960s
Ireland managed just three victories in the Five Nations Championship; against England in 1961, Wales in 1963 and England again in 1964. There were also draws against England and Wales at Lansdowne Road to the end of 1964.
1965 saw an improvement as Ireland drew with France before beating England and Scotland, only for their Triple Crown hopes disappear against Wales in Cardiff. On 10 April 1965 Ireland recorded their first ever win over South Africa. The match, held at Lansdowne Road, was heading for a draw with the score at six points each, when Tom Kiernan won the match for Ireland with a late penalty. Ireland beat Australia again in Dublin in 1967 and became the first of the home nations to win in the Southern Hemisphere when they beat Australia in Sydney in May 1967.
On 26 October 1968, Ireland made it four successive wins over the Wallabies with a 16-3 win at Lansdowne Road.
In 1969, Ireland claimed a 17-9 victory over France at Lansdowne Road in the Five Nations, a first victory over Les Bleus in 11 years. They were again unbeaten going into their final game in Cardiff but Wales denied them a Grand Slam for the third time. In the autumn of 1969, the Irish Rugby Football Union decided to appoint a coach for the national team for the first time, the role went to Ronnie Dawson.
1970s
The 1972 Five Nations Championship was not completed when Scotland and then Wales refused to play in Ireland following threatening letters to players, purportedly from the IRA. The championship remained unresolved with Wales and Ireland unbeaten. In 1973, despite similar threats, England fulfilled their fixture and were given a standing ovation that lasted for five minutes. Ireland won 18-9 and at the after-match dinner the England captain, John Pullin famously remarked "We might not be very good but at least we turn up". Ireland came close to a first win over the All Blacks on 20 January 1973 but with the score at 10-10 an Irish conversion attempt was pushed wide by a gust of wind. In the final match of the 1974 season, Ireland won their first Five Nations Championship since 1951.
Roly Meates was national coach from 1975 to 1977 and Noel Murphy from 1977 to 1980. Willie John McBride was coach until 1984.
1980s
In 1982 Ireland came close to winning a Grand Slam but were beaten by France in Paris. They beat Scotland, Wales and England to win the championship and their first Triple Crown in 33 years.
Three years after their last Triple Crown win, Ireland, coached by Mick Doyle, came out in 1985 and won the Championship and the Triple Crown again. They beat Scotland and Wales. The French again prevented Ireland from claiming a Grand Slam after a 15-15 draw in Dublin. Ireland played England at Lansdowne Road and won the championship with a last minute drop goal from Michael Kiernan. The match ended 13-10 to Ireland. It was Ireland's last silverware until 2004.
Ireland were whitewashed in the 1986 Five Nations Championship but on 1 November 1986, Ireland made history when they scored 10 tries against Romania in a 60-0 win. It was the biggest win in international rugby at the time, equaling the French record set in 1967.
At the inaugural World Cup in 1987, two straightforward victories over Tonga and Canada were enough to see Ireland through to the quarter-finals, when they travelled to Sydney to face the joint hosts Australia, only to be beaten 33-15.
In the Five Nations, England and France were dominant throughout the decade, resulting in the others scrapping around for the odd Championship title. Ireland didn't manage to win the trophy once in the whole decade and worse never finished outside the bottom two.
1990s
The second Rugby World Cup took place in Britain, Ireland and France in 1991. Ireland found themselves in the same pool as Scotland. After two easy wins over Japan and Zimbabwe, Scotland sneaked a 24-15 win at Murrayfield. Ireland played the Wallabies at Lansdowne Road in the quarter final and appeared to be on the verge of a shock victory over Australia, when Michael Lynagh scored the winning try to clinch a 19-18 win for Australia.
At the 1994 Five Nations Championship, Ireland beat Will Carling's all-conquering England at Twickenham.
At the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, Ireland were in a group containing the All Blacks and Wales. In a close game in Johannesburg, Ireland sneaked through 24-23 against Wales to make their third consecutive quarter-final appearance. Unfortunately France proved too strong, with Ireland going down 36-12.
The start of the professional era was disappointing for Ireland who finished bottom in the Five Nations Championship three years in succession (1996, 1997 and 1998). Englishman Brian Ashton was head coach between 1997 and 1998, but after a series of disappointing results resigned barely 12 months into the six year contract he had been awarded by the IRFU. Warren Gatland took over as coach in 1998, but was unable to produce immediate success and 1999 was the first time Ireland failed to reach the last eight at a Rugby World Cup. From this nadir, however, Irish rugby improved rapidly. With the advent of professionalism, the Irish Rugby Football Union decided to convert the four representative provincial sides into de facto club sides, with the financial capacity to retain top talent in Ireland, yet retaining strong links with amateur clubs and schools to enable young talent to be brought up through the ranks. The close geographical proximity of most of the Irish international squad helped cement relationships between the players in a way that would not have been possible had they left for English, French and Southern Hemisphere clubs. The later formation of the Celtic League (Now called the Magners League for sponsorship reasons) cemented this strategy by ensuring that provincial sides had a regular schedule of competitive rugby.
The 1999 World Cup was staged in Wales though Ireland played all their pool games in Dublin. A defeat to the Wallabies meant Ireland having to go down the play-off route. Playing away from Lansdowne Road for the first time in the competition, Ireland were beaten 28-24 by Argentina in Lens.
2000s
The advent of the new Six Nations format coincided with this Irish resurgence, and they became the strongest of the Celtic nations. In 2001 the rugby union season was disrupted due to the foot and mouth crisis in Britain. Ireland were good enough to beat France but were unable to play Scotland until the Autumn and were caught cold losing 32-10. They were still good enough to beat England, spoiling their hopes of a Grand Slam, and finishing second on points difference. Eddie O'Sullivan took over as coach from Warren Gatland in November 2001 following the New Zealander's sacking.
The 2003 Six Nations Championship came down to the wire with Ireland and England playing a Grand Slam decider at Lansdowne Road. England, however, won 42-6. That defeat ended an unbeaten run that stretched back 10 Tests to their Rugby World Cup qualifiers warm up against Romania in September 2002 and included defeats of Pool A rivals Australia and Argentina at Lansdowne Road. In 2004 they lost their opening game against France but became the first team to beat England following their World Cup win. They finished second in the table behind France and won the Triple Crown.
In 2005 Ireland were considered slight favourites entering the Six Nations Championships, and won their first three matches, including a 19-13 defeat of England in Dublin. However, Ireland's dreams of their first Grand Slam since 1948 were ended with a 26-19 home loss to France. In the final round, Wales defeated Ireland 32-20 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff to win the Grand Slam. Ireland finished in 3rd place. In 2006, Ireland showed the capacity to play top class rugby, but only inconsistently - a rout of Wales was balanced by uncertain victories against England , Scotland and Italy and a comprehensive defeat by winners France. Ireland finished second and won the Triple Crown for the second time in three years, incidentally the first ever time a trophy had been awarded for the feat.
They then embarked on their annual tour to the southern hemisphere. There they ran New Zealand close twice before a tired Ireland were thumped by the Wallabies in Perth. They returned to their clubs before they gathered once more for the last Autumn Internationals at Lansdowne Road. The South Africans came with an experimental side with an eye on the 2007 World Cup, which was soundly beaten by the Irish 32-15. Next to Lansdowne were Australia with a much more formidable squad. The weather ruined what many had tipped to be the battle of the backlines, although Geordan Murphy finished off a world class move in their 21-6 victory. That win propelled Ireland to a best ever height of 3rd in the IRB World Rankings. In the final international match at Lansdowne, Ireland thumped the Pacific Islanders 61-17, with Paddy Wallace putting in a man of the match performance with 26 points. The win completed a hat-trick of victories.
In March 2007 the IRFU created the "High Performance Select Group" of up and coming Irish players who have been earmarked for future Irish teams. This group includes Luke Fitzgerald, Barry Murphy, Tommy Bowe, Rob Kearney, Daniel Riordan, Stephen Ferris, Roger Wilson,and Jamie Heaslip, some of whom have already been capped. The aim of the group is to provide these young players with the support and infrastructure available to the senior squad and to ease their future transition into the Irish team.
With the announcement of the rebuilding of Lansdowne Road, a new venue was required to stage Ireland's home internationals. While Ireland are planning to play one of their warm up matches for the 2007 World Cup at Ravenhill, the only stadium in Ireland capable of holding major rugby internationals was Croke Park, home of the Gaelic Athletic Association. To accommodate this, the GAA temporarily relaxed its rule governing the playing of so-called "foreign games" on its property. Initially, two Six Nations games were played at Croke Park during 2007; the first was a 17-20 loss to France, and the second a 43 to 13 win over England.
Ireland began their 2008 Six Nations Campaign with a narrow win over Italy. France then edged Ireland out in Paris, before they went on to beat Scotland in Dublin, Ireland then lost to eventual Grand Slammers Wales and England.
In March 2008, Eddie O'Sullivan resigned as Ireland coach after the disappointing Six Nations and World Cup campaigns.
Declan Kidney was subsequently appointed as manager but did not take up this role formally until after Ireland's tour of New Zealand and Australia (losing to the All Blacks 21-11 and Australia 18-12). His first official game in charge was against Canada at Thomond Park which Ireland won 55-0.
Ireland won the 2009 Six Nations Championship and Grand Slam by beating Wales at the Millennium Stadium 15-17 on 21 March 2009, the first time they had won the championship since 1985, and the first time they had won the Grand Slam since 1948. Ireland also became only the second team (after Wales in 2005) to win a Six Nations Grand Slam after playing more away games than at home. The Ireland team arrived home on 22 March 2009 at Dublin airport to a heroes welcome. Afterwards around 18,000 fans turned out at the Mansion House to greet the team after clinching the first Grand Slam for Ireland in 61 years. After Autumn Series victories against Fiji and South Africa and a draw against Australia, Ireland ended 2009 unbeaten.
2010s
Ireland began the 2010 Six Nations with a home game against Italy, winning 29-11. Their second game was away to France in a match which many saw as the decider for this years competition. France ran out comfortable winners, the final score being 33-10. After a one week break Ireland were away to England. In a close game Ireland eventually emerged victorious, a Tommy Bowe try and Ronan O'Gara conversion winning the match 16-20. After another one week break Ireland were back at Croke Park against Wales. Ireland were winners, beating Wales 27-12 after a Man-of-the-Match performance from Tomas O'Leary. Ireland's final game of the Six Nations, and the last ever game at Croke Park, was against Scotland. Ireland went into the match with a 5th Triple Crown in sight but were undone by a 79th minute Dan Parks penalty, which gave the Scots a 20-23 victory.
Ireland began their 2010 Summer Tests with a non-cap friendly against the Barbarians, which they lost 23-29 despite a characteristic fight-back in the second half. Their next game saw them take on New Zealand. An injury hit side fielded a number of inexperienced or uncapped players, and Ireland were duly thrashed 66-28, their heaviest ever defeat, though a spirited come back in the second half gained them a lot of deserved credit, with tries from O'Driscoll, Bowe and D'Arcy after Tuohy's first half try. Jamie Heaslip was also sent off in the 15th minute so Ireland were at a numerical disadvantage. Ireland's next game was against New Zealand Maori. The side was captained by Geordan Murphy and fielded many inexperienced players. The game was level at 18-18 at half-time thanks to Jonathon Sexton's boot, but the Maori eventually won 31-28. Ireland's next game, and last of the Summer Tests, was against Australia which they lost 22-15.
Presidents of IRFU
D.V. Healy
Today (2010)
As of 2010 there are 60,000 (approx.) players in total in Ireland. 56 clubs are affiliated to the Ulster Branch; 71 to the Leinster Branch: 59 to the Munster Branch and 19 to the Connacht Branch. In addition there are 246 Schools playing rugby, Ulster (107), Leinster (75), Munster (41) and Connacht (23).
There is a National League of 50 Senior Clubs.
The Union owns grounds at Lansdowne Road at which International Rugby and Soccer matches are played. The ground is also home to Wanderers and Lansdowne Rugby clubs. Developments in recent years have added greatly to the seating capacity and the ground now holds approx 50,000. The Union also owns Ravenhill Park in Belfast, Thomond Park in Limerick and a number of grounds in provincial areas that have been rented to Clubs.
There is a Branch of the Union in each Province which s managed by a Committee representative of the Clubs in that province. The function of a branch is to regulate the affairs of its Clubs and Schools and to organise Interprovincial matches, Club competitions and Club matches. The Interprovicial series that is played before Christmas each season provides a useful series of trial matches for the Irish Selectors.
References:
1. IRFU website http://www.irishrugby.ie retrieved Oct 22, 2010
2. wikipedia.org/wiki/ireland_national_rugby_union_team retrieved Oct 22, 2010. NB. I don't usually like sourcing information from wikipedia as I have found it to contain many errors in the past. I therefore intend to verify and re-write most of the text on this page in due course.
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What was given by my true love on the eighth day of Christmas? | What was given by my true love on the eighth day of christmas
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What was given by my true love on the eighth day of christmas
Oct 22, 2013 . Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol that enumerates in the manner of. On the Second day of Christmas my true love sent to me. However, a 20th-century variant has " and a Partridge in a Pear Tree On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 7 Swans a Swimming 6 Geese a Laying 5 Golden Rings 4 Calling BirdsOn the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me seven swans-a- swimming, six geese-a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two . Dec 15, 2011 . Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me My true love sent to me. A partridge. On the seventh day of Christmas, My true love. In the version collected by John Jacob Niles, ". my true love gave to me.Dec 21, 2005 . On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, A partridge in a. Eight maids a milking symbolize the eight beatitudes. The good that we . 4 explanations to The Twelve Days Of Christmas lyrics by Christmas Carols: On the first day of Christmas / My true love gave to me: / A.. On the seventh day of Christmas, My true love gave to me: Seven swans a-swimming. Six geese a- layingDec 20, 2011 . On the 8th day of Christmas my true love sent to me…. . I find joy in the meaning given to this song, and I sing it joyfully – especially around . The Twelve Days of Christmas Lyrics: On the first day of Christmas / My true love gave to me: / A Partridge in a Pear Tree / On. On the seventh day of Christmas
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol that enumerates a series of increasingly grand gifts given on each of the twelve days of. Get breaking entertainment news and the latest celebrity stories from AOL. All the latest buzz in the world of movies and TV can be found here. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol that enumerates in the manner of a cumulative song a series of increasingly grand gifts given on each of. Our Lady's Messages 1981-2016. The messages given by Our Lady in Medjugorje began on June 25, 1981, and continue to this day. The earliest messages from 1981-1983. Christmas or Christmas Day (Old English: Crīstesmæsse, meaning "Christ's Mass") is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed most. god, jesus, bible, bible quotes, bible truth, bible errors, christianity, slavery, abortion, gay love, polygamy, war, execution, evil, TEEN abuse, taxes, punishment. This is the 2nd year doing this for my boyfriend! Last year he was so surprised on Day 1 and could hardly wait for the next 11 days to see what he was. A collection of lyrics to many of the best loved Christmas Carols in the world.. Christmas Carols - More than 100 Christmas lyrics Christmas Songs Holiday carol. Langston Hughes was first recognized as an important literary figure during the 1920s, a period known as the "Harlem Renaissance" because of the number of emerging. To link to this poem, put the URL below into your page: <a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/1900.html">Song of Myself by Walt Whitman</a> Plain for Printing
The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol that enumerates in the manner of. On the Second day of Christmas my true love sent to me. However, a 20th-century variant has " and a Partridge in a Pear Tree On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 7 Swans a Swimming 6 Geese a Laying 5 Golden Rings 4 Calling BirdsOn the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me seven swans-a- swimming, six geese-a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two . Dec 15, 2011 . Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Oct 22, 2013 . Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me My true love sent to me. A partridge. On the seventh day of Christmas, My true love. In the version collected by John Jacob Niles, ". my true love gave to me.Dec 21, 2005 . On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, A partridge in a. Eight maids a milking symbolize the eight beatitudes. The good that we . 4 explanations to The Twelve Days Of Christmas lyrics by Christmas Carols: On the first day of Christmas / My true love gave to me: / A.. On the seventh day of Christmas, My true love gave to me: Seven swans a-swimming. Six geese a- layingDec 20, 2011 . On the 8th day of Christmas my true love sent to me…. . I find joy in the meaning given to this song, and I sing it joyfully – especially around . The Twelve Days of Christmas Lyrics: On the first day of Christmas / My true love gave to me: / A Partridge in a Pear Tree / On. On the seventh day of Christmas
Get breaking entertainment news and the latest celebrity stories from AOL. All the latest buzz in the world of movies and TV can be found here. This is the 2nd year doing this for my boyfriend! Last year he was so surprised on Day 1 and could hardly wait for the next 11 days to see what he was. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol that enumerates in the manner of a cumulative song a series of increasingly grand gifts given on each of. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol that enumerates a series of increasingly grand gifts given on each of the twelve days of. Christmas or Christmas Day (Old English: Crīstesmæsse, meaning "Christ's Mass") is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed most. Langston Hughes was first recognized as an important literary figure during the 1920s, a period known as the "Harlem Renaissance" because of the number of emerging. god, jesus, bible, bible quotes, bible truth, bible errors, christianity, slavery, abortion, gay love, polygamy, war, execution, evil, TEEN abuse, taxes, punishment. To link to this poem, put the URL below into your page: <a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/1900.html">Song of Myself by Walt Whitman</a> Plain for Printing A collection of lyrics to many of the best loved Christmas Carols in the world.. Christmas Carols - More than 100 Christmas lyrics Christmas Songs Holiday carol. Our Lady's Messages 1981-2016. The messages given by Our Lady in Medjugorje began on June 25, 1981, and continue to this day. The earliest messages from 1981-1983.
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Traditionally, which player in a rugby league team wore the number nine shirt? | The Twelve Days of Christmas
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Dennis Bratcher
The Twelve Days of Christmas is probably the most misunderstood part of the church year among Christians who are not part of liturgical church traditions. Contrary to much popular belief, these are not the twelve days before Christmas, but in most of the Western Church are the twelve days from Christmas until the beginning of Epiphany (January 6th; the 12 days count from December 25th until January 5th). In some traditions, the first day of Christmas begins on the evening of December 25th with the following day considered the First Day of Christmas (December 26th). In these traditions, the twelve days begin December 26 and include Epiphany on January 6.
The origin and counting of the Twelve Days is complicated, and is related to differences in calendars, church traditions, and ways to observe this holy day in various cultures (see Christmas ). In the Western church, Epiphany is usually celebrated as the time the Wise Men or Magi arrived to present gifts to the young Jesus (Matt. 2:1-12). Traditionally there were three Magi, probably from the fact of three gifts, even though the biblical narrative never says how many Magi came. In some cultures, especially Hispanic and Latin American culture, January 6th is observed as Three Kings Day, or simply the Day of the Kings (Span: la Fiesta de Reyes, el Dia de los Tres Reyes, el Dia de los Reyes Magos; Dutch: Driekoningendag). Even though December 25th is celebrated as Christmas in these cultures, January 6th is often the day for giving gifts. In some places it is traditional to give Christmas gifts for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Since Eastern Orthodox traditions use a different religious calendar, they celebrate Christmas on January 7th and observe Epiphany or Theophany on January 19th.
By the 16th century, some European and Scandinavian cultures had combined the Twelve Days of Christmas with (sometimes pagan) festivals celebrating the changing of the year. These were usually associated with driving away evil spirits for the start of the new year.
The Twelfth Night is January 5th, the last day of the Christmas Season before Epiphany (January 6th). In some church traditions, January 5th is considered the eleventh Day of Christmas, while the evening of January 5th is still counted as the Twelfth Night, the beginning of the Twelfth day of Christmas the following day. Twelfth Night often included feasting along with the removal of Christmas decorations. Many European celebrations of Twelfth Night included a King's Cake, remembering the visit of the Three Magi, and ale or wine (a King's Cake is part of the observance of Mardi Gras in French Catholic culture of the Southern USA). In some cultures, the King's Cake was part of the celebration of the day of Epiphany .
The popular song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is usually seen as simply a nonsense song for children with secular origins. However, some have suggested that it is a song of Christian instruction, perhaps dating to the 16th century religious wars in England, with hidden references to the basic teachings of the Christian Faith. They contend that it was a mnemonic device to teach the catechism to youngsters. The "true love" mentioned in the song is not an earthly suitor, but refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person who is part of the Christian Faith. Each of the "days" represents some aspect of the Christian Faith that was important for children to learn.
However, many have questioned the historical accuracy of this origin of the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. While some have tried to debunk this as an "urban myth" out of personal agendas, others have tried to deal with this account of the song's origin in the name of historical accuracy (see Snopes on The 12 Days of Christmas ). There is little "hard" evidence available either way. Some church historians affirm this account as basically accurate, while others point out apparent historical and logical discrepancies.
The reality is that the "evidence" for both perspectives is mostly in logical deduction and probabilities. Lack of positive evidence does not automatically provide negative evidence. On the other hand, logical deduction and probability do not provide proof either. One internet site devoted to debunking hoaxes and legends says that, "there is no substantive evidence to demonstrate that the song 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' was created or used as a secret means of preserving tenets of the Catholic faith, or that this claim is anything but a fanciful modern day speculation. . .." Yet, there is no "substantive evidence" that will disprove it either.
The view of the song as a secret catechism is most likely legendary or anecdotal. Without corroboration and in the absence of "substantive evidence," we probably should not take overly rigid positions from either perspective. It is all too easy to turn the song into a crusade for personal opinions. That would do more to violate the spirit of Christmas than the song is worth. So, for the sake of historical accuracy, we need to acknowledge the likelihood that the song had secular origins.
However, on another level, this should not prevent us from using the song in celebration of Christmas. Many of the symbols of Christianity were not originally religious, including even the present date of Christmas, but were appropriated from contemporary culture by the Christian Faith as vehicles of worship and proclamation. Perhaps, when all is said and done, historical accuracy, as important as that might be on one level, is not really the point. Perhaps more important is that Christians can celebrate their rich heritage, and God's grace, through one more avenue during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Now, when they hear what they once thought was only a secular "nonsense song," they will be reminded in one more way of the grace of God working in transforming ways in their lives and in our world. After all, is that not the meaning of Christmas anyway?
(Click on a picture below to go to a devotional for that day)
On the 1st day of Christmas my true love sent to me...
A Partridge in a Pear Tree
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . ." (Luke 13:34)
On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love sent to me...
Two Turtle Doves
The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world.
On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love sent to me...
Three French Hens
The Three Theological Virtues: 1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)
On the 4th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...
Four Calling Birds
The Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.
[* This is the 1909 American version. Earlier English versions have "colley birds" or blackbirds. There are other versions as well.]
On the 5th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...
Five Gold Rings
The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch: 1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world.
On the 6th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...
Six Geese A-laying
The six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1).
On the 7th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...
Seven Swans A-swimming
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)
On the 8th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...
Eight Maids A-milking
The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10)
On the 9th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...
Nine Ladies Dancing
The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness,
6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control. (Galatians 5:22)
On the 10th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...
Ten Lords A-leaping
The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)
On the 11th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...
Eleven Pipers Piping
The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...
Twelve Drummers Drumming
The Twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed : 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.
Epiphany, January 6
Thanks to Yvonne Edwards for suggesting this page and finding the graphics.
-Dennis Bratcher, Copyright © 2015, Dennis Bratcher, All Rights Reserved
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The novel written by Agatha Christie that was renamed for political correctness in 1940 as Ten Little Indians has again been renamed. How is this story now titled? | Why was Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Niggers" renamed "Ten Little Indians", and yet Joseph Conrad's "The Nigger of Narcissus" remains unchaged?
Why was Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Niggers" renamed "Ten Little Indians", and yet Joseph Conrad's "The Nigger of Narcissus" remains unchaged?
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― jonathan livingston pigeon , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:12 (twelve years ago) Permalink
sexism.
― RJG (RJG) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:16 (twelve years ago) Permalink
[I was going to lock this thread as a troll but some quick research shows it isn't; wow would my reading habits have been different if I'd known about this when I was 10.]
― MODERATOR (Dan Perry) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:17 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Heh, I had the initial reaction as you but then yes, I did remember this being the case.
― Ned Raggett (Ned) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:17 (twelve years ago) Permalink
It's political crunkess. Gone mad.
― de , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:18 (twelve years ago) Permalink
I'm seriously considering building a time machine so that I can go back and slap Agatha Christie for being racist.
― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:19 (twelve years ago) Permalink
The classic book "The Student as Nigger" is also unchanged, but given the radical nature of the point the book makes, in that case perhaps it makes some sense.
Perhaps literature needs to be understood as a product of the society that created it--why whitewash over the taken for granted racism that existed? Let the names stand and give fodder for discussion about racism and society.
― Orbit (Orbit) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:19 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Seriously, where would you stop though?
xpost
― The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:20 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Cos racism wasn't taken for granted by everyone -- black or white -- when Christie chose that as a title.
xpost
― Enrique (Enrique) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:22 (twelve years ago) Permalink
I gather the rhyme originated in the UK, but the n-word was added when it got to the States. Charming.
― Ned Raggett (Ned) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:22 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Evidently it was taken for granted enough that the title was even proposed, no?
xpost
― Orbit (Orbit) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:23 (twelve years ago) Permalink
I think the thread title should be "X-Post-o-rama."
― Ned Raggett (Ned) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:24 (twelve years ago) Permalink
how is the use of Indians, in the context of the rhyme, any less racist? It has less stigma, sure, but that's different.
― hstencil , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:24 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Being old enough to remember the civil rights movement, racism and the n word were very very common up through the 1970s. When I was a kid, you could still eat at Sambo's.
So yeah, that Christie could conceive of the title and propose it to a publisher says a lot about public consciousness at the time.
mega xpost
public consciousness about Indians wasn't even developed until very recently (changing of sports team names etc)
― Orbit (Orbit) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:27 (twelve years ago) Permalink
maybe if it was "Ten Little Injuns"
― phil-two (phil-two) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:27 (twelve years ago) Permalink
well Indian was reclaimed by AIM (and most Americans don't give a shit about Indians anyway) - but obviously the use of nigger has remained contentious (at least for some).
― hstencil , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:28 (twelve years ago) Permalink
(the title's also been changed to " …and then there were none")
― mark s (mark s) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:28 (twelve years ago) Permalink
why whitewash over the taken for granted racism that existed?
This is exactly why I hate _Heart Of Darkness_.
― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:29 (twelve years ago) Permalink
I just thought it strange that this thread was posited as being somehow a "cleanup" of the title, when they're both pretty bad.
― hstencil , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:29 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Do you mean the literary association with dark=evil, or am I missing something?
xpost
― Orbit (Orbit) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:30 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Agatha Christe = crappy writer (ever tried to read her? yeugh). Provocative title unecessary for her work.
Conrad = V. bloody good writer. Also treats colonial themes very seriously. Not complete racist as some claim (sorry d.perry, i disagree). Also died 1924, so he and his work is still rooted in the colonial era. Provocative title acceptable.
Gentlemen, start firing........NOW.
― de , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:31 (twelve years ago) Permalink
"Evidently it was taken for granted enough that the title was even proposed, no?"
I don't know what Christie's novel was titled in the US, but in the UK, it was known as "Ten Little Niggers" until the early 1980s, when it was changed. But i think it's interesting that they felt they had to change that novel, but not Conrad's. Why? Because people who read Conrad are supposed to be more "sophisticated" or something?
― jonathan livingston pigeon , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:31 (twelve years ago) Permalink
As Mark S. said, the book is now called 'And then there were none'.
I read it last week. The rhyme in the version I read talks about '10 little soldiers', and the setting is Soldier Island, rather than Nigger Island.
Great book, by the way.
― Joe Kay (feethurt) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:32 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Vagaries of publishing houses?
― Orbit (Orbit) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:33 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Because people who read Conrad are supposed to be more "sophisticated" or something?
that's assuming a lot.
― hstencil , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:33 (twelve years ago) Permalink
in the conrad, James Wait (the nigger in question) is key to the way the characters behave and the general plot, whereas in the Christie, the niggers in question are not actually characers, it's just from a rhyme to symbolise the slow bumping off of characters.
i guess the christie estate thought it relatively unproblematic changing the title as there are probably many variations in the rhyme even at the time, and it would be less offensive for the newer audience it needed to reach in later time. still racist, but a much less problematic word. (I imagine most ppl here only knew the "indians" variation as a kid and found out about the change in the Christie book much later on if at all) XPOST, what Mark said about the film
I can't see an audience disposed to read Conrad being put off by the older name, and as it's more ingrained in the story it would be harder to move/translate.
Coincidence or something more s*n*ster - NoN is the only Conrad boook not digitised on Project Gutenberg.
ALSO, do your own research ;-)
― Jaunty Alan (Alan) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:33 (twelve years ago) Permalink
You know if publishers start backing up and re-writing novels to remove racist content, will we have a "There Was No Racism" movement like we now have the "Holocaust Never Happened" people?
― Orbit (Orbit) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:34 (twelve years ago) Permalink
presumably the answer to the question is that it has been assumed that AC chose her title not to annoy or offend, but to be something bright and catchy and memorable and jokey - ie a line from a basically meaningless nursery rhyme - so there is no crime on "deep artistic grounds" if it is switched to something non-offensive but otherwise analogous, whereas conrad picked his title for other kinds of reasons than mere cheerful saleability, so bad to change it, and besides what's inside the book will surely deal with topics raised along with offence yada yada*
*(i've never read either so i've no idea if an argument based on content wd be a defensible argument...)
― mark s (mark s) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:37 (twelve years ago) Permalink
I think that's one of the reason why Native Americans still like to use the term Indian. To rub it in the face, reminding just how ignorant the conquering Euros were/are.
xpost
― The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:37 (twelve years ago) Permalink
My issue with _HoD_ is the general disdain that the novel puts towards the African characters. They are unapologetically subhuman throughout the book from every character's perspective. I do not like reading books that champion the perspective of "Look, white people, if we aren't careful we could become animals like them!".
― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:37 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Dan, even if the book is knowingly from the PoV of a racist?
― Jaunty Alan (Alan) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:39 (twelve years ago) Permalink
"look! white people! if we aren't careful we could become animals, like them!"
― RJG (RJG) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:40 (twelve years ago) Permalink
well Dan has problems with V. too for the same reasons, and I wouldn't call Pynchon a racist. It's a valid point of view, even if I don't agree with it.
― hstencil , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:41 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Pynchon wrote V? Like the V: The Final Battle?
― The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:41 (twelve years ago) Permalink
no, dumbass.
― hstencil , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:43 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Well the books reflect the time they were written in, and I think they are invaluable historical indicators of how things were and to some degree are. We might not like reading them, but I think it is important that they remain unchanged; and subject to criticisms suchs as Dan's.
Yes he wrote V.
― Orbit (Orbit) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:43 (twelve years ago) Permalink
The publishers didn't remove all the racist content though, there's a 'typical Jew' drug dealer still in there.
Also one of the characters was responsible for the deaths of 20 Africans. Another character (one of the more sympathetic in the book) argues that they 'were only blacks'. It's unclear whether Christie goes along with this or not.
― Joe Kay (feethurt) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:44 (twelve years ago) Permalink
right i don't think you can say he's exactly "championing" that perspective. i thought what 'de' wrote up there was perfect (is that what xpost means? still wondering)
― duke newbie , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:44 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Alan: Yes. The issue is that I think racism is wrong largely because of the direct impact it can have on my life and reading a story where I'm supposed to sympathize/identify with a character who thinks people like me are subhuman and (more importantly) NEVER LEARNS THAT THIS IS INCORRECT pisses me off to no end.
(To give an example from another angle, _Native Son_ was a fantastic book but i have absolutely zero desire to ever read it again.)
― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:45 (twelve years ago) Permalink
so this is a problem for you even when written by a non-white author, Dan?
― hstencil , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:47 (twelve years ago) Permalink
I should probably use "issue" instead of "problem," I don't think there's anything wrong with you obv.
― hstencil , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:48 (twelve years ago) Permalink
who says you have to "sympathize/identify" with Marlow?
― phil-two (phil-two) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:50 (twelve years ago) Permalink
If you are going to be pissed off by every novel where the character is racist/sexist or whatever and never learns the error of his/her ways, then you are ruling out an awful lot of pre-20th century literature. What about ancient Greek or Roman literature, where the institution of slavery is never questioned?
― jonathan livingston pigeon , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:51 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Hm...Marlow's not the actual narrator, is he? There's a framing device I seem to recall.
― Ned Raggett (Ned) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:52 (twelve years ago) Permalink
oh, this is my problem with books. i forget character names. like when i was writing the essay for AP Literature, I thought the dude's name was George. i got a really bad score.
― phil-two (phil-two) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:53 (twelve years ago) Permalink
"The reason people are more pissed off about fur than leather is because it's easier to pick on rich ladies than motorcycle gangs." Bumper Sticker in my neighborhood. Seems somehow germane.
I do not like reading books that champion the perspective of "Look, white people, if we aren't careful we could become animals like them!".
That perspective, a version of the age old tendancy to damn the other as not only different but inferior, is a valuable one to study, surely. Homo sum; nihil humani a me alienum puto, etc... The threat of the end of civilization, the loss of identity, the incessant warfare between peoples is common to all civilizations even if it tends to be paranoid and fascistic.
― Michael White (Hereward) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:54 (twelve years ago) Permalink
"Tell me about the heart of darkness again, George."
― Ned Raggett (Ned) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:54 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Has anyone read The Nigger of Narcissus?
― de , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:55 (twelve years ago) Permalink
In this Bitch, I mean. ;-)
― de , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:56 (twelve years ago) Permalink
I'm unconvinced by mark s's argument that it's acceptable to change Christie's title because it basically has nothing to do with the plot. Even if it did have something to do with the plot, the title would have been changed because Christie is popular literature and Conrad isn't. That's the key distinction I think, and the underlying assumptions of that distinction are interesting.
And no, I haven't read The Nigger Of The Narcissus
― jonathan livingston pigeon , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:57 (twelve years ago) Permalink
oh wait, i meant i was writing about The Great Gatsby, and i thought his name was George instead of Jay.
― phil-two (phil-two) , Monday, 26 April 2004 15:59 (twelve years ago) Permalink
I've read lots of Conrad books (in the distant past, I must admit) but not that one. I always felt embarrased about the title, which is pretty stank!! "The Secret Agent" is the best one. (x-post)
― Pashmina (Pashmina) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:00 (twelve years ago) Permalink
The title was changed first to And Then There Were None for the US market during Christie's lifetime. (Ten Little Indians was actually the third title change). Mark S's argument is correct.
― jack cole (jackcole) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:03 (twelve years ago) Permalink
I like nostromo.
― RJG (RJG) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:03 (twelve years ago) Permalink
(i'm unconvinced by the suggestion that my post can fairly be read as stating MY argument, as opposed to outlining some notional publisher's rationalisation)
(hey pashmina can you email me w.an email i can reach you on?)
― mark s (mark s) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:03 (twelve years ago) Permalink
normanfay(at)btconnect.com, mark.
― Pashmina (Pashmina) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:04 (twelve years ago) Permalink
nostromo is easily the best title
"romance - a novel" is probably the worst
― mark s (mark s) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:05 (twelve years ago) Permalink
(the faycycle/demon one has been pretty much spammed out of existence b/c of skanks using it as a spoof return address for junkmail)
― Pashmina (Pashmina) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:05 (twelve years ago) Permalink
there are two possibilities: we can re-rename it "Ten Little Niggaz" or transfer all Christie-directed slaps to Elvis Costello (which sounds more cathartic)
― Donna Brown (Donna Brown) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:10 (twelve years ago) Permalink
in that case, bell hooks to thread!
― Orbit (Orbit) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:10 (twelve years ago) Permalink
orbit OTM!
― Donna Brown (Donna Brown) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:11 (twelve years ago) Permalink
From what I have read, non-white authors handle it differently from white authors. _Native Son_ was a gigantic condemnation of the circumstances that lead to the death of Bigger Thomas and was meant to generate frustration and rage at said circumstances and I appreciate the novel for that, but I do not read to be frustrated and enraged.
(xpost phil, who the hell are you supposed to identify with then? Isn't that one of the main roles of a protagonist?)
― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:11 (twelve years ago) Permalink
(message replied to mark)
― Pashmina (Pashmina) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:12 (twelve years ago) Permalink
x-post sorry mark -- i didn't mean "argument" to be taken so literal. replace 'argument" with suggestion or whatever. geez.
so let me get this straight -- costello can't make a mistake and apologize for it many times and never do it again? he can never be forgiven? change is impossible?
― jack cole (jackcole) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:13 (twelve years ago) Permalink
(ok i emailed you)
HoD I think is a classic example of a novel being dated by events since publication - it came out in 1902, while the Belgian genocide in the Congo was still in process, and was sorta kinda an angry advance warning abt same (which Conrad knew abt and was appalled - stronger word needed really - by)
Dan is right, that the trope used - intended to shock and upset and get stuff going - was "You know this civilising mission, where we go in and make things nice for them, well we're as bad as them": well actually hey "we" turned out to be capable of a lot worse than "them" (where "them" is indeed an evil cartoon rather than a reality), but this fact was really pretty indigestible among the respectable European (and American) reading public till after WW1, when it was kind of hard to ignore. I think if you read HoD now, in light of the actual unfolding events, it full of unaddressed problems (and therefore by no means the 'timeless' work it's sometimes held up as. I also think it's unfair retroactively to pillory Conrad for these problems: he was an angry, difficult man fighting to get people to think about (and do stuff about?) what was going on, when (pretty much) everyone else was doing nothing. He wasn't able to look 100 years ahead and think, and how will this all read when the world is quite changed? But I don't think that makes some of his thinking any less ugly or unattractive,
― mark s (mark s) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:16 (twelve years ago) Permalink
(x-post jack - it wz directed at JLP AND came out more snarky than i intended)
― mark s (mark s) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:17 (twelve years ago) Permalink
I agree with Mark, which is why I've been framing this as MY problems with _HoD_.
― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:20 (twelve years ago) Permalink
"Nigger of the Narcissus" actually does have an alternative title: Children of the Sea, from an 1897 edition.
LC MARC record references this. I don't feel like looking around for an actual record of that edition, but it's out there.
The nigger of the Narcissus; a tale of the forecastle, by Joseph Conrad.
LC Control Number: 14009765
― Dickerson Pike (Dickerson Pike) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:36 (twelve years ago) Permalink
[completely irrelevant sidebar:
"forecastle" is often written as "fo'c's'le" (to reflect UK sailor pronunciation: viz "foaxull") — is it the only English word with this many apostrophes so close together?]
― mark s (mark s) , Monday, 26 April 2004 16:44 (twelve years ago) Permalink
I believe "fo'c'sle" is the only English word with two apostrophes in it at all, but I might be misremembering.
― Casuistry (Chris P) , Monday, 26 April 2004 23:39 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Are you not counting things like shouldn't've?
― N. (nickdastoor) , Monday, 26 April 2004 23:45 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Is "shouldn't've" in the dictionary?
― Casuistry (Chris P) , Monday, 26 April 2004 23:50 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Well, probably not, but it's in the Buzzcocks, which is just as important.
― N. (nickdastoor) , Monday, 26 April 2004 23:52 (twelve years ago) Permalink
we used to enjoy fo'c'sles in the summer - the grape ones were my favorites
― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle) , Monday, 26 April 2004 23:55 (twelve years ago) Permalink
When I was a kid we always used to go see the fo'c'sles at the Natural History Museum.
― Casuistry (Chris P) , Tuesday, 27 April 2004 00:39 (twelve years ago) Permalink
The new models are overrated.
― Ned Raggett (Ned) , Tuesday, 27 April 2004 00:41 (twelve years ago) Permalink
Clara Peller 4evah!
― Casuistry (Chris P) , Tuesday, 27 April 2004 00:47 (twelve years ago) Permalink
You obscure MST3K skit reference freak. Oh wait.
― Ned Raggett (Ned) , Tuesday, 27 April 2004 00:50 (twelve years ago) Permalink
one month passes...
as i only came across this while lookin for lighthearted agatha christie threads i am gonna avoid most of the issues for the moment except to say
i agree with dan and mark s.
― H (Heruy) , Monday, 31 May 2004 23:15 (twelve years ago) Permalink
three years pass...
| And Then There Were None |
Which architect's works include Jameos del Agua, Mirador del Rio and Jardin de Cactus? | agatha christie | nanquick
Website http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/overbecks
Otto Overbeck bought his house, originally called Sharpitor, in 1928. Upon his death in 1937, the house and garden were bequeathed to the National Trust, with the stipulation that it should be renamed Overbeck’s. Image courtesy of The National Trust.
Overbeck’s is perched high above the Salcombe Estuary, and has views out over the English Channel.
Aerial View of Overbeck’s. The road (if it can be called that) to Overbeck’s is winding and terrifyingly narrow…more a paved goat-path than a place for automobiles, however compact they may be. Unflappable as always, Anne Guy steered her vehicle upwards, with but a few sideways glances at the rock walls, and steep drops, alongside the steep approach to the House. Occasionally she played “chicken” with a car that was headed in the opposite direction: she nearly always won.
On display inside of the House: this aerial view of Overbeck’s.
The National Trust introduces Overbeck’s this way:
“A hidden paradise of subtropical gardens and quirky collections…
Welcome to the seaside home of inventor and scientist Otto Overbeck. His gardens and house are perched high on the cliffs above Salcombe, with glorious views over the estuary and coast. Walking through the garden is like taking a trip around the world. With palm trees, banana plants, citrus and olive trees, you could easily forget for a moment and expect to see a parrot flying up above.”
I’ve always maintained that creating a garden — especially one that is large and ambitious and which requires serious earth-moving at the outset — is an impractical and somewhat lunatic endeavor. It thus seems appropriate to introduce you to the first gardener in today’s Tour: Otto Christoph Joseph Gerhardt Ludwig Overbeck — in all of his Glorious Lunacy — as painted by Leonard Rosoman.
Artist Rosoman’s portrait of
Overbeck, as he demonstrates his Electrical Rejuventor upon himself. Image courtesy of the National Trust
The National Trust’s description of Overbeck includes these nuggets:
“A research chemist by profession, he was also an accomplished linguist, artist and inventor. Otto also discovered that a waste product of brewing was in fact a nutritious food: he called it “Carnos” (Greek, for meat). A few years later the same method was employed to create the famous MARMITE.”
Marmite, in my Yankee’s-opinion, is the black, gooey, salty spread which the English use to ruin their morning toast….utterly revolting! When a Brit describes something as “a bit Marmite,” he’s talking about an acquired taste.
Proving that, in all eras, the dream of a fountain of youth springs eternal:
“Otto’s most successful invention was the ELECTRICAL REJUVENATOR that he patented in the 1920s, and which he claimed could defy the aging process if users applied the electrodes from his device to their skin.” Otto declared: “’Since completing my apparatus and using it on myself, I have practically renewed my youth. ‘ Overbeck successfully marketed the Rejuvenator, worldwide. He used to say that by means of his rejuvenation machine he intended to live till he was 126: he passed away when he was only 77.”
Displayed in the House: some of Overbeck’s inventions and publications.
But, what matters today is that Overbeck’s inventions made him money; and those funds allowed him to add thousands of exotic and sub-tropical plants to the already-in-place terraces which Edric Hopkins, the first owner (from 1901 until 1913), had built on the rocky, cliffside site.
Path, approaching the Garden’s Main Gate
We enter Overbeck’s . Note the bright turquoise of the Salcombe estuary in the distance, and how
the wrought iron railings have been painted to match, in what is called Overbeck’s Signature Blue.
Detail of Main Gate
A flight of steps leads us downwards, through an avenue of Chusan Palms.
A closer look at those fabulous wrought iron railings. I WANT THEM.
Among the many peculiarities of the Southern Devon coast are its pockets of Mediterranean micro-climates. Taking advantage of Salcombe’s mild winters and warm southern breezes, Overbeck was able to embellish his 2+ acre garden with a huge range of decidedly NON-native plants : 3000 palm trees were added, along with bananas, oranges, lemons and pomegranates.
Guided by his head gardener Ellis Manley, Otto nurtured plants which are native to tropical Asia, such as his camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora), along with specimens from Africa, South America and New Zealand. When one remembers that Overbeck gardened here for a mere nine years before his death, his horticultural transformations of the property are even MORE stunning to behold.
We arrived at 9:30AM, a half hour before opening time. Early Birds can linger on this terrace, with its stunning view, down the Estuary.
This side of the House, seen from the entry area, is an anarchic combination of shapes and styles…which seem quite at home in Overbeck’s English Jungle Garden.
Another view of Salcombe Estuary, from the entry area.
A closer look at Salcombe Bay… more like California, or Italy, than England.
The National Trust’s gardeners who today tend Overbeck’s rely solely upon rainwater and runoff collected from roofs for irrigation. State of the art composting provides all of the necessary mulch and fertilizer for the garden, which, though compact, feels vast because the site offers spectacular and varied views of the estuary and ocean.
The plants at Overbeck’s, while exotic, are none of them sissies! Most survive without winter protection. And the free-draining soil, which is composed of millions of minute rock particles from the excavated cliff, ensures that root systems of the plants do not rot during England’s wet seasons. Whether by design or by chance, Otto Overbeck found the perfect place for his horticultural adventuring.
Before we began our tour of the gardens, we enjoyed coffee and cake (there’s ALWAYS time to eat cake…) on the Tea Room’s Terrace.
Approaching the Tea Room’s Terrace
Detail of wall railing, on the Tea Room’s Terrace.
WANT, WANT, WANT!
Our bright-morning-sun Terrace view of Salcombe Bay.
Palm Gardens below the Terrace cling to the steep slope.
Inside the Tea Room proper, this painting by Leonard Rosoman, of Otto Overbeck in his garden, adorns the mantle.
The former billiard room is now the Tea Room, where a sign at the door cautions that wait-times for food will be LONG, due to each plate being prepared to order. Later, at lunchtime,
we discovered that the food was well-worth waiting for.
Back outside, at our Terrace table, this Accomplished Beggar gave me Duck-Eyes.
View of the House, from the Tea Room Terrace Lawn.
The House, originally named Sharpitor, was built in 1913 (to replace an earlier structure). Shortly thereafter, the new owners, Captain and Mrs. George Vereker, converted Sharpitor into a Red Cross convalescent home for soldiers, in tribute to their 21-year-old son, who had been killed, just 22 days after the start of World War I. By January of 1919, the Verekers had welcomed 1020 wounded soldiers to their home; I imagine that the warm sunshine there, along with the incredible generosity of the Verekers, healed a good many men.
Well-nourished, we headed across the Tea Room Terrace Lawn, towards the Upper Gardens.
Site Plan: Overbeck’s.
A flight of stairs in the Rock Dell leads up, toward the Olive Grove & Picnic Area.
Detail of handrail on Rock Dell stairs.
Our view from the lowest spot in the Olive Grove
Another view from the Olive Grove
The Olive Grove is planted at the highest point in the Gardens.
Anne and David lead the way, to the top of the Olive Grove.
Panorama, seen from the topmost point in the Olive Grove
Olive Trees, up close
Downslope from the Olive Grove is the Statue Garden, which stands upon the former site of a tennis court. I realize that, among English gardens, some of the nicest I’ve seen are those which have replaced a tennis court (the most fabulous being the New Water Garden at Kiftsgate Court, in Gloucestershire, which I featured in my
Armchair Diary titled “An Idiosyncratic Survey of Sculpture in Gardens of the Western World.”).
The Statue Garden predates Otto Overbeck’s ownership of Sharpitor. The statue in question, a bronze figure of a girl whose fingers originally supported a bird, was somewhat modified during the Second World War. Whereas the occupants of the property during WWI were convalescing British soldiers (and were thus guests who weren’t terribly rambunctious), the American soldiers who were stationed at the house during WWII were a friskier and less well-behaved bunch. The bronze bird in the hand of the bronze girl was too tempting, and soon became a victim of the soldiers’ target practice. Seems we North Americans, when stationed abroad and with time to spare, sometimes go a bit nutty with our firearms (also see my photo of the pockmarks left by Canadian troops’ buckshot blasting at the garden walls at Lullingstone Castle’s World Garden, in Kent, in my article “Rambling Through the Gardens & Estates of Kent, England. Part One!”).
We enter the Statue Garden, which contains lush plantings of tender perennials: poppies, salvias, agapanthus, cannas, kniphofias, inulas and heleniums…all chosen as sources of food for the bees and butterflies who flock there, from early June through the end of Autumn.
The Statue Garden
In the Palm Gardens: Tree Echium (also called Tower of Jewels or Echium pininana)
View of the House, from the Palm Gardens.
View of Salcombe Bay, from the Palm Gardens.
A stand of Tree Echium, as we leave the Palm Gardens and approach the Woodland.
The Woodland provides coolness and shade and, more importantly, a bit of decompression after all of the visual stimulation of Overbeck’s exotic plantings. This tiny woodland area shelters the rest of the gardens from cold north winds, and is composed largely of naturally-occurring beech trees and evergreen oaks.
Self-portrait, by Otto Overbeck (born 1860, died 1937). Image courtesy of the National Trust.
Until his End, Otto — chemist, collector, artist, inventor and plant maniac — operated at full throttle.
Needing a protein-boost? Spread a brewer’s waste product on your breakfast toast! Feeling Poorly? Hook yourself up to the Rejuvenator for some gentle, stimulating electrical currents (because, after all, most of mankind’s ailments are due to an imbalance of electricity). Having a crisis of faith? Listen to Overbeck, who maintains that the universal force of electricity makes religion obsolete… (Discuss! )
Clearly, there was never a dull moment with Otto … not inside of his brain … nor outside, in his garden.
Otto Overbeck didn’t just accumulate plants.
Inside the House a small selection of his collections is on display. In the Staircase Hall are samples from his encyclopedic natural history collection: stuffed animals and birds and fish, birds’ eggs, fossils, and butterflies.
The second floor landing, in the Staircase Hall.
Hidden under the stairs is a room that’s full of the dolls’ houses which belonged to the Overbeck family.
In Overbeck’s Maritime Room: a tribute to Salcombe’s 19th century glory days, when it was a busy seaport. The paintings and scale models on display here are a catalogue of maritime disaster: every ship shown was lost at sea.
Otto Overbeck spent the final decade of his highly unusual life creating a garden which is nothing short of sublime.
This was my parting-view of Overbeck’s, as Anne and David and I began to climb the stairs, back to the Main Gate. That such an Exit should be so seductive is almost perverse: leaving Overbeck’s that afternoon became very difficult for me.
But, despite my foot-dragging, David and Anne declared “Onward!” ‘Twas time for a flying visit to the Beach at Bigbury Bay, and a view of Burgh Island.
Our Destination: Bigbury-on-Sea-Beach, on Bigbury Bay
Devon TQ7 4AZ
Burgh Island (marked on the map in red) is a half-hour’s drive from Overbeck’s
Aerial view of Bigbury Bay and Burgh Island
Burgh Island, in Bigbury Bay
As I explained in Part One of my guide to Southern Devon, although she died in 1976, the presence of Dame Agatha Christie remains strongly felt, along the riverfronts and seacoasts of the area.
Agatha Christie. Born 1890, Died 1976.
Agatha Christie loved Southern Devon: she was born in 1890, in Torquay, and for the last two decades of her life she made her country home at Greenway, on the River Dart.
Agatha cranked out 66 mystery novels, as well as collections of short stories, and a play: THE MOUSETRAP is the world’s most continuously-produced drama, with more than 25,000 performances notched up. For Christie-fans, there are various Christie-themed tours of her old stomping grounds in Devon, as well as the biennial International Agatha Christie Festival, which is held in Torquay. Having already taken me to Christie’s home at Greenway (see Part One of my Devon Diary), Anne and David thought I should also see the place in Devon which inspired her most famous mystery story.
I was 12 years old when I first encountered Christie’s novel, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE.
AND THEN THERE WERE NONE was published in 1939.
I had the bad judgment to be reading it on a hot summer’s evening, while I was babysitting, in a large, strange house.
I recall vividly how frightened I became, as Christie, with relentless precision, spun her tale of methodical, multiple murders.
Ten people are lured to an island — an island inspired by
Burgh Island, and which Christie renamed “Soldier Island.” Each guest finds the following ditty posted in his or her room:
“Ten little Indian Boys went out to dine;
One choked his little self and then there were nine.
Nine little Indian Boys sat up very late;
One overslept himself and then there were eight.
Eight little Indian Boys traveling in Devon;
One said he’d stay there and then there were seven.
Seven Little Indian Boys chopping up sticks;
One chopped himself in halves and then there were six.
Six Little Indian Boys playing with a hive;
A bumblebee stung one and then there were five.
Five Little Indian Boys going in for law;
One got in Chancery and then were four
Four Little Indian Boys going out to sea;
A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.
Three Little Indian Boys walking in the zoo;
A big bear hugged one and then there were two.
Two Little Indian Boys sitting in the sun;
One got frizzled up and there was one.
One Little Indian Boy left all alone;
He went out and hanged himself and there were none.”
Christie’s rhyme is predictive: by story’s end, None remain on her Island (but of course there’s a Final Twist….).
I have long since outgrown Agatha’s formulaic stories; lately I’ve been enjoying these better written and more subtle British mysteries: Christopher Fowler’s Bryant & May novels, and Ben Aaronovitch’s Peter Grant adventures. But I suspect that, even now, in my dotage, a re-read of AND THEN THERE WERE NONE would still give me the willies…and I would have quite a bit of company, as I shuddered. A-T-T-W-N has sold more than 100 MILLION copies, and is the world’s best-selling mystery novel, as well as the seventh-best selling book of all time.
Burgh Island Hotel.
website http://www.burghisland.com
The Art-Deco-styled hotel which today perches on Burgh Island was built in 1929, expanded in 1932, and has recently been restored to its 30s glamour. Although Christie had already used the Island as the setting for her most successful story, Christie was unabashed about putting the place to use for a second time. In 1941 she published EVIL UNDER THE SUN, a tale of a murder at the Jolly Roger Hotel (I cannot think of a more unsuitable way for Christie to have renamed this Art Deco jewel…); this time around, crime-solving was performed by Agatha’s fastidious Belgian sleuth, Hercule Poirot.
Published in 1941. In this story, the Burgh Island Hotel was renamed the Jolly Roger Hotel.
Burgh Island — a tidal island — is tethered to the mainland by a 270 yard long sandbar. At high tide, the sandbar is submerged, and visitors to the Island are shuttled back and forth on the famous Sea Tractor.
We approach Bigbury-on-Sea-Beach.
a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
After the brilliant sunshine of the previous day, the fog and chill which greeted me when I awoke on the morning of July 1st seemed very dreary. The remedy?
Cooking Therapy! I headed into the kitchen of our rented cottage in Dartmouth, and proceeded to bake a dozen of Nan’s Signature Scones. This American’s whipping up of scones while in Devon is, of course, akin to carrying coals to Newcastle. But my scones, which contain tea-infused currants and hefty doses of double cream, are Quite Fine, and I was not at all embarrassed to present them to Anne and David, for their breakfast treats.
Nan-Scones, with Dartmouth Harbor in the background. Photo by David Guy.
Baking, and then Feasting, had elevated my mood, and we set out, heading inland and northwards, towards nearby Totnes, and Dartington Hall.
Dartington, near Totnes,
in Southern Devon.
Aerial View of the Gardens at Dartington Hall, which are at the heart of the Estate’s 1200 acres.
Our Destination: The Gardens at Dartington Hall
The Dartington Hall Trust
near Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EL
Open from dawn to dusk, year-round
Website: http://www.dartington.org
Plan of the Gardens at Dartington Hall. Image courtesy of Dartington Hall.
The Gardens at Dartington Hall occupy but a smidgen of the 1200 acres that comprise the entirety of the Dartington Estate. But the Gardens are situated close to the Medieval Hall which is at the heart of the property. Reginald Snell explains the setting, in his history of Dartington’s Garden, titled FROM THE BARE STEM:
“The scene is a partly ruined medieval manor house, standing within a wide bend of the River Dart in South Devon, two miles upstream from the ancient Saxon burgh
of Totnes. Begun in Richard II’s reign, between 1388 and 1399, and built for the king’s half-brother John Holand, Dartington Hall is the only existing house of its period in the country, and has one of the largest residential courtyards surviving from the entire Middle Ages. Its early military associations came to an end in the middle of the
16th century, and the house was lived in by eleven generations of a single Devon family, the Champernownes, who managed the property for nearly four hundred years.
During the 19th century it became impossible for them to keep it in good repair and in 1925 the whole estate was put up for sale. The purchasers were Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst, both then in their thirties, and it was to become not only their first married home but the centre of a wide-ranging and radically new social experiment.”
Dorothy (born 1887, died 1968) and Leonard (born 1893, died 1974) Elmhirst.
The newlyweds look quite a fun couple…
In 1925, Dorothy Payne Whitney Straight, widow of the American financier Willard Straight and daughter of the statesman & businessman William Whitney, married
Leonard Knight Elmhirst, an English agronomist who was passionately interested in progressive education and rural reconstruction. As one of America’s wealthiest women
( she had inherited her father’s fortune when she was only 17 ), Dorothy could do whatever she damn well pleased, and it became her pleasure to work with her new husband to create their own little utopia at the derelict Dartington Estate.
Feminist, arts benefactress, social and labor reformer, garden designer, magazine founder (The New Republic), founder of schools (the New School for Social Research, in NYC; & 3 institutions at Dartington: a progressive coeducational boarding school, a College of the Arts, and an International Summer School)….Dorothy used her money productively, and also clearly had a ball while spending it.
A portrait of Dorothy, in fancy-dress costume, by Walter Dean Goldbeck.
The Dartington Press has published a comprehensive guide to the Gardens. Here’s an excerpt from Editor Kevin Mount’s Introduction:
When the Elmhirsts first “came here the grounds were neglected and overgrown with weeds. The shrubberies reflected Victorian taste, the Tiltyard was a pattern of formal flower beds, but beneath the worn out surface lay an extraordinarily dramatic landscape setting – a coombe with terraces flowing into a wider river valley, whose folds drifted away southeastwards to the sea.” [Note: A Coombe is a small valley on the side of a hill through which a watercourse does NOT run.]
“It became a matter of freeing the form of the gardens from entanglement; there was never any question of imposing a design upon the landscape. The contours of the lands were used to intensify the natural effects of height, depth and distance. The great trees planted by the Champernowne family…were cleared of undergrowth so that they might stand out in all their grandeur.”
“Dorothy Elmhirst had a large hand in the choice of plant materials. She also had an extensive knowledge and love of trees, shrubs and plants, but to carry the work through she and Leonard had relied on professional help from both sides of the Atlantic.”
Key Points in the Gardens, listed in the sequence, as you’ll soon see them.
#2: Beatrix Farrand’s Courtyard Paving. #23: Garden Access Bridge, by Peter Randall-Page.#19: Sunny Border.
#20: The Twelve Apostles. #21: The Tiltyard. #17: Swan Fountain. #16: Woodland Walks. #15: Flora statue. #14: High Meadow.#13: The Temple. #12: The Glade. #11: 500-year-old
Spanish Chestnuts. #10: Reclining Figure, by Henry Moore.
#9: The Whispering Circle. #22: heath Bank Steps. #8: Valley Field. #7: Bronze Donkey, by Willi Soukop. #5: Garden Summerhouse.
#4: Jacob’s Pillow, by Peter Randall-Page.
“Most celebrated among their consultants was the American garden designer Beatrix Farrand who became involved in 1933, by which time the Tiltyard had already been cleared and turned to its first use as an open-air theatre. Mrs. Farrand brought order to the Courtyard and designed the cobbled drive that circles the central lawn, overcoming problems presented by awkward ground levels. The following year she began opening the garden out by creating paths and connecting links. Three Woodland walks were laid out and planted.”
American landscape architect Beatrix Cadwalader Jones Farrand (born 1872, died 1959)
In 1914, Beatrix Farrand, a long-time friend of Dorothy’s family, had designed a garden on Long Island for Dorothy and her first husband, Willard Straight. This explains why Farrand, who during her long career had never before been commissioned to design a garden in Britain, was summoned across the Atlantic by Dorothy: the design challenges at the Elmhirsts’ new home were daunting, and Dorothy wanted to work with someone she trusted implicitly.
My long-time Readers will have seen my photo essay about Beatrix Farrand’s most acclaimed American garden: Dumbarton Oaks, in Georgetown (“Gardens & Estates along the Potomac,” published by New York Social Diary, in the summer of 2012). And I’ve done a survey of Farrand’s design contributions to the gardens at The Mount, in Lenox, MA: the home of her aunt, Edith Wharton (see my Diary for Armchair Travelers titled “Grand Gardens of the Berkshire Hills”).
Dartington is the only known example of Farrand’s work outside of the United States, and we’ll begin our garden tour with her deceptively-simple Courtyard.
What’s most remarkable about her work in Dartington’s Courtyard, and throughout the nearby Woodland, is its INVISIBILITY. Farrand’s renovations to the Courtyard, and her creation of three naturalistic Woodland Walks, were so correct that a Visitor to Dartington feels as if she’s strolling through spaces which have existed, unchanged, for centuries. Such subtle and self-effacing work — and from such an acclaimed designer –is rare.
We’re about to pass through the Great Entry Gate, and on into the Courtyard.
Welcome to Dartington!
The Courtyard’s Swamp Cypress, originally from Florida, was planted in the late 19th century. Transplanted to England, the tree has grown much higher than it would have, in its native Everglades.
When paving stones were laid in the 1930s, care was taken to not disturb the roots of the Swamp Cypress.
Farrand’s Courtyard drive circles a central lawn. The drive is paved with a mix of cobbles from the River Dart, stone flags, and granite setts.
Circa 1933. Image courtesy of Dartington Hall.
Courtyard paving detail
Photo by Anne Guy.
View of Courtyard, from entry to the Great Hall
Inside the Great Hall. In 1925, when the Elmhirsts bought Dartington, only the walls of the Great Hall remained standing. Over the next 10 years, all of the Courtyard buildings were restored. Image courtesy of Dartington Hall.
Behind the Great Hall, this George III lead urn marks the beginning of the gardens. The urn is thought to have been chosen by Beatrix Farrand.
A Korean Buddha is nearby
A Garden Access Bridge was installed in 2011 by Peter Randall-Page.
Detail of Garden Access Bridge, which is made of oak, Blue Lias stone, and Devon Rustic Limestone.
Garden Plaque. Words by William Blake (born 1757, died 1827)
A plaque, inscribed with the first stanza of William Blake’s “Auguries of Innocence,” welcomes us to the Garden. Here’s Blake’s poem, in its entirety:
“To see a World in a grain of sand,
And a Heaven in a wild flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand,
And Eternity in an hour…
The bat that flits at close of eve
Has left the brain that won’t believe.
The owl that calls upon the night
Speaks the unbeliever’s fright…
Joy and woe are woven fine,
A clothing for the soul divine;
Under every grief and pine
Runs a joy with silken twine…
Every tear from every eye
Becomes a babe in Eternity…
The bleat, the bark, the bellow, and roar
Are waves that beat on Heaven’s shore…
He who doubts from what he sees
Will ne’er believe, do what you please.
If the Sun and Moon should doubt,
They’d immediately go out…
God appears, and God is Light,
To those poor souls who dwell in Night;
But does a Human Form display
To those who dwell in realms of Day.”
We’re at the southern end of the Sunny Border
The Sunny Border hugs a high stone wall (which separates the Garden from a private bowling green that abuts the Great Hall) and spans the entire length of the eastern edge of the Tiltyard. Dorothy established this Border in 1925, and personally tended it for the rest of her life.
Over the decades, designers Avray Tipping ( her consultant from 1925 — 1930 ), Beatrix Farrand ( 1933 until the start of WWII,in 1939 ) and Percy Cane (Dorothy’s designer from 1945, until her death, in 1968 ) advised Dorothy about her gardens, but the Sunny Border was her hands-in-the-dirt and day-to-day gardening obsession. After Dorothy died, this border in particular suffered. In 1985 Danish-born landscape architect Preben Jacobson (born 1934, died 2012) was brought in to revive the garden beds. He chose plants which flourish in sun-baked growing conditions, and devised planting patterns which rely upon evenly-spaced repetitions of plants where foliage or blossoms of yellow, silver, white, blue or purple predominate.
Sunny Border
Sketch of one of Preben Jacobson’s planting layouts for the Sunny Border. Image courtesy of Dartington Hall.
Sunny Border
An ancient tree looms over the wall behind the Sunny Border.
We’re mid-way, along the Sunny Border
Flowers cascade over the Sunny Border’s Wall
Exquisite textures and forms, on the Sunny Border’s Wall
On the left: the Sunny Border.
To the right: a line of highly-sculptural Irish Yews, which are called the Twelve Apostles.
We see several of the Twelve Apostles
In 1830, twelve Irish yews were planted parallel to the southern-most stretch of the Sunny Border. Per Dartington’s guide to the Gardens, “they may have been planted to shield an 18th century bear-baiting pit in the Tiltyard from the eyes of children (who lived) in the private house.” Bear-baiting (where bears were chained to posts and then attacked by packs of English bulldogs) was a favorite blood-“sport” of the aristocracy, which flourished until 1835, when it was finally outlawed.
Bear Baiting. Image courtesy of Dartington Hall.
Now: on to the Tiltyard. Nothing — absolutely NOTHING — can adequately describe the power of this great, negative space which rests
confidently at the heart of the Gardens.
Seen from the Sunny Border: just a portion of the Tiltyard
Through the centuries, these over-scaled cascades of grass terraces which were carved into three sides of a naturally-occurring valley have framed 14th century jousting grounds (thus Leonard’s naming the space: “Tiltyard”) , an Elizabethan water garden, an 18th century bear-baiting arena, and a 19th century Lily Pond, which was then replaced by a formal Victorian garden.
In the 19th century, walkways and shrubbery covered the bottom of the Tiltyard. Image courtesy of Dartington Hall.
When the Elmhirsts first moved to Dartington, they transformed the Tiltyard’s formal garden into an open-air theater, but this idea proved unsuccessful. During the 20 years when the Tiltyard was called a “theater,” only 2 performances occurred there. The slopes and heights of the Tiltyard’s “steps” were far too steep and too tall for people to safely climb. Dorothy conceded that her outdoor theater idea had failed, both practically and esthetically; she finally understood that the true power of the Tiltyard could be unleashed by honoring its pure form. As I walked above, and around, and, finally, into the Tiltyard, I felt I was descending into a giant footprint; a concavity left by an upside-down, somewhat lopsided, and now long-departed ziggurat.
Quite an image, eh? But this is yet another example of how the boldest and best designs can stimulate: both viscerally and intellectually!
No photograph can adequately capture the dimensions of the precipitous slopes of the Tiltyard…especially those on its highest, western side. The super-human scale of the precisely-carved inclines feels simultaneously ancient and modern and inspires awe…along with a great respect for the groundskeepers who must mow the grass there.
My view from the steps at the northern end of the Tiltyard, of The Sunny Border, Twelve Apostles, and Great Hall.
Another view into the Tiltyard, from the Sunny Border. The orange barrier marks the spot where a majestic, 100-year-old Monterey Pine had just been removed. That tree was one of the first Monterey Pines to be imported to England, from California.
Here’ s photo of the Now-Lost Monterey Pine that punctuated the west side of the Tiltyard’s Terraces.
David, supplying human scale, at the north end of the Tiltyard. This flight of steps leads up to the Swan Fountain Terrace.
Nan, on the Terrace by the Swan Fountain, overlooks the Green of the Tiltyard. Part of the charm of the Tiltyard are the ways in which views of its precipitous slopes are often hidden, from other areas in Dartington’s Gardens. Photo by Anne Guy.
To the north of the Tiltyard is a circular terrace that frames a Swan Fountain.
Swan Fountain, made of Cornish granite. Presented in 1950 to the Elmhirsts by artist Willi Soukop.
The Swan Fountain, in Springtime, when the shrubs in Percy Cane’s Azalea Dell begin to flower. Image courtesy of Dartington Hall.
We’re leaving the Swan Fountain, and making our way toward the Woodland Walks.
Path leading into the Woodland, where Beatrix Farrand planted Yew, Bay and broadleaved Hollies as background material for camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons.
The Woodland’s Flora was presented in 1967 to the Elmhirsts by the people of Dartington.
Both Dorothy and Leonard chose to have their ashes laid to rest at Flora’s feet.
And every day, a woodland spirit–or helpful neighbor–places a fresh flower in Flora’s hand.
The statue of Flora marks a transition from Beatrix Farrand’s landscaping to that of her design-successor, Percy Cane.
British landscape architect Percy Cane. Born 1881, Died 1976.
As World War II ended, the Elmhirsts began to search for a new garden designer. In 1945, Percy Cane, who was a well-established English landscape architect, paid his first visit to the Elmhirsts’ Estate. Percy and Dorothy clicked, and so began their twenty-three-year long collaboration. Whereas America-based Farrand had only been able to make a total of four site visits, Cane, who was based in London, eventually traveled more than 50 times to Dartington, as he supervised the construction of new stairways, terraces, structures, seating areas, pathways and gardens in eight distinct but related projects.
Cane’s goals were numerous. Farrand had, with her Woodland Walks, begun to extend the gardens and link them to the surrounding landscape. It now fell to Cane
to continue those expansions. He also devised new sightlines throughout the gardens, and worked on a master plan to link all of the garden’s sections, both old and new,
with enticing vistas and graceful paths. And major clearing of overgrowth at the peripheries of the garden revealed stunning views out across Devon’s rolling countryside. Whereas both Dorothy Elmhirst and Beatrix Farrand were tree lovers and plant experts, Percy Cane never professed himself a horticulturalist; his métier was the manipulation of space. Because of his near-quarter-century of work at Dartington, we can intuitively explore the sprawling grounds. With his new sightlines and pathways Cane injected an essential clarity and continuity into what had previously been a series of beautiful but unconnected garden areas. Despite its seeming complexity, this is a Map-Optional-Garden!
High Meadow, designed by Percy Cane in 1949, arose from a completely-cleared corner of the property, where cutting flowers had previously been grown.
High Meadow, abloom with wild orchids, during my visit in High Summer.
High Meadow
Bronze Donkey, made in 1935 by Austrian sculptor Willi Soukop
The Garden Summerhouse: designed in 1929, rebuilt after a fire in the 1980s.
JACOB’S PILLOW, by Devon-based artist Peter Randall-Page, was added to the Gardens in 2005.
View from Jacob’s Pillow, toward the Tiltyard.
As Dorothy began what was to become her 43-year-long redesign of the Gardens, she and Leonard also founded their progressive, coeducational school. Dartington Hall School was intended to offer the polar opposite of the traditional English boarding school experience. In 1926, the Elmhirsts welcomed their first students with these promises:
“No corporal punishment, indeed no punishment at all; no prefects; no uniforms; no Officers’ Training Corps; no segregation of sexes; no compulsory games, compulsory religion or compulsory anything else; no more Latin, no more Greek; no competition; no jingoism.” (Take that, Eton, Marlborough and Hogwarts! )
In 1930, the Elmhirsts engaged architect William Lescaze to design a headmaster’s house with a cutting-edge style that would match the School’s innovative curriculum.
HIGH CROSS HOUSE: built in 1932 for the Headmaster of the Dartington Hall School. Photo by Anne Guy.
Swiss-American architect, William Lescaze ( born 1896, died 1969 )
Architect Lescaze, and Headmaster W.B.Curry worked together to create a “machine for living,” and novel concepts such as kitchen ergonomics were explored.
During the National Trust’s brief stewardship of High Cross House, this sign was on display. Photo by Anne Guy.
But local contractors, who were inexperienced in non-traditional building techniques, made mistakes, which have ever since made the preservation of High Cross House costly and complicated. Headmaster Curry lived in his high-maintenance dream house from 1932 until his retirement in 1957. In its heyday, 300 students were enrolled at the School. In 1987, the School was closed.
In January of 2012, High Cross House, which is just a short stroll from the Estate’s Gardens, was leased to the National Trust for 10 years. Anne and David Guy, those ever-alert travelers, were among the first to visit the House, which is considered to be one of the United Kingdom’s best examples of modernist architecture.
High Cross House. Photo by Anne Guy.
High Cross House. Photo by Anne Guy.
High Cross House. Photo by Anne Guy.
High Cross House. Photo by Anne Guy.
High Cross House (this is the shot that makes me want to live here). Photo by Anne Guy.
High Cross House. Photo by Anne Guy.
High Cross House: Floor Plans
High Cross House, Living Room. Photo by Anne Guy.
High Cross House, Living Room. Photo by Anne Guy.
High Cross House, Living Room. Photo by Anne Guy.
High Cross House: period photo of Headmaster Curry’s Study
High Cross House, Stairway Hall. Photo by Anne Guy.
But by December of 2013, the National Trust had already declared their experiment of managing a house built in the International Modern style to be a failure. Clearly, England’s four million National Trust members, who so love touring traditionally-styled properties, have little interest in this rare example of architecture’s Modern Movement in Britain. The BBC reported the dreary news:
“The Trust has activated a pull-out clause in the lease after the house attracted 11,000 fewer visitors than it needs to break even. Dartington Hall Trust, which owns the property, said there were no current plans to reopen the house. In 2012, 21,000 people visited the house, but the National Trust needed 32,000 to visit for it to be
‘financially sustainable.’ ”
And so today, High Cross House, which the National Trust called one of “the top five Modernist houses” in the United Kingdom, remains closed and untended. We are fortunate that Anne Guy took photos of the House in 2012, while it was being well cared for.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
The previous morning had greeted us with cold and fog, but Thursday’s weather had upped the ante, with torrential rain and winds. Despite all, we bundled up, turned our backs upon our cozy Dartmouth cottage, and forged onward and outward, into the deluge. We traveled east, across the River Dart, to yet another garden: this one on Kingswear’s seacoast.
Rain and Fog, as we crossed the River Dart on
Dartmouth’s Higher Ferry
Vehicles packed tightly, on the auto-ferry.
This ferry uses cables, both for its propulsion and guidance: clever, and energy-efficient!
Coleton Fishacre: just a hop, skip, and ferry ride, to the East of Dartmouth, in Southern Devon.
Our destination: Coleton Fishacre
A fair-weather view of Rupert and Dorothy D’Oyly Carte’s opulent, 1920s, seaside retreat. Image courtesy of the National Trust.
Coleton Fishacre: Aerial View
Welcome!
But could we have possibly been greeted with a spookier, or more atmospheric sight, than this one…
My first glimpse of the House at Coleton Fishacre.
…I think not! For anyone who has shivered while reading Daphne duMaurier’s REBECCA, the stone house which loomed ahead seemed a cousin of the author’s haunted Manderley, which she had placed in nearby Cornwall.
The Forecourt is paved with granite, laid in a radiating pattern. The dimensions of this front entry drive were determined by the turning radius of the D’Oyly Cartes’ Bentley.
[Note: Southern Cornwall’s topography is a continuation of Southern Devon’s. England’s southwestern peninsula is etched by rivers, and fissured by valleys. High rolling fields terminate in cave-studded cliffs, which rise above rocky beaches, that curve around secret coves . Apart from a river — we’ll have to make do with a stream — ,
in Coleton Fishacre’s 24 acres of gardens we’ll eventually find all of these geographical features.]
As we sloshed through a heavy downpour toward the fog-shrouded House, it crossed my mind that, lurking inside, there ought to be a National Trust Docent who looked like a Mrs.Danvers-Clone.
Judith Anderson played Mrs.Danvers in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 version of REBECCA (which, though accurately depicting Menacing Atmospherics, fudged a major plot point, and in so doing robbed duMaurier’s story of its complexity and ultimate impact).
We crossed the somber, stone threshold. And inside? Nary a Mrs.-Danvers-Clone-Docent to be seen. Instead, I was surprised to discover a pristine, light-filled interior.
The National Trust describes the interiors as “Art Deco in Devon,” but this characterization is incomplete. The house’s spaces — where whitewashed walls meet ceilings in smooth, continuous curves; where rooms are sparingly decorated with a tightly-edited blend of accents taken from Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco , Oriental and Baroque styles — are serene and comforting. There’s no Jazz-Age Jitteriness in those rooms…no brittle, Art-Deco Sheen in the place.
For the next hour, my companions and I explored the house, as we waited for the weather outside to improve enough to make our eventual garden stroll something other than a soaked-to-the-skin ordeal.
The National Trust’s guidebook introduces us to the property:
“In the 1920s Rupert and Lady Dorothy D’Oyly Carte were sailing along the south Devon coast. Looking for a country retreat, they were inspired to make this beautiful valley running down to the sea the site for an elegant home where they could entertain in style and indulge their passion for the outdoors.”
Rupert D’Oyly Carte (born 1876, died 1948). Son of the impresario and hotelier Richard D’Oyly Carte, Rupert revitalized the family’s Gilbert and Sullivan opera company, which was based at the Savoy Theatre. He also greatly improved his empire of hotels,
with renovations to Claridge’s, the Savoy, and the Berkeley Hotel. Despite working non-stop each week in London, on weekends Rupert returned to Coleton Fishacre, where he supervised all aspects of his gardens.
Savoy Theatre Poster. Image courtesy of the National Trust.
Lady Dorothy Milner Gathorne-Hardy D’Oyly Carte (born 1889, died 1977). The 3rd and youngest daughter of the 2nd Earl of Cranbook, Dorothy married Rupert in 1907, and became a full partner with him in the design of their gardens at Coleton Fishacre. In 1932, after their 21-year-old son Michael died in an auto accident, their marriage began to crumble: in 1941 Rupert divorced Dorothy for adultery. Soon thereafter, she moved to the Bahamas, where she married St.Yves de Verteuil who was her co-respondent in the divorce case.
The National Trust’s history continues: “Building for Coleton Fishacre began in 1923 to the design of Oswald Milne, who had been a protégé of Sir Edwin Lutyens. Inspired by the influence of the Arts and Crafts Movement and its beliefs in simple design and high standards of craftsmanship, the house responded to its landscape and literally grew out of it. The stone came from a quarry in the garden and the design embraced the beauty of the surroundings. “
British architect, Oswald Partridge Milne (born 1881, died 1968)
While adeptly interpreting the Arts and Crafts style in his busy practice of building country homes, Oswald Milne also became a pioneer in the design of Art Deco interiors, throughout Britain. Milne’s most famous interiors were his 1929 transformations of Claridge’s Hotel (also owned by Rupert D’Oyly Carte), in London.
Oswald Milne’s most acclaimed Art Deco interiors were designed for Claridge’s Hotel. This photo taken in the 1930s.
Let’s begin our tour of the House, which the National Trust now presents largely with furnishings that are correct to the period, but are not originals from the D’Oyly Cartes’ time there. In 1930 COUNTRY LIFE published an extensive photo-spread about the interiors, and the National Trust referred to those pictures as they sought replacement furniture and accessories. [ Note: Where original furnishings are on display, I’ll identify them. ] Insofar as Oswald Milne’s architecture goes, the rooms remain as he built them, in 1923.
We’ll follow the National Trust’s recommended route, and will pass from the circular Front Entry Porch, through the Front Hall and its adjacent Flower Room, and then directly upstairs, to Lady Dorothy’s Bedroom.
Coleton Fishacre: House Plans. Image courtesy of the National Trust.
Vases, ready for fresh cut flowers, on shelves in the Flower Room. This was Dorothy’s domain.
Main Staircase, Front Hall. The woodwork here is paneled pale, limed oak.
Lady Dorothy’s Bedroom — one of the largest of the House’s seven bedrooms — is today presented to appear just as it did, when photographed by COUNTRY LIFE, in 1930.
From the expanses of windows on two sides of Dorothy’s Bedroom, she could look out across the nearby Rill Garden, and also down to the ocean, over extensive gardens,
planted in the steep, narrow valley.
View of the Rill Garden, from Dorothy’s and Rupert’s Bedroom.
View of Terraces, below Dorothy’s bedroom. On a clear day, the ocean is visible…
Lady Dorothy’s dressing table (reproduction) and stool (original). The upholstered stool is the Very One upon which Dorothy sat, and is covered
with new yardage of the same black and white fabric (style: Les Arums, designed by Raoul Dufy) that was first used, throughout this bedroom.
In Dorothy’s Bedroom: the over-mantle painting is original to the House, as is the cupboard to the right of the fireplace. The near-black Axminster carpet was woven to replace the original.
In Dorothy’s Bedroom: a traveling-case, typical of the 1930s.
Rupert’s Dressing Room (adjacent to Dorothy’s Bedroom) :
Rupert’s little Dressing Room (with a reflection of Your Photographer)
A chair to COVET, in Rupert’s Dressing Room.
Rupert’s Dressing Room Sink. For all of the bedrooms’ sinks and surroundings, these powdered glass tiles — made from recycled glass —
were installed. Rupert had used identical materials when he refurbished his Savoy Hotel, in London.
Guest Bedroom in Turret:
Turret Guest Bedroom’s original ceiling light fixture
Nan, clicking away, in the Turret Guest Bedroom
View from windows of Turret Guest Bedroom
Hearth in Turret Guest Bedroom
His and Hers Guest Bathrooms, as described by the National Trust:
“Opposite the (guest) bedrooms are the bathrooms, for male and female guests respectively. They retain many of the their original fittings including the Doulton & Co. sunken baths. The green glass soap dishes and blue glass sponge bowls were recreated especially for the house by Dartington Glass, as the originals were in pieces.”
“The plain tiles of the walls are interspersed with pictorial tiles designed by Edward Bawden ( 1903—1989 ). The tiles depict scenes of outdoor life, so appropriate for Coleton Fishacre, and include both traditional sports like fishing and more modern interests such as motorcars.”
Sunken Tub in a Guest Bathroom, with glass dishes from Dartington Glass. Yes….that’s the same Dartington we’ve just visited. In the 1920s, when Leonard & Dorothy Elmhirst established the Dartington Hall Trust, they realized that they could regenerate Southern Devon’s
economy by retraining residents in many highly-skilled trades. Those residents then went into business as cheese-makers, carpenters, farmers and glass-blowers. Dartington Glass was founded in the early 1960s, and is still prospering.
Here’s a sampling of Edward Bawden’s bathroom tiles, which serve as a template for How to Behave Whilst Visiting a Country House:
Edward Bawden tile
Edward Bawden tile
Leaving the Guest Bathrooms, I looked back down, along the Bedroom Floor’s central corridor:
Bedroom Corridor. The ceiling light is original to the House. Note: the entrance to Lady Dorothy’s bedroom is at the far end of the hall.
As the National Trust explains: “Simplicity, quality and finish are key to the interiors. The rooms, and the corridors in particular, are almost austere in their lack of ornament.”
The East Bedroom:
When his marriage to Dorothy disintegrated, Rupert moved into the East Bedroom, which also had fine views of the garden, and of the ocean.
View from the East Bedroom…trust me, despite the blanket of fog outside in this photo, you WILL soon see the gardens. Throughout the house, all of its mullioned windows have ironwork fittings, and are set above black Staffordshire tile sills.
From the East Bedroom, we headed downstairs, via the servants’-stairs, to the Servants’ Corridor, Kitchen, and the House’s other utilitarian rooms.
In the Servants’ Corridor: The Electric Bell Board is original, and still in working order.
The Kitchen’s double Belfast sink, and the plate rack above it, are original to the house.
The Servants’ Hall has a fine view (really) of the gardens. The D’Oyly Cartes employed a butler, housekeeper, housemaid, cook, and chauffeur, all of whom lived on the Estate. Their gardens required additional, seasonal staff: a landscape architect, a Head Gardner, and six gardeners.
The Drying Room, where wet clothing was hung, after it had come from the Laundry. There was also a Brushing Room, used (you guessed it) to brush clothes, and to clean shoes and boots.
View from Laundry Room, into Service Court (with Forecourt beyond the arch).
The Dining Room. Per the National Trust’s guidebook:
“In contrast to all the other rooms at Coleton Fishacre, the majority of the furniture in the Dining Room is original to the house. This room, with its custom-made furniture and easy access to the garden, perhaps best exemplifies what the D’Oyly Cartes wanted from their weekend retreat.”
Dining Room. Image courtesy of the National Trust.
“Most of the furniture was commissioned by the D’Oyly Cartes from their architect Oswald Milne, including the walnut sideboard, dining table and pair of side tables, which could be moved to the main table. The colour of the scagliola table tops, made of plaster of Paris, pigments and animal glue to imitate marble, was chosen to evoke the sea.”
My first view of the Dining Room. The Lalique wall lights are original.
Detail of Scagliola
Fine pieces of vintage pottery decorate the Dining Room
Vintage crystal in the Dining Room
Miraculously, the fog had begun to lift. Here’s our Dining Room view of the Terraces, over the Upper Pond Garden, and across to the West Bank.
Detail of custom-made Dining Room table
Detail of custom-made Dining Room sideboard
View of Loggia, through the Dining Room’s French doors
The Loggia … a most inviting outdoor space, even on a stormy day:
The Loggia
The Ground Floor’s light-filled Central Hallway:
The Central Hallway, with displays of vintage pottery
Detail of windows, and black tile sills, in Central Hallway
The Library. This room is described by the National Trust as:
“The centre of the house, a cozy and intimate room with its bow window to the south. It is fitted with simple pine shelves and lit by simple translucent alabaster uplighters, original to the house. Dominating the room, above the travertine marble fireplace, is a painted map of the south Devon coast around Coleton Fishacre, which incorporates a wind dial. The painting is by George Spencer Hoffman ( 1875—1950 ), and is a near-realistic bird’s-eye view and also the depiction of Rupert overlooking the combe with his favorite Dalmatian. This was the spot where Rupert’s ashes were (eventually) scattered.”
The Library
Library Hearth, with over-mantle painting of the Estate
A closer look at the over-mantle painting. Image courtesy of the National Trust.
Rupert’s desk occupied the prime spot in the Library.
The Sitting Room:
The Sitting Room mantle is carved from limestone that is rich in fossils.
The Sitting Room’s windows open to the Top Terrace, just outside.
As someone who is addicted to both tea and books, this Sitting Room arrangement pushes ALL of my buttons…
And the final stop, on our House Tour: The Saloon.
As described by the National Trust:
“The entrance to the Saloon is intentionally impressive and theatrical, and shows the ingenious way in which Oswald Milne dealt with awkward changes in level of the site, using them to great advantage.”
My first view of the Saloon. I’m not sure I agree with the National Trust’s positive assessment of this nearly 40-foot-long space. Standing in the doorway to the Saloon, I felt as if I was about to begin walking a Plank….
But, once down the steps, and into the Saloon-Proper, the extreme linearity of this room was offset by expanses of garden-facing windows, and French doors.
Detail of molding around the entrance to the Saloon
But, to my eyes, the most striking and successful decorative addition to the Saloon is the
carpet, which was custom-made in the late 1930s by American textile designer Marion Dorn. The carpet we see today is an exact reproduction of Dorn’s floor covering.
Another look at Marion Dorn’s carpet
Such superb textiles SHOULD be signed by the artist!
A turns-out-she-was-a-talented-pianist and fellow-Visitor was invited to play the
Saloon’s Bluthner rosewood grand piano (dating
from 1895-96, and which was bought for this room by the National Trust, in 2002).
Having enjoyed our young musician’s impromptu piano performance, we proceeded to the front porch, where we were cheered to discover that the morning’s chilly torrents of rain had been replaced by a soft, warm drizzle. ‘Twas time for our Garden-Tromp.
Our drizzly but encouraging view of the Forecourt, from the front porch.
The National Trust introduces Coleton Fishacre’s gardens this way:
“The geology of the area — acidic soil overlying Dartmouth shale and with water running through the valley in many areas — makes this garden suitable for a wide range of plants. One of the botanically richest summer and late-summer gardens cared for by the National Trust, the garden at Coleton Fishacre includes succulents from the Canaries in the upper parts of the garden, and tree ferns from New Zealand in the cooler parts of the valley. The atmospheric humidity is high beneath the tree canopy and makes perfect conditions for many moisture-loving plants. This, together with the mild climate, enables species that can survive outside in few other places in Britain to thrive and grow to an exceptional size at Coleton Fishacre.”
“Rupert and Lady Dorothy D’Oyly Carte were both enthusiastic gardeners and, keen to ensure the success of their new garden, sought advice from Edward White of the landscape designers Milner & White. Under his guidance, and even before the house had been completed, the planted a woodland shelterbelt of pine, holm oak and sycamore on the bare ridges to provide protection from the strong prevailing winds. With this belt of trees in place, Rupert and Lady Dorothy could then concentrate on planting the garden itself, experimenting with trees and shrubs from around the world. The planting took account of future vistas and views, testimony to their far-sighted vision, which is still evident today.”
“The book of planting plans kept by Rupert from about 1928 to 1947noted plants in all 78 beds as they were acquired, together with details of the source and planting location, with additional comments about their performance noted later. Altogether the D’Oyly Cartes planted over 10,000 trees and shrubs.”
Plan of the gardens at Coleton Fishacre. Image courtesy of the National Trust.
Pictures from our long ramble through the gardens will appear in their actual, meteorological sequence. By early afternoon, the weather had begun to improve: the fog lifted…the rain calmed itself into a drizzle…and after a bit even the drizzle was exhausted. A light breeze arrived, clouds scudded out to sea, and, suddenly, soft warm air and brilliant sunshine transformed Coleton Fishacre into a place which felt and looked entirely new. Remember, if you’re displeased by England’s weather conditions, be patient: odds are, the skies’ll change.
Front of House, with archway to Service Court. The Service Court is tucked into the hillside, to the north of the House. The exterior of the House is constructed from
Dartmouth shale stone, which was blasted from rock in the lower part of the D’Oyly Cartes’ valley. That same shale was also used to build the garden’s terraces and walls. The roof is shingled with Delabole slate. [Note: The Delabole slate quarry is in nearby Cornwall. The quarry has been in continuous operation since the 15th century, and is the oldest working slate quarry in England.]
We’re headed toward the Terraces which are on the south side of the House. Towering above us: the Southwest wing of the House, with Saloon on the ground floor, and Lady Dorothy’s bedroom on the upper floor.
Borders directly under the Saloon’s southwest-facing windows
I inspect the Top Terrace. The Saloon and the Loggia both open directly onto this Terrace. Photo by Anne Guy.
The Loggia, at the Top Terrace
Above the Loggia’s roof: a weather vane, which celebrated Rupert’s love of fishing.
A sundial is mounted on the top-most portion of the Saloon-wing wall.
Climbers are happy, clinging to the Dartmouth Shale Stone walls of the House. Many of these climbing plants survive from the D’Oyly Cartes’ time.
From the Top Terrace: a look at the borders which are planted on both sides of the Upper Pond.
By the southwest corner of the House, a cascade of steps connects the Top and Middle Terraces.
Detail of Terrace steps
We’re on the Middle Terrace
From the edge of the Middle Terrace, we look directly down at the Lower Terrace’s Hot Border
Tender, warmth-loving plants flourish on the Middle Terrace
At the southeast corner of the Top Terrace, a flight of slate steps leads to the Middle and Lower Terraces
Detail of landing on Terrace’s southeast steps
View of the House, from the western end of the Bowling Green Lawn
At the east end of the Bowling Green Lawn, a grass path leads to the Gazebo; and, farther east, to Cathedral Bank; and finally, to Pudcombe Cove.
A tantalizing view of that path, which is flanked by borders planted with Exotics. We’ll see where this path leads, in a little bit…
Bench, at eastern end of Bowling Green Lawn, with Exotics garden behind.
View from the Middle Terrace of the rectangular pool on the Lower Terrace
The Pool on the Middle Terrace is fed by a stream that originates beyond the north side of the House. The otter was carved from Cornish Polyphant soapstone to replace an earlier Portland stone sculpture.
[A note for those of you who are stone-lovers: Portland stone is a limestone which, since the Roman occupation of England, has been quarried on the Isle of Portland, in Dorset, which is just to the east of Devon.]
More RazzMaTazz plant-combos, on the Middle Terrace
View from the Top Terrace toward the walls enclosing the Rill Garden.
The Rill Garden was designed by Oswald Milne. This hillside garden is bisected by a narrow, canalized stream and a small, central pool. Lady Dorothy originally planted many pastel-colored rose bushes here, but those shrubs failed, in the seaside air. Semi-tender perennials now fill the Rill Garden.
Our uphill view of the Rill Garden, which was built in 1926.
From the bottom-most edge of the Rill Garden, we look downstream, toward the Lower Pond
In 1926, while the House was being constructed, two dams were built in the stream which runs from the property’s western hillside, down to the eastern seashore.
The Upper and Lower Ponds were thus formed.
Lush plantings around those bodies of water now give each Pond a natural appearance.
View of the House’s Saloon wing, from the Rill Garden. All of the stone walls, terraces and steps in the gardens were built as the House was being constructed.
The Rill Garden’s stream is routed downhill–toward the Upper and then Lower Ponds–through this opening, which is beneath the lowest lip of the Rill Garden.
Proceeding downhill from the Rill Garden, we strolled past the lushly-planted Upper Pond borders. To the rear of the House, those tall pines are just a few of the 10,000 trees which were planted by the D’Oyly Cartes.
Another view of the Upper Pond borders
Giant Gunnera plants surround the Lower Pond
After passing the Lower Pond, we continued to follow the stream, downhill into the Glade.
Plantings in the Glade combine traditional English shrubs with tropical exotics
Banana Trees, in the Glade
We’re getting very close to the ocean now, and pass through the Tree Fern Glade, with its New Zealand
tree ferns.
We followed the Coastal Footpath to Scout’s Point (aka Lands End), where we were presented with this rainy view of Pudcombe Cove.
Below Scout’s Point: steep, cave-filled cliffs, and the clear waters of Pudcombe Cove.
Pudcombe Cove
In Pudcombe Cove, “the D’Oyly Cartes created a reinforced concrete tidal bathing pool and jetty, built between 1929 and 1931. The cove was accessed by steep concrete steps that zigzagged down the cliff. From the sea, the cove could be reached by the jetty, built from shingle from the beach and running out 60 metres into the sea. Considerable investment and effort were made to provide comfort and convenience for the family and guests. Facilities included a changing hut, a sun-bathing platform and cold-water shower.”
“The Cove has been inaccessible to visitors since 2001, due to the perilous state of the steps, caused by coastal erosion and rock falls. The National Trust, in line with its policy not to interfere with natural coastal processes, is allowing nature to take its course, which will mean the eventual loss of” all of the D’Oyly Cartes’ additions to the Cove.
At Pudcombe Cove, the rocks of England are tumbling back into the sea.
Turning away from the ocean, we began our long climb back to the House, up the seemingly endless steps of the Long Close,
which are on the eastern slopes of the Cathedral Bank.
Half-way up the Long Close, I paused to gain my breath. Turning back toward the Ocean, I was rewarded with this wonderful, albeit still-rain-soaked, view.
Another look at the D’Oyly Cartes’ lushly-planted valley, which leads down to Pudcombe Cove
The Panorama: seen from the top of Cathedral Bank.
Having finally reached the Gazebo, I looked down, into the site of the former Quarry, from which all of the House and Garden’s stone was blasted. During the years of construction, a temporary railway track was installed between the Quarry and the House site,
to facilitate the transport of tons upon tons of shale.
Leaving the Gazebo (don’t worry, I’ll show you the Gazebo, once the weather clears…) , we headed back toward the Bowling Green Lawn, through a garden planted with Exotics such as yucca, bromeliad, protea and echium.
Exotics Garden
(once again…try to remember that we’re in England! )
Exotics Garden
View of eastern end of the House, from the Exotics Garden
Soggy and famished, ‘twas time for a dry-out and a lunch-break, and we retreated to the Visitor Centre Café.
But just as we were polishing off our meals, sun abruptly shined down upon Coleton Fishacre….which meant that we’d have to take another trot around the gardens.
And so we approached the House for the second time that day: and the place had been Utterly Transformed.
In my first circuit through the gardens, I’d missed the area closest to the entrance drive: Seemly Terrace.
View of the distant West Bank, from the Seemly Terrace gardens.
We’re in Seemly Terrace, which was also created by Oswald Milne, in 1926.
We’re at the southernmost edge of the Rill Garden, which is directly below Seemly Terrace.
The House’s Saloon-wing, seen from within the Rill Garden
After the deluge: The Glorious Rill Garden
And now the view downstream, in the Rill Garden
A sunny-afternoon view from the Rill Garden, over the Lower Pond
Looking over the Upper Pond borders, toward the West Bank
The Terraces’ Hot Borders.
Behind the House: the tall pines of the shelterbelt.
On Upper Terrace, by the Loggia: the It’s-Time-To-Trudge-Back-Up-The-Hill-Bell. As the D’Oyly Cartes approached the end of a long summer day at their private beach on Pudcombe Cove, their butler would ring this bell,
to signal that the time was nigh for cocktails, back at the House.
The rectangular pool and fountain on the Lower Terrace (with the Library’s Turret wing directly above).
The retaining walls of the Lower Terrace are covered with Mexican daisies.
Let’s wallow some more in the COLORS of the Hot Border. The stairs in the background lead up to the Bowling Green Lawn.
Rupert chose the Hot Border plantings….remember, he was a Showman.
We’re on the Terraces, looking southwest.
And Finally: a decent Ocean View, from near to the House. We’re on the Terrace Steps,
at the corner of the Bowling Green Lawn.
And now, from the opposite end of the Upper Terrace, another glimpse of the ocean.
And I suppose I ought to mention the ANTS. This is a view of the West Bank, from the Terrace Steps. The West Bank’s most peculiar feature: its large anthills, which have remained undisturbed for hundreds of years. The huge tree in the center of the Bank is a Persian Ironwood.
My view of the Saloon wing, from the West Bank side of the Upper Pond borders.
We headed back through the Exotics Garden….
…our destination: the Gazebo, which was designed by Oswald Milne in 1926.
The hexagonal Gazebo, with stone pillars and wooden trellis supporting wisteria, has a spectacular ocean view. When first built, the Gazebo also had a clear view, back to the House.
Nan…doing a bit of sun-basking, in the Gazebo. Photo by Anne Guy.
Snails joined me in the Gazebo
My view from the Gazebo, down to the path which leads from the Quarry, through a wooded area, and further downhill to Cathedral Bank.
Ocean View, at the Gazebo
My final view of the English Channel, from the Gazebo at Coleton Fishacre.
To have been able to visit three such splendid gardens as Overbeck’s, Dartington Hall, and Coleton Fishacre — and on consecutive days — was an enormous privilege. Sometimes as I travel, this abundance of daily wonderfulness begins almost to seem normal. But afterwards comes the necessary Reality Check … provided by my most-of-the-time-quiet life at home, here in rural New Hampshire. I’m glad that distance — in time and in miles — ultimately separates my garden touring from the making of these reports about my journeys. From those separations come perspective.
The most conventionally beautiful bits of landscaping (think “Capability Brown,” who I admire less and less, and about whom I’ll write some more, in future) — those places that obligingly serve up the generic pleasures of lush borders and tasteful ornamentation and long views -– are sometimes not the gardens which most deeply resonate, months later, as I’m sitting in my office chair and sifting through my photo archives, and reviving my memories.
Instead, the gardens that most make me ache for another ramble through them are those where the sensual experience of garden strolling is enriched by information that personalizes each landscape. Learning about the travails and quirks of the people who created those places makes me feel as if I’m visiting a Home, instead of an Attraction. It’s essential that we remember that each of these magical environs was at first just a figment of an imagination. Only through subsequent leaps of a founder’s faith — and accompanied by enormous expenditures and sustained efforts — were those imagined places then transformed into real gardens. In the most satisfying of England’s historically-significant gardens, the dirt and stone and plant material which astound today’s bus-loads of garden-gawkers were all originally chosen to solidify the visions of only one or two souls. The best gardens are the embodiments of the dreams of their makers: such gardens were not made to please you … or me!
I think of the brilliant and nutty Otto Overbeck, who attempted to cure the ills of mankind (administering one electrical jolt at a time), while he also made a huge leap into the Horticultural Unknown (ordering 3000 palm trees be planted in his English garden) .
I marvel at the prodigious energies of Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst, who restored their ancient Dartington Hall, while they simultaneously nurtured the talents of innovative landscape designers and avant garde architects…and who then (never content to rest upon their laurels) also established progressive schools and local businesses.
The personalities of Rupert and Dorothy D’Oyly Carte seem to have been less vibrant (or were perhaps better concealed) that those of Overbeck, and the Elmhirsts. But with their exquisite appreciation of the potential of those 24 acres at Coleton Fishacre, the D’Oyly Cartes managed to create one of the World’s rare places. At their home by the sea, landscape and natural resources and architecture and garden structure and horticulture all give the illusion of having been united — without artifice or effort — into
something resembling paradise.
Before we arrived at Coleton Fishacre, Anne Guy told me how she’d reacted, during her first visit there. While chatting with a National Trust staff member, she’d said,
“I’d like to live here.” The Trust staffer replied, “Get in line!”
Copyright 2016. Nan Quick—Nan Quick’s Diaries for Armchair Travelers. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express & written permission from Nan Quick is strictly prohibited.
Dartmouth
Dartmouth
On SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH, our destination was Greenway, a manor house set within an exquisite, 36-acre tract of woodlands and gardens that are perched high above a turn in the River Dart.
Greenway, on the River Dart. Image courtesy of The National Trust
Since 2000, Greenway has been owned by The National Trust. Address: Greenway Road, Galmpton near Brixham, Devon, TQ5 0ES.
Greenway’s Website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway/
In 1530 the first of a succession of grand houses — all of them called “Greenway” — to be built upon the site was erected by the Gilberts, a renowned Devon seafaring family. In 1588, the beginnings of the gardens which surround Greenway were created, thanks to some “houseguests” of the Gilbert family, whose good friend, Sir Francis Drake had captured 160 Spanish prisoners of war and their ship.
[Note: later in this Diary, we’ll visit Buckland Abbey, Sir Francis Drake’s home.]
Drake anchored the vessel nearby, and as ransom negotiations for the ship proceeded, Sir Francis forced his prisoners to begin clearing and leveling the grounds around Greenway Court, the Gilbert’s Tudor mansion. So, although many far more illustrious folks would eventually have a hand in the creation of Greenway’s Gardens (among them Humphry Repton )…
Humphry Repton (born 1752, Died 1818) was an influential English landscape designer who is regarded as the successor to Capability Brown.
…it’s good to keep in mind those 160 pairs of Spanish hands that began the task of transforming a steep and heavily wooded hillside into the magical landscape which today shelters a nationally-significant collection of 2700 species of trees and plants. Despite Greenway’s impressive provenance (what with Francis Drake dropping by, and centuries of other illustrious Devon-ians serving as lords of the manor), the reason that Greenway has become one of The National Trust’s most visited properties can be explained in two words: AGATHA CHRISTIE.
Per Wikipedia: “The Guinness Book of World Records lists Christie as the best-selling novelist of all time. Her novels have sold roughly 2 BILLION copies.”
It was at Greenway that the Dame of Mysteries and her second husband, the archaeologist Sir Max Mallowan, made their country home, from 1938 until 1959. The interior of the house as we see it today is chock-full of their possessions. Agatha had already inherited mind-boggling collections of curios and furniture from her well-to-do parents, and the Mallowans themselves were well-traveled and world-class shoppers….as were also Rosalind (Agatha’s daughter) and her husband Anthony Hicks (who purchased Greenway in 1959, and who continued to fill its rooms with new treasures). The Christie-Mallowan-Hicks were all packrats of the highest and most entertaining order (as we shall soon see).
The delights of Greenway are further enhanced by an Aquatic Approach. From early March until the end of October, the Greenway Ferry departs from Dartmouth Town Pontoon every hour.
Greenway Ferry website:
http://greenwayferry.co.uk/dartmouth-to-greenway-house-ferry/
Bird’s eye view of the Dart estuary. Image courtesy of The National Trust.
And so now, before our Greenway explorations begin, some glimpses of the 30-minute-long voyage from Dartmouth Harbor, northward, along the River Dart.
Greenway’s Ferry approaches the Dartmouth Town Pontoon
As our voyage upriver begins, we admire the Village of Dartmouth
From the Ferry, we can see our holiday rental home, on
“Above Town”
Dartmouth is surrounded by steep hillsides, which are grazing-lands for thousands of sheep.
Upriver, on the Dart
Sailboats racing
The tall arches of a bridge built for the still-operating Dartmouth Steam Railway line…which runs along the eastern banks of the River Dart, from Kingswear to Paignton.
Map of the Dartmouth Steam Railway line
A blood-pressue-lowering view, as we draw nearer to Greenway.
Greenway’s Boat House
Our first glimpse of Greenway
Agatha Christie wrote: “One day we saw that a house was up for sale that I had known when I was young…So we went over to
Greenway, and very beautiful the house and grounds were. A white Georgian house of about 1780 or 90, with woods sweeping down to the Dart below, and a lot of fine shrubs and trees — the ideal house, a dream house.”
Per The National Trust’s guidebook to Greenway:
“Agatha Christie could not resist buying Greenway, a place she had known about from childhood, having been born and brought up in nearby Torquay. She and her husband Max Mallowan soon became very attached to the place. It became their holiday home and they spent periods here in the spring, late summer, and often at Christmas, with family and friends.”
“Agatha Christie took the advice of a young architect, Guilford Bell, to demolish the wing built in 1892. Bell also advised on the interior alterations, installing new bathrooms and introducing the cream interiors that exist today, sweeping away the gloomy and unfashionable colour schemes of the previous owners. The Mallowans were keen but not expert gardeners, and quickly became interested in the existing planting schemes.”
“Work in the garden was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II, when the house was requisitioned and initially occupied by child evacuees, and then from 1944 to 1945 by the 10th Flotilla of the U.S. Coastguard as part of the preparations for D-Day.”
“After derequisition both the house and garden needed attention. In 1947 a nursery garden was created and run as a commercial
enterprise until the end of the 20th century.”
“Greenway is also featured in at least two of Agatha Christie’s novels: as Nasse House in DEAD MAN’S FOLLY, and as Alderbury in FIVE LITTLE PIGS.”
We disembarked from the ferry, and found ourselves at Greenway’s Quay
For visitors coming to Greenway from the hamlet of Dittisham, which is just across the River, a small conveyance is available. To summon a ride, one rings a dockside bell, and Viola! This little motorboat appears.
The Quay’s thatched-roof cottage
Turn right, through the gate, to find the steep path uphill. But a shuttle IS available, for those not vigorous enough to make the climb.
Nothing about this woodland path suggests that an elegant estate awaits us.
We get a glimpse of the River Dart
The Shuttle Bus: Touristy but Adorable
The main House, at Greenway
Our view from the front of the House
The River Dart, seen from the front lawn
Let’s see how Max and Agatha lived, shall we?
Agatha Christie and her 2nd husband, Max Mallowan, in 1946. Image courtesy of The National Trust.
Floor Plans of the House at Greenway. Image courtesy of The National Trust.
A pair of Foo Dogs stand guard on the front steps.
Constant streams of visitors enter the Front Hall. The brass-studded chest immediately to the right of the front door was featured in two of Christie’s books: THE MYSTERY OF THE BAGHDAD CHEST, and THE ADVENTURE OF THE CHRISTMAS PUDDING.
A heavily-laden Cupboard in the Front Hall
A closer look at the china, in the Front Hall’s cupboard
Display cabinet in the Front Hall. Before the property was opened to visitors in 2009, every item in the House was catalogued by The National Trust. Agatha’s daughter, Roslalind Hicks, had a particular fondness for pocket watches, snuff boxes, and portrait miniatures.
More collections in the Front Hall. (I would HATE to have to be the one responsible for feather-dusting the House Collections…..)
The Morning Room.
The two niches flanking the fireplace are filled with the Hickeses’ collection of botanical porcelain. The rest of the room was decorated with ornaments that Agatha inherited from her grandmother, and from her parents.
Detail of Shell Decoration, and Fireplace Mantle, in the Morning Room.
Porcelain decoration, in the Morning Room. Porcelain figures often figure in Christie’s mysteries.
Detail of Morning Room mantle.
The comfy Drawing Room
Chest, in the Drawing Room.
Dominoes, just waiting to cascade across the Drawing Room’s carpet.
Family photos on display in the Drawing Room
The Winter Dining Room. The plasterwork over mantle depicts the Old Testament story of Daniel’s three friends being thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to worship a golden idol (quite a domestic fireplace decoration eh?). This plaster relief is thought to have been part of the site’s original Tudor mansion. How it came to be saved, and then reinstalled in the current House is a mystery.
Transom window above the door between the Winter
Dining Room & the Service Corridor. The bells on the wall were used to summon the House’s servants.
The Kitchen’s China Display
The Kitchen’s original range has been replaced by a very spiffy oil-fired Aga.
Detail of a Hicks and Meigh stoneware dinner service
The commodious Inner Hall is thought to have originally been a billiard room. When the Mallowans purchased Greenway, their architect Guilford Bell transformed this space into yet another gallery for the display of their Treasures.
Every flat surface of the Inner Hall is overflowing with the family’s collections.
David and Anne, in the Dining Room.
The Dining Room, which measures 31 feet long by 19 feet wide, is by far the least cluttered and most tranquil space in the entire House.
A beautiful place setting, in the Dining Room
Place setting details
Agatha Christie’s favorite menu included hot lobster, followed by blackberry ice cream. Here’s her Lobster-Serving Dish.
An extremely disturbing doorstop, in the Dining Room: just a little reminder that the smiling, gray-haired Lady of the House had a mind that often wandered into Exotic Realms.
The Library
The Library
Per The National Trust’s guidebook: “The Library’s extraordinary frieze was painted by Lt. Marshall Lee in 1943, when the house was
occupied by Flotilla 10 of the U.S. Coastguard. It depicts all of the significant events of their war, starting at Lt. Lee’s base in Key West, FL, and ending with an image of Greenway perched high above the river with an Infantry Landing Craft in the river below.”
Lt. Lee and his colleagues clearly appreciated the Ladies of England!
More of the Library’s frieze
The Artist didn’t gloss over the violence of war.
Galveston, Texas, comes to Devon.
Wonderful!!
The Main Staircase, leading to the Bedrooms.
The Master Bedroom looks nearly the same as it did during Agatha’s Christie’s time.
From her bedroom’s windows, Agatha had this splendid view out over the River Dart.
A corner of Agatha’s Bedroom
Agatha bought this mother-of-pearl inlaid chest of drawers in Damascus, in 1929.
Detail of the treasures atop Agatha’s Damascus chest.
Agatha’s bedside table (with Anne and her very nice Prada sunhat, reflected in the mirror).
Christie’s mahogany-seated toilet. I’m not sure that Agatha would be delighted to know that mobs of tourists now gawk at her privy…
Originally a bedroom, the Sitting Room later became Max Mallowan’s writing room. When Agatha was at Greenway, there’s no evidence to suggest that she plied her author’s trade. Of course, Agatha did weave elements of their country home into her mysteries, but her time in Devon was not spent in toil at her typewriter.
And still more trinkets, in the Sitting Room.
We headed back down the Main Stairway, where we admired its groined ceiling, and arched clerestory window.
As we exited through the Back Hall, we found this Mosaic Name Plate, formed from broken crockery.
For a therapeutic blast of fresh air, we’ll proceed outside, into the sunshine of Greenway’s south-facing Gardens!
Map of Greenway’s Grounds
Greenway’s 36 acres, on a promontory above the River Dart, feel utterly at one with the greater, Devonian landscape. As mentioned, the retaining walls and paths by which Greenway’s steep slopes were made hospitable for future gardens were built in 1588 by Spanish prisoners. Over the following 400 years the nine families who then each owned Greenway continued to tame the land and develop the gardens. But the layouts of the gardens which we visit today are still basically those which were refashioned in Humphry Repton’s relaxed and picturesque style, from 1791 until 1832. Subsequent owners embellished the garden with the plantings of shrubs and trees that still flourish, but a few ancient specimens also survive, particularly a Cork Oak (in the Camellia Garden), which is estimated to be 300—350 years old. This is a garden that’s literally rooted in history; a place where past and present resonate, and meld seamlessly.
The Croquet Lawn is directly to the west of the House. This area is dominated by a Magnolia grandiflora.
Reinvigorated after enjoying lunch at Greenway’s Barn Cafe, we entered the South Walled Garden & Vinery, and began our garden explorations.
And WHAT, pray tell, is a BOTHY? It’s a Scottish Highlands term for a VERY basic gardener’s cottage. By the time of the Mallowans, this hut was used to store coal and firewood.
The South Walled Garden’s Glass House.
This extensive Glass House was built against the northern wall of the South Walled Garden by Richard Harvey, a wealthy copper magnate. Harvey owned Greenway from 1852 until 1882, and during those years he restored the lodge and stables (where the Barn Cafe and Gift Shop currently are), built glass houses within the pre-existing walled gardens,
and thinned the outlying forests, where his gardener, J. Coudray, then introduced specimens of exotics, including acacias, clianthus, sophora, and myrtles.
A closer view of the South Walled Garden’s Glass House
Inside the South Walled Garden’s Glass House
The view from outside the Glass House, across the lawn of the South Walled Garden, toward the white chimneys of the main House. This Garden — a full acre — was originally a kitchen garden.
A profusion of Borage and Artichokes, alongside the Glass House
The Herb Border, in the South Walled Garden. Against the high wall behind the herbs climbs an ancient Wisteria sinensis.
The North Walled Garden continues today, as a working nursery where plants are propagated for Greenway’s gardens. This Glass House was built by Susannah Harvey in the 1870s, and in this space she grew Peaches and Nectarines.
Inside the Peach House
We leave the Walled Gardens and head uphill, toward the Fernery, with its Fountain & Pet Cemetery.
Ferns — of course — in the Fernery.
Our first view of the Fernery’s Fountain. Property records indicate that this area of the estate already existed in 1791, when Edward Elton ( a merchant, adventurer, and MP ) purchased Greenway. Elton immediately commissioned a re-design of most of the grounds, with guidance by Humphry Repton.
The Fernery is centered upon a Fountain, and enclosed by walls of water-worn limestone and quartz.
Steps in the Fernery lead to hidden garden areas
Another view of the Fernery
A shady corner of the Fernery. Here lie the graves of Greenway’s much-loved dogs.
Fernery Lushness
Leaving the Fernery, we found a towering Monkey-Puzzle Tree (aka a Chilean Pine, which can grow to be 130 feet tall).
From the Top Garden’s path, we had this fine view toward the hills, on the western side of the River Dart.
And YES, due to Southern Devon’s mild climate, palm trees DO flourish. (Note: you’ll see MANY more tropical plants, when I publish Part Two of my Southern Devon journals.)
We then headed downhill, through the Plantation, a heavily-wooded area of the estate.
Our next stop: the Boat House, which is also known as “Ralegh’s Boat House.” Sir Walter Ralegh was half-brother to Sir John Gilbert (who belonged to the family who first settled at Greenway). The current Boat House dates from late Georgian or early Victorian times.
Putting her vacation home to good use, in DEAD MAN’S FOLLY Agatha Christie used the Boat House as the setting for the strangulation of her fictional character Marlene Tucker.
In Real Life, the Boat House is a calm (and not at all murder-inducing) place. The National Trust has recently begun a campaign to raise funds for the restoration of the Boat House, but I rather like it in its current, disheveled condition.
A serene vista, from the Boat House’s Porch
A passing Riverboat
And another history lesson, posted at the Boat House.
Leaving the Boat House, we proceeded to the Battery, which I confess became my favorite spot at Greenway.
The Battery dates from the 18th century and is thought to have been built as a Napoleonic defense in the 1790s. (I think that EVERY
riverside garden should have a Battery….)
I looked southwards, over the emerald-and-blue waters of the River Dart.
On SUNDAY, JUNE 28TH, Anne and David and I agreed that a day of wandering through Dartmouth’s streets and ambling along the town’s waterfront and riding the River’s ferry boats would be most relaxing . And so, without agenda, we went forth, into a misty and sometimes rainy morning. What follows is a scrapbook of Dartmouth; one which will, I hope, give you a vivid sense of the Place.
Remember: Leave your Hand-Cart at home.
David leads the Way.
Although we’d cooked ourselves entirely healthful breakfasts, once our feet had hit the slippery pavements, our brains and stomachs
immediately demanded caffeine, sugar and butterfat … which necessitated a visit to Saveurs, Dartmouth’s best patisserie.
Saveurs. 3 Victoria Road, Dartmouth. TQ6 9RT
The most elegant logo….ever.
At Kingswear Station
Done with our train spotting, we headed back across the River, via a different Ferry; this one leaving from The Royal Dart, and for foot passengers only.
The Royal Dart, in Kingswear
The Royal Dart dates to the 1700s, when it was known as the Plume of Feathers Public House. When the railway came to Kingswear in the mid 19th century, Feathers were re-fluffed, and transformed into the Station Hotel. In the 1860s, another name was bestowed, the Yacht Hotel, and after Queen Victoria attended a Regatta in the 1870s, the Hotel became the Royal Dart. Now a museum containing Naval artifacts (due to the building being used during World War II as a command post), the Royal Dart is much in need of restoration.
Returned to Dartmouth, we continued along the waterfront, toward the Town Jetty.
Everywhere you look in Dartmouth, images of wild-looking Green Men are carved onto the buildings.
Another Green Man
Dartmouth’s profusion of Little Green Men gave me pause. ‘Twas time for me to understand just WHAT these pagan images signified. Indirectly but ultimately, the best explanation of those Little Green Men came to me via David Guy, who is absolutely the best-read person I’ve ever known. During our Dartmouth stay, David, considering my predilection for England mystery writers, suggested that I try a series of books written by Christopher Fowler.Fowler’s wonderful Peculiar Crimes Unit mysteries, featuring his superannuated detectives, Bryant and May, have now completely hooked me. Christopher Fowler does not just plot stories of diabolical intricacy and subversive humor ; into each of his PCU sagas, Fowler also weaves oodles of deep background, about English history, culture, and geography.
A while back, as I was greedily plowing through BRYANT AND MAY ON THE LOOSE, the seventh book in the ongoing PCU Series, I was delighted to read this passage, as spoken by
Arthur Bryant, the more eccentric of the two detectives:
” ‘ Well, there’s a sinister side to all of this.’ Bryant’s blue eyes glittered, as he found another lithograph. ‘George-a-Green, or
Herne the Horned One, is also Jack in the Green or the Green Man, the spirit of vegetation. The Green Man is a story that predates Christ. Uniquely, it has its roots in both pagan and Christian history. The legend tells how the dead Adam had the seeds of the tree of knowledge planted in his mouth. From this mix of fertility and soil grew a sinister god, the Oak King, the Holly King, the
Green Man — the symbol of death in life. The Green Man is found in a great many English churches. He appears both in church carvings and at May Day celebrations, as a sort of primeval trickster, a symbol of spiritual rebirth, but also as a vengeful rapist and bloodsucker. The Green Man is a forest creature with the power to wipe out cities and return them to nature. He destroys men by unleashing natural forces upon them, and reappears when the earth is threatened. He can be benign and healing, but there’s a wildness about him, a dangerous cruelty — and a terrible madness. ‘ ”
All of this essential (for me, at least) Green Man Lore now acquired … from just one more of the hundreds of colorful and cultural sidebars (which are nevertheless relevant to the Plot) that Christopher Fowler somehow incorporates into a paperback detective story! Pure serendipity. For lovers of well-wrought mysteries (and — with apologies to Agatha Christie — because I’ve got to say that Christopher Fowler is a FAR better writer than the beloved Mrs. Mallowan), there’s endless fun to be had by solving crimes, alongside Christopher Fowler’s Bryant and May.
Bryant and May books can be found at
Forgive me for yet another of my digressions….but it’s this unexpected gathering together of cultural bits and pieces that makes the Traveling Life so intoxicating.
Now, back to our Dartmouth-town walk:
Green Men gathering
Detail of central decoration, framed by more Green Men
The Boat Float: a man-made harbor, where small boats rise and fall with the tides.
Map of the Boat Float area of Dartmouth
The Boat Float: with the Town Jetty, and the River Dart beyond
Low Tide at the Boat Float
High Tide at the Boat Float
The Royal Castle Hotel…just across the street from the Boat Float
Sir Francis Drake dined at this location…
Yet another heavily-decorated building facade
Just around the corner from the Royal Castle Hotel is the Butterwalk, which consists of 4 timber framed houses that date from 1628 to 1640.
Detail of upper floor carving, at the Butterwalk
Much-contented with our local perambulations, we retired for a few hours to our Cottage on Above Town, where I napped and then caught up with my postcard-writing. Later that afternoon, when rain clouds had finally dispersed, Anne drove us southwards over five miles of hair-raisingly serpentine and narrow roads, to Slapton Sands.
Map of Slapton Sands (also known as Slapton Beach).
Image courtesy of Robert Hesketh’s DARTMOUTH: A SHORTISH GUIDE.
The location of Slapton Sands in Devon is marked by the yellow arrow.
The tranquil expanse of the shingle beach of Slapton Sands, and the adjacent lake, bird sanctuary, and emerald hills of the National Nature Reserve called Slapton Ley give no hint of the horrors that once took place here.
Map of Slapton Ley. Slapton Ley has the largest natural lake in south-west England. Although it is separated from the sea by a very narrow bar of shingle, the lake is entirely freshwater.
Website: http://www.slnnr.org.uk
Aerial View of Slapton Ley. Image courtesy of South West Coastal Group.
As I’ve mentioned, during World War II thousands of American servicemen were stationed in and around Dartmouth. In ultra-secret preparation for the planned, D-Day invasion of Normandy, the British Government, in coordination with America’s General Dwight D. Eisenhower (who was also the Supreme Allied Commander), requisitioned all of the land and seashore in the vicinity of Slapton and Torcross. The beach at Slapton Sands, with its similarities to France’s Utah Beach ( a gravel beach, and a nearby lake, separated by a narrow strip of land)…
Map of Utah Beach, in Normandy, France
…was chosen for military training exercises. With very little prior notice, and without being given any reason, the English inhabitants of eight entire villages, as well as those who lived on all of the surrounding farms, were ordered by the Military to evacuate the area. The populace (numbering approximately 3000 humans, along with countless farm animals) did so with speed and silence … and with an acceptance and grace which today would be unimaginable.
At Slapton Sands: America’s memorial to the English people of the South Hams.
In late December of 1943, 30,000 Allied servicemen and scores of ships began using Slapton Sands for their landing exercises, which had been named “Exercise Tiger “ (also known as “Operation Tiger.”). This enormous endeavor had somehow to be accomplished without attracting the notice of spies, or of the German E-boats that prowled incessantly alongside England’s shorelines. [Note: the Germans called these boats Schnellboot, meaning “fast boat.” E-boats were heavily armed, and sleek: able to sustain a speed of 50 mph.]
A German Schnellboot— E Boat
Landing exercises continued apace until April 28, 1944, when, in an instance of everything-possible-going-wrong, a forward-rolling disaster of epic proportions began. As a practice assault upon the Beach commenced that morning, a series of missed communications sent American soldiers who’d already made their beach landing directly into the zone where shells launched from the British heavy cruiser HMS HAWKINS were exploding. General Eisenhower had correctly asked that his beach-storming troops become acclimatized to the sounds and smells of live ammunition. The point was for the live ammunition to whiz over the heads of the troops, as they waded ashore. Landside officers were given the job of coordinating timing: the troops were not meant to have reached the shore until all shells had detonated. A white tape was also to have marked the line on the beach beyond which the Americans were not to proceed, until the beach-masters had declared the area safe.
Unsynchronized firing of the shells, along with a delay in the start-times for the American landing ships, sent 197 American soldiers to their deaths: directly into the line of friendly fire.
But the horrors of April 28th had only just begun. A swarm of nine German E-boats that were lurking in Lyme Bay happened upon the under-protected convoy of American troop ships that were part of a follow-up landing exercise. Earlier that night, British ships had spotted the E-boats, but, in another spectacular
failure of communication, had not alerted the American convoy about the imminent threat. As American ships approached the Beach, the E-boats attacked. Within minutes, four American ships were destroyed or severely damaged: 749 American Army and Navy men were either killed outright, or drowned in the frigid waters.
But a single miracle can be said to have occurred on that day.Blessedly, the Germans didn’t draw the conclusion that this massing of British and American forces at Slapton Sands had a greater meaning: that this military exercise on the shores of Southern Devon could be in any way a precursor to an Allied invasion of German-occupied France.
And so, with 946 American dead (and countless more wounded), secrecy about the day’s calamity became the overriding and ghastly necessity. To acknowledge what had occurred would
inevitably alert the Germans that the Allies planned soon to mount a sea-attack upon France. The dead were hastily buried en masse; dug down there to lie, unnamed and hidden, beneath the green hills that overlook the Lake. The day’s casualties went unannounced; not until August of 1944, and after the successful assault of D-Day, were the dead named, and, even then, those who had perished at Slapton Sands were reported to have died during D-Day operations.
The lake at Slapton Ley is separated from the shingle beach by a spit of land. The hills that rise behind the lake are the unmarked and final resting places of many of the 946 Americans who died during Exercise Tiger, on April 28, 1944.
After the conclusion of the War, the catastrophe at Slapton Sands was not so much covered up as it was forgotten.
Historians concentrated upon the larger and, in the American and English views, the more positive aspects of World War II. Official histories did of course mention Slapton Sands, but, without any gravestones to mark the final resting places of those 946 Americans — and in the absence of the tales of those who had survived the dual disasters on April 28, 1944 (the survivors were sworn to secrecy) — the non-military-history-reading Public therefore had no reason to suspect that the hideousness of war had ever touched the shingle beach, there in beautiful, bucolic Devon.
Not until the 1970s, when Devon resident Ken Small discovered traces of destroyed ordnance while beachcombing at Slapton Sands,
was any effort then made by either England or America to memorialize the 946 servicemen who had died there and been forgotten.
Historian Ken Small wrote the first complete story of the disaster at Slapton Sands
Operation Tiger memorial plaque at Slapton Sands
A Sherman Tank, lost at sea on April 28, 1944, and now dragged ashore. On display at Torcross.
Sherman Tank plaque
Detail of the Sherman Tank, which is in remarkably good condition, despite having been for decades under seawater.
The locals make sure that poppies of remembrance always adorn the Sherman Tank at Torcross
I’m in Torcross, looking northwards up along the long curve of Slapton Sands. “Sands” is misleading: the beach consists of shingle (small stones).
American Troops making practice landings on Slapton Sands, during rehearsals for the invasion of Normandy. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
My view of Slapton Sands, on June 28, 2015.
As I took photos, and Anne did her research, David took this picture. Photo courtesy of David Guy.
It’s peaceful now, at Slapton Sands.
Anne identified these scrubby purple flowers that blanket the dunes at Slapton Sands as Echium vulgare (also known as Vipers Bugloss !! ) Photo courtesy of David Guy.
When I first beheld the Sherman Tank at Torcross, and began to learn about what had happened there at Slapton Sands on April 28th in 1944, I wanted to weep. Somehow, it seemed incomprehensible that in this sublimely beautiful place, human beings had once again imposed such ugliness upon themselves, and upon the land. Mother Earth deserves better, and we, her eternally ungrateful and terminally heedless children, should have, long-since, learned to be wiser, and kinder, and less war-like. Sometimes I despair….
But, thanks to the peculiarities of English traffic signage, my grim mood soon lifted. Heading back to Dartmouth, we passed a small construction zone in the village of Strete.
Road work in Strete
I laughed and remembered how, three years ago in neighboring Dorset, I’d been appalled by my first encounter with such Alarming Red Signs. I’d shrieked, and asked Anne and David if entire districts in England might be removing cats’ eyes. They’d reassured me that Cat’s Eyes are reflective, raised pavement road markers which mark the lanes of the road. When road resurfacing needs to be done, the flexible rubber domes of Cat’s Eyes are removed, and afterwards replaced into the new Tarmac. What a relief it was to learn that the sadism against animals which those signs had initially made me visualize was in fact only a routine sort of road maintenance.
The anthropomorphically-named
Cat’s Eye. Image courtesy of Wikipedia
I hopped out of the car and took this picture, just to prove that the removal of man-made Cat’s Eyes is a routine event, in the United Kingdom!
On MONDAY, JUNE 29th, Anne and David and I drove westward, toward Plymouth. Our day was to be a long wallow in three of Southern Devon’s most exquisite landscapes.
Our first stop: the wonderful, Fortescue-family gardens at The Garden House, in Buckland Monachorum, Yelverton, near Tavistock, Devon. PL20 7LQ.
Open Daily, from May 1st through August 1st.
Website: http://www.thegardenhouse.org.uk
The Garden House’s 10 acres of gardens continue to evolve.
For our Monday’s adventures, Janet Hardwick and Barry West had traveled down from the Midlands to join me and the Guys. Over the years, Anne’s mother Janet
has on many occasions welcomed me as a guest into her home, where she pampers me to excess (although I plead with Janet not to fuss!). My annual trips to England are not made expressly to add new chapters to my lifelong project of self-education; each time I fly Eastward across the Atlantic I’m also looking forward to spending another week or two with my lovely, adopted, English family.
The 10 acres of gardens at The Garden House offer a sumptuous horticultural immersion in color, scent, texture and form. For an Introduction, I’ll quote just a bit from their “About the Garden and its History” pamphlet:
“On his retirement from teaching at Eton College in 1945, Lionel Fortescue and his wife Katherine moved into the former Georgian vicarage with its 10 acres of land, to begin the creation of what is today recognized as one of the most wonderfully diverse gardens in Britain: The Garden House. Lionel [first] set about designing and imaginatively planting the 2-acre terraced Walled Garden, centered on the ruins of a 16th century village. “
“Lionel and Katherine had the foresight to set up a charitable trust in 1961, to secure the Garden’s future, and successive Head Gardeners have used their own creative talent to further develop the garden…always respecting the horticultural legacy of the Fortescues. Keith Wiley spent 25 years boldly expanding the garden in a style known as ‘New Naturalism,’ where plant collections are used to recreate natural landscapes from around the world. Examples of Keith’s inspiration can be seen in the 6 acres of the western garden: the cottage garden, wildflower meadow, Acer Glade…and the Magic Circle. With gently sloping paths across its 2 acre site, the new Jubilee Arboretum was planted by Head Gardener Matt Bishop, to commemorate 50 years of the Fortescue Trust. Stewardship of the garden is now in the capable hands of Nick Haworth.”
Please now: join me as I retrace our steps through the Gardens.
This Map — somewhat different from the Map illustrated on the Garden’s pamphlet — is posted at the Garden’s Ticket Booth.
My traveling companions buy their tickets
Just beyond the Ticket Booth, we were enveloped by lushly-planted borders.
In the distance, a bit of the circular Front Lawn is visible.
But before ANY garden-tromping could occur, we needed to indulge in the Tea Rooms’ top-notch cakes and coffees. Image courtesy of The Garden House.
From behind the House, we peered down to the Tennis Court Lawn, which is on an upper terrace of the Walled Garden.
A Moon Window has been carved through the high hedge which separates the House from the Bowling Green Terrace
From the western end of the Bowling Green Terrace one first passes through
a rustic summerhouse, which opens onto this extraordinary cascade of steps, ramps and raised beds: called THE OVAL GARDEN.
Detail of the utterly captivating Oval Garden
At the lowest point in the Oval Garden: a shaded, circular terrace, with a view of the Bottom Terrace Garden.
From the Oval Garden’s shaded terrace, a view uphill, toward the Summerhouse at the top of the steps. The precision with which these dry-laid stone walls were constructed is amazing.
The Walled Garden’s Tennis Court Lawn, with a view uphill, to the Main House.
Foxgloves were in their full glory.
From the Tennis Court Lawn, Tom’s Steps lead up the the Camellia Walk, and to the House.
Blossoms (which we were too late in the season to see), on the Camellia Walk. Image courtesy of The Garden House.
Walled Garden Plaque
The Tennis Court Lawn
The borders on all sides of the Tennis Court Lawn were bursting with foxgloves and climbing roses.
AT the northeastern corner of the Tennis Court Lawn: a gate leading down to the Tower Ruins, and to the Bottom Terrace Garden.
The Tower Ruins, and Bottom Terrace Garden.
A closer look at the Tower Ruins and the Bottom Terrace Garden
Looking westward, along the central path of the Bottom Terrace Garden
View from the Bottom Terrace Garden, up toward the House.
Tower Ruins
Leaving the Birch Wood, we head back toward the House, following the Long Walk
We enter the South African Garden
The central path through the South African Garden
South African Garden
More wonderful textures in the South African Garden
Our visit to the Garden House nearly done, we savored the exuberant colors and textures in the South African area.
After I’d organized my photos of The Garden House — all taken this past June — I checked the Garden’s website to confirm their contact information. I found this photo of the Meadow below the Wisteria Bridge, in Autumn. Clearly, these Gardens shine, in EVERY season. Image courtesy of The Garden House. For plant-lovers, this Garden is a crucial destination.
Following my two hours of blissfully-restful-total-plant-immersion at The Garden House, we made the barely-five-minute commute to nearby Buckland Abbey. Ideally, the Abbey, its Gardens, and its vast Estates should be explored over the course of an entire day. Buckland offers an embarrassment of riches. With over 700 years of architecture, history, and fine craftsmanship and art to study (including a Rembrandt self-portrait, recently bequeathed to the Abbey), along with acres of gardens, and miles of country walks to enjoy, the place begs a Visitor to Amble. Good food is available at the Ox Yard Restaurant. And there’s even an abused-chicken-rescue project going on, in a far corner of the Kitchen Garden.
Buckland Abbey was established in 1278 by Cistercian monks. In 1541, After King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, the vast estates of the Abbey
(which encompassed 20,000 acres) passed into private hands and so eventually became home to two of England’s most swashbuckling maritime personalities : Sir Richard Grenville, followed by Sir Francis Drake. The National Trust opened the Abbey and its estates to the Public in 1951. Image courtesy of The National Trust
Buckland Abbey, Garden & Estate
Yelverton, Devon PL20 6EY
The Abbey buildings, garden, and estate are all open from March through October (with limited hours during the colder months).
Plan of Buckland Abbey’s
Gardens; and a Map of the Walks across the landscape of the Estate.
Key to Estate Walks: YELLOW=
Abbots Walk, 1 mile. GREEN=Grenville Walk, 1 ½ miles.
RED=Drake Walk, 2 ½ miles. BLUE=Amicia Walk, 3 miles
Leaving the Car Park, we follow a footpath, which was built in 1988
Visitors enter the Abbey complex through the Ox Yard court
Plants grown in the Abbey’s gardens are for sale, in the Entry Court
The semi-octagonal Ox Yard is enclosed by sheds
that were constructed during the 1790s. Today’s outdoor Café stands where the “Dung Yard” once was…home to the Abbey’s 22 oxen.
The cluster of ancient buildings which form the Abbey are nestled into the valley of the River Tay; one feels utterly cushioned in the bosom of the land…it’s hard to remember that an ocean churns nearby, only nine miles to the south. But this very proximity to the sea is what made the Abbey such an appealing
home, for two of Devon’s most famous seafarers.
In 1545, the second Sir Richard Grenville, while still an infant (the first Sir Richard, his father, had purchased the Abbey from Henry VIII in 1541), inherited the Abbey. Richard Two became a career soldier and sailor who dreamed of colonizing the Americas, but, without royal patronage, his schemes came to nothing. In 1580, bitter about his failure to gain Royal sponsorship (which should have led to the Greatness and Fame that Richard desperately craved), Grenville sold the property to a more successful adventurer, Sir Francis Drake, who had just achieved the distinction of being the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe (an endeavor which lasted from 1577 until 1580).
As my companions and I explored the Abbey, I became so enthralled by the architecture and by the gardens that I failed to carefully read The National Trust’s guidebook about the property; burying my nose in reference materials is something I always do…but later, after the day’s touring is done.
As I entered the Abbey, I thought: Home of Francis Drake? Well…that’s interesting.
Sir Francis Drake. Born circa 1540, in Devon. Died 1596, in Panama.
But, had I then paid closer attention to the Trust’s Guidebook, I would have tumbled to the fact that the Abbey was also home to Sir Richard Grenville, who eventually became Vice Admiral of England’s fleet, and thus the hero of Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem THE REVENGE: A BALLAD OF THE FLEET .
Sir Richard Grenville. Born 1542, in Devon. Died 1591, off Flores, Azores Islands.
Had I done my homework that day, right there, right then, scraps of verse would have been dislodged, off from dusty shelves at the back of my brain:
“At Flores in the Azores Sir Richard Grenville lay,
And a pinnace, like a flutter’d bird, came flying from far away.
‘Spanish ships of war at sea! We have sighted fifty three!’
….He had only a hundred seamen to work the ship and fight,
And he sail’d away from Flores till the Spaniard came in sight,
With his huge sea-castles heaving upon the weather bow.
‘Shall we fight or shall we fly?
Good Sir Richard, tell us now,
For to fight is but to die!
There’ll be little of us left by the time this sun be set.’
And Sir Richard said again: ‘We be all good English men,
Let us bang these dogs of Seville, the children of the devil,
For I never turned my back on Don or devil yet.’
Sir Richard spoke and he laugh’d, and we roar’d a hurrah , and so
The little ‘Revenge’ ran on, sheer into the heart of the foe.
With her hundred fighters on deck, and her ninety sick below;
For half of their fleet to the right and half to the left were seen,
And the little ‘Revenge’ ran on thro’ the long sea-lane between.”
Etching of the REVENGE, at the Battle of Flores, Azores. 1591.
“…And the night went down, and the sun smiled out from over the summer sea,
And the Spanish fleet with broken sides lay around us all in a ring:
But they dared not touch us again, for they fear’d that we still could sting.
So they watch’d what the end would be,
And we had not fought them in vain,
But in perilous plight were we,
Seeing forty of our poor hundred were slain,
And half of the rest of us maim’d for life
In the crash of the cannonades and the desperate strife;
And the sick men down in the hold were most of them stark and cold,
And the pikes were all broken or bent, and the powder was all of it spent;
And the masts and the rigging were lying over the side;
But Sir Richard cried in his English pride,
‘We have fought such a fight for a day and a night
As may never be fought again!
We have won great glory, my men!
And a day less or more
At sea or ashore,
We die – does it matter when?
Sink me the ship, Master Gunner – sink her, split her in twain!
Fall into the hands of God, not into the hands of Spain ! ‘ …. ”
With his poem about the ship ‘Revenge,’ Alfred, Lord Tennyson…
Alfred, Lord Tennyson (born 1809, died 1892). Poet Laureate of Great Britain during much of Queen Victoria’s reign.
…bestowed upon Sir Richard the immortality that Grenville had sought. Of course, with his 14 stanzas Tennyson also dished up a prime cut of adrenaline-boosting, chest-pounding, revisionist history, nationalist propaganda and sheer poppycock! But what memorable Poppycock! Such is the Power of Rhythm and Rhyme.
Poetry seminar over, we’ll take a fast look inside the Abbey:
Plan of the ground floor
rooms of Buckland Abbey. Image courtesy of The National Trust
From the get-go, the Cistercian Abbey of St. Mary and St. Benedict at Buckland was a very well funded operation.
Reconstruction of how the Abbey might have looked shortly after it was built in the late 13th century. Image courtesy of The National Trust.
The Abbey was founded by Amicia de Redvers, matriarch of a boundlessly-wealthy Devon family. As you can see from the previous drawing, the Abbey in its original form, along with its Great Barn, was expansive and anything but humble.
We enter the Abbey through a short projecting wing that was built in the 1800s to contain a new staircase. The Tower was once at the cross-point of a larger structure. The roofline of the demolished south transept is still visible on the Tower’s exterior…just to the right of the FALSE flying buttress. The buttress is actually a chimney flue!
To the east of the front entry is the kitchen wing, which was added by Grenville, and then expanded in the 18th century. Per The National Trust: “This wing still reveals the retaining arches of the chapels that once issued from the east wall of the south transept at ground-floor level.”
Upstairs, in the Drake Chamber: A Ship Model. Nothing in this space is original to the time when Drake made the Abbey his home.
The beautiful ceiling in the Drake Chamber was installed in 1988. The hand-modeled frieze is done in a traditional, Devon style.
M.C.Escher-ish view, from the front hall stairway, toward the Georgian Staircase.
A window by a landing on the front stairs has been etched to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Spanish Armada.
Inside the Abbey (which over the course of 700 years has been added to, remodeled, and sometimes deconstructed)
the collision of eras and architectural styles is most evident upstairs, where the traceried arch in the Lifetimes Gallery once formed part of an outside window looking out over the abbey chancel.
The Georgian Staircase, which rises through 4 floors, was built in the late 18th century.
The Kitchen is in the
Abbey’s east wing, and was built by Sir Richard Grenville
to absorb the monastic chancel. Two open Hearths dominate the room.
The second of the massive Hearths in the Kitchen.
The antlers above the south Hearth are (fancifully) said to belong to a stag who once chased Sir Francis Drake up a tree.
Per The National Trust: “The Great Hall is positioned within the original crossing area of the church, directly beneath the tower and adjacent to the south transept that was demolished [in 1576] by Grenville to bring light to this, the most lavishly-remodeled room in the Abbey.”
Every square inch of the Great Hall is decorated: from the plaster ceiling, right down to the stone-tiled floor.
The Great Hall’s upper walls are embellished with allegorical scenes. These plasterwork decorations have survived, exactly as they were, ever since Sir Richard Grenville’s occupancy of the Abbey.
Detail of the amazing, dizzying floor, in the Great Hall
The Great Hall’s ceiling is supported by shield-bearing satyrs.
The Great Hall’s granite fireplace, with herringbone pattern of slate at the back, is typical of the 16th century.
Detail of hearth, in the Great Hall
I very much enjoyed wandering through the architectural hodge-podge of rooms inside the Abbey itself, but the most magnificent structure within Buckland’s complex of buildings is certainly the Great Barn, which was erected in 1300. From the outside, the Barn, with its progressions of buttresses and arches, is striking.
The eastern elevation of the Great Barn
The western elevation of the Great Barn
But, from within, the Great Barn presents one of the most impressive volumes of space I’ve ever inhabited. The Barn’s interior is far more inspiring than most of the ecclesiastical buildings I’ve visited.
My view, looking toward the south end of the Great Barn. The walls date from 1300, and the arch-braced wooden roof was constructed in the 15th century.
Continuing with The National Trust’s description:
“The outstanding architectural feature of Buckland is the Great Barn. It was clearly planned for a prosperous community and belongs to the same period as the abbey church. Its dimensions seem to dwarf the church, and it is set obliquely only 24m from the chancel. The putlog holes where the medieval scaffolding was inserted are still open, and dovecotes remain above the great medieval doorways.” The barn would have been used for storage: of harvested crops, and for wood and hides from the Abbey’s estates. The central space, at the crossing-point of the Barn’s wings, was kept clear, and used for winnowing.
My view, toward the north end of the Great Barn
An 18th century Cider Press is installed at the north end of the Great Barn.
A massive door, in the Great Barn
Medieval Putlog holes are still open, in the Great Barn’s stone walls.
I exited the Great Barn through this west-facing doorway.
Outside of the Great Barn, I found this superb Herb Garden. Remember, the walls which form the backdrop for this Garden were built in 1300. Walls of such antiquity are the
Ultimate Garden Ornament.
Per The National Trust: “ It is probable that the Herb Garden outside of the Great Barn was established after a visit by Vita Sackville-West. The irregular-shaped beds contain over 40 different herbs.”
[ Note: For a good look at Vita-Sackville West’s own gardens at Sissinghurst, read my Armchair Diary titled
PART THREE. RAMBLING THROUGH THE GARDENS & ESTATES OF KENT, ENGLAND. ]
The Herb Garden, and the Great Barn
The Herb Garden
We headed toward the northern-most portions of the Abbey’s Gardens. The grounds immediately surrounding the Barn and Abbey are all 20th-century creations… but creations which are seamlessly integrated into ancient settings. This merging of the modern and the antique is something at which British gardeners excel.
Our first stop: the “Elizabethan Garden,” which was designed during the 1990s in a Tudor style.
We approach the forecourt of the Elizabethan Garden. The Abbot’s Tower is in the background.
Armillary in the forecourt of the Elizabethan Garden, with the north end of the Great Barn looming behind.
The central path in the Elizabethan Garden.
At center, rear: The Abbey’s Tower (which was originally located at the center of a larger building), with its undulating battlements (these decorative flourishes were added in the 18th century).
A closer look at the North Front of the Abbey, as seen from the Elizabethan Garden.
Central Pool in the Elizabethan Garden, with the Abbot’s Tower in the background.
In search of the Kitchen Garden, we follow this alleyway, which runs outside the northern wall of the Elizabethan Garden. These walls are ancient farmyard enclosures, and have been used to define newly-made gardens.
The Gate to the Kitchen Garden
A corner of the extensive Kitchen Garden
The Kitchen Garden
Barry and Janet rest in a sunny corner of the Kitchen Garden.
The Great Barn, and the Abbey, as seen from within the Kitchen Garden.
Chickens, rescued from abominable living conditions, now recover in the Kitchen Garden.
The British Hen Welfare Trust is saving chickens by the tens of thousands.
Time to head west, toward the Cider House Garden.
The eastern-most sections of the Cider House Garden abut the Cider House Bed & Breakfast building (shown here)….looks like QUITE a nice place to bunk, eh?
The private terrace of the Cider House’s Bed & Breakfast accommodation. More and more of The National Trust’s properties are offering B&B lodgings (earlier in this Diary, I forgot to mention that a B&B is also on site, at Agatha Christie’s Greenway).
The B&B area of the Cider House Garden, with the northern hills of the Estate, in the background.
A new Rill has been added to the B&B area of the Cider House Garden.
We’re now within the public section of the Cider House Garden, with wonderful views of the Estate’s hillsides, where flocks of sheep graze.
Lushly-planted borders in the Cider House Garden.
A green archway at the western end of the Cider House Garden
This gate separates the Cider House Garden and the Wild Garden
Detail of the Cider House/Wild Garden gate
David and Anne rest their feet, in a Wild Garden Shelter
Our visit to Buckland’s gardens nearly complete, we leave the Wild Garden, and head back across the Central Lawn of the Cider House Garden.
Just past the eastern gate to the Cider House Garden, we came upon this beautiful but slightly disturbing bench. (Horses’ heads immediately lead to thoughts of that grisly scene in GODFATHER ONE.)
Having enjoyed this final look at the Abbot’s Tower, we decided that our Scones-and-Tea-Time was LONG overdue, and so repaired to the Ox Yard Cafe.
Back at the Car Park, I decided that, at some point in the future, I must return to Buckland Abbey: there are still Estate Walks to explore. (Note: the shaded gray area on the Visitors’ Map indicates the Bed & Breakfast area of the Cider House Garden.)
Having hatched plans to meet Janet and Barry later for dinner back in Dartmouth, Anne and David and I took our leave from Buckland Abbey.
Anne decided that our homeward travels should be along more scenic routes than those of our utilitarian, morning commute. And so Anne’s chosen path led us from west to east, and across the otherworldly landscapes of Devon’s Dartmoor National Park.
Map of Dartmoor National Park.
website: http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk
Apart from knowing that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle set his novel THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES amid the mist-shrouded peat bogs of Devon, I’d given little thought to the existence of Dartmoor.
Book cover of the First Edition
But my too-brief visit there, in late afternoon of June 29th, made an indelible impression . Visions of Dartmoor’s intricate folds in the land; of stark pyramids of hundreds of rocky tors; of wild horses grazing; of free-roaming cows wallowing in ponds; and of still more cattle lounging proprietarily on the warm pavements of the narrow roadways; of the depressing, Victorian hulk of Princetown’s high security prison; of hilltops which made me feel as if I had ascended into the sky…these images now enrich me. Rarely have I been enveloped by such clarity of light, or have I been in a place that seemed simultaneously so joyful, and yet so forlorn.
A quarter of the way into the Park, we stopped near Walkhampton, at a car park on Route B3212.
Bicyclists, Cattle and Motorists congregate by Route B3212, on one of south Dartmoor’s higher peaks.
Google satellite view of that same car park and cattle pond.
Clearly Contended Cows, with a Tor on the horizon. “Tor” is an old English term, probably Celtic in origin. A Tor is a pile of bare rocks, at the peak of a hill.
A closer look at the Tor, which is a natural outcropping of bedrock.
My eastern view, toward a giant Tor in the distance.
My view, to the north east
Wild Horses grazing, alongside the road
A Mother and her Colt: utterly indifferent to my presence. These animals know that this land belongs to them.
The more I see of the World, the more the disparate threads of my hundreds of preoccupations — preoccupations which I’ve accumulated over many decades — seem to intertwine into something resembling a Sensible Whole, one which makes me suspect that there might indeed be an Actual Narrative to my Life.
In Southern Devon, especially, Landscape and Warfare and History and Mysteries and Myth, along with Gardens and Architecture and Livestock and Poetry and Art: these all presented themselves to me as indispensible parts of an enormously rich Whole, and a Whole which resonated with me on the deepest, personal levels.
I constantly yearn to revisit all of the marvels that I’ve been fortunate enough to see. But my thoughts about Southern Devon have become more than mere longing: I now think of the place with love.
Part Two of my Travel Diary about Southern Devon will appear, in time…
My most enduring memory of Dartmoor.
Copyright 2015. Nan Quick—Nan Quick’s Diaries for Armchair Travelers. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express & written permission from Nan Quick is strictly prohibited.
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Which winner of the X Factor (UK) reached number 1 in the UK singles chart with their single 'Hallelujah'? | X Factor's Louisa Johnson charts at number 9, worst-performing winner's single ever - Telegraph
Celebrity news
X Factor's Louisa Johnson charts at number 9, worst-performing winner's single ever
Louisa Johnson's X Factor winner's song has entered the charts at number nine, the worst position in the show's history
X Factor 2015 finalist, Louisa Johnson Photo: PA
By Hannah Furness , Arts Correspondent
6:00PM GMT 18 Dec 2015
Follow
Louisa Johnson, the X Factor winner, has entered the UK charts at number nine: the worst performance from a winner's single in the show's 11-year history.
Johnson would traditionally have been aiming for Christmas number one with her cover of Bob Dylan's Forever Young, following in the footsteps of previous winners who have sailed to the top of the charts.
But despite singing her way to victory in the ITV talent show last Sunday , she has achieved combined sales of just 39,000 with the single.
Last year's X Factor winner Ben Haenow achieved 214,000 combined sales with his winner's single, Something I Need, during its first week on sale and went on to take the Christmas number one spot.
Photo: ITV
Shayne Ward' s That's My Goal sold 740,000 copies in its first week in 2005, going on to reach the 1.11m mark in the UK.
Alexandra Burke's cover of Hallelujah sold 576,000 in 2008, while even the show's very first winner Steve Brookstein sold 204,000 copies of Against All Odds.
Johnson's chart position follows a difficult series for X Factor, with ratings dropping to a low of 5.39 million.
Unlike former contestants, a change in the Official Charts, which saw it move from Sunday to Friday, meant Johnson has not had a full week of sales under her belt.
While it is not impossible for the song to gain momentum and climb the chart, it will now struggle to reach Christmas number one : a position the majority of X Factor winners have enjoyed.
All previous winners have reached number ones with their debut single, with even Joe McElderry - who missed out on the Christmas number one to Rage Against the Machine - climbing a week later.
The X Factor did, however, give a boost to One Direction's single History, which reached its highest position of number 11 after their performance of the song on Sunday's final.
Adele's 25 is set to become the fastest album to sell two million copies in UK chart history.
By midnight on December 17, the singer's third album had reached 1.97 million sales, and it has now almost certainly hit the two million mark - having sold between 46,000 and 61,000 copies a day for the past week.
Photo: ITV
25, which remains in the top spot on the album chart for the fourth consecutive week, will likely achieve this record after 29 days on sale - beating her previous album 21, which took 13 weeks to reach the two million mark.
On the singles chart, Justin Bieber set a new record as the first artist ever to log four consecutive weeks at numbers one and two, with his tracks Love Yourself and Sorry.
| Alexandra Burke |
Which philosopher was born in 551 BC in China? | Christmas number ones from the past 50 years: From The Beatles to The X Factor machine | The Independent
Christmas number ones from the past 50 years: From The Beatles to The X Factor machine
This year's winner Sam Bailey has topped the festive singles chart for 2013
Monday 23 December 2013 15:25 BST
Click to follow
The Independent Culture
X Factor winner Sam Bailey is the latest star of the show to take the Christmas number one. But it wasn't always this way... Rex Features
It’s a very merry Christmas for Simon Cowell as The X Factor wins the battle of the Christmas charts – for the sixth time since the franchise appeared on our television screens a decade ago.
This year's winner, Sam Bailey, clinched the number one spot with her debut single "Skyscraper". But the seasonal charts haven’t always been dominated by the singing competition.
Despite this year's unsuccessful attempt to secure AC/DC’s "Highway to Hell" the top spot, in 2009, Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name" bucked the X Factor trend by scuppering Joe McElderry’s attempts to claim the festive number one.
Both The Beatles and the Spice Girls have had a trio of Christmas top hits over the past 15 years and there have been some more unusual victors in the form of Bob the Builder and Mr Blobby. Not forgetting the choirs - Military Wives in 2011 and St Winifred's School Choir back in 1980 - the race to the top has been an interesting one to say the least.
Take a look back at the festive victors of the past 15 years:
Past Christmas number one singles
Past Christmas number one singles
1/15 2013: Sam Bailey – 'Skyscraper'
This year’s X Factor winner sold 149,000 copies of her debut single 'Skyscraper', making it one of the fastest selling tracks of 2013. The Demi Lovato cover beat Pharrell Williams’ 'Happy' to claim the top spot and become the sixth Christmas number one to come out of the show’s 10 year stint. The proceeds will go to Great Ormond St Hospital and charity Together for Short Lives.
2/15 2012: The Justice Collective – 'He Ain't Heavy, He’s My Brother'
The Hillsborough tribute single, featuring artists including Robbie Williams and Sir Paul McCartney, raised money for the families of the 96 Liverpool fans who died in a crush at Hillsborough stadium in 1989. The cover of The Hollies’ 1969 hit sold 269,000 copies, beating X Factor winner James Arthur’s single 'Impossible'.
3/15 2011: Military Wives with Gareth Malone – 'Wherever You Are'
2011's festive hit came from 100-strong choir The Military Wives, put together by Gareth Malone for the BBC Two series The Choir. 'Wherever You Are' sold 556,000 copies in the week leading up to Christmas and the lyrics were based on love poems written between the wives and their absent husbands. The Government donated VAT raised on the single to charities supporting servicemen and women.
4/15 2010: Matt Cardle – 'When We Collide'
X Factor winner Matt Cradle sold 439,000 copies of his debut single, despite Facebook-led campaigns to stop the talent contest’s domination of the charts. The original version of Cardle’s song – 'Many Of Horror', by Biffy Clyro – sold about 40,000 copies to secure eighth place in the chart.
5/15 2009: Rage Against the Machine – 'Killing in the Name'
In one of the most dramatic Christmas chart battles in recent years, Rage Against the Machine clinched the top spot after a successful Facebook campaign to prevent The X Factor single securing the Christmas number one for the fifth successive year. 'Killing in the Name' sold 500,000 downloads, 50,000 more than X factor winner Joe McElderry’s 'The Climb'.
6/15 2008: Alexandra Burke – 'Hallelujah'
Leonard Cohen’s track claimed the number one, number two and number 36 spots in the 2008 Christmas chart. X Factor winner Alexandra Burke secured the top spot, selling 576,000 of her 'Hallelujah' cover, while Jeff Buckley’s 2008 version came second. The original 1984 anthem just slipped into the charts at 36. It was the first time two versions of the same song had taken the top two spots since Tommy Steele and Guy Mitchell managed the feat with 'Singin' The Blues', in January 1957.
7/15 2007: Leon Jackson – 'When You Believe'
The then 18-year-old X Factor winner became the third contestant to achieve the coveted Christmas number one. The former Gap sales assistant, who was forced out of his home by his mother just before his X Factor audition, sold 275,000 copies of his debut single 'When You Believe'. Originally recorded by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, it was the fastest-selling single of 2007.
8/15 2006: Leona Lewis – 'A Moment Like This'
One of the biggest successes to come out of The X Factor, Leona Lewis started off on a high. Her debut single broke a world record after it was downloaded 50,000 times in 30 minutes and secured the top spot after selling 571,253 copies - outselling the rest of the Top 40 sales combined. It stayed in the top spot for four weeks.
9/15 2005: Shayne Ward – 'That’s My Goal'
The winner of the second series of The X Factor started the ball rolling for a succession of Christmas number ones from the singing competition. Shayne Ward’s debut single sold 742,180 copies after only four days on sale. In the same year, The Pogues' reissued 1987 hit, 'Fairytale of New York', claimed third place.
10/15 2004: Band Aid 20 – 'Do They Know It’s Christmas?'
The second reincarnation of the 1984 song 'Do They Know It’s Christmas?' included artists Bono, Daniel Bedingfield, Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Sir Paul McCartney. The track was released in November, to benefit the Darfur region of Sudan, and became the biggest-selling single of 2004.
11/15 2003: Michael Andrews and Gary Jules – 'Mad World'
In a rather sombre turn, little-known US singer Gary Jules topped the charts with his song composed by Michael Andrews. The cover of the 1982 hit by Tears For Fears beat The Darkness’ 'Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)', which had been widely expected to give the band their first number one.
12/15 2002: Girls Aloud – 'Sound of the Underground'
Before The X Factor (such a time did exist) there was Popstars: The Rivals. The concept of the programme was to produce a boy band and a girl band, which would compete for the Christmas number one. Girls Aloud triumphed with their debut single 'Sound of the Underground', consigning rivals One True Voice to obscurity in the process.
13/15 2001: Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman – 'Somethin’ Stupid'
The starry duo claimed the top spot with their cover of Frank and Nancy Sinatra’s 1967 hit 'Somethin’ Stupid'. Taken from Robbie Williams’ album Swing When You’re Winning, the single sold 366,000 copies, making it the best-selling track of 2001.
14/15 2000: Bob the Builder – 'Can We Fix It?'
Perhaps one of the worst Christmas number ones of all time, this adaptation from the BBC children’s programme sold 240,000 copies in one week. Bob, voiced by Neil Morrissey, co-star of Men Behaving Badly, managed to knock US rapper Eminem off the top spot with his light-hearted tune.
15/15 1999: Westlife – 'I Have a Dream”/ “Seasons in the Sun'
The Irish boy band outsold festive favourite Cliff Richard’s single 'The Millennium Prayer' with their double A-side single featuring covers of the Abba song 'I Have a Dream' and Terry Jacks' 1974 number one 'Seasons in the Sun'. They become the second act to go straight to number one with their first four singles in the week they were released.
And here's 35 more Christmas chart-toppers
1998: Spice Girls – “Goodbye”
1997: Spice Girls – “Too Much”
1996: Spice Girls – “2 Become 1”
1995: Michael Jackson – “Earth Song”
1994: East 17 – “Stay Another Day”
1993: Mr Blobby – “Mr Blobby”
1992: Whitney Houston – “I Will Always Love You”
1991: Queen - "Bohemian Rhapsody"/ "These Are the Days of Our Lives"
1990: Cliff Richard – “Saviour’s Day”
1989: Band Aid II - “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”
1988: Cliff Richard – “Mistletoe and Wine”
1987: Pet Shop Boys – “Always on My Mind”
1986: Jackie Wilson – "Reet Petite"
1985: Shakin’ Stevens – "Merry Christmas Everyone"
1984: Band Aid - “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”
1983: The Flying Pickets - “Only You”
1982: Renee and Renato -“Save Your Love”
1981: The Human League - “Don’t You Want Me”
1980: St Winifred's School Choir – “There’s No One Quite Like Grandma!
1979: Pink Floyd – "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)"
1978: Boney M. - "Mary's Boy Child - oh my Lord"
1977: Wings - "Mull of Kintyre" / "Girls' School"
1976: Johnny Mathis - "When A Child Is Born(Soleado)"
1975: Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody
1974: Mud – “Lonely This Christmas”
1973: Slade – “Merry Xmas Everybody”
1972: Jimmy Osmond – "Long Haired Lover from Liverpool"
1971: Benny Hill - "Ernuie (The Fastest Milkman in the West"
1970: Dave Edmunds – “I Hear You Knocking”
1969: Rolf Harris – “Two Little Boys”
1968: The Scaffold – "Lily the Pink"
1967: The Beatles: “Hello, Goodbye”
1966: Tom Jones – "Green, Green grass of Home"
1965: The Beatles - "Day Tripper"/ "We Can Work It Out"
1964: The Beatles – “I Feel Fine”
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The Birds, a film by Alfred Hitchcock, was inspired by the short novel of the same name by which author? | The Birds (1963) - FAQ
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FAQ
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
For detailed information about the amounts and types of (a) sex and nudity, (b) violence and gore, (c) profanity, (d) alcohol, drugs, and smoking, and (e) frightening and intense scenes in this movie, consult the IMDb Parents Guide for this movie. The Parents Guide for The Birds can be found here
What is 'The Birds' about?
As a practical joke, wild and carefree newspaper heiress Melanie Daniels ( Tippi Hedren ) buys and delivers a pair of lovebirds to Cathy Brenner ( Veronica Cartwright ), the sister of Mitch Brenner ( Rod Taylor ), a San Francisco lawyer she met while playing another practical joke in a pet store. Soon after Melanie arrives at the Brenners' home in Bodega Bay, birds of various species begin banding together and attacking humans for no discernable reason.
Is "The Birds" based on a book?
The Birds is based on a short story of the same name by British author Daphne du Maurier [1907-1989]. It was first published in 1952 in a collection of short stories titled The Apple Tree and republished under the name The Birds and Other Stories (1963). The short story was adapted for the movie by American author and screenwriter Evan Hunter. The film bares no similarity to the story.
What was causing the birds to attack?
There is no explanation. Hitchcock himself answered that question by saying, "If you provide an explanation for the phenomenon then the film becomes science fiction; we're not making science fiction, Birds is a thriller, hence we leave out any explanation." The fact that it is never revealed to the audience why normally peaceful birds suddenly start attacking humans is a technique that Hitchcock used frequently in his movies. It is called a MacGuffin (or McGuffin), which Hitchcock defines as "The plot device, of little intrinsic interest, such as lost or stolen papers, that triggers the action." (Quotation from Halliwell's Filmgoers Companion). Just as the audience never finds out what is written on the stolen papers or what the secret formula is for, the audience is never told why the birds started attacking. Some suggestions in the movie are that the birds are massing to migrate, that they have lost their way in the fog or the dark, that they are panicking, that they are being fed bad chicken feed, that the children have bothered them, or that they are attracted to light.
Was Melanie responsible for causing the birds to attack?
This is another of those things that Hitchcock chose not to explain to the audience. As the plot develops, Melanie certainly seems to be the lightning rod for the attacks. However, there was mention of birds attacking in other places unrelated to Melanie's presence, such as the gulls attacking the fisherman, the attack on chicken farmer Ned Fawcett, and flocks of birds attacking people miles away in Sebastopol and Santa Rosa.
How does the movie end?
Melanie hears some noises in the attic and goes up to check it out. As she opens the door and steps in the room, birds come flying at her from all sides. The attack is so forceful that she can't reopen the door in order to get out. Mitch is finally able to get the door open and pull Melanie from the room, but her head is bleeding from places where the birds have pecked her, and she appears to be in a daze. It's decided that they must get her to a hospital, but their yard is a sea of birds. Slowly and quietly, the four of them -- Mitch, Melanie, Lydia, and Cathy -- wind their way through the birds, afraid that the birds will start attacking again. At the last minute, Cathy asks whether she can bring the lovebirds with them, and Mitch consents. They make it to the car, Cathy and Lydia cradling Melanie in the back seat and Mitch and the lovebirds in the front. Trying to be as nonthreatening as possible, Mitch slowly drives out of the yard and heads up the road. On the radio, an announcer can be heard talking about bird attacks in other towns along the California coast. In the final scene, their car makes it down the coastal road towards San Francisco. The birds do not attack again.
Is there an alternate ending?
It is said that Hitchcock wanted to end the movie with the car arriving in San Francisco, only to find the Golden Gate Bridge covered with birds, giving the foreboding impression that the attacks were not over. However, due to the logistics of filming such a scene, it was never shot. In another ending that was written but never shot, the car slowly drives through Bodega Bay, and the group sees people who have fallen victim to the birds. The birds do not attack, however, until Mitch sees a clear stretch of road ahead and accelerates. The birds then begin to attack the car, but they manage to make it out of the Bay.
| Daphne du Maurier |
Who is the only person to be named number one box office star in the world for a five years in a row, when he acheived this every year from 1978 to 1982? | Santa Cruz County History - Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Santa Cruz County History - Unusual & Curious
Birds "Invade" Santa Cruz, California
by Wally Trabing
The film, "The Birds", was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and was based on the story of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. The film was released in 1963. Two years earlier, a real life "invasion" of birds occurred in Santa Cruz. The event was reported in the
Santa Cruz Sentinel
on August 18, 1961. Mr. Hitchcock asked the
Santa Cruz Sentinel
for a copy of the story, as reported in the
Santa Cruz Sentinel
on August 21, 1961. Excerpts from both stories are reproduced here with permission.
Santa Cruz Sentinel, August 18, 1961; page 1:
Seabird Invasion Hits Coastal Homes;
Thousands of Birds Floundering in Streets,
by Wally Trabing
"A massive flight of sooty shearwaters, fresh from a feast of anchovies, collided with shoreside structures from Pleasure Point to Rio del Mar during the night.
Residents, especially in the Pleasure Point and Capitola area were awakened about 3 a.m. today by the rain of birds, slamming against their homes.
Dead, and stunned seabirds littered the streets and roads in the foggy, early dawn. Startled by the invasion, residents rushed out on their lawns with flashlights, then rushed back inside, as the birds flew toward their light.
. . .
When the light of day made the area visible, residents found the streets covered with birds. The birds disgorged bits of fish and fish skeletons over the streets and lawns and housetops, leaving an overpowering fishy stench.
. . .
The most learned explanation of the bird tragedy came this morning from Ward Russell, museum zoologist at the University of California.
He said the shearwaters generally live in the southern hemisphere. As far as they are concerned this is their winter flocking area.
Often when they are disturbed while feeding they will rise in flocks from the water. A blinding fog covered the coast last night and this morning.
"They probably became confused and lost and headed for the light," he said. The only light available was the street lights and overnight lights in some homes and businesses.
. . .
Russell said that this is a fairly rare phenomena and it takes certain atmospheric conditions to cause this confusion. He said that during very foggy conditions the lighthouses along the coast are struck by the thousands of seabirds."
Santa Cruz Sentinel, August 21, 1961; page 4:
Alfred Hitchcock Using Sentinel's Seabird Story
"Hollywood mystery producer Alfred Hitchcock phoned The Sentinel Saturday to let us know he is using last Friday's edition as research material for his latest thriller.
Hitchcock, who owns a home in the hills near Scotts Valley, had phoned from Hollywood early Friday morning and requested a copy of the paper be mailed to him there.
It seems Hitchcock is now preparing to film Daphne DuMaurier's 10-year-old novel, "The Birds," which ironically deals with the invasion of a small town by millions of birds."
For Additional Information
See this recent example of "Birds Invading Santa Cruz," filmed on the Capitola Wharf.
View similarly tagged articles:
Alfred Hitchcock , birds , films
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It is our continuing goal to make available a selection of articles on various subjects and places in Santa Cruz County. Certain topics, however, have yet to be researched. In other cases, we were not granted permission to use articles. The content of the articles is the responsibility of the individual author. It is the Library's intent to provide accurate local history information. However, it is not possible for the Library to completely verify the accuracy of individual articles obtained from a variety of sources. If you believe that factual statements in a local history article are incorrect and can provide documentation, please contact the Webmaster.
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What was Bon Jovi's first UK top ten hit single? | The 10 best Bon Jovi songs - AXS
The 10 best Bon Jovi songs
By: Shawn S. Lealos AXS Contributor Nov 25, 2014
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YouTube
If anyone represents the 80s hair band era perfectly, it is Bon Jovi. Led by singer Jon Bon Jovi, the band remains one of the most popular in the world three decades later, one of the bestselling live performances in the world today regardless of genre. With 13 studio albums, with the last 10 all hitting the Top 10 on the Billboard charts, and five reaching number one, there are plenty of songs to choose from when putting together a top 10 list.
With 57 singles over Bon Jovi’s 30 year career, there is definitely plenty to choose from. Check out our list of the New Jersey natives top 10 tracks and see where your favorites rank.
10. Runaway
This is the song that really kicked off the career of Bon Jovi, their first single from their debut album. It was released in 1984 by Jon Bon Jovi and a group of musicians that were not even the members of the actual Bon Jovi band. The song peaked at the 39th spot on the Billboard charts.
9. Keep the Faith
Released in 1992 on the Keep the Faith album, this single came from the final album that Bon Jovi released before the hair band era died. While not the biggest hit, as “Bed of Roses” was a bigger song, it was the better song on one of Bon Jovi’s most mature albums that still retained the hair era spirit.
8. Born to Be My Baby
The second release for Bon Jovi from their number one ranking album New Jersey, “Born to be my Baby” reached number three on the Billboard charts. It was one of five singles to hit the Top 10 from that album, the most for a rock band.
7. Never Say Goodbye
Released in 1987 from the band’s breakout album, Slippery When Wet, “Never Say Goodbye” became an anthem and enjoyed the spot on many high school prom playlists for the next few years. It hit 11 on the mainstream rock charts but never hit the Billboard charts thanks to the fact that the band never released it as an actual single.
6. Blaze of Glory
The only song on this list that was not on a Bon Jovi album is “Blaze of Glory,” which was a Jon Bon Jovi solo track from the movie “Young Guns 2.” The song hit number one on the Billboard charts in 1990. In some interesting trivia, Emilio Estevez, the star of the movie, asked for “Wanted Dead or Alive,” but Bon Jovi wanted to write a new song that better fit the theme of the western movie.
5. Bad Medicine
The first release from the New Jersey album in 1988 was “Bad Medicine” and the band proved at the time to be the most popular metal band in the world. The video remains iconic with the late great comedian Sam Kinison opening up the video by getting fans all riled up to shoot a music video that wasn’t the same old crap.
4. I’ll Be There for You
The third of five songs released from New Jersey was the power ballad “I’ll Be There For You” in 1989. It hit number one on the Billboard charts, the biggest hit so far from the album and is also known as the final number one single that Bon Jovi ever had.
3. You Give Love a Bad Name
Released in 1986 from the Slippery When Wet album, “You Give Love a Bad Name” was the very first single released from the Bon Jovi breakthrough album. It reached number one on the Billboard charts and actually made it back onto the charts 23 years later thanks to “American Idol.”
2. Livin’ on a Prayer
When it comes to the top two Bon Jovi songs of all time, either of the choices could reach the top spot depending on who you talk to. “Livin’ on a Prayer” was released in 1986 as the second single from Slippery When Wet and was the band’s second straight number one hit. It remains one of the most popular Bon Jovi songs ever made, actually telling the story of a working class couple fighting to survive in hard times.
1. Wanted Dead or Alive
Arguably, the most popular and referenced Bon Jovi song ever made was “Wanted Dead or Alive,” the third release from Slippery When Wet. While remaining the most popular Bon Jovi song years later, it didn’t rank as high as the first two singles but remains a mainstay in radio play three decades later. The song compares the life of a rock star to that of a Wild West outlaw.
| Livin' on a Prayer |
Which famous movie charcter has had movies named after him in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and the 2000s? | The Ten Best Bon Jovi Songs From the Past Three Decades
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"Livin' On a Prayer" marked the band's only one-two punch of back-to-back number one songs in the US, following "You Give Love a Bad Name" to the pinnacle of the Billboard Hot 100. The song's tale of a couple struggling to make ends meet while keeping their relationship together has transcended any cliches attached to it when it was released, and for many fans this is the pinnacle of the Bon Jovi sound. Somewhere in America tonight, someone will play "Livin' on a Prayer" on a jukebox, and the whole bar will end up singing along.
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If one Bon Jovi video stands out above all others, it would have to be the iconic black and white performance video for "Wanted Dead or Alive." The Western sound and feel of the song stood out at the time of its release, and the song has become a fan favorite at concerts. In 2007, the song returned to the sales charts based on its use in American Idol.
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It is doubtful that anyone in 1987 at the height of Bon Jovi's popularity would have pictured the band releasing a song as understated and mellow as "(You Want To) Make a Memory." The song is a slow burning ballad about a relationship on the verge of ending, and it is a highlight of the Jon Bon Jovi/Richie Sambora songbook, reuniting the writers with legendary writer/producer Desmond Child. "(You Want To) Make a Memory)" became a worldwide hit, with Top 10 placings in ten countries, and a slightly retooled country version even made the Country Top 40 in the United States.
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How many number one singles did Queen have while Freddie Mercury was alive? | Single Statistics
Chart Positions and Weeks On Chart >>
Single Statistics
This page includes various statistics and lists regarding Queen and solo singles, including chart performance, entry and dropout positions, length and writers. The data focuses on UK singles and considers Queen and solo singles combined, unless specified; Brian's tracks with Kerry Ellis are excluded as they are collaborations rather than solo tracks. It includes all singles upto and including the 'Bohemian Rhapsody' reissue in 2015, although this is excluded from most sections as it failed to chart. Downloads are not included in all sections.
General Statistics and Chart Performance
UK Singles Without Promo Videos
Singles Facts & Feats
Queen are the second biggest selling group of all time in Britain, with 12.8 million sales - behind The Beatles (22.1 million), and ahead of Abba (11.3 million), The Rolling Stones (10.1 million) and Oasis (9.1 million)
Only two artists have had number one singles in four different decades - Cliff Richard (50's-90's), and Queen (70's-00's)
The Beatles are the only act to have had more top 10's than Queen - Queen have 25 while The Beatles have 27.
'Bohemian Rhapsody' has spent 14 weeks at number one, giving it the fourth longest stay at the top of the charts, behind 'I Believe' (18), '(Everything I Do) I Do It For You' (16), and 'Love Is All Around' (15).
'Bohemian Rhapsody' is also the only song to have been the Christmas number one twice, and a number one in four different years (1975-6 and 1991-2).
'Innuendo' is joint second in a list of number one singles with fewest weeks on chart, with just six weeks.
Queen are 5th in a list of most top 20 hits, behind Cliff Richard, Elvis Presley, Madonna and Michael Jackson
Queen are the most successful chart act never to have had a transatlantic number one hit. The nearest was 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love', which reached #2 in the UK and #1 in the USA.
After 'Living On My Own' reached number one in 1993, Freddie became the first artist to have recorded, written, and produced a number one single both pre and post-humously.
'Bohemian Rhapsody' is third in a list of the all time best sellers, with 2.36 million copies sold, behind 'Do They Know It's Christmas' (Band Aid) with 3.69 million and 'Candle In The Wind 1997' (Elton John) with 4.9 million copies.
In September 2005 it was announced that in a global poll of 700,000 people, 'We Are The Champions' was voted the world's favourite song, beating Toxic (Britney Spears), Billie Jean (Michael Jackson), Hotel California (The Eagles), La Tortura (Shakira), Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana), Yesterday (The Beatles), One (U2), Imagine (John Lennon) and Sultans Of Swing (Dire Straits).
As part of the same poll, 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was voted Britain's third favourite song, behind 'Billie Jean' and 'Thriller', both by Michael Jackson. However, this poll seems rather bizarre as the top 10 has 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Angels' by Robbie Williams, 'Welcome To The Jungle' by Guns 'n' Roses, and seven Michael Jackson songs (two of which I've never heard of), which goes against every other poll that I've seen.
In December 2005 it was announced that Queen had overtaken The Beatles to become the third best-selling chart act of all time, in terms of combined album and single weeks on chart. The list features Elvis Presley at no. 1 (2,574 weeks), Cliff Richard second (1,982), Queen third (1,755) and The Beatles fourth (1,749).
In 2012, music licensing company PPL revealed the top 10 most played Queen tracks on TV and Radio:
A Kind Of Magic
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In which TV show would you find the characters T-Bag and Linc The Sink? | 21 Magic Years (A Queen Timeline covering the years 1970 to 1991)
21 Magic Years (A Queen Timeline covering…
Interviews - Queen
21 Magic Years (A Queen Timeline covering the years 1970 to 1991)
21 MAGIC YEARS - QUEEN TIMELINE
1970
Freddie Mercury (Vocals), Roger Taylor (Drums), Brian May (Guitar) and Mike Grose (bass) form Queen. Grose is replaced after just one gig. His replacement, Doug also lasts only one concert, Barry Mitchell is drafted in but the band are still not happy with the line-up.
1971
John Deacon is recruited as bassist, Their debut is at the College of Estate Management, London. Queen is still not a full time occupation for the band members - Freddie runs a clothes stall in Kensington Market, John teaches, Brian is working on a doctorate and Roger is reading for a biology degree.
1972
The band sign a management, record and publishing deal with Trident Audio Productions. They start work on their debut LP, eventually signing to EMI. Freddie designs the band's crest.
1973
Queen are launched as EMI artistes at London's Marquee Club on April 9th, Their debut single Keep Yourself Alive, and debut album Queen are released in July. They begin their first major tour as support to Mott The Hoople at Leeds Town Hall on November 12th and record their first Radio One session for Sounds of the Seventies.
1974
Their debut in Australia is not a great success but in March they begin their first headlining tour of the UK, coinciding with the release of Queen II. April sees the start of a US tour supporting Mott The Hoople and the release of their second single, Seven Seas of Rhye.
LP number three, Sheer Heart Attack, and single, Killer Queen, are released in November and Queen begin another UK tour.
1975
A headlining tour of the US is so successful that matinee performances have to be scheduled but some shows are then cancelled when Freddie is stricken by a throat virus. The single Now I'm Here is released and Queen are voted 'Band of the Year' by readers of Melody Maker.
The debut Japanese tour finds the band besieged at Tokyo airport by thousands of fans. Freddie is presented with an Ivor Novello award for Killer Queen.
They split with Trident and sign up with Elton John's manager John Reid. The album A Night At The Opera and single Bohemian Rhapsody are released, with a UK tour beginning at Liverpool's Empire Theatre. Their Christmas Eve concert at the Hammersmith Odeon is broadcast on BBC TV and Radio 1.
1976
Freddie receives his second Ivor Novello award for Bohemian Rhapsody. The band tour for four months in the US, Japan and Australia and, in April, their film, Queen at The Rainbow, is released.
A free concert in London's Hyde Park draws 150,000 people. Singles, You're My Best Friend and Somebody To Love are released.
1977
Eight months are spent touring US, Canada and Europe - the innovative 'Crown' lighting rig, costing £50,000 is unveiled. LP number 5, A Day at the Races, is released along with the single, Tie Your Mother Down and Queen's First EP.
In October they embark on a three month American tour and Bohemian Rhapsody is named as the best single in 25 years at the British Record Industry Awards.
The end of the year sees the release of the News of the World LP and the double A-sided We Are The Champions / We Will Rock You
1978
Queen split with John Reid to set up their own management company with Jim Beach. There are two European tours as well as treks around America and Japan. Two singles - Spread Your Wings and the double A-sided Bicycle Race / Fat Bottomed Girls - and an LP Jazz are released. The single It's Late charts in America.
1979
Another European tour is interrupted when the band take out to work on mixing their live album, Live Killers, at Montreux Mountain Studios. They are so impressed with the facilities they decide to buy the studio. Singles Don't Stop Me Now, Love of My Life and Crazy Little Thing Called are released. On Boxing day Queen play a concert for the People of Kampuchea at Hammersmith Odeon.
1980
Tours of the US and Europe support releases of LPs The Game, and Flash Gordon and singles, Save Me, Play The Game, Another One Bites The Dust and Need Your Loving Tonight (in America). By the end of the year total worldwide sales have reached 45,000,000.
1981
With their eyes on unconquered territory Queen head for South America after a brief tour of Japan. Under the Gluttons For Punishment banner they played Brazil and Argentina, including performing before the biggest ever paying performance for one band - 251,000 at Sao Paulo's Morumbi Stadium.
Back in the UK singles Flash and Under Pressure (with David Bowie) and their Greatest Hits package are released.
1982
Another world tour supports the release of Queen's 12th LP, Hot Space and singles Body Language, Las Palabras De Amor, Back Chat (in UK) and Calling All Girls (in US.)
1983
As Queen, the band, takes a year long sabbatical the individual members pursue solo projects and interests. Brian May releases Star Fleet and Freddie Mercury records Love Kills for Georgio Moroder's re-issue of Fritz Lang's Metropolis movie.
1984
Queen release The Works LP and five singles - Radio Ga Ga, I Want To Break Free, It's A Hard Life, Hammer To Fall and Thank God It's Christmas.
A European Tour including four nights at Wembley Arena, is followed by a controversial visit to Sun City in South Africa, which results in the band being put on the United Nations' cultural blacklist.
Roger Taylor released his second solo LP - Strange Frontier.
1985
Freddie Mercury released his solo album Mr Bad Guy and Queen perform at two massive concerts. In January they appear in font of 250,000 people at the Rock in Rio Festival in Rio de Janeiro and in July play at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium. The single One Vision is released along with The Complete Works boxed set.
1986
Music from the film Highlander is released as A Kind of Magic as well as singles A Kind of Magic, Friends Will Be Friends and Who Wants To Live Forever.
Back on the road Queen play to a total audience of over one million on their European 'Magic Tour' which results in a second live album, Live Magic.
Freddie contributes three tracks to the cast recording of Dave Clack's stage musical, Time.
1987
Roger Taylor forms The Cross and Freddie joins Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballe to record the single, Barcelona.
The three-volume video compilation The Magic Years is released.
1988
The Cross release their debut album Shove It. Mercury and Caballe release the album Barcelona and star in the glittering La Nit event in Barcelona, in front of the King and Queen of Spain. Freddie also appears, once on the London stage in Time.
1989
Queen's 16th album, The Miracle, is released along with the singles, I Want It All, Breakthru, The Invisible Man, Scandal and The Miracle. Two children record Who Wants To Live Forever for the British Bone Marrow appeal, a charity supported by Brian May.
Queen at the Beeb is released.
1990
The band receive a special BPI award for their outstanding contribution to music. A 20th Anniversary party goes on all night. Brian works on his first project for the stage while Roger concentrates on The Cross.
1991
Innuendo - Queen's 17th album - is released and from it a brace of hit singles - Innuendo, I'm Going Slightly Mad, Headlong and The Show Must Go On.
The Queen catalogue is released on CD in America and Greatest Hits II is released. Freddie dies of AIDS in November following which Bohemian Rhapsody tops the charts one more.
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In Star Wars what creatures did the sand people ride? | Tusken Raider | Wookieepedia | Fandom powered by Wikia
"A moisture farm? Poor locals never stood a chance. The Sand People think all water is sacred and was promised to them."
― Saponza to his partner after discovering a moisture farm ravaged by Tusken Raiders [src]
A group of Tusken raiders
Tusken Raiders were a species native to the desert world of Tatooine . Their homeworld's harsh environment resulted in them being extremely xenophobic & territorial of their native resources, often attacking the outskirts of smaller settlements such as Anchorhead . [2] The Sand People believed that all water was sacred and promised to them, resulting in them raiding moisture farms set up by colonists. [4] Additionally, Tusken Raiders harvested black melons which grew in the Jundland Wastes , providing them with a reliable source of milk . [6]
Tusken clan groups consisted of 20 to 30 individuals, and were led by clan leaders, tribal chiefs, and warlords. The Sand People communicated in a language known as Tusken . At the age of 15, a Tusken became an adult, and had to slay a krayt dragon and cut out the precious pearl found in its stomach. Tuskens inhabited encampments scattered across an area of the rocky Jundland Wastes known as The Needles , [3] which were guarded from intruders by vicious massiffs . [7]
Male Tusken Raiders were the warriors of their clans, often attacking vulnerable travelers that were unfortunate enough to wander through their territory. [1] They wielded gaderffii sticks in combat, and used Tusken Cyclers to fire on vehicles they spotted. [2] Every Tusken warrior created their own gaderffii stick, making each one unique. Males wore rough wrappings and garments that provided protection and allowed ease of movement. [3] Females could be distinguished by their elaborate jeweled masks with eyeslits and torso-covering sand-shrouds. Tusken children wore unisex cowls and simple cloaks, [2] and couldn't dress like males or females until they reached adulthood. All Sand People wore mouth grilles and eye coverings to retain moisture and keep sand out. They were forbidden to remove their clothing in front of others, except at childbirth , on their wedding night, and at coming-of-age ceremonies. [3]
The Sand People and banthas shared a close, almost mystical bond. During warrior initiation rites, a young Tusken was given a bantha [2] matching their own gender [3] and learned to care for it, with the pair becoming extremely close as the youth earned a place in its clan. [2] When Sand People married, their banthas also mated, and, should its rider die , their bantha usually perished shortly after. If a bantha died before its rider, its remains were placed in a large graveyard, which was treated with great respect by Tuskens and other banthas. [3]
History
Edit
During the Boonta Eve Classic , several Sand People camped out on Canyon Dune Turn . During the first lap, they took several shots at passing podracers with their projectile rifles. Though initially unsuccessful, on the second lap a Tusken managed to shoot down the podracer of pilot Teemto Pagalies , causing it to crash. [8]
A month before the Battle of Geonosis , Sand People attacked the Lars moisture farm and kidnapped Shmi Skywalker Lars , whom they imprisoned and tortured. Her son, the Jedi Padawan Anakin Skywalker , returned to Tatooine to rescue her, but after finding her in a Tusken camp , she died of her injuries. The vengeful Anakin proceeded to slaughter every nearby Tusken, even the women and children. [7] Following the massacre, the Tuskens began to fear Skywalker as a vengeful desert demon , and began performing ritual sacrifices to ward him off. [3]
Over twenty years later, Anakin's son Luke was attacked by URoRRuR'R'R and a group of Tuskens after venturing from the homestead to retrieve R2-D2 . [5] Fortunately, Obi-Wan Kenobi warded off the Tuskens by imitating the cry of a krayt dragon, Tatooine's deadliest predator. [9]
Shortly after the Battle of Yavin , Darth Vader slaughtered a village of Tuskens prior to his meeting with bounty hunters Boba Fett and Black Krrsantan . [10] Following the attack, the Tuskens then built a shrine to Vader, in order to sacrifice some of themselves to ensure that he would not return. [11]
Sometime after, a Tusken known as the " Jundland General " led his people in a series of coordinated strikes against the colonists of Tatooine. However, the efforts of him and his followers were crushed by a group of mercenaries led by Saponza and his partner . [4]
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Behind the scenes
Edit
Tusken Raiders concept art by Ralph McQuarrie .
The Tuskens appeared initially in the second draft of Star Wars: A New Hope, as Imperial spies deployed as a platoon onto the surface of Tatooine to search for whatever had brought Deak Starkiller to that planet. They appeared to be humanoid, with red eyes, and drove distinctive landspeeders . They became a native people of Tatooine in the third draft . [12]
When a Tusken speaks, they sound like the sea lions of Earth, but in actuality their sounds were fashioned by Ben Burtt from donkey brays.[ source? ]
Appearances
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What was Kylie Minogue's first UK number one single? | Bantha | StarWars.com
Databank
Bantha
Banthas are large, furry mammals that travel in herds through Tatooine's desert wastes. They serve as mounts for Tusken Raiders, and the two species share a close, almost mystical bond.
databank
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Which famous person from the world of movies died on Christmas Day 1977? | IMDb: Most Popular People With Date of Death in 1977
Most Popular People With Date of Death in 1977
1-50 of 1,330 names.
Sort by: STARmeter▲ | A-Z | Height | Birth Date | Death Date
1.
Bing Crosby Actor, Going My Way Bing Crosby was born Harry Lillis Crosby, Jr. in Tacoma, Washington, the fourth of seven children of Catherine Helen "Kate" (Harrigan) and Harry Lowe Crosby, a brewery bookkeeper. He was of English and Irish descent. Crosby studied law at Gonzaga University in Spokane but was more interested in playing the drums and singing with a local band...
2.
Charles Chaplin Writer, Modern Times Charles Chaplin was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the silent era. Chaplin became a worldwide icon through his screen persona "the Tramp" and is considered one of the most important figures in the history of the film industry. His career spanned more than 75 years...
3.
Joan Crawford Actress, Mildred Pierce Joan Crawford was born Lucille Fay LeSueur on March 23, 1905, in San Antonio, Texas, to Anna Belle (Johnson) and Thomas E. LeSueur, a laundry laborer. By the time she was born, her parents had separated, and by the time she was a teenager, she'd had three stepfathers. It wasn't an easy life; Crawford worked a variety of menial jobs...
4.
Elvis Presley Actor, Love Me Tender Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935 in East Tupelo, Mississippi, to Gladys Presley (née Gladys Love Smith) and Vernon Presley (Vernon Elvis Presley). He had a twin brother who was stillborn. In September 1948, Elvis and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he attended Humes High School...
5.
Sebastian Cabot Actor, Family Affair
7.
Jean Hagen Actress, Singin' in the Rain Jean Shirley Verhagen (later shortened to Hagen) was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 3, 1923. Her father was a Dutch immigrant. Hagen and her family moved to Elkhart, Indiana when she was twelve; she subsequently graduated from Elkhart High School. Afterwards, she graduated from Northwestern University, where she studied drama and was a roommate of fellow actress Patricia Neal ...
8.
Burt Mustin Actor, Cat Ballou Burt Mustin was a salesman most of his life, but got his first taste of show business as the host of a weekly radio variety show on KDKA Pittsburgh in 1921. He appeared onstage in "Detective Story" at Sombrero Playhouse in Phoenix Arizona, and played the janitor in the movie version, ( Detective Story )...
9.
Howard Hawks Director, The Big Sleep What do the classic films Scarface , Twentieth Century , Bringing Up Baby , Only Angels Have Wings , His Girl Friday , Sergeant York , To Have and Have Not , The Big Sleep , Red River Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Rio Bravo have in common? Aside from their displays of great craftsmanship, the answer is director Howard Hawks...
10.
Stephen Boyd Actor, Ben-Hur Stephen Boyd was born William Millar on July 4, 1931, at Glengormley, Northern Ireland, one of nine children of Martha Boyd and Canadian truck driver James Alexander Millar, who worked for Fleming's on Tomb Street in Belfast. He attended Glengormley & Ballyrobert primary school and then moved on to Ballyclare High School and studied bookkeeping at Hughes Commercial Academy...
11.
Groucho Marx Actor, Duck Soup The bushy-browed, cigar-smoking wise-cracker with the painted-on moustache and stooped walk was the leader of The Marx Brothers . With one-liners that were often double entendres, Groucho never cursed in any of his performances and said he never wanted to be known as a dirty comic. With a great love of music and singing ( The Marx Brothers started as a singing group)...
12.
Peter Finch Actor, Network Despite being one of the finest actors of his generation, Peter Finch will be remembered as much for his reputation as a hard-drinking, hell-raising womanizer as for his performances on the screen. He was born in London in 1916 and went to live in Sydney, Australia, at the age of ten. There, he worked in a series of dead-end jobs before taking up acting...
13.
Andy Devine Actor, Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok Rotund comic character actor of American films. Born Andrew Vabre Devine in Flagstaff, Arizona, the later-to-be Rotund comic character actor was raised in nearby Kingman, Arizona, the son of Irish-American hotel operator Thomas Devine and his wife Amy. Devine was an able athlete as a student and actually played semi-pro football under a phony name (Jeremiah Schwartz...
14.
Abner Biberman Director, The Virginian
15.
Freddie Prinze Actor, Chico and the Man Freddie Prinze was born Frederick Karl Pruetzel in New York City, New York, to a Puerto Rican mother, Aurea Elena Ruiz, and a German immigrant father, Edward Karl Pruetzel. Freddie grew up in the Washington Heights section of New York City. As a chubby child, he was often bullied, but was quite creative and bright in his extracurricular activities (he was known to have handmade a ham radio...
16.
Alan Reed Actor, The Flintstones Character player Alan Reed was a strong, burly presence on film and TV but he would be better remembered in the long run for his equally strong, distinctive voice. He gave vocal life to the prehistoric cartoon character Fred Flintstone on the prime-time TV series The Flintstones in the 1960s, and it is this direct association that has kept his name alive long after his passing...
17.
Zero Mostel Actor, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Zero Mostel was born Samuel Joel Mostel on February 28, 1915 in Brooklyn, New York, one of eight children of an Orthodox Jewish family. Raised in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the young Zero, known as Sammy, developed his talent for painting and drawing at art classes provided by the Educational Alliance...
18.
Diana Hyland Actress, The Boy in the Plastic Bubble Diana Hyland, a striking, knowing beauty with a confident air about her, was born Diane Gentner on January 25, 1936, in Ohio and appeared on stage in summer stock, as a teen, before graduating from Cleveland Heights High School. Moving to New York in 1955 to test her acting mettle, the slim-faced,...
19.
Gertrude Astor Actress, The Strong Man The first actress to sign a contract with Universal in 1915, Gertrude Astor (born in Ohio as Gertrude Irene Astor) began her career playing trombone and saxophone on a riverboat. Towering over most of her leading men at 5'11", she often played golddiggers, rich socialites or a leading lady's best friend in such one-reeled films and feature length silents as Polly Redhead ...
20.
Roberto Rossellini Writer, Roma città aperta The master filmmaker Roberto Rossellini, as one of the creators of neo-realism, is one of the most influential directors of all time. His neo-realist films influenced France's nouvelle vague movement in the 1950s and '60s that changed the face of international cinema. He also influenced American directors, including Martin Scorsese ...
21.
Margaret Hayes Actress, Blackboard Jungle Margaret was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Her father was Jack Lewis Ottenheimer, musician, theatrical man and one of the first "gag" men in the entertainment field. He prepared much of the stage material for Thurston, the Magician. After graduating from Forrest Park High School, Margaret went to work for the May Company in Baltimore as a window dresser...
22.
Robert Middleton Actor, Friendly Persuasion Despite the fact that hefty, beetle-browed character actor Robert Middleton (born Samuel G. Messer) was known for most of his career as a mop-faced villain capable of the most vicious and contemptible of crimes, the man himself was quite a happy and hearty gent who loved to play practical jokes, particularly on his family...
23.
Richard Carlson Actor, I Led 3 Lives The son of an attorney, Richard Carlson had an introspective quality to his performances and looked every inch the academic he first aspired to be. Following his graduation from the University of Minnesota with a Master's Degree in English, the tall, dark-haired youth had a brief stint as a drama teacher at his alma mater...
24.
Allison Hayes Actress, General Hospital Anyone who loves B-movies of the 1950s appreciates this lovely actress Allison Hayes. She was born Mary Jane Hayes on March 6, 1930 in Charleston, West Virginia. The raven-haired beauty was the 1949 Washington, D.C. entry into the Miss America pageant. Shortly afterwards, Mary Jane adopted the familiar first name of Allison...
25.
Willis Bouchey Actor, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance American character actor primarily of pompous or officious types, long a favorite supporting player for John Ford. Bouchey was born in or near Vernon, Michigan but raised by his mother and stepfather in the state of Washington. He entered films in 1951 at the age of 44 and quickly became a familiar (if unnameable) fixture in movies and television. He died in 1977.
26.
Stanley Adams Actor, Breakfast at Tiffany's Stocky character actor Stanley Adams had a relatively minor career in motion pictures, with the possible exception of his baby-faced millionaire Rusty Trawler of Breakfast at Tiffany's fame. Otherwise, he played innumerable minor ethnic villains, bartenders and avuncular, fast-talking characters, known in the credits only by their first names...
27.
Gilchrist Stuart Actor, The Sound of Music
28.
Henry Hull Actor, Lifeboat Henry Hull, the actor who created the role of Jeeter on Broadway in "Tobacco Road," was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 13, 1890, the son of a drama critic. Originally intending to become an engineer, Hull became an actor and made his Broadway debut in "Green Stockings" less than two weeks before his 21st birthday...
29.
Danny Lockin Actor, Hello, Dolly! Danny Lockin was born in Hawaii in 1943, and was raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He was an exceptional dancer who started dancing professionally at age eight. He appeared in the film Gypsy as Gerry. He appeared on Broadway in the 1964 revival of "West Side Story", and in other shows such as "The Sound of Music"...
30.
Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson Actor, The Jack Benny Program The son of a minstrel and circus tightrope walker, Eddie Anderson developed a gravel voice early in life which would become his trademark to fame. He joined his older brother Cornelius as members of "The Three Black Aces" during his vaudeville years, singing for pennies in the hotel lobby. He eventually moved his way up to the Roxy and Apollo theaters in New York...
31.
Geraldine Brooks Actress, Possessed A resolute, blue-eyed brunette with attractive, slightly pinched features, Geraldine Brooks was born to a Dutch couple on October 29, 1925, in New York City. Her parents had a theater-based background -- father, James Stroock, owned a top costume company and mother, Bianca, was a costume designer and stylist...
32.
Trevor Bardette Actor, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp Wavy-haired, articulate, quietly-spoken Bardette was one of Hollywood's archetypal villains of westerns and cliffhanger serials. He initially aspired to become a mechanical engineer after graduating from Oregon State University in June 1925. However, by the late 1920's, he had changed his name from Terva Gaston Hubbard to Trevor Bardette and embarked on a brief...
33.
Jacques Tourneur Director, Out of the Past Born in Paris in 1904, Tourneur went to Hollywood with his father, director Maurice Tourneur around 1913. He started out as a script clerk and editor for his father, then graduated to such jobs as directing shorts (often with the pseudonym Jack Turner), both in France and America. He was hired to run the second unit for David O. Selznick 's A Tale of Two Cities ...
34.
Dorothy Christy Actress, Sons of the Desert Dorothy Christy was born Dorothea J. Seltzer in Reading Pennsylvania. She was an American actress who worked with film greats such as Will Rogers, Buster Keaton, the Marx brothers, Laurel and Hardy, and many others. She even worked with the singing cowboy himself, Gene Autry. She passed away of natural causes in Santa Monica, California.
35.
Patricia Haines Actress, Blood Beast from Outer Space
36.
Ethel Waters Actress, Beulah The child of a teenage rape victim, Ethel Waters grew up in the slums of Philadelphia and neighboring cities, seldom living anywhere for more than a few weeks at a time. "No one raised me, " she recollected, "I just ran wild." She excelled not only at looking after herself, but also at singing and dancing; she began performing at church functions...
37.
William Castle Producer, House on Haunted Hill
39.
Henri-Georges Clouzot Writer, Diabolique Beginning his film career as a screenwriter, Henri-Georges Clouzot switched over to directing and in 1943 had the distinction of having his film The Raven banned by both the German forces occupying France and the Free French forces fighting them, but for different reasons. He shot to international fame with The Wages of Fear and consolidated that success with Diabolique ...
40.
Delmer Daves Writer, Dark Passage Although Delmer Daves obtained a law degree at Stanford University, he never had the opportunity to use it; while still in college, he obtained a job as a prop boy on The Covered Wagon and after graduation was hired by several film companies as a technical advisor on films with a college background. Soon afterward he entered films as an actor...
41.
Niall MacGinnis Actor, Hamlet Niall MacGinnis is not as well known outside of Europe, but he was a wonderful character actor whose variety of roles matched his great gift for characterization and the look beyond just makeup that he projected. He was educated at Stonyhurst College and Trinity College, Dublin. He obtained a basic...
42.
Cyril Ritchard Actor, The Hobbit Legendary for his preening, prancing, delightfully playful villain Captain Hook on the award-winning stage (as well as TV) opposite America's musical treasure Mary Martin, beloved musical star Cyril Ritchard had a vast career that would last six decades, but "Peter Pan" would become his prime legacy...
43.
Edith Barrett Actress, I Walked with a Zombie
44.
Leila Hyams Actress, Freaks Leila Hyams was born May 1, 1905, in New York City to vaudeville comedy performers John Hyams (1869-1940) and Leila McIntyre (1882-1953). Both her parents had careers in films, and can be seen together in The Housekeeper's Daughter . As soon as she could walk, Leila appeared onstage with her parents, and...
45.
Nora Marlowe Actress, Westworld
46.
Onslow Stevens Actor, Them! Son of character actor Houseley Stevenson , brother of designer Edward Stevenson and actor Houseley Stevenson Jr. , Onslow Stevens was highly active from mid-1920s at the Pasadena Community Playhouse, where his entire family worked frequently as performers, directors and teachers. he scored a major success on Broadway in "Stage Door" in 1936...
47.
Maria Callas Soundtrack, Avengers: Age of Ultron This volatile opera diva was born in New York City to Greek émigrés in 1923. Her father set up a pharmacy and changed the family name from Kalogeropoulos to Callas. As a child Maria studied the piano. When her parents separated (she was 14 at the time), her mother returned to Athens with Maria and her sister...
48.
Jim Boles Actor, A Big Hand for the Little Lady
49.
Ricardo Cortez Actor, The Maltese Falcon Ricardo Cortez was born Jacob Krantz in New York City, New York, the son of Sarah (Lefkowitz) and Moses/Morris Krantz, Austrian Jewish immigrants who moved to NY just before he was born. His brother was cinematographer Stanley Cortez , who also changed his surname. Cortez worked a number of jobs while he trained as an actor...
50.
| Charlie Chaplin |
In which occupation would you use a plonker? | Sad but True: Five Stars Who Passed Away on Christmas Day | E! News
Sad but True: Five Stars Who Passed Away on Christmas Day
By
SNAP/ZUMA Press.; GAB Archive/Redferns
A music legend. A Rat Pack leader. One of Batman's slinkiest foes.
They're among the film, TV and music greats whom audiences have said goodbye to on Christmases past:
RELATED: A-list comics who died too young
1. James Brown: The 73-year-old Godfather of Soul was set to do his thing at B.B. King's Manhattan nightclub on New Year's Eve 2006 when he was hospitalized with pneumonia. On Christmas Day, his manager Charles Bobbit reported, "[Brown] was having pain, but then the pain went away, and he told me, 'I'm going away tonight.'" And he did .
2. Dean Martin: Three days after the swingin' star succumbed to respiratory failure on Christmas 1995 at age 78, the Sands, the now-bygone casino where Martin cavorted with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., joined other Las Vegas landmarks in dimming its lights in his memory .
3. Eartha Kitt: In 1953, the nightclub star recorded "Santa Baby." Fifty-five years later, on Christmas Day 2008, the sexy yuletide crooner passed away . Kitt, who'd gone on to fame as Catwoman on TV's Batman, was 81.
4. Charlie Chaplin: The silent-film giant died in his sleep on Christmas Day 1977. He was 88. "You can say he died of old age," Chaplin's family doctor said simply.
5. Vic Chestnutt: The paralyzed singer-songwriter's singer-songwriter, whose works were covered by Madonna , R.E.M. and more, had endured a lifetime of pain when he overdosed on prescription muscle relaxants. After falling into a coma, Chestnutt died on Christmas Day 2009. He was 45.
Also noted: TV writer/producer Aron Abrams (King of the Hill); actress Joan Blondell (Public Enemy, Grease); Olympic filmmaker Bud Greenspan; and actor Denver Pyle (Dukes of Hazzard).
Brazil
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Which sport or pastime would you be playing if you tried to sell a dummy to a hooker? | Dowbrigade » Sports
Dowbrigade
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, But It Will Be Blogged
Archive for the 'Sports' Category
dowbrigade - June 20, 2008 @ 9:37 pm · Boston , Celtics , Humor , Prose Screeds , Sports
Yesterday the Dowbrigade and his son and cameraman Gabriel joined half a million other Boston sports fans to celebrate the latest World Championship by a local sports team. Yawn. Then we stopped for Brazilian Bar-B-Q on the way home. Ho hum.
How jaded we have become, here in the Hub! Somehow life seems empty if one of the local teams isn’t playing for a cup, or trophy, or title. What we have here is a unique and unprecedented confluence of statistical, psychic and socio-cultural factors, bringing championships to Boston by the bandwagon.
We have already taken credit for the Major Mojo behind this run of competitive success. However, it occurs to us that most people may not be aware of how deep and widespread this reign of triumph currently is.
For example, how many readers are aware that the Walpole, MA Little League team was declared the default 2007 Little League World Series winner, due to the retroactive age-related disqualifications of players from the Macon, Georgia and Osaka, Japan teams which finished ahead of them?
And how about the news that the Boston team at the National Conference of Mayors won the annual City Government Softball Tournament final 17-6 after cleanup hitter Tom Tom Menino pointed to the left field wall, mumbled something unintelligible and smashed the crap out of an 0-2 knuckleball from Michael Bloomberg.
While the “Big Three” of Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox grab all the headlines, true sports fans are aware that there are other champions in town. The New England Revolution have been to the MLS finals three years in a row, earning the unfortunate sobrioquet “Buffalo Bills of the MLS”.
But further down the food chain of professional sports, who knew that the Boston Tea Bags recently finished first in the Gay Para Olympics. Or that the Boston Bonsais of the Professional Flower Arranging League last year won the Bouquet Bowl?It is a shame only the Bay Windows weekly rag reported that the Boston Stylistics captured the American Stylists 2008 Coiff-Off held recently in Las Vegas. They Blow!
Among female competitors, local teams at the top of their respective sports include the Boston Ballbreakers of the Womens Amateur Rugby Association and the New England Nannies who recently triumphed in the World Child Care Olympics in Manchester, England.
And who could forget the Boston Blueballs, who traveled to Fugloysund, Norway for the Competitive Ice-Swimming Team Championship and won! Go Blueballs!
But Boston’s good fortune has not been limited to nominal grown-ups. Our many excellent college teams have also been bringing home titles at a rate that has the laurel leaves falling faster than foliage in the fall. Why, just during the past academic year, MIT took home both the US Collegiate Chess Championship and the NCAA Robot Rhythmic Gymnastics Cup. In between Harvard won the Super-Ego Bowl.
Speaking of bowls, BC triumphed in the 2008 GE College Bowl as well as the Champs Sports Bowl, and Northeastern staggered home with the 2008 Beer Pong title. Brandeis took the team title at the Maccabee Games and a Bentley won the Paris-Dakar Road Rally. In a major upset, BU won the Division 3 Football Championship, even though they haven’t had a football team for ten years.
Flipping through the cable lineup we also note that New Englanders have been on a competitive reality show tear, having recently won America’s Top Model, Celebrity Chef Cookoff, American Idle (a slacker spin-off), Dancing with the Stars, Big Brother, I Survived a Japanese Game Show, America Gladiator, The Great Race, Fear Factor, Top Design, America’s Got Talent, The Biggest Loser and The Apprentice.
The popularity of Boston has been noted and rewarded by a plethora of national publications and professional associations which have recently named our fair city, among other things, America’s Voted Most Livable City, Best Sports Bars, Top Singles Scene, Best Managed City, Most Scenic Urban Area, Best Educated City, Best Junk Food, Most Interesting Eccentrics, America’s Friendliest Citizens and, in an incredible coup, Best Weather in the Continental United States.
In addition to a continuing cavalcade of championships, we can look forward to an accelerating parade of world-class events. Boston has been recently selected to host the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant, the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2020 World Cup. In 2012 both the Democrats and the Republicans plan to have their nominating conventions here.
So enjoy it while it lasts, boys and girls, but be ready to relocate for a while. When the party ends, there’ll be the devil to pay. Balancing the karmic books can be a bitch.
dowbrigade - June 3, 2008 @ 11:17 pm · Humor , Prose Screeds , Sports
Boston sports fans have reason to be nervous – the incredible run of luck experienced by area sports teams is coming to an end.
Now it can be revealed – the Dowbrigade has been personally responsible for the incredible run of championship seasons during the past 5 years, and we are getting tired. For the past 60 months we have been collecting charms and amulets from around the world, consulting with witch doctors, consorting with dark powers from beyond the veil, performing rare and almost forgotten rites and burning exotic herbs in abundance.
And you thought it was just fantastic coincidence that the Patriots, Red Sox and Celtics have all put in historic season after season and brought home more combined championships than any other city in such a short period? Or that it was somehow our superior sporting spirit, or some unknown urban virtue? Maybe the collective brilliance of our coaches, managers and athletes can be attributed to intellectual osmosis from the high I.Q. zip codes along the Charles? Or something in the water?
Fuggedabouddit. It is we, the Dowbrigade, working tirelessly 24/7, scouring the globe for tchoktches, medicine pouches, religious icons, fertility figures, lucky charms and power crystals. Our dedicated research staff is constantly unearthing sacred texts, arcane tomes and occult resources for good curses, jinxes and hexes to fire on our unlucky opponents.
We have spent months and most of our disposable income acquiring powders and potions, snake skins and beeswax, holy water, hallowed earth and sacred fire, ceremonial knives and rare incense. Not to mention the dozens of farm animals offering themselves up for ritual sacrifice. And the schlepping – you try to get a 2,000 pound ceremonial stone altar into a 3rd floor walk-up.
But no sacrifice was too great for our teams. It all started in 2002, when, recently returned from a vacation retreat with an Amazonian shaman who must remain nameless, we set up a small shrine in a corner of ourliving room and adapted a few simple rituals the Shaman had taught us into weekly enactments right before each Patriots game. Every week we tried to introduce something new to the ritual – a rabbits foot, a native American katchina doll, a pinch of hogwart. When the Pats up and won their first championship, we were hooked. We knew we had to keep going.
We knew that we were personally responsible for bring the trophy home to Boston, and that with great responsibility comes great power.
By 2004 we had become much more adept at the rites and spells, and had widened our horizons in the search for more powerful talismen and charms. We obtained a shipment of Rudraksh nuts, found only in remote regions of the Himalayas, and collected four-leaf clovers from outside of each of the stadiums on the Patriot’s schedule. When our efforts were rewarded with another championship we resolved to redouble them yet again.
The Patriots third championship in 2005 was largely the result of the actions of a series of demons and evil spirits we summoned from the Nevernever via a magic lantern obtained from a Vedantic mystic whose son was trying to get into Brandeis (he did).
Summoning these spirits each week, and siccing them on the opponent de jour, was exhausting work, and we swore we would never do it again after a storm spirit went out of control after the Superbowl and absolutely destroyed a seaside trailer camp outside Jacksonville (they called it a “freak storm”). But you can’t argue with the results.
Later in 2004, we transferred our attention to baseball, which turned out to be a whole new level of challenge. For one thing, overcoming an 87-year-old curse is no day at the beach. We needed major mojo, which arrived in the form of a shroud from a 1,800 year old Mexican mummy, unearthed beneath an ullamaliztl (an Aztec ball game) court in the ancient capital of Tenochitlan. Legend has it he died scoring the final goal in a sudden-death regional final, saving his entire region from literal sudden death at the hands of division rivals.
In addition, the length of the season proved problematic. In order to provide a non-stop psychic assault on the Red Sox’s opponents we arranged visas and passage for a hardy band of near-naked tribesmen from New Zealand, a Maori Shaman and his five acolytes, who were adepts at the performance of the Ka Mate Haka, a sort of singing celebration of Life over Death which packs a hell of a whammy.
Performing the Haka before each of the 162 ballgames of the regular season and the 20 post-season encounters proved a real trial, and before the season was half over Norma Yvonne was really pissed at the presence of 6 Maori tribesmen in our guest room, constantly chanting “Kikiki kakaka kauana! Kei waniwania taku tara”, but it was all worthwhile when we burst the curse and won the series.
Nevertheless, our marriage took a hit for the cause, which is why, this season, we went with a trio of mystic Russian monks who have taken vows of silence, rather than inviting the Maori back.
We thought about helping out the Bruins, but Jeremy Jacobs has so much negative karma that counteracting it would require human sacrifice, and even the Dowbrigade draws the line somewhere.
This constant marshaling of occult forces in favor of the New England sports teams has taken a toll, financially, physically and psychically on the whole Dowbrigade franchise.
The stress is starting to show. At the climax of a six day fast this past February, in the throes of a drug-induced trance-dance, we had a mini-breakdown and lost our focus during the waning minutes of the Superbowl. The disastrous results are now a matter of public record.
Hell, if we want to take credit for all those championships, we ought to take the heat for the one we blew.
Now, we find ourselves in the heat of the NBA finals. In an effort to assure victory we’ve been consorting with the Faeries, and their penchant for truly evil mischief and trickery has our home in a shambles. But I guess we can put up with it for another couple of weeks, if it means bringing home the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the first time in 21 years. No sacrifice is too great for long suffering sports fans.
But, honest to God folks, we don’t know how much longer we can keep it up.
So enjoy it while it lasts, Boston Sports fans, and be prepared for some long lean years when we finally end our efforts. Even the strongest Mojo wears off, and magic offers only a temporary dispensation of the law of averages.
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dowbrigade - March 14, 2008 @ 11:40 am · Celtics , Sports
Wednesday night’s summary execution of the Sonics by the Celtics, 111-82, was more of a mercy killing than a duel, and looked at times like a gaggle of Junior High JVs against a team of McDonald’s All-Americans. Pleased as punch with the new-look Celtics, we can’t help reflecting on the unique dynamic of roundball among professional team sports.
Basketball is perhaps the team sport in which a single individual can have the most impact. In no other team sport can the replacement of a handful of players transform a team from pathetic to proficient overnight. At the same time, in no other sport is the sacrifice of individual achievement more essential to the success of the team.
Obviously, part of the reason that replacing a couple of starters can have a bigger effect in basketball than in baseball, football or soccer is that those 2 players represents 40% of a starting lineup in B-ball. However, we see it as even more crucial due to the higher degree of personal interaction between players during the play of the game.
Unlike the wind-swept acreage of a football stadium or a soccer pitch, in the pressure cooker of a basketball court all five players are constantly aware of the location of each of their teammates and opponents, and are in constant voice communication, calling out plays, warnings, razzings, encouragement, heads-ups, timing cues and defensive schemes and switches. Unencumbered by helmets or face masks they are able to keep up a constant interplay of verbal messages to accompany the improvisational physical ballet being created on the court.
We are certainly not the first to note the similarities between a sweetly syncopated starting five and a quality jazz quintet; both work from set progressions and then improvise off of them. Hoops is the skat of sports, the bebop of ball games. Changing a couple of the players can completely alter the style and effect of the music produced.
In the case of the Celtics, three of this year’s starting five, Paul Pierce, Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo, were here last year, playing basically the same roles. The missing starters, Al Jefferson and Delonte West, have been replaced by Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. On paper, at least, the Celts have only gained 5 points a game from the switch (Allen 18 + Garnett 18 vs. Jefferson 21 + West 10), and as a counterbalance Paul Pierce is averaging 5 points less per game this year than last! Yet last year they won 29% of their games, and this year, 81%.
This turnaround can’t help but give hope to hapless franchises like Memphis (23%), Minnesota (22%) and Miami (17%). Hang in there, guys – you’re just a trade or two from the Finals!
At the same time, and for the some of the same reasons, the chemistry and integrated intensity of the five players on the court (as well as the bench) can turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse faster in B-ball than in any other sport. By sacrificing individual stats and achievements to mutual goals even a total NBA toad like last year’s Celtics can be transformed into a prince in short order.
The numbers are hard to argue with; see Paul Pierce, above. Or how about the Big Ticket himself; last year Garnett averaged three more points and three more rebounds for a Minnesota team that finished 18 games below .500. Ray Allen is currently dropping in 8 points less than his prodigious production on a woebegone Seattle team a year ago.
Each of these superstars has given up a spot standing atop the scorer’s list for a communal seat at the top of the team standings and a guaranteed ticket for a ride deep into the NBA playoffs. And you can tell, from their comments, demeanor and production, that they are as happy as clams with the trade off. To borrow a baseball idiom, they are paying more attention to the name on the front of the uniform than the name on the back, and it’s paying off.
At long last, after twenty years of off-tune tweeting and sour squawking, beautiful music is pouring out of the Garden once again. Hallelujah!
5
dowbrigade - March 3, 2008 @ 1:13 pm · Sports
At first glance, finding a common thread running between Major League Baseball’s tying Roger Clemens to the stake as part of its witch hunt against steroids and other performance enhancing drugs, and the National Football League’s public dressing down and fining of Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots may seem like a stretch. Yet in both cases the powers that be in an insular, money-making monopoly have settled on an unpopular scapegoat in desperate, tawdry attempts to shut down more comprehensive investigations into widespread cheating which could ultimately drop the cash cows of these two top sports to the killing floors of American sports as quickly as a shot of anthrax.
Let’s take Videogate first. Although there is a long tradition in American sports, professional and amatuer, to eke out every conceivable advantage by bending, avoiding, reinterpreting, evading, and finding holes in the regulations, there is also general agreement that some set of enforceable rules is necessary, as we say in the sports game, “to level the playing field” and prevent the competition from descending into abject anarchism.
The fact that teams were videotaping opponent’s sideline signals came as a surprise to no one – it has been a common practice for decades. Plus, in today’s always on, video-virte lifestyle virtually every aspect of the lives of the rich and famous is fair game for electronic enshrinement. Between cameras in pockets, cameras in phones, security cameras in lobbies, on corners, behind one-way glass, in parks and public plazas and sports stadiums, cameras suspended in the air and cameras on satellites, there is film available of ANYTHING, if you know where to look and can get access.
So when teams said they were burning the midnight oil reviewing film in preparation for the next game, it is safe to assume they weren’t just looking at recordings of the network broadcasts of the opponent’s past performances.
Prior to the 2006 season,
NFL Commissioner Goodell decided he wanted to establish order in the videotaping wilderness, and so he issued a set of rules. Unfortunately, no one paid them any attention, and so the Commish felt he needed to make an example. The alternative would have been launching a large-scale investigation, hiring hundreds of investigators, hauling in the owners, general managers and video departments of all 30 NFL Franchises, thousands of hours of sworn testimony and an unrelenting poisionous public spotlight for the months and years it would all take to unravel.
Better to find a scapegoat and make an example. So, who to select to take one for the good of the game? Who would the national viewing public most like to see pilloried for conduct unbecoming? Who would provide the most satisfying cathartic closure when forced to take their medicine without the possibility of protest? Who could better afford the financial and competitive hit which needed to be extracted to give the rabid fans their taste of blood?
Why, the New England Patriots and Machiavellian Bill, of course. Bellichick could have been an Emperor of the Ming Dynasty or a Borgia Pope in a past life, and given his ability to scheme and leave no stone unturned we are certain his video library, which was turned over to the Commissioner and supposedly destroyed, contained sideline signals, on-field signals, walk-throughs, open practices, closed practices, meetings, workouts, lip-reading and possibly private social functions.
The message to the other teams was clear. Destroy your own video caches NOW, so that I don’t have to go through this 29 more times over the next two years and drag the whole league through the mud again and again.
Unfortunately for the rest of the league, the unexpected corollary was to give the Patriots the motivation and focus to blast through their schedule like a laser through a smoky room.
Meanwhile, over at the other National Pastime, the choice was even more stark, and the situation more desperate. Here the Commissioner is trying to keep the top on a scandal involving deadly, illegal drugs, affecting a third to a half of all players, and going back 20 years.
The situation is complicated because many of the drugs involved were not at first illegal, or were originally legitimately prescribed, creating a miasma of questions concerning what was taken, by whom, at what time and for what reasons. The only way to definitively establish who was guilty of what would be to embark on in-depth investigations of each of the 2149 current active players, as well as rosters going back say, 20 years ago.
Even given the well-documented affinity of members of Congress to jock-sniffing and photo ops, as well as wasting time and taxpayer money, we can’t see them sitting through that many hearings, especially after they stop televising every one. Perhaps they could start a separate cable channel for 24/7 replays of the Performance Enhancement Hearings. However they handled it, it would be a disaster for baseball, fixing in the public mind for decades the sordid truth that professional baseball players are, by and large, cowardly, drug-addicted ego-freaks willing to cheat and lie in order to remain in their privileged bubbles and avoid working for a living.
Therefore, enter the scapegoats. We can see
Commissioner
Selig shuffling his Topps baseball cards, looking for a couple of likely losers – or rather, winners who needed to be taken down a notch. How about a pair of big mouthed, big headed egomaniacs, with reputations as pricks and few real friends in the game, who act as though they were untouchable and somehow better than mere mortals? And to avoid any possible charges of racism, lets pick one one black card and one white card.
Congratulation, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. You have just been selected to take a bullet for the good of baseball. Your careers should have ended years ago anyway, so Selig is really just culling the herd by putting these bulls out to pasture. Since they are both financially set for multiple lifetimes, the only real hit is their almost certain exclusion from the Hall in Cooperstown. As a sports fan in general, we hope we are agreeing with a multitude when we say it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving twosome.
Will it be enough to satisfy the blood-lust of a vengeful public enraged to learn that the fix has been in in professional baseball for twenty years? Will they be satisfied with public humiliation for two icons, and let the hundreds or thousands of equally guilty miscreants slide, their transgressions swept under the rug so the nation can move on to another season of competition and entertainment?
Considering the alternative could very well be the discredit and ruination of two pillars of the American Brand, NFL and MLB, we suspect the viewing public will scarf down the scraps of red meat thrown their way, settle back comfortably in their Barca-loungers, and dream of ever-bigger hi-def screens.
2
dowbrigade - February 16, 2008 @ 12:43 pm · Sports
The pain is receding, the wound is scabbing over, and soon even the temptation to pick at the scab will fade into the warm mist of seasons past and fondly remembered. Yes, fondly, for the Dowbrigade firmly believes that one day we will all be able to look back on the 2007 New England Patriots with the kind of wistful melancholy usually reserved for unrequited love or short, idyllic affairs that ended far too soon.
What just a week ago loomed as a nightmarish wreck in the rear view mirror of our fandom, fated to foul the waters of the betting pools of our sporting life for years to come, has begun to metamorphose into a heartfelt historical anecdote to be trotted out and hashed over in future February bar arguments and pre-Superbowl pontification by nameless network talking heads.
After all, we tell ourselves, we got four full months of bragging rights and feeling good about football out of the deal, at the cost of one horrible, soul-shredding night and two weeks of serious sports convalescence. And not just feeling good – riding a rocket of amped up energy into previously unexplored regions of the sports stratosphere. Don’t forget how fantastic it felt, back in September, October, November and December. Not a bad bargain, on the whole.
Following sports with a more than academic interest is a Faustian pact. With the turning of the calendar pages the inner panorama of the sports fan is a revolving door of intense emotions: hope springs eternal, only to be repeatedly dashed on the hard rocks of reality, adversity begets anxiety and doubt, redemption arrives on strong arms and transcendent effort, triumph and gloating accompany the run up to victory, only to be snatched from our salivating maws by one cruel twist of fate, followed by disaster, mourning, and desolate emotional landscapes.
And then, somehow, hesitant buds of hope start to spring once more from the fertile soil lying under the slashed and burned fields of last season’s disasters. How else to explain to spring in our step last Saturday when the equipment van left Fenway Park for its annual migration to Ft. Meyers? How else to explain the strong stalks of Celtic Pride that have sprouted in our inner garden after nigh on 20 years of lying fallow in pathetic ineptitude and impotence? Last year the Celtics were the laughingstock of the league, losing an ignominious 19 games in a row. Today they stand atop the world of professional basketball, despite losing their four tallest players to injury. Who even suspected?
These things are truly miracles, the kind of everyday, supernatural, paranormal miracles that keep us plugging through the snowstorms, family crises, bad days at work, nagging physical ailments, political inanities and general ambiental hopelessness that permeate our daily lives. These minor miracles are the reasons that sports form such an essential lifeline to another level of reality for so many Americans. For all the problems that afflict our sports, and they are too numerous and serious to deal with in this column, we shudder to imagine how America would get along without them.
So we come to praise the Patriots, not to bury them. Remember them fondly, fellow fans, for you won’t see their match for a long time to come. You will see something else, however, equally miraculous, or even more tragic. Guaranteed.
dowbrigade - November 10, 2007 @ 10:52 pm · Humor , Media News , Sports
When your bad reputation is exceeded only by an uninterrupted record of failure and ineptitude, sometimes the only thing to do is to change your name. Not only does this often throw creditors off the track, but can offer a psychic fresh start, a karmic reset, a new beginning. Such is desperation of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, decade-long doormats of the American League, that they have resorted to exorcising the Devil from their name.
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That’s right, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are now officially just the Tampa Bay Rays! But the story behind the story is not their dismal path to baseball’s worst record (Tampa Bay has never had a .500 season in their 10-year existence); rather it is the word team officials have decided to eliminate – the “Devil” in the details! After extensive research we can definitively report that this is not an isolated incident. Rather, it is part of a concerted campaign to wipe out Merry Old Mephistopheles from
our common culture, our sporting life, and our very language.
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This campaign includes the depuration of morally offensive sports nicknames like “L’il Devils” “Redskins” “Braves” and “Turks” as well as sexual entendres like “The Stallions” “The Trojans” “The Beavers” and “The Cooz“. It is also part and parcel of the War on Halloween, which has lately been condemned from pulpits across America as a Godless Bonanza for candy companies and dental clinics, personally sponsored by Lucifer himself.
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The latest front of this fundamentalist campaign against the Prince of Darkness and his linguistic minions attempts to purify the English Language itself. While dropping the Devil from the Rays left them with an euphonious Tampa Bay Rays, many of the other devils in our language will not be so easy to exorcise.
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For example, what are we going to do with “Devil’s Food Cake”? We can’t just drop the D-word and say “Food Cake”. Is “Demon’s Food Cake” sufficiently non-ecclesiastic?
If we want to maintain alliteration and a negative message, we might transform Daredevil into “Daredoofus“. Of course, alliteration can be overrated, and if the idea is that this devil is an evil fellow, perhaps “Deviled Eggs” could become something like “Ogre Eggs”.
It may no longer be acceptable to have a “devil-may-care” attitude; instead we might refer to a “douchebag-may-care” attitude. We could replace Satan with a more modern figure of ultimate evil in proverbs like “Idle hands are the diddler’s playground.”
Getting Lucifer out of the Language is a noble idea, but like so many other things, the Doo–Doo is in the Details. There comes a point where we need to back off and give the Dark Dork his due. If we start messing with the English language to cater to passing political passions, there’ll be the terrorist to pay.
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2
dowbrigade - November 7, 2007 @ 1:00 am · Sports
As we settle into the Command and Control Chair at Dowbrigade World Headquarters for our nightly session of essay correction, exercise writing, Nazi hunting, television grazing, naval gazing, Wiki writing, bitcasting, vacation planning and arcane research, we run our increasingly astounded eyes over the EyeTV channel guide.
What, no Game of the Century? No nailbiting playoff game on? No Big Three unveiling, World Championship or Division Finals? No trip to the finals, unbeaten season, record-setting streak on the line? What are we supposed to watch?
The headline sporting events on the tube tonight seem to be a college football contests between two polar regions of Michigan (Central Michigan vs Western Michigan, ESPN) and perennial powerhouses Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Nary a title on the line. A veritable sporting wasteland. We refuse to watch poker as a competitive sport on TV.
This is indeed a quandry. We have become so jaded, so addicted to a multi-feed, mashed up stream of consciousness, that we are unable to concentrate on one thing at a time. And it appears that late at night, while working on the on-line minutiae and the odds and ends of our electronic life, one of the feeds needs to be history-making, championship level sports.
When one has been dining on a steady diet of World Champions and Games of the Century, a zesty 1988 tussle between McGirt and Taylor (ESPNC) just can’t scratch the itch. This is what it must have felt like to be a Roman patrician when they ran out of Christians.
In the nick of time we remember that the tape Marty gave us Saturday of the match between Manchester City and Chelsea is outside in our tennis bag in the back of the White Whale. Now lets see if we can dig out a VHS tape player somewhere, from the Department of Outdated Technology….
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dowbrigade - October 20, 2007 @ 9:01 pm · Sports
Of course, we read the comics page because every so often we see ourself there, so plain and exposed and idiotic that we can’t help but laugh out loud.
The lovely and providentially patient Norma Yvonne well knows by now that when we climb upon our high hobbyhorse and begin declaiming and bemoaning the state of sports in America, and the tawdry way that it demeans everything decent and healthy about physical competition, uses, misuses and discards the lives of millions of young Americans, and keeps racial minorities at the bottom by luring their youths away from the classroom with fey dreams of glory and gelt, it must mean that one of our teams, the Sox, Celtics, Revs, or Pats has been eliminated from their respective professional leagues.
The sad truth is that becoming a sports fan is akin to signing away your soul to the Prince of Darkness (the original, not Dick Cheney). In the dark night of the sporting soul, what wouldn’t the true fan trade away for that one magic, championship consummated winning streak?
We may be cognizant of the crass commercialism, flagrant drug abuse, blatant hypocracy and rampant racism rife throughout professional sports, but when one of our teams takes the field, they are chivalrous knights in shining armor, defending the honor of team, town and nation.
What else but this deal with the devil can explain Barry Bonds fiendish popularity in San Francisco? The rest of the league unanimously recognizes him as the craven cheater and low-life he is, but in the City by the Bay you could bottle his farts and sell them as air freshener. They tell us that in the rest of the league Manny Ramirez is seen as stuck-up, idiotic flake, but here, hell, with 11 RBIs in 7 post season games this year he could probably get appointed President of UMass if he wanted the job. Meanwhile, J.D. Drew, who couldn’t hit the floor if he fell off a step ladder, should be tarred and feathered and run out of Beantown on a rail.
We could go on and on about how the local pro teams are business boondoggles owned by cynical capitalists and the athletes are pampered head cases, drug addicts and self-centered prima donnas, but that hometown hero J.D. Drew just hit a home run in the first inning of game six, and the crowd at Fenway is going nuts. Gotta go……
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dowbrigade - September 28, 2007 @ 6:13 pm · Politics , Sports
Governor Deval Patrick expressed reservations yesterday about licensing a casino in any Massachusetts city, clouding the prospects for hotly debated proposals to build resort-style gambling complexes in Boston and New Bedford.
“I have some misgivings about a casino in any city, because I think the whole point is to create a resort destination,” Patrick said during an hourlong appearance on WBUR-FM, a local public radio affiliate. “And I don’t think there is a city in Massachusetts that has enough space for that kind of facility, with the entertainment and the meeting venues and maybe a golf course, the restaurants, a hotel – the whole resort complex.”
The statement appeared to be a shift for the governor, who opened the door to an urban casino when he announced last week that he wanted to license casinos in Southeastern Massachusetts, Western Massachusetts, and metropolitan Boston.
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dowbrigade - August 3, 2007 @ 10:47 pm · Sports
MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United, by most measures the #1 sports team in the world, has announced the signing of Rhain Davis, a 9-year-old soccer prodigy from Australia (see photo). Rhain was brought to the attention of the world soccer powerhouse by his grandfather, who sent the British team a video of the young star.
Manchester United is consistently ranked the most popular club team in the world, and according to Forbes Magazine is the highest valued franchise in all of sports, at $1.453 billion, edging out the Washington Redskins, worth $1.423 billion.
Man U, as it is know to fans and foes alike, maintains an extensive youth development program, where Rhain will presumably hone his skills while waiting for a crack at the big club. A copy of the video has been viewed on YouTube over 800,000 times.
The English side is teaching its American counterparts a thing to two about robbing the cradle. Most pundits on this side of the pond thought MLS team DC United was stretching the envelope when they drafted #1 and signed 14-year old Freddy Adu to a multimillion dollar contract three years ago.
Then came news earlier this summer that USC had gotten a verbal commitment from 8th-grade basketball player Ryan Boatwright, who hadn’t even decided where to go to HIGH SCHOOL yet, to play for USC. USC, apearantly, has adopted an “SAT-optional” admissions policy.
The Rhein Davis case lowers the bar yet again. In a world of professional sports, where the difference between a multi-million dollar career and a career cleaning carpets consists of a torn tendon, a random traffic stop or an inability to hit an 87-mile-an-hour curveball, and where even seasoned professionals represent a risk of losing their ability to perform consistently at a world-class level at any time, how can supposedly sound businesspeople justify investing money and ruining the childhood of a 9-year-old kid?
What’s next? It’s hard to discern any actual talent in kids younger than 9, although we saw Meredith Vieira interview a 5-year-old tennis player live on the Today show the other morning. The logical next step is to start awarding contracts, or at least options, on the basic of genetic inheritance alone. In some sports, blood lines run strong.
In baseball, for example, you have the Alomars, Sandy, Roberto and Sandy Jr., Felipe and Moises Alou and Tony Armas, Sr. and Jr. There is Buddy Bell and his two sons, David and Mike, as well as his brother Gus Bell and his son Buddy. Yogi and Dale Berra. And of course Bobby Bonds and the man of the hour, his son Barry. And who could forget Ray Boone and his son Bob Boone and his grandsons Aaron Boone and Bret Boone. One gets the idea, and we are still in the “B”s.
Would it be so far fetched for baseball blue bloods to sell futures options on their progeny? It might be a way to defray the costs of child rearing. Of course, the mega super-stars, whose kids would have the greatest probability of achieving athletic success, would not be likely to need the extra income. On the other hand, super-talented athletes whose careers were cut short by injury would be a natural market, sort of like champion thoroughbreds who pull a muscle are put out to stud, preserving their genetic and financial equity.
From there, as biotech and goddless globalization advance, how far could it be to Designer DNA, Boutique Genetics, 2 genes from column B, 4 from column C, resulting in prospective parents being able to order up a 7-foot lefty with world-class coordination and competitive drive.
Of course, if cloning became a legal and acceptable alternative, there would be no need to hunt for the magical mix of talent and temperament that makes a champion. We could market exact genetic duplicates of any cooperating pro athlete still alive at the time the technique was developed, assuming that cells from any heathly adult could be used as DNA starter kits.
Envision a day when the starting five on the NBA Champions consists of three Michael Jordans and two Shaquille O’Neals, with Bill Russell and Bob Cousy on the bench.
It wouldn’t be quite as easy as ordering a lemon-yellow Lamborghini. Hoping for a professional athlete like a Shaquille would be an expensive and risky proposition. 18 years of care and feeding, and no guarantee you wouldn’t end up with a 7 foot 3 inch interior decorator, or a thrash metal rocker.
But the message is clear, even from here. When sports becomes absolutely subservient to business, anything that sells tickets, garners publicity and wins titles will eventually be tried.
As a logical extension of the parallel and intertwined encroachment of gambling into every facet of modern life, the public will be able to buy shares in the future careers of these budding superstars. Welcome to the brave new world of prenatal to postmortem sports betting, a cradle to grave fantasy league reality show. Why be content to bet on tonight’s game, when you can buy actions in some kid who hasn’t even been born yet?
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dowbrigade - July 8, 2007 @ 1:54 pm · Sports
(Wimbledon, England – Exclusive to BostonNow) Tennis fans and history buffs will long remmber what transpored in the Tennis Temple of Wimbledon this afternoon. For a pure expression of a sport at the highest peak of its possible performance, and an example of the indomitable competitive spirit, it would be hard to outdo the show put on by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal today on Centre Court of the All England Club.
As tennis is the quintessential confrontation of athelete on athelete, one-on-one, each armed with his weapon and his wiles, it is natural that in the land of the tennis legends the honor roll is read in pairs: Conners and McEnroe, Everet and Navratilova, Sampras and Aggasi, and now Federer and Nadal. They are bound together forever, to the benefit of both, each with his or her arch-nemesis on the other side of the net.
Today Federer won in five sets of magnificent tennis, making him only the second man (after Borg) in 100 years to win five in a row. The level of play was such as lesser players (everyone else in the world) can only dream of. Last year Federer won at Wimbleton. Earlier this summer Nadal won on clay at the French Open Final in Paris. With any luck we can look forward to years more of this struggle; Federer is just 26, Nadal 22.
Like all great sports rivalries, this one features a contrast in styles. If one accepts the theory of multiple intelligences, there are at least three types of intelligence involved in tennis at this level, and these guys are geniuses in all three. In the arena of physical genius, Nadal has the edge. The Spaniard is an animal, in the most magnificent sense of the word, leaping to attack every single ball unfortunate enough to venture into his lair. In the arena of intellectual genius, Federer reigns supreme. It is a marvel to watch his steel-edged Swiss mind analyze his opponents’ game during the first few games of a match, and then eviscerate and dissect them like a specimen on an examining table.
In the arena of emotional or spiritual genius they are evenly matched, each a mountain of indomitable energy, resolve and pure fighting spirit. Which is why, when they meet, it is a rare and exquisite treat. Any fan of sport in any of its forms should treasure these chances to witness two human beings performing at the highest level of their art and skill seen by man, up to this point.
The next chapter in this epochal struggle will probably be next month, in Queens. See you there.
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dowbrigade - June 11, 2007 @ 11:19 pm · Sports
In today’s stuffy world of pampered millionaire athletes and padded resumes, Red Sox starting pitcher Julian Tavarez is definitely a breath of fresh air. With a record that defines “journeyman” (8 teams in 14 years and a career ERA of 4.38), Tavarez was the butt of jokes and the target of boos last year as the Sox took their customary swan dive and sank silently in August and September.
The only time we noted Julian Tavarez in the Dowbrigade News before this season was one time last year , when we referred to him and Randy Johnson as “the two ugliest men in baseball.”
But this year, in a story that reeks of redemption and resuscitation, Tavatrez has become the stuff of legend. In a sport which has traditionally attracted immigrants and minorities, his story stands out like a fairy tale. It has a Lincolnesque log cabin quality, but without the chalkmarks on the shovel. Tavarez grew up in a dirt-floored shack in Santiago, Domincan Republic, shining shoes and selling newspapers.
He claims, not exactly with pride, but certainly not with shame, that he has never spent a single day in school. His entry in Wikipedia supports this, but the ever-politically correct Red Sox have on their official site that he attended public school in the Dominican Republic.
Guess they can’t handle having a popular player who is as unschooled as the wild boy raised by the wolves. What kind of role model would that be for the kids of America? “I’m not going to school today! Julian Tavarez never went to school.”
No, kids, growing up, he was too busy supporting his family and staying alive on the streets to go to school. That, and play baseball whenever he could take time off from surviving. Even young, Julian knew that baseball was his ticket out.
Of course, he had plan B. If baseball didn’t work out, he was planning a career in adult films. He had all the prerequisites.
You gotta love this guy. He got suspended for the first ten games of his Red Sox career for a fight in spring training.
This year, he has become Manny Ramirez’s binky. In the dugout, Manny will impulsively grab the 6’2″ Tavarez like a rag doll, and rub his kinky hair for luck, or as some sort of Dominican nuggie.
Tavarez, ever humble, doesn’t protest. He just wants to help out the team, in whatever way he can. Pain is nothing to him. Here he is after taking a no-decision on Saturday, as quoted in the Globe .
“Anything to help this team win. People look at you as a clown, dumb and stupid. People, fans, players, teammates look at you as a clown, as stupid, as a dummy who always does something to make people laugh. They don’t admit the truth and say, ‘You know what, that guy who is stupid and a dummy, he’s going to make something happen to win. Pain is nothing to him. He’ll do something to find a way to win.’ And that’s me. Dumb like a fox.”
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In which sport or pastime do players tap and guard their balls? | Free soccer Essays and Papers | page 5
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Prisoners of War in World War II - Prisoners of War in World War II If you have never been a Prisoner of War (POW), you are extremely lucky. The prisoners of war during the World War II, (1939-1945) were treated poorly with no respect or consideration and were given the living conditions worse than animals. It was an extremely bad situation that no human being could survive. They were mistreated, manhandled, beat and even shot defending their country. No one wanted to go to war, but for those men who did, and for those who survived as POWs will always regret it.... [tags: World War II History]
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Joshua and the Children: Many Reasons - Joshua and the Children: Many Reasons There were a lot of reasons Joseph Girzone titled his book "Joshua and the Children". I think the main reason for the title was because of Joshua’s purpose in the town. The author explains how Joshua is there to fulfill "his Father’s" promise. Joshua wants to teach all the children of the town to get along and be at peace with each other. Joshua says it is too late for the adults to learn the way, who have lived hateful lives. Joshua must turn to the children if he wishes to change the future.... [tags: Joshua and The Children Essays]
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| i don't know |
In which sport or pastime might you see six chinamen in a maiden or a nightwatchman out with a duck? | Cricket Terminology - VirginiaLiving.com
Spring’s ‘other’ sport, cricket, has surprisingly deep roots in the Commonwealth.
×
Cricket Ball
Cricket ball
Springtime is here, and across Virginia players will take up the old bat and ball for a classic warm-weather sport. Around the state, they’ll gather for informal games and in structured contests on official playing fields, umpire and all. The sport they’ll play? Cricket, the only sport in the world where you can be out for a duck if a bowler you thought was a dibbly dobbly sends you a googly.
You may chortle a bit at this stereotypically British athletic contest that comes complete with an official tea break, but more than 1,000 people play the sport in Virginia, according to Shelton Glasgow, the Atlantic region representative to the United States of America Cricket Association. Northern Virginia in particular has seen a surge in the number of active cricket players—Loudoun County conducts a popular cricket league, and some public schools in Fairfax County include cricket in physical education classes. Cricket is even played on the collegiate level: The George Mason University cricket team beat 31 squads to win the 2011 national championship.
Cricket began in England, with the earliest known reference to the game dating to 1598. (The game would be codified in 1788.) Long associated with countries that were once part of the British Empire, it’s no surprise the sport was played in Colonial Virginia. The 1709 and 1710 secret diaries of William Byrd of Westover indicate that Byrd played cricket with friends at Westover, Green Spring, Shirley and Berkeley plantations, and played hard enough to injure himself. “We played at cricket and I sprained my backside,” he wrote, but continued to play.
During the Revolutionary War, George Washington’s troops are thought to have played a variation of the game at Valley Forge in 1778. Even post-Independence, in 1795, a Richmond cricket club printed a set of team and sport rules, suggesting the organization’s members wanted more people to take up the pastime.
Henry Chadwick, now rememberd as “the father of baseball,” was initially a cricket writer and created a short-lived Richmond cricket club in 1857, and there are references to clubs in Roanoke, Gordonsville, Charlottesville and Richmond around the turn of the century. But it was baseball that captured Chadwick’s imagination, along with the rest of the nation’s.
Cricket was largely forgotten, but far from gone. The British Commonwealth Cricket Club, established in 1953 and now based in Washington, D.C., played its first four years in Virginia at Bellpais, a Fairfax County estate near Mount Vernon. The organization served as the fountainhead for the multiethnic Washington Cricket League and the melting-pot cricket culture that began to emerge across Northern Virginia. In 1988, the Hampton Cricket Club emerged from the gathering of NATO troops stationed in the area. A few years later, the India Association Cricket Club took up play in Richmond, taking on Hampton and another team in Lynchburg. In 1995, the four-squad Mid-Atlantic Cricket League formed, and the next year it merged into the North Carolina-based Mid-Atlantic Cricket Conference. Last year, 15 Virginia teams competed in the MACC.
Fans see cricket as a highly athletic sport. Top-level bowlers can hurl 100-mile-per-hour balls toward the batsman, who needs protective equipment, including arm, leg and chest guards, gloves, and a protective helmet with a facemask. The players wear collared shirts and brightly colored uniforms that almost resemble training suits for most matches. For test matches—the increasingly rare, five-day matches that “test” qualified national teams—players wear stylish white uniforms.
On a basic level, the game should appear familiar to most Americans. Teams of 11 take turns on offense—wielding a bat—during an innings (don’t be fooled; for unknown reasons, ‘innings’ is both a singular and plural term) while the fielding team attempts to get them “out.” The batsman stands by a wicket—three posts known as stumps, with two wooden cross sections atop them called bails—waiting for the ball to be bowled, overarm. The batsman hits the ball with a flat-faced, paddle-shaped bat. If the player makes contact with the ball (it can travel in any direction), he or she runs back and forth between two sets of wickets to score runs. A run is scored upon each successful stop at a wicket. Hit the ball out of the playing field on the fly, and it’s a six, which is worth six runs—cricket’s version of a home run. Hit it out of the playing field on the ground, and the batsman acquires four runs. A good batsman aims for 100 runs before the fielding team gets him or her out.
For baseball fans, the most familiar way the defense gets a batsman out comes from catching the ball on the fly. Nine other options exist for the defense to execute an out. One includes the bowler sending the ball by the batsman, crashing into the wicket and knocking off the bails, the cricket equivalent of a strike out. But what if the batsman blocks the ball from hitting the wicket by obstructing the ball’s path with his leg? The slightest possibility of the batsman doing so prompts cries of “howzat?” from the fielding team, an appeal to the umpire, who must then decide whether the batsman is “leg before wicket,” and therefore out.
A cricketer “should have a clear head, and a quick eye and hand, and above all be cool and collected, all nerve or none at all,” wrote Edgar Allan Poe for Burton’s Gentlemen’s Magazine in 1839. Billed in the title as an “experienced practitioner” of “manly pastimes,” he also advised players to develop pain tolerance.
Karan Sohi might not use the evocative words of Poe, but he would share the writer’s sporting spirit. The native of Punjab, India, and Fairfax resident has played pick-up cricket in a Manassas parking lot on Friday nights and at a Gainesville track on Saturday mornings. For someone who does not have the time for a structured league, these informal games are an easy way to get to play. The pick-up teams simply limit the number of times the defense bowls to the offense, set up some jury-rigged wickets, and they’re off and running. “Honestly, it was one of the things I thought I wouldn’t have a chance of doing in the U.S.,” Sohi says. “I thought when I left India that would be pretty much it.” Take Sohi’s experience and replicate it across the region, and one can see the sport’s potential for grassroots growth.
After repeated requests from local residents, Loudoun County established its first cricket league, which played its inaugural season in 2009. Organizers decided to start the league using a modified tennis ball, much softer than a cricket ball, since the county did not have a proper cricket pitch for competition. In just two seasons, the organization mushroomed from five to 25 teams, split into one upper and two lower divisions, and constructed a cricket pitch near Middleburg that hosted three games a day during weekends last season. Contruction of a second venue is being considered by the Parks and Recreation department.
“I think we had a number of people who kept asking us to do it, and we finally said ‘OK, but we need your help spreading the word,’” says Dave Carver, Loudoun County Parks and Recreation’s division manager for sports. “Now we’re turning away teams because we don’t have the space.”
Youth outreach efforts by the Washington Warriors Cricket Club and the United States Youth Cricket Association have helped bring the sport into some school systems as well. A number of middle schools and high schools in Fairfax County have included, or are planning to include, cricket in their physical education program. The USYCA says that Henrico and Loudoun counties are also preparing plans.
“It’s a very good equalizer because a lot of students have not played cricket before, but it’s very easy to understand,” says Fairfax County health and physical education teacher Tony Salgado. “It gives students the chance to succeed where they haven’t before. We’ve gotten a lot of good feedback on it.”
George Mason University’s championship cricket team started out playing informal matches in parking lots and leagues scattered around Northern Virginia. There was enough interest to form intramural competitions, and then to create an unofficial school team in 2009. In 2011, the GMU Patriots traveled to Lauderhill, Florida’s Central Broward Regional Park and Stadium and the only American venue with International Cricket Council certification, to win collegiate cricket’s national championship. Winning meant that Mason’s players got to take home the Chanderpaul Trophy, donated by former International Cricket Council Player of the Year Shivnarine Chanderpaul of Guyana, who captained the West Indies’ national team in 2005 and 2006. The club now has official backing from the university.
So, with such growing interest in the sport, could the U.S. become a respectable cricket nation? Stickier wickets have been solved. •
Let’s Play Cricket!
Think you might enjoy the sound of leather on willow? Here is a list of places to play cricket in Virginia, as well as a guide to some of the more confusing terminology.
Mid-Atlantic Cricket Conference
Teams from North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia compete against each other in this recreational cricket league, which was established in 1997.
MACC-Cricket.org
Washington Cricket League
Founded in 1974 and a member of the USA Cricket Association, the WCL is home to 33 metro-D.C. clubs, many in Northern Virginia.
WCLinc.com
Loudoun County Cricket League
Plays the faster-paced short version of the game known as Twenty20, using hard tennis-balls instead of leather cricket balls.
VLCCL.com
Washington Metro Cricket League
Hard tennis-ball league with 32 teams, working in partnership with Fairfax County to stage matches in Northern Virginia.
| Cricket |
Which sport or pastime would you be playing if you flicked your wink with your squidger into a tiddle? | Cricket: India v England - as it happened | Sport | The Guardian
England in India 2008-09
India v England - as it happened
England finished the first day of the first Test on 229-5. Scroll down to read Rob Smyth and Andy Bull's report on the day's action
Alastair Cook made 52 on the first day at Chennai. Nope, no gags in this one either. Photograph: Global Cricket Ventures/BCCI/Getty Images
Andy Bull (morning and evening sessions) and Rob Smyth (afternoon session)
Wednesday 10 December 2008 19.01 EST
First published on Wednesday 10 December 2008 19.01 EST
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Morning everyone, and the big question today is what the hell am I meant to complain about now? Our righteous paymasters and overlords have seen fit to hustle us all into this shiny new building over at Kings Place, and this is the first time I've been here. It's three in the morning, and I've hardly slept. I should be as grumpy as a bear with a kettle. That's how this works. That's what we do. Don't they know that? What am I going to write about on the OBO if I'm happy? Lord, this could be a disaster. There's proper coffee and everything, comfy chairs, a TV built into my computer. Damn them.
I'm like a child in a sweet shop. It's terrible. OBO without misery or depression. OBO in a positive and healthy working environment.
I'm going outside for a cigarette.
While I'm gone, here's a lovely bit of vaseline anecdotage from Mike Selvey , hot off the press, and, seeing as you asked, here's what I got up to the night before last . There might have been a little vaseline involved in that too, but I couldn't possibly hazard a guess.
I mean it's actually a pleasure to be here. It's a catastrophe.
Apparently this isn't all about me, apparently there is some cricket to write about too. Bah. Two Test series. Is there a single cricket fan out there who thinks a two-Test series is a good idea? Apart from England fans who'll enjoy the fact that their side's likely steam-rollering is going to end all the sooner.
Beacuase England, surely, are stuffed. Aren't they?
First email of the new era? Umm, this one: "What can you do about an uninspired caption? Here's what. Engage in a great British pastime and run a caption competition. I suggest, "The wonders of Photoshop - a night at the pub made to look like a tactical discussion at training with the simple erasure of two pint glasses and the addition of a cricket ball." Well Eamonn Maloney has found a way to amuse himself at any rate.
It's the toss! KP, dapper blazer slung over the shoulders of his whites, calls heads, wins and decides to bat.
England, as we know, look like this: AN Cook, AJ Strauss, IR Bell, KP Pietersen, A Flintoff, PD Collingwood, MJ Prior, GP Swann, SJ Harmison, JM Anderson, MS Panesar. No place for Owais Shah then, predictably enough.
While India look like this: V Sehwag, G Gambhir, R Dravid, SR Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Z Khan, A Mishra, I Sharma. So that's a straight swap of Yuvraj for Sourav Ganguly from the side that beat Australia. Gulp.
I'm actually really excited about this. And that's only a little bit tempered by the appearence of Dominic Cork in the pundit's chair. The same Dominic Cork who persuaded every paper in the country to run back-page splashes saying that five England players weren't going to travel to India the day before it was announced that, umm, the whole squad was going to travel to India. Good one Corky. Thanks for that.
Lee James has made another depressing observation about the fact we now work in a top-notch state-of-the-art building: "Is this a brave new world in which 'technical issues' become a thing of the past? Your inability to snatch a cigarette whilst various staffers play with wires and fizzing electric boxes is surely to be a fresh source of ire?" Oh God.
If there is a chink in India's chances, it may be that they've only two quicks - good as they both are - and have lost Ganguly's parsimonious little seamers.
Gary Naylor speaks "Nothing to complain about? Surely Dominic Cork shouldn't be allowed at this time of the morning? (Or at all, really)."
India are breaking out of a huddle and spreading across the field, Cook and Strauss are strolling out, and play is about to start. And I haven't even mentioned Chris Lewis yet. Oh boy, I've been trying hard not to mention Chris Lewis.
1st over: England 2-0 (Strauss 2 Cook 0)
So I hear Dermott Reeve's cancelled his christmas party. And moving swiftly on, here's Zaheer Khan, shaping the ball neatly past Strauss's outside edge, then bringing his third bal back in towards leg. The MA Chidambaram Stadium looks thinly populated. The small cheer that greets the first runs of the series, bunted through mid-on for two, sounds like the residual noise in the municipal pool on a schoolday.
2nd over: England 2-0 (Strauss 2 Cook 0)
And at the other end, Ishant Sharma, a mere fraction of the force he was now that he has trimmed his hair. "Well it's totally obvious what's going on there," writes Aditya Anchuri of the picture at the top of the page, "KP is telling Flintoff how to bowl offspin like the greats...Flintoff is emulating the grip, listening intently while Harmison is making fart noises under his arm to indicate that KP is clearly talking out of his arse." The worrying thing is that theory is all too plausible. After one wide-ish delivery, Sharma straightens his line and pins Cook back in the crease. It's a maiden.
3rd over: England 2-0 (Strauss 2 Cook 0)
Our man on the ground, David Hopps, who must be struggling to remember what his home country looks like so long as he been away, has taken up the baton and found something to grumble about: "That has to be the most badly-run minute's silence for a long time. The players trooped out and there was no announcement of any sort. Most of us on the other side of the ground caught onto what was happening when it was virtually over. Indian organisation, or lack of it, at its worst. If you are going to do it, do it properly." Thar speaks a proper Yorkie. 'Call that a minute's silence?' Honestly Hoppsy, on TV it was even clear that there was a minute's silence. Another maiden.
4th over: England 5-0 (Strauss 2 Cook 3)
The first sniff of a wicket leaves the Indians spitting and gasping after Cook thrust his bat uncertainly at a ball that slid away from him towards the slips. His next shot is stronger, a clipped cover drive for two.
5th over: England 5-0 (Strauss 2 Cook 3)
A quiet maiden over this, which buys us a little more time for Gary Naylor: "Re photo caption, is Flintoff saying, "I don't mind you interviewing us Kevin, but you've forgotten the mic." Terrible effort. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one around here who starts phoning it in during the early hours.
6th over: England 6-0 (Strauss 3 Cook 3)
Cook squirts a single away through leg, though he was aiming a drive through cover. A desperately optimistic LBW appeal from the Indians, who, much as they might try, just can't convincingly pretend to have missed the huge inside edge that snicked the ball onto the pads.
7th over: England 12-0 (Strauss 8 Cook 4)
Strauss whips out that familiar old pull shot of his, from a short ball outside of off-stump. "He just clothed it really" mutters the Atherton in the Sky box, revelling in his own obscure northern vernacular. Cook plays a similar shot after the ensuing single, cuffing another run around towards square leg. A four, at last, flicked to fine leg with a neat roll of the wrists by Strauss.
8th over: England 14-0 (Strauss 9 Cook 5)
Over on TMS I'm told that our own Vic Marks is getting a ribbing from Jon Agnew "because his recent post didn't appear on the GU site. Aggers was saying it obviously wasn't interesting enough, and Marks replied 'the whole press corps' has been laughing about it." Here are Vic's musings . Go on, go and have a look. It'll help our Vic knock Agnew down a peg or two. Strauss pushes a single to mid-on.
9th over: England 18-0 (Strauss 12 Cook 6)
An interesting move from Dhoni, who whistles up Harbhajan Singh for a fiddle, a scant 30 minutes into the game. He slots in a slip and a short leg. There's not a great deal of spin for him, predictably enough, and Strauss leans out, bat in front of pad, to turn two runs away to long leg.
10th over: England 22-0 (Strauss 12 Cook 10)
Glorious shot by Cook, a front foot drive through extra cover for four, as Sharma pushes his length up a little too full. Would you rather read an obscene gag from Alex Brett about spit-roasts, or an email from Gary Naylor that begins: "I've always felt that net practice is over-rated". Hmm. No, me neither. Lets just move on shall we.
11th over: England 22-0 (Strauss 12 Cook 10)
OK then, here's Gary Naylor: "("He's hitting it well in the nets" is about the most irrelevant thing a coach can say), which seems to be borne out by Cook and Strauss. Both seem at ease, alert and relaxed at the crease. Perhaps "see the ball, hit the ball" is enough for top level cricketers not called Geoffrey Boycott." Trouble is Gary, you make it sound so easy. Which it's not. Harbhajan continues, and Dhoni brings in a leg-slip. Strauss, constrained, decides to pad the ball away and gets himself into a tangle in successive deliveries.
12th over: England 25-0 (Strauss 12 Cook 13)
"Surely KP is saying "I had three french loaves when I came in 'ere....." writes Tim Harrison, and frankly if you can understand what the joke is in that entry you're a more insightful man than me. Or maybe just kinder. Either there's a ghost in this building or some sort of clever lighting system has been installed which means that they all switch off periodically, leaving me sat here in the dark. You knew it wouldn't be long before I found something to grumble about, didn't you? Still, at least there's the prospect of trip over to the BP Shell garage during the lunch break across the way to buy a cheese-and-onion sandwich to keep me going.
13th over: England 26-0 (Strauss 12 Cook 14)
Harbhajan is still on, pushing the ball up outside Cook's off stump. In Dunedin, by the way, New Zealand are 226-4 against the Windies, Danny Flynn having fallen five sorry runs short of a century.
14th over: England 29-0 (Strauss 14 Cook 15)
Sharma takes a spell, his opening stint 6 overs for 13 runs. Zaheer returns, and Cook clips a single out through cover. Again Zaheer drops short at Strauss, a slightly confusing ploy given the strength of his pull, though there are, as Bumble points out, two men back waiting for it on the rope.
15th over: England 34-0 (Strauss 14 Cook 20)
"No need to run for that it's four" intones old Iron Bottom, as Cook crashes a drive away through the off. And indeed it is. "I have no idea what he's just said, but I think it's clear from his team mates' reaction that KP has just farted" offers Will Sinclair for the photo. Yeah. This only adds more strength to Eamonn Maloney's claims that "My caption is looking much better after those last few efforts isn't it?? Retrospective credit please!"
16th over: England 39-0 (Strauss 14 Cook 25)
Another sweetly-struck four from Cook, away for four through long-on. Boy oh boy this pitch looks dead. England should have an absolute pile by the close of play.
17th over: England 39-0 (Strauss 14 Cook 25)
Cook displays the overwhelming breadth of his bat, striding out to block Harbhajan back down the pitch with Boycott-like assurance. That's a fancy way of saying "it's a maiden" then.
18th over: England 42-0 (Strauss 14 Cook 27)
More grumbling about the ball from Zaheer, and the umpire Harper finally relent and summons his colleague Billy Bowden over for a second opinion. He nods his assent and on comes a box of spares. Back to the caption: "Marketing rep is sacked after he fails to spot the vital missing ingredient in the Vodaphone/England cricket team publicity photo" offers Richard Claydon, "Poor I know, but better than the French loaves one, surely?" Yeah, you say that, but then Tim Harrison didn't have "BA (Hons) (UCLAS); MA (Newcastle upon Tyne); PhD Cand (MGSM)" attached to his email sign-off. And you do. Which, frankly, means we're all going to be a lot less forgiving. Zaheer then, armed with a new ball, crosses his fingers and hopes this one will swing. It does, down leg, and rolls away off Strauss's pads for one. Cook waits, waits and then flicks a pair our through mid-wicket. Well suited to Indian wickets, is Cook.
19th over: England 51-0 (Strauss 23 Cook 27)
And Amit Mishra comes into the attack. A small treat this, watching a good young wrist spinner come into Test cricket. He took 14 wickets against Australia in the series just gone, although Strauss doesn't seem too disconcerted by that. He drops to his knee and swats a premeditated sweep away for four from the second ball. The fourth ball goes the same way, fetched from outside off stump and swept through leg for four. Mishra responds with a top-spinner that slides by the outside edge.
20th over: England 52-0 (Strauss 24 Cook 27)
Tom Slater muses: "At the all-night Shell-BP-Gulf-Q8-Texaco-Esso-Otherpetrolstationsareavailable Garage, be sure to amuse yourself somehow and report back." Oh I will. It's going to be the highlight of my day, "Half Man Half Biscuit's "24 Hour Garage People" should be your blueprint, but go with your instincts. For example... the night-shifter at my local one is a bloke of rather portly stature. There's nothing quite so bleakly amusing as the fourth time in five days when you request through the toughened glass a, "Kit Kat, Chunky", for him to waddle off and get an oversized Kit Kat, again... To which the guffawed reply, "What's this? I wanted a normal Kit Kat, Fatso", comes." And in no way does that make you look like a vindictive bigot Tom. Which is good.
21st over: England 53-0 (Strauss 25 Cook 28)
Mishra is finding some real turn now, the ball biting back from the off. And that... is almost out. Certainly Cook is treated to the sound of a frantic chorus of 'catchit!' as the ball loops up off the top edge as he essays a sweep and flies off towards backward point.
22nd over: England 54-0 (Strauss 25 Cook 28)
Damn these chairs are comfortable. Why if I leaned back and shut my eyes I could just......................................... fall asleep at my desk. I can see I'm going to have to invest in one of those toy woodpeckers that will bend forward and tap the keys on my behalf, just to make you think there's soem sort iof activity going on here while my feet are up.
23rd over: England 57-0 (Strauss 26 Cook 30)
"KP: If this cricket thing doesn't work out, I could always find work as a mannequin in the sportswear department at John Lewis" suggests Justin McCurry, who adds "So do they have proper ashtrays outside Kings Place, or still the same rusty tin on the pavement a la Farringdon?" Ah yes, the rusty old scum bucket by the front door filled with fag butts and rain water, how I'll miss that. It sent out all the right signals to the Guardian's visitors. Actually I think the pavement around Kings Place is a no smoking zone. It's OK though 'cause I'll just pop over to the BP Shell forecourt when I need my niccotine. What? Oh.
24th over: England 58-0 (Strauss 27 Cook 30)
"A slow old session" says Athers, sounding a little as though he was just beginning a long day with Geoff Boycott at Cumberland Pencil Museum .
25th over: England 59-0 (Strauss 28 Cook 30)
And we have a winner! The most dismal competition in the long history of dismal OBO competitions comes to a close with this less than semi-precious gem from Simon Robins: "Harmison brushing his new ponytail."
26th over: England 60-0 (Strauss 30 Cook 30)
Sharma continues, provoking Strauss into a couple of ill-executed pull shots. OK the caption contest has opened up again, if only to acomodate this effort from Gerard Ross (who adds: "no letters behind my name sir, I'm from Yorkshire!"): "Northerners look aghast as KP explains why it's easier to hold half pint glasses rather than pints."
27th over: England 63-0 (Strauss 32 Cook 31)
Cook drops to one knee and sweeps for a single. Strauss clips a leg glance away for another and that ends the over, and the session. A very good one for England it was too: just a little heartbreaking for the bowlers.
Well Smyth is meant to be in to do the second session, so he's got about 30 minutes to arrive before throwing me into a stupendous funk. God speed him. See you shortly.
Hello boys! This is what it's all about. This is what we brrrr our way out of bed in the small hours for: Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss boring the pants off everyone. Forget the strap-ons and lurid air-humping of Twenty20 and one-day cricket; give me the gentle, riverside hand-in-hand stroll of Test cricket anyday.
It was a good morning for England, who moved to 63 for none having won the toss on a belter of a pitch in Chennai. But on the subcontinent, the job is never, ever done: you can lose three or four wickets in an almighty hurry, and the most important part of England's day is yet to come. On the first day of the 2001-02 series , for example - was that really seven years ago? - they played splendidly to reach 172 for two. Two hours later they were all out for 238 and on the way to a big defeat.
An essentially naff riff for this morning that was in no way conceived between half-asleep glances at the Metro on the tube Fonts. I'm obsessed with them, almost as much as I'm obsessed with myself. Indeed my notes for this OBO were written in Helvetica 12pt. It's the font which says: I haven't quite worked out who I am yet, but I'm having a darn good time finding out. So, what fonts would cricketers use? Cook, a proper, no-frills player, would surely be Times New Roman. Sehwag would write in Sehwag, a font unlike anything we've ever seen before. And Ian Bell would write in the little known font called Exasperating Airy Waft Outside Off Having Played Exquisitely To Reach 22 You Silly Git.
28th over: England 68-0 (Strauss 36, Cook 31) I've just seen Strauss's wagon wheel for the morning: he hasn't scored a single run on the off side. Anyway, it's Harbhajan to begin after lunch with a slip, short leg and silly point, and Strauss does get some runs on the off side, cutting a loose delivery in front of square for four. Good shot.
"Verdana is recommended for people with vision problems; this belongs to Monty as so few people take a blind bit of notice of him these days," honks John Starbuck.
29th over: England 74-0 (Strauss 37, Cook 36) It's spin at both ends, with this impressive newcomer Amit Mishra bowling his sixth over. There's a big appeal for a catch at slip second ball when Strauss edges a very full, flighted delivery: I thought it was a bump ball, and Billy Bowden goes upstairs on his 1980s walkie-talkie. The replays show that it's an incredibly tight decision, as it's right on the half-volley when Strauss snicks it, so there's more than enough doubt to reprieve the batsman.
Anyone reading this? Don't worry, I wouldn't be if I were you.
30th over: England 83-0 (Strauss 45, Cook 37) Strauss back-cuts Harbhajan classily for four: not once, but twice. This is seriously skittish stuff by his post-06-07 standards. This game is beautifully poised because, even at 150 for none, England would not necessarily be in control, such is the very real prospect of a collapse at some stage. It takes monumental strength, physical and mental, to score at 2.65 runs per over (the current rate) on the subcontinent for the 150 overs that you need to get a half-decent score.
"Yer man Pietersen's like the gothic script that emblazons his arms," says Eamonn Maloney. "Bold, brazen and essentially tasteless."
31st over: England 86-0 (Strauss 47, Cook 39) Mishra is trying to draw the batsmen forward, like someone clicking his fingers warmly towards a cat when in fact he plans to boot it up in the air should it respond to his gesture, but Cook is comfortable. The flip side of this game is that, if England can beg, steal or borrow their way to 450 and then get Sehwag early on a pitch that will apparently deteriorate significantly, they will be in a good position to claim perhaps their most improbable victory since Sabina Park 1989-90 .
32nd over: England 89-0 (Strauss 48, Cook 40) Harbhajan is varying his pace a fair bit, but overall he's probably a fraction too quick and not giving the ball the chance to really bite. There's not much doing here and I'd be inclined to see if there's any reverse for the quicker bowlers.
33rd over: England 95-0 (Strauss 49, Cook 45) Cook waits for the bad delivery from Mishra; when it arrives off the last ball of the over, he kitchen-sinks a cut stroke through the covers for four. We joke about the manner in which Cook and Strauss bat - and really you have to, because weeping violently is the only other option - but, good pitch or not, they really have been excellent so far: cool, clear-headed (which is often the hardest thing in India) and economical.
34th over: England 97-0 (Strauss 50, Cook 46) Harbhajan induces a leading-edge from Strauss, looking to work to leg, but it's across the ground and safe. Strauss oohs like a man who's just seen a particularly tasty slab of rib-eye steak on the reduced counter at Sainsbury's. Then, two balls later, he tucks a single off his pads to reach a very good fifty from 104 balls. It's his 15th in Tests, and his first on the subcontinent (he does have a century here).
35th over: England 105-0 (Strauss 55, Cook 48) Beefy's into the commentary box, and has basically declared this an England victory already: "solid start... no rain forecast... bat for two days... 400... what will this pitch do on day four... God save our gracious Queen...". Strauss, meanwhile, is cutting very well now and puts Mishra away for four more.
36th over: England 106-0 (Strauss 56, Cook 48) I wonder what the highest opening partnership is in the first innings of a game that was ultimately lost. From memory, maybe this endearing shambles .
37th over: England 111-0 (Strauss 57, Cook 52) Cook, who plays very well on the subcontinent , reaches his fifty with a contemptuous slog-sweep for four off the increasingly ragged Mishra.
38th over: England 116-0 (Strauss 62, Cook 52) Stop me if you think you've heard this one before: short from Harbhajan and cut almost absent-mindedly by Strauss, like a man touching in his Oyster card. Harbhajan his definitely bowling too quickly here: Laxman Sivaramakrishnan reckons he's at his best around 82-83 kph, but that's his slowest speed today, with his average up at 88.
"Why is Shah not playing?" says Rachel Clifton. "I thought for sure that he would have knocked out Collingwood given how badly the latter was playing." Well don't forget Collingwood got a century two Tests ago, and batted well in the last Test at the Oval. England tend to not unreasonably pick on Test form - if only they'd BLOODY DONE IT IN DEAN HEADLEY'S DAY - but if there was ever a case for compromising that approach, it's now given Shah's form and excellence against spin. I am sad Shah's not playing, and he must know now that it will never be at Test level. Then again, Collingwood is very good on the subcontinent, and I'd have dropped Bell for Shah.
39th over: England 117-0 (Strauss 63, Cook 52) Ishant Sharma is back, with a remit to find some reverse, but there's none in that over as he strives to settle on a line and length.
"May I put forward our old corporate font Agdenks Grotesque for Paul Collingwood," says Andy Bradshaw. "Looked awful (his batting, before you call me gingerist), offered nothing and was for some reason persisted with by the management for years after everyone else could see it was rubbish." Strawberry blondist.
WICKET! England 118-1 (Cook c Zaheer b Harbhajan 52) And so it begins. Harbhajan takes a bit of pace off the ball and gets an instant reward when Cook fails to get hold of a slog-sweep against the spin and is taken easily by Zaheer Khan at midwicket. That ball was too wide for the shot, especially as it was spinning away, and Cook is livid - well, these things are relative: mildly angry - with himself. He keeps getting out between 50 and 65, for some reason. A poor end to an excellent innings and now, a session and a half in, this series truly begins.
40th over: England 118-1 (Strauss 64, Bell 0) Bell, like the temperaFLATmentTRACKally simBULLYilar Graeme Hick, is in my humble one best suited to batting at No3, when the game is his to shape rather than respond to. I know he has scored loads of runs at No6, but usually cheap ones when England have been 300 for four against Ilford 2nd XI. Many of his best innings - in Australia in 2006-07, and in Sri Lanka last winter - have come at No3.
41st over: England 120-1 (Strauss 65, Bell 1) Ian Botham is talking about crabs. There are less unpleasant thoughts, it must be said. In other news, it's FUN quiz time: who has the most Man of the Match awards in Test cricket history? Clue: it's neither Muralitharan or McCague.
42nd over: England 124-1 (Strauss 66, Bell 4) Harbhajan (12-1-36-1) continues and has an enormous appeal for LBW against Bell. Apart from being too high and hitting him outside the line, it had a helluva lot going for it. But this is good stuff now: the mood has changed discernibly, and Harbhajan has a whiff in his nostrils.
"Morning Rob, morning everyone," chirps Jerry Thomas, whose good mood should last till at least 7.43am. "Cook eh? what a shame. Absorbing game though, what?" I genuinely am really enjoying it. I never thought I'd become an in-my-dayer, but this really is so much better than the alternative: an episode of Homicide: Life On The Street compared to the CSI of Twenty20 and ODI cricket.
43rd over: England 128-1 (Strauss 70, Bell 4) Sharma strays onto the pads and Strauss tucks him to fine leg for four. It's fascinating the way this already limited player (I say that as a compliment: he knew his limits and worked brilliantly within them from 2004-06) has pared his game down even further since his difficult winter of 2006-07. Imagine him opening with Neil McKenzie: Rohypnol would have nothing on that dream team. "Wasim Akram?" offers Andrew Wright. He's joint-third. Next!
44th over: England 133-1 (Strauss 74, Bell 4) Strauss sweeps Harbhajan flat and square for four, a different and safer shot from that played by Cook, and England have weathered that little mini-storm. I love the rhythm of Test cricket on the subcontinent. It's like the film Magnolia: hours of richly textured meandering and then - blam blam mufugga! - frogs start falling from the sky.
"Isn't it Jacques 'nobody loves me, everybody hates me, think I'll go and protect my average' Kallis?" says IMDb's Jeremy Theobald . It is indeed .
45th over: England 137-1 (Strauss 74, Bell 8) Mishra replaces Sharma, so it's spin at both ends again, and Bell comes down the track to drive confidently and classily through mid-on for four.
"Given the level of security England are 'enjoying', isn't this the font for them?" says Gary Naylor. "Re most Man of the Match awards, is it Billy Bowden? I suspect he wants them more than most." He certainly was at Edgbaston in 2005 for those decisions involving Simon Jones and then Michael Kasprowicz.
46th over: England 139-1 (Strauss 75, Bell 9) Interesting, very interesting: Harbhajan gets a doosra to spit nastily from a length and Bell does well to get on top of it and glove it down. The next ball is quicker and goes through a consequently tentative Bell: there's a big shout for LBW but Daryl Harper's survey says ER-ER. I think an appreciable stride created sufficient doubt to legitimately reprieve Bell. Hawkeye indeed has it missing leg stump, so well done Daryl Harper, as it would have been easy to get lost in the moment and give that out.
47th over: England 139-1 (Strauss 75, Bell 9) Maiden from Mishra to Bell. Come on, there must some of you in work now. Throw Robbie a frickin e-bone!
48th over: England 142-1 (Strauss 78, Bell 10) Bell props forward and is then in trouble as the delivery from Harbhajan spits sharply, but it hits only pad on its way to leg slip and Daryl Harper says no to what was only a half appeal.
49th over: England 142-1 (Strauss 78, Bell 10) Babyshambles and Queens Of The Stone Age have their own ideas about lost arts, but it's the lost art of batting time that is being demonstrated by Strauss here. So few people can do it these days, but he is more temperamentally suited than most and he is doing it very well. There have been slight spurts of fast scoring, especially after lunch, but generally it's been about serene accumulation without speculation, and he's happy to survive another maiden from Mishra there. England are becalmed just now, but that's the way things often are on the subcontinent, and Strauss won't be bothered by it*.
*Cue absurd Beefy-at-Trevor-Hohns-style charge down the track
50th over: England 143-1 (Strauss 78, Bell 11) Harbhajan finally switches to around the wicket to Strauss, which is a moral victory for him, but one that might bite him on the bottom: the very first ball brings an uppish drive that falls not a million miles short of extra-cover.
I keep thinking about the first day of the 2001-02 series , when England were 172 for two and then 238 all out. When I say I keep thinking about it, I don't mean that it preoccupies me in the kitchen to the point where I burn my toast, or that I shout "172 for two and then 238 all out" mid-knee-rembler, but senses of security are never as false as they are on the subcontinent, and it's so important England see this through and lose no more than three wickets by the close.
51st over: England 147-1 (Strauss 79, Bell 14) Mishra is working Bell, varying pace, line and length, and Bell screws an uppish drive on the bounce to point. He doesn't look entirely secure, it's fair to say.
52nd over: England 150-1 (Strauss 81, Bell 15) India keep on going with two spinners. I'm very surprised Zaheer Khan hasn't had a bowl at all this session. Even if it's not reversing, he would have asked different questions of Strauss, who is in a comfort zone against the spinners at this point in time. Saying which, Strauss fresh-airs a sweep at a ball that was well outside off stump and which kicked nastily to knock Dhoni off his feet. This pitch should be doing plenty on days four and five.
53rd over: England 151-1 (Strauss 82, Bell 15) Fifteen minutes to tea. "If by work you mean playing NHL whilst eating toast and 'in' is a dressing gown, then yup," says Lee James, painting an unnecessarily vivid picture. "The idea of shovelling my driveway in four hours and replacing the wire in my heart are keeping me awake. Solutions?" Bleach chaser?
54th over: England 154-1 (Strauss 84, Bell 16) England, and Bell in particular, are playing for tea down, which is understandable if slightly dangerous. When Strauss sweeps, Harbhajan gets slightly funky and tells him to play in the V.
55th over: England 155-1 (Strauss 85, Bell 16) Yuvraj Singh is coming on for a quick pre-tea fiddle with his slow left-armers. He goes around the wicket to Strauss, and beats him with the first two deliveries, both of which zipped straight on. The next ball is short and Strauss cuts for one.
56th over: England 163-1 (Strauss 93, Bell 16) Virender Sehwag is also coming on to bowl his off-spinners. His Test record is decent, and he took his first five-for recently against Australia. His line is poor, however, too wide of leg stump, and Strauss sweeps successive deliveries very, very fine to move into the nineties.
TEA: 57th over: England 164-1 (Strauss 93, Bell 17) Strauss edges the final ball, from Yuvraj, just short of slip, and that's tea. Another good session for England, who made 101 for the essentially needless loss of Alastair Cook. They are in a very strong position, but these things can change so very quickly in this environment. Thanks for the ones of emails, and I'll hand over to Andy Bull, who is lycra'd up and impatiently slapping his thighs while panting like a thirsty hound.
TEA
Well this is all going a little too well isn't it? Kinda makes you feel uncomfortable don't it? Confused even. Baffled, befuddled and bemused. Bamboozled. Don't worry, we're only two sessions into the series. On this pitch we can surely expect hefty first innings totals for both sides, and by the time we reach the fourth day Mishra and Harbhajan are going to be considerably harder to play.
It's the Guardian's christmas party tonight. But whenever I try to open the link to the invitation with the venue on it my email crashes. I think someone high up is trying to tell me something. Like: 'do one'. Nevermind. We're running a book of course on who is going to be first to disgrace themselves in an abject display of unwarranted inebriation. It's with that in mind that my late-night starts are going to work in my favour, the limitations on my socialising hours putting me well down the field of contenders for the crown of shame.
WICKET! Bell 17 lbw Khan (58th over: England 165-2 (Strauss 93 Pietersen 0)
Zaheer stretches his calf muscles up behind his back and windmills his arms at the end of his run. A little reverse swing perhaps? And there's your answer: Bell goes to the second ball of the session, stone dead LBW. The ball pitched in line and straightened, looked to be going on to hit the middle of middle stump. "I've been saying he should be on all session long" says Smyth, once again infuriated by the inability of the swines' inability to appreciate his pearls. It was a neat two-card trick by Zaheer, sliding the first ball across the stumps and swinging the second back in from a similar pitch.
59th over: England 170-2 (Strauss 97 Pietersen 1)
And at the other end, Yuvraj continues. Ooo. His first ball spits straight on and hits KP's pads, Yuvraj breaks into a scream but umpire Bowden is unconvinced. Pietersen swings away a single, and Strauss is on strike. He chops four through cover with a lazy flourish to move to 97.
60th over: England 170-2 (Strauss 97 Pietersen 1)
Again Zaheer opens with an out-swing / in-swing combination, but KP is forewarned and strolls across the stumps to swat the second ball away to leg. Lee Calvert is optimistic at any rate: "The pressure-averse midget has gone again - how many more times will he fail in first innings'? Now we have KP, who notoriously needs about 40 balls before he does what we know he can do. In other words, 150-5 at close." Pietersen sucks breath through gritted teeth as Zaheer fizzes a delivery past his outside edge. A maiden.
61st over: England 173-2 (Strauss 98 Pietersen 3)
"Never mind the Graun Xmas party" writes our own man on the ground David Hopps, "The media here have just been invited to the Chennai Police Ball in the team hotel tonight. There is no escaping the police it seems. The prospect of three thousand dancing policemen has not yet caused a rush for tickets, but it's early days." Mmm, not the most enticing prospect is it? Curious shot from KP, who miscues a flick over mid-wicket after skipping down the track. He gets away with it though, whereas you rather fear that for Hoppsy, the ramifications of missing the police ball could be rather more damaging.
62nd over: England 173-2 (Strauss 98 Pietersen 3)
A yorker from Zaheer, swinging in towards leg stump. Good bowling this, he's conjuring all kinds of tricks, running up with the ball in his wrong hand and hiding it from the batsman until the point of delivery.
63rd over: England 173-2 (Strauss 98 Pietersen 3)
Unless you're one of the few people who reads the pink financial press you may have missed this piece by Michael Fullilove on why Barack Obama should play cricket. It manages the unique feat of being both terrible and wonderful at the same time. It's a brilliant exposition of the complexities of cricket, and a horrendous explanation of why sport is a good metaphor for politics. Oh yeah, if you hadn't worked it out already, this was a maiden.
64th over: England 179-2 (Strauss 103 Pietersen 4)
"Fighting my way through the flood of emails aghast at England's steady start," opines Guy Hornsby, "I too am gearing up for the work Christmas do this weekend. Oddly, it's at a hotel by Terminal 5, when we work in the city, but I can only guess that, by association, the drink will be lost, food late, and we'll get a fiver back after arriving home two days later than planned." Another yorker from Zaheer, pinging Strauss on his back ankle outside of the line. He's finding some mosterous swing here, but... the next one is edged through third man for four, and that is Strauss's 13th Test century. He shouts, grins, and high-fives KP as they cross mid-pitch.
65th over: England 179-2 (Strauss 103 Pietersen 4)
At the other end KP is still groping blindly at Yuvraj.
WICKET! Pietersen 4 c & b Khan 66th over: England 184-3 (Strauss 104 Collingwood 4)
Oh dear. One of the ugliest innings I can ever recall seeing Pietersen play in an England shirt ends in pathetic fashion, swatting a stupid pull shot up into the air for an easy catch just off the pitch. He must have been relieved to get away from Yuvraj, but then he had warning about Zaheer's bouncer - we saw it plenty of times this morning. Didn't stop him being suckered by it though. What a spell of bowling this is by Zaheer. Collingwood, just the man for the crisis, squirts his first ball past slip for four.
67th over: England 187-3 (Strauss 105 Collingwood 6)
Pietersen sits fuming among the England coaching staff, staring out furiously at the pitch. You people are very quiet today. Are you trying to make me work harder? 'cause if that's what you're up to, it ain't funny.
68th over: England 188-3 (Strauss 105 Collingwood 6)
Oh brother. Come on. Work with me people. Otherwise I'm going to crash and burn.
69th over: England 188-3 (Strauss 107 Collingwood 6)
"I think that like many others, I'm keeping quiet for fear of jinxing it" pipes up Indy Neogy, "We had quite a good start, but now... let's hope Colly repays the
selectors' faith." Well he's getting a few breaks at the beginning of his innings, surviving two LBW shouts from Yuvraj, Bowden dismissing the frantic appeals with a shake of his head and a smile.
70th over: England 192-3 (Strauss 107 Collingwood 6)
Ishant is on, licking his lips as Collingwood plays a truly awful shot, wafting a back foot drive in the vague direction of the ball. The next ball is almost played onto the stumps, and the one after that eludes him altogether and pops off his hip away to leg. He was trying to play it to cover. Lord he looks in poor touch. "Re: you christmas party, Do what I do and get your disgraceful behaviour in early. I told people I couldn't be bothered to go to the office party because they are a bunch of c**** and I would rather eat on my own." How to win friends and influence people, Paul Jaines style.
71st over: England 194-3 (Strauss 109 Collingwood 8)
"Well we had six people cry at our Christmas party three years ago (out
of 36)" yelps John Thurstans, "Can the Guardian sports desk beat that?" Were they crying from pain, joy or love? Or onions?
72nd over: England 195-3 (Strauss 109 Collingwood 9)
Seeing as you've all evidently twigged that this service is a load of bobbins, why not go and have a look at this instead? Shane Warne reviews himself, and finds he quite likes it. Has Rhodri Burridge nailed the cause of the empty feeling in my inbox? "There's nobody left in work. The credit crunch has hit your OBO readership hard since the last test series. Most of us work in silly, ephemeral industries like marketing, so we're getting the chop leg, off and middle." And that could have been out, Collingwood edged to second slip, but the ball dropped just short.
WICKET! Collingwood 9 c Gambhir b Harbhajan (73rd over: England 196-4 (Strauss 109 Flintoff 1)
Oh dear oh dear. Oh dear. Harbhajan is on and Collingwood's miserable innings has come to an end. Flintoff is in and the collapse is on and suddenly the world is righting itself. Collingwood was caught at bat/pad, courtesy of a stinker of a decision. The ball came straight off the pad, the bat was nowhere near it! What a howler. Still he's had his slice of luck already. Pietersen and Moores are disgusted, and rightly so.
74th over: England 200-4 (Strauss 109 Flintoff 5)
Sharma welcomes Flintoff with a fierce bouncer. Glad to see you OBO'ers are in fine form for the festive season: "It's my 28th birthday today" grumbles Philip Trotter, "and I received a grand total of 3 cards, although have had quite a few messages on facebook. Should I be depressed that people couldn't be arsed to buy a piece of paper and stick it in the post (as I was when I opened my letter box this morning), or glad that in the modern world my friends can even stretch as far as writing five words on a networking site? By the way I live in Belgium at the moment which may be contributing to my mood." Flintoff flicks four to fine leg to raise the 200.
75th over: England 204-4 (Strauss 111 Flintoff 6)
"Is Rob sat next to you, with his knees to his chin rocking backwards and forwards muttering "Just like 2001, just like 2001, just like 2001" to himself?" well Andy Bradshaw, he was doing that about ten minutes ago, then he climed underneath the desk and scurried off towards the toilets... someone should probably go check on him actually, "As for disgracing themselves at the party tonight, I'm going for Scott Murray, with the Karaoke Machine in the library." You won't get a good price on that bet.
76th over: England 204-4 (Strauss 111 Flintoff 6)
With Sharma beginning to tire the intensity of the attack is just going to ease off here, I sense, fortunately for England. I would really liek to reval the name of this emailer, not to mention that of the company he works for because they really have revealed themselves to be an unspeakable bunch of b'stards. But sadly, I'm bound not to let on the identities at the cost of his job: "Our Christmas Party (which isn't even called a Christmas party – for religious reasons) has been postponed this year because apparently it wouldn't look good to the public if the company I work for are seen spending money during recession (or something like that anyway), so Christmas has been officially cancelled this year. Anyway it has been re-scheduled for March sometime, as recession will by over by then apparently, what a joke."
77th over: England 208-4 (Strauss 113 Flintoff 9)
Harbhajan is still twirling away. "Just to let you know that after stumbling into work at 10am with a monster hangover and no inclination to work how pleased I was to see the the OBO to guide me through the morning" smarms Patrick Seaman. Patrick I'd just like you to know that when we needed you, in the early, barren hours of the freezing morning, when each email is like manna from heaven, you weren't there. The hangover is no excuse man. You need commitment to read this stuff. You think you'll ever make it to the top by not turning up till 10am because you'ver had a bit too much funjuice the night before? What do you think Gary Naylor was doing at 4am this morning? Do you think he was skulking in bed? No. Dio you think he was coweriung under the sheets? Was he hell. He was up and fixated on the screen, delivering a potent blend of humour and insight in regular fixes to my inbox. That's commitment, that's cojones. That's the stuff that makes up the legend that is Gary Naylor people. That's what it takes. Ah, three runs from this over.
78th over: England 209-4 (Strauss 113 Flintoff 9)
Missed this over, I was busy quietly weeping at the misery of this email from Lawrie Jones: "Well, I lost my job yesterday and am staring into the abyss. Am working today with the paralysed notion that after Christmas all I have to do is look forward to Jeremy Kyle, reruns of cash in the attic and the hopeless and endless weekly march to the job centre. Plus my dad lost his job yesterday as well.
"Still" my boss said, "you can still come on the Christmas do".
79th over: England 209-4 (Strauss 115 Flintoff 9)
And now some cricket: "Just wondering how any aspiring batter is ever going to break into the seemingly undroppable middle-order of this side" asks Andrew Stroud, echoing the thoughts of thousands of others, "I very much doubt they are going to change the team in a 2 test series – is it time for Shah to resort to desperate measures and leave some soap lying around the floor of the showers when Colly is in there?"
80th over: England 214-4 (Strauss 117 Flintoff 10)
Well the new ball is there is India want it. "Phil Trotter should be grateful - its my 29th today and I've had absolutely no contact from family, friends or girlfriend, and only 2 messages from people on Facebook that I only added as friends to make it look as though I'm really popular. I'm sustaining myself in the misguided belief that a) I'm apathetic about the whole thing and b) that my myriad of friends are all engaged in a 'hilarious' joke to pretend that they've forgotten." Do you know what, Colin Walker, I'm actually struggling to type because of the floods of tears your email has unleashed from my eyes onto the keyboard. Good God. That's one of the sorriest things I ever read.
Well, ahm, happy birthday Colin. No, really. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
81st over: England 217-4 (Strauss 119 Flintoff 12)
Mock the Belgians at your peril, Phil Trotter: "To the eejit who you reported as saying "By the way I live in Belgium at the moment which may be contributing to my mood" - Ask him why he doesn't f**k off back to England then, where things are clearly SO much better..." You have been warned, people, by Martin Piper. Mishra is back on, and England settle for tickling him hither and thither for three runs.
WICKET! Strauss 123 c&b Mishra (83rd over: England 221-5 (Flintoff 12 Anderson 0)
Four with a flourish from Strauss, slog-swept past mid-wicket... oh no ... he's out. Strauss's marvellously determined innings comes to a close as he thumps a drive straight back down the pitch and Mishra hangs onto the return catch. A good diving catch, low to his left, but what a disappointment for England. Oh lorks it's getting worse! They've sent Anderson in as a nightwatchman. Oh no England, surely not. Really? Did they have to do that? Anderson is almost out to his first ball, an appeal for LBW is rejected, but then as Bumble points out if he wasn't out LBW he must have been out caught at bat-pad. None of the fielders twigged it though.
84th over: England 222-5 (Flintoff 13 Anderson 0)
"2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001" emails Rob Smyth, who has evidently taken a blackberry into thje toilet with him.
86th over: England 223-5 (Flintoff 13 Anderson 1)The bitter ferment of revelations and confessions continues with this shocking news from Andy Bradshaw: "Sorry to ruin your day further Andy, but you do realise that all Naylor does is write the emails the day before and sets them on delayed send from 4am onwards and is in fact tucked up in bed fast asleep, clutching his 1983 Wisden Almanack to his chest." Crumbs. Anderson squirts an outside edge through first slip's legs. That his 42nd consecutive innings without a duck.
87th over: England 227-5 (Flintoff 17 Anderson 1)
"Andrew Stroud's plan for getting rid of Colly (over 79) is positively Baldrick-like in its incompetence," points out Tom Adam, "If you left a piece of soap out for Colly, he'd miss it by 4 inches on current form." Flintoff snicks another four through third man, a little more meagre solace for England.
88th over: England 229-5 (Flintoff 18 Anderson 2)
"AH! Glad to know I'm not on my own. The law firm I work for had the nerve to cancel this years Christmas party for "cost-cutting purposes" grumbles Billy Arajuo, "and then, one week later, announced bumper profits. Not only that … I have just been told that I need to move to our Belgium office!" A slow death that. Just make sure you don't say anything offensive about the place within earshot of that furiously angry chap from over 81.
89th over: England 229-5 (Flintoff 18 Anderson 2)
Penultimate over of the day, and it's Zaheer to bowl it. His figures are 17-6-36-2, and at times he's been truly superb, his post-tea spell in particular was a beauty.
90th over: England 229-5 (Flintoff 18 Anderson 2)
Last over of the day, Mishra to bowl, Anderson to face and Bull to collapse face first onto the keyboard as soon as it is done. Not a moment too soon. This whole thing has taken an ugly and miserable twist. And that's it. We end with a maiden.
Right you'll excuse me if I don't linger. I'm off to Belgium. A fascinating day that, in the end, started slowly, but came to a real boil as it went on. Yup, that's my closing analysis. Thanks for your emails, company and misery. I'll see you on the far side of the christmas party.
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What English name is ususally given to The Palazzo Ducale in Venice ? | Palazzo Ducale, San Marco 1, Venice. Attractions - Time Out Venice
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An unobtrusive side door halfway down the right wall of the nave in San Marco leads straight into the courtyard of the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace). Today's visitors take a more roundabout route, but that door is a potent symbol of the entwinement of Church and state in the glory days of La Serenissima. If the basilica was the Venetian Republic's spiritual nerve centre, the Doge's Palace was its political and judicial hub. The present site was the seat of ducal power from the ninth century onwards, though most of what we see today dates from the mid 15th century. Devastating fires in 1574 and 1577 took their toll, but after much heated debate it was decided to restore rather than replace - an enlightened policy for the time.
The palace is the great Gothic building of the city, but is also curiously eastern in style, achieving a marvellous combination of lightness and strength. The ground floor was open to the public; the work of government went on above. This arrangement resulted in a curious reversal of the natural order. The building gets heavier as it rises: the first level has an open arcade of simple Gothic arches, the second a closed loggia of rich, ornate arcading. The top floor is a solid wall broken by a sequence of Gothic windows. Yet somehow it doesn't seem awkward.
The façade on the Piazzetta side was built in the 15th century as a continuation of the 14th-century waterfront façade. On the corner by the ponte di Paglia (Bridge of Straw) is an exquisite marble relief carving, the Drunkenness of Noah from the early 15th century, while on the Piazzetta corner is a statue of Adam and Eve from the late 14th century. The capitals of the pillars below date from the 14th to the 15th centuries, although many of them are 19th-century copies (some of the originals are on display inside the palace).
The Porta della Carta (Paper Gate - so called because this was where permits were checked), between the palace and the basilica, is a grand piece of florid Gothic architecture and sculpture (1438-42) by Bartolomeo and Giovanni Bon. The statue of Doge Francesco Foscari and the lion is a copy dating from 1885; French troops smashed the original when they occupied the city in 1797.
Behind the palace's fairy-tale exterior the complex machinery of empire whirred away with assembly-line efficiency. Anyone really interested in the inner workings of the Venetian state should take the 90-minute Itinerari Segreti tour. This takes you into those parts of the palace that the official route does not touch: the cramped wooden administrative offices; the stark chambers of the Cancelleria Segreta, where all official documents were written up in triplicate by a team of 24 clerks; the chamber of the three heads of the Council of Ten, connected by a secret door in the wooden panelling to the Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci, and the torture chambers beyond. The tour ends up in the leads - the sweltering prison cells beneath the roof from which Casanova staged his famous escape (probably by bribing the guard, though his own account was far more action hero) - and among the extraordinary beams and rafters above the Sala del Maggior Consiglio.
Following reorganisation, the main visit - for which an audio guide is recommended - now begins at the Porta del Frumento on the lagoon side of the palace. The Museo dell'Opera, just to the left of the ticket barrier, has the best of the 14th-century capitals from the external loggia; the ones you see outside are mostly copies.
In the main courtyard stands the Arco dei Foscari - another fine late-Gothic work, commissioned by Doge Francesco Foscari in 1438, when Venice was at the height of its territorial influence. It was built by Antonio Bregno and Antonio Rizzo. Rizzo also sculpted the figures of Adam and Eve (these too are copies; the originals are in the first-floor liagò), which earned him gushing accolades and led to his appointment as official architect in 1483, after one of those disastrous fires. Rizzo had time to oversee the building of the overblown Scala dei Giganti (where doges were crowned) and some of the interior before he was found to have embezzled 12,000 ducats; he promptly fled, and died soon after.
The official route now leads up the ornate Scala d'Oro staircase by Jacopo Sansovino, with stuccoes by Vittoria outlined in 24-carat gold leaf.
First floor: Doge's apartments
The doge's private life was entirely at the service of La Serenissima and even his bedroom had to keep up the PR effort. These rooms are occasionally closed or used for temporary exhibitions; when open, the Sala delle Mappe (also known as the Sala dello Scudo) merits scrutiny. Here, in a series of 16th-century maps, is the known world as it radiated from Venice. Just to the right of the entrance is a detailed map of the New World with Bofton (Boston) and Isola Longa (Long Island) clearly marked. Further on, seek out Titian's well-hidden fresco of St Christopher (above a doorway giving on to a staircase): it took the artist a mere three days to complete.
Second floor: State rooms
This grandiose series of halls provided steady work for all the great 16th-century Venetian artists. Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, Palma il Vecchio and Jacopo Bassano all left their mark, though the sheer acreage that had to be covered, and the subjects of the canvases - either allegories or documentary records of the city's pomp and glory - did not always spur them to artistic heights.
The Sala delle Quattro Porte was where the Collegio - the inner cabinet of the Republic - met before the 1574 fire. After substantial renovation it became an ambassadorial waiting room, where humble envoys could gaze enviously at Andrea Vicentino's portrayal of the magnificent reception given to the young King Henry III of France in 1574. The Anticollegio, restored in part by Palladio, has a spectacular gilded stucco ceiling, four Tintorettos and Veronese's blowsy Rape of Europa.
Beyond here is the Sala del Collegio, where the inner cabinet convened. The propaganda paintings on the ceiling are by Veronese; note the equal scale of the civic and divine players, and the way both Justice and Peace are mere handmaidens to Venice herself. But for real hubris, stroll into the Sala del Senato, where Tintoretto's ceiling centrepiece shows The Triumph of Venice. Here the Senate debated questions of foreign policy, war and commerce, and heard the reports of Venetian ambassadors. Beyond again are the Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci and the Sala della Bussola, where the arcane body set up to act as a check on the doge considered matters of national security. In the former, note Veronese's ceiling panel, Juno Offering Gifts to Venice. By the time this was painted in 1553, the classical gods had started to replace St Mark in Venice's self-aggrandising pantheon. The itinerary continues through an armoury.
First floor: State rooms
The Sala dei Censori leads down to a liagò (covered, L-shaped loggia), which gives on to the Sala della Quarantia Civil Vecchia (the civil court) and the Sala del Guariento. The latter's faded 14th-century fresco of The Coronation of the Virgin by Guariento (for centuries hidden behind Tintoretto's Paradiso in the Sala del Maggior Consiglio) looks strangely innocent amid all this worldly propaganda. The shorter arm of the liagò has the originals of Antonio Rizzo's stylised marble sculptures of Adam and Eve from the Arco dei Foscari.
Next comes the Sala del Maggior Consiglio - the largest room in the palace. This was in effect the Republic's lower house, though this council of noblemen had fairly limited powers. Before the fire of 1577 the hall had been decorated with paintings by Bellini, Titian, Carpaccio and Veronese. When these works went up in smoke, they were replaced by less exalted ones, with one or two exceptions. Tintoretto's Paradise, on the far wall, sketched out by the 70-year-old artist but completed after his death in 1594 by his son Domenico, is liable to induce vertigo, as much for its theological complexity as its huge scale. In the ceiling panels are works by Veronese and Palma il Giovane; note too the frieze of ducal portraits carried out by Domenico Tintoretto and assistants; the black veil marks where Marin Falier's face would have appeared had he not unwisely conspired against the state in 1356.
On the left side of the hall, a balcony gives a fine view over the southern side of the lagoon. A door leads from the back of the hall into the Sala della Quarantia Civil Nuova and the large Sala dello Scrutinio, where the votes of the maggior consiglio were counted; the latter is flanked by vast paintings of victorious naval battles, including a dramatic Conquest of Zara by Jacopo Tintoretto and Battle of Lepanto by Andrea Vicentino.
Criminal courts & prigioni
Backtracking through the Sala del Maggior Consiglio, a small door on the left leads past the Scala dei Censori to the Sala della Quarantia Criminale - the criminal court. The room next door retains some of the original red and gold leather wall coverings. Beyond this is a small room that has been arranged as a gallery, with Flemish paintings from Cardinal Grimani's collection.
The route now leads over the Bridge of Sighs to the Prigioni Nuove, where petty criminals were kept. Lifers were sent down to the waterlogged pozzi (wells) in the basement of the palazzo itself. By the 19th century most visitors were falling for the tour guide legend that, once over the Bridge of Sighs, prisoners would 'descend into the dungeon which none entered and hoped to see the sun again,' as Mark Twain put it. But when this new prison wing was built in 1589, it was acclaimed as a paragon of comfort; in 1608 the English traveller Thomas Coryat remarked, 'I think there is not a fairer prison in all Christendom.'
Some of the cells have their number and capacity painted over the door; one has a trompe l'œil window, drawn in charcoal by a bored inmate. On the lowest level is a small exercise yard, where an unofficial tavern used to operate. Up the stairs beyond is a display of Venetian ceramics found during excavations, and more cells, one with cartoons and caricatures left by 19th-century internees. Back across the Bridge of Sighs, the tour ends on the lower floor in the Avogaria - the offices of the clerks of court. Next to this a bookshop has been set up, with a good selection of works on Venice.
| Doge's Palace |
On which famous river would you find the Cat and Mouse castles ? | Palazzo Ducale Venice Tour | Doge's Palace | Bridge of Sighs
Important info
Inside the majestic Palazzo Ducale in Venice, Italy a tour of Doge's Palace to discover the precious rooms where, for centuries, the history of the powerful Republic of Venice was determined.
Our fascinating Palazzo Ducale Venice Tour takes you to the most important places of the ancient Republic of Venice, the richly decorated rooms of the Doge's Apartment with its large enclosed courtyard, up to the Armoury, the terrible dungeons and the famous Venice Bridge of sighs: a complete visit to learn and fully appreciate the splendid Doge's Palace in Venice, Italy.
Thanks to this fascinating Venice Doge's Palace tour, you will be transported back in time to the centuries when Venice was at its golden age and the Doge's Palace was the centre of the political power of the Serenissima.
A detailed guided tour that will show you the treasures hidden in the Doge's Palace in Venice, from the masterpieces of the great artists who helped to enhance the splendour of the Republic of Venice to the sumptuous details of the sculptures and decorative elements.
The duration of the Doge's Palace tour in Venice will be about an hour, during which you can admire the Opera Museum, which houses the ancient capitals of the porch and portico of Doge's Palace, which form a fascinating allegorical 'speech' balanced between the sacred and the profane, history and legend, astronomy and astrology in a kind of poem in stone with human figures, animals, plants, symbols and signs of the zodiac, the ancient honour entrance of the Doge's Palace, the Giant's Staircase, with the two statues of Mars and Neptune sculpted by Sansovino, the Lodge Atrium, from which you can admire the picturesque views of the courtyard of the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Square, the famous Golden Staircase, with marble statues dedicated to Atlas and Hercules, elegant surroundings where the history of the Republic of Venice was determined, the Institutional Chambers, outlined by a decorative program that celebrates the functions and virtues of Venice.
Our tour also includes a visit to the famous Sighs Bridge Venice, Italy, which connects the Doge's Palace to the New Prisons. Built in 1614, the Bridge of Sighs was later covered and divided into two parallel corridors connected to a stair that leads from the Wells to the Piombi (the Leads). Its sad nickname refers to the convicts who, when crossing it, exhaled their last breath in freedom before serving their sentences in the prisons of Venice.
There are many itineraries which explore Doge's Palace, Venice: but our tour, facilitated by an expert Venetian tourist guide, wants you to discover the magic of this age-old building that has witnessed firsthand the development of the troubled history of Venice.
venetoinside.com offers you the opportunity to book your visit to the Doge's Palace in Venice at fixed times and conveniently online, so that you can enjoy this unique journey in a tranquil manner to discover the treasures in the ancient Doge's Palace of Venice.
© Insidecom Tour Operator
(authorization no. 62027 dated 09/07/12 with determination no. 2052/2012)
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What is not specified under "Inclusions"
Additional information:
Before booking, please be advised that it is compulsory to print a paper copy of the voucher issued at the end of the online reservation and bring it with you the day of the tour.
No credit or refunds will be given in the case of a NO SHOW (if you don't show up at the meeting point at the time indicated on your voucher).
Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the tour departure time.
At the tour departure point you will meet a representative who will check your vouchers and give you information to do the tour. Please be advised that, due to the new security measures concerning the entrance into the major Venice museums, there might be queues at the entrance, with consequent protraction of the usual waiting time to access the museums.
During the winter period (from November 1st to March 31st) the tour is BILINGUAL, because explanations will be provided in two languages if the audience provenience is mixed.
This is a collective tour, which means there might be other participants going on the tour with you.
Please note that, due to the particular morphological structure of Venice and the logistic problems resulting from it, we cannot guarantee that the whole tour is accessible to people with limited mobility. This means that people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users could not be able to access some parts of the itinerary.
In exceptional cases and/or reasons of force majeure that may prevent the tour already purchased to run regularly (i.e. acts of nature, strikes, exceptional closures, serious unexpected events or health problems experienced by the person in charge with the service after which it is really impossible to find a substitute), the tour might be cancelled.The customer will be notified of this as soon as possible and will be asked to choose between postponing the tour on the first date available or get a prompt refund of the price paid for the tour.
Departure point map
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Which is the most southerly of The Channel Islands ? | Channel Islands guide
Listings
Alderney - Guernsey - Sark - Herm - Jersey Coast Guide
The Channel Islands* are a group of five small islands, around sixty odd miles south of Weymouth, on the English coast. In spite of being much closer to France; around 15 miles in the case of Alderney, the islands have been British territories since the twelfth century. The two main islands of Jersey and Guernsey are very popular holiday destinations for the British but they also attract tourists from all over the world. There are numerous ferry links to both the UK and France and there are air links to Alderney, Guernsey and Jersey.
Mont Orgueil Castle Jersey
For details of Jersey and Guernsey Hotels and Holidays, Guest Houses, Cottages and to visit Attractions. Go to Jersey Guernsey Hotels Guest Houses and Cottages
Alderney
Alderney is the third largest island of the group but is quite small, measuring around 3.5 miles by 1.5 miles. It has a population of around 2500, who are mostly located in the main town St Anne.
The island is also a bit isolated as it has no regular ferry service operating from the mainland or from the other islands. The main means of transport is via air links which run to Jersey and Guernsey and to Bournemouth on the mainland. Although there are now daily flights into the island from Southampton, Shoreham (Brighton International), and Bournemouth. Check with airports for schedule.
Oddly enough, as Alderney gets relatively few visitors, it is one of the best defended places in the UK with an amazing 13 forts along its coast. The reason for these fortifications, of course was the fear of French invasion during the nineteenth century. The island is only a cannon ball shot or two from the French coast.
The island has some excellent beaches and beautiful scenery you should book accommodation in advance.
Guernsey
Guernsey is the second largest island with a population of around 60,000 and is the second most popular holiday destination of the group. Life centres on St Peter Port which is the main town and port. Here you can catch ferries to the smaller islands of Herm and Sark.
The island has some dramatic scenery, with towering cliffs and sandy beaches along its western coast. Recommended beaches are at Cobo and Pembroke.
Guernsey's most famous son is Victor Hugo, the French writer, who was exiled to the island in 1856 when Napoleon III took over France. He stayed until 1870, living in Hautville House, which is now a visitor centre and open to the public on most days. The Channel Islands were occupied by Germany during World War II and there are still many reminders of this event dotted around the island, including the Underground Hospital which was built by slave labour to house injured German soldiers.
As you would expect Guernsey has some great beaches, these are mostly located on the islands north coast. At the eastern end of the island is Pembroke Bay, which is north east facing, nearby is Le Grand Harve, a large sandy beach. Further to the west are Saline and Cobo Bay, both are sandy and have beach facilities. Next is Vazon Bay and at the western end of the island you will find the huge L'eree Bay which joins up with Rocquaine Bay, there are beach cafes at either end of the beach. The nearest beaches to St. Peter Port are Petit Bot Bay and Moulin Huet Bay - situated about 2 miles from the town.
Places to visit on Guernsey
Guernsey Aquarium - La Vallette, St Peter Port, GY1 1AX Phone: (01481) 723301
Beau Sejour Leisure Center - Amherst, St Peter Port GY1 2DL Phone: 01481 12050
Pleinmont Headland - Cliff walk and bird watching
Victor Hugo's Garden - Hauteville House, 38 Hauteville Street, St Peter Port GY1 1DG Phone: (0)1481 721911
Castle Cornet - 12th century castle with three museums inside plus gardens outside. Castle Emplacement, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1AU Phone: (0)1481 721657
Herm
This tiny island is one of the smallest occupied islands within the UK with a population of just 115. It is situated some five miles from Guernsey and can be reached by ferry in about 20 minutes. After that you walk - there are no wheeled vehicles on the island - not even bicycles are allowed!
There are limited facilities on the island but you can stay at the campsite or at the grand sounding, White House Hotel. There is also a pub - the Mermaid Tavern - so you've got somewhere to relax after you've walked around the island - it takes about two hours and is well worth the effort!
Sark
Sark is positively heaving with people compared with its smaller neighbour - with a population of nearly 600 people. It is also about three times the size of Herm, so its not really overcrowded. Daily ferries operate from St Peter Port to the island - the journey takes about 45 minutes. Sark is also traffic free but you can hire bikes and there are horse drawn taxis.
Sark is perhaps best known as Europe's only remaining feudal state and is ruled by the seigneur, Michael Beaumont. The island has its own constitution which dates back to Elizabethan times which enables the island to raise its own taxes and make its own laws.
The island has a picturesque coastline of about thirty miles and the only way to visit is by foot or boat.
Jersey
Jersey is the most southerly of the Channel Islands and is also the UK's most southerly point. It is situated some eighty miles south of the UK mainland and is approximately twenty miles from the French coast. There are regular ferry services to Jersey from Weymouth, Poole and Portsmouth. The Condor fast ferry makes the journey in around three hours.
The island has a lot to offer the visitor with miles of sandy beaches, stunning views, tranquil villages and the busy cosmopolitan centre of St Helier. A major attraction is Jersey Zoo, which was founded by the writer and naturalist, Gerald Durrell. The emphasis at the zoo is the conservation of endangered species rather than as just a sideshow.
Another spectacular sight is to be found at the small port of Gorey, which is overlooked by the stunning Mont Orgueil Castle - see above. The castle dates from the thirteenth century and was added to over the next 400 years. It is open to the public every day during the summer months.
As well as the tourism aspects of the island, Jersey also operates as a major financial centre with many international banks and finance houses based on the island. The main draw for these firms being low personal and corporate tax rates - some 50% of the islands income comes from financial institutions.
Places to visit on Jersey
Mont Orgueil Castle - 13th century castle - Gorey, St Martin, Jersey, JE3 6ET Phone: 01534 833300
Maritime Museum - interactive museum - New North Quay, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3ND Phone: 01534 811043
Amazin Adventure Park - go carts and rides - St Peter, Jersey, JE3 7AX Phone: 01534 482116
Channel Islands Military Museum - based in a former German bunker - 01534 483205
Elizabeth Castle - 16th century castle on and island - 01534 723971
There is also a ten bowling alley and a swimming pool.
*Strictly speaking the Channel Islands are not a part of the UK - they are Crown Dependencies and are self governing.
Map of the Channel Islands
| Jersey |
What is the highest peak in Exmoor National Park ? | Traveller's Guide: Jersey | The Independent
Traveller's Guide: Jersey
Friday 15 June 2012 11:00 BST
Click to follow
The coast is clear: Jersey's south-west coast mixes sandy beaches with rocky outcrops
Stuart Abraham
2/5
Rock of ages: 16th-century Elizabeth Castle, set on an islet in St Aubin's Bay, can be reached on foot at low tide
Stuart Abraham
3/5
Stellar: The Atlantic Hotel's Ocean Restaurant is one of three Jersey eateries with a Michelin star
4/5
Party on: On 9 August, the island gets into the carnival spirit for its annual Battle of Flowers
5/5
Flying high: Kitesurfing on St Ouen's Bay
Stuart Abraham
The coast is clear: Jersey's south-west coast mixes sandy beaches with rocky outcrops
Gentle Jersey, the most southerly of the British Isles, closer to France than to our south coast, claims to enjoy more sunshine hours than any other corner of the land. So the annual June in Bloom Floral Festival (01534 448800; jersey.com), which runs from today until 24 June, provides an appropriate summery moment to visit as the island's parks and gardens, public and private, throw open their gates to reveal the natural beauty that thrives here. For most visitors, a trip to Jersey is all about the landscape. In summer, looking out from the cliff path above the blue waters and golden sands of St Brelade's Bay on the south-west coast, you could imagine yourself to be in the Mediterranean. Jersey may be tiny, at just nine miles by five, but it's the largest of the Channel Islands and has a satisfyingly diverse terrain.
Take a walk through the flower-filled meadows and shady woods of the Fern Valley just north of the capital, St Helier; scale the cliffs at La Grève de Lecq on the rugged north coast; romp across the dunes on the western windswept sands of St Ouen's Bay. Along the way, you can expect to see puffins and petrels, sea campion and sand crocus, swallows and spotted flycatchers, foxgloves and primroses. The National Trust for Jersey (01534 483193; www.nationaltrustjersey.org.je) is just one of a number of organisations that has pledged to protect the island's natural environment which has, in places, been blighted by overdevelopment and some quite unremarkable structures. Yet, Jersey's architectural heritage also offers much to admire.
The island's position between France and England has attracted invaders and settlers since prehistoric times. Each wave has added to Jersey's collection of structures, from the dolmen at La Hougue Bie (01534 853823; jerseyheritage.org; entrance £7.40), which also houses a museum about the Neolithic era, and impressive coastal defences such as 13th-century Mont Orgueil Castle (01534 853292; jerseyheritage.org; entrance £10.90), above the eastern harbour of Gorey, and the simple yet evocative 19th-century communal washing areas, such as the Lavoir de La Rue des Prés near Five Oaks junction.
Historic buildings are favoured for illustrating on the local currency, the Jersey pound, just one of the small differences that makes this place feel a little distant from the British mainland. Travelling around the island, with its predilection for civic floral displays, you could be forgiven for thinking that you're somewhere in stockbroker-belt Surrey. But then your eye will alight on a road sign written in French and you'll be reminded that, while geographically part of the British Isles, Jersey is not a part of the United Kingdom but rather a dependency of the British Crown – ruled by its own assembly, with its own, if dying, language, Jèrriais – which bears the influence of its Norman neighbours, too.
The island also has its own distinct gourmet scene that makes use of its enviable wealth of local produce. Go about the island's lanes in May and June and you'll see the pickers bent-backed on the cotils – steep south- and west-facing terraced slopes – plucking Jersey Royal potatoes from soil that is fertilised using seaweed gathered from the shoreline.
Thousands of tons of potatoes are exported each year, but you'll still find plenty on offer in the island's restaurants, alongside the seafood for which Jersey is also famed – sweet scallops from Bouley Bay, oysters from Grouville, lobster, chancre crab, ormers and mussels. And the creamy milk of Jersey cows creates sublime ice cream. Buy yourself a cone, roll up your trousers and weave your way through the bucket-and-spade-wielding throng for a paddle in the ocean.
This island has plenty of experiences to offer the traveller, but a good old-fashioned trip to the beach is surely one of the best.
Breath of fresh air
The locals are so keen on stepping out they hold walking festivals in spring and autumn. The next, Autumn Walking Week (15-22 September), features self-led and guided walks aimed at all ages and abilities, during the day and night. Highlights include a five-day Around Island Walk and Food Trails.
From April to October, there's a guided walking programme with themed town and country walks daily. One follows in the footsteps of Jersey's famous daughter Lillie Langtry, including the Old Rectory, where she was born. There is a similarly full calendar of events for cyclists. The Jersey Tourism website (jersey.com) contains full details.
On the coast, surfing, kayaking and wakeboarding are all offered. Check out activities run by Absolute Adventures (07829 881111; absolutejersey.co.uk), such as blokarting (£30 an hour) and coasteering (£35 for two hours).
A taste of the island
The recent award of a Michelin star to Tassili, the restaurant led by Richard Allen at the Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa (01534 722301; grandjersey .com) in St Helier, brings the island's quota to an impressive three. His adventurous dishes include parfait and yuzu marinated salmon, octopus and avocado salad, quail egg, wasabi and squid ink, and kombu foam.
The other two stars are held by Shaun Rankin's Bohemia Bar & Restaurant at The Club Hotel & Spa (01534 876500; bohemiajersey.com), also in St Helier, and the Ocean Restaurant at The Atlantic Hotel (01534 744101; theatlantichotel.com), at St Ouen's Bay, headed by Mark Jordan. He's also just launched a more relaxed dining space at St Aubin's Bay, titled simply Mark Jordan at the Beach (01534 780180; markjordanatthe beach.com). There's a taste of Portugal on offer in St Helier, at Restaurant Barqueiro (01534 868686) in Beresford Street. One in twelve of Jersey's 100,000 residents originate from Portugal and Madeira, a link dating back to the 1930s.
Self-caterers can opt for the daily catch at Captain Lobster (01534 615815; captain lobster.co.uk) on Victoria Pier, St Helier, open most afternoons.
On the history trail
Jersey documents its past well, not least through a fine collection of forts maintained by Jersey Heritage (01534 633300; jerseyheritage.org). Among the most imposing is the 16th-century Elizabeth Castle (01534 723971; jersey heritage.org; entrance £12), set on its own islet in St Aubin's Bay, which can be reached on foot at low tide. (Also site of the hermitage said to be the home of St Helier in the 6th century.) Like many Jersey Heritage properties, the castle has holiday rentals – an apartment sleeping six in the old barracks costs from £594 for a minimum three-night stay.
The story of the German occupation in the Second World War is told at the Jersey War Tunnels (01534 860808; jerseywartunnels.com; entrance £11.20), in the eerie setting of a hospital bunker built by PoWs at Les Charrières Malorey. One of the island's top attractions, the Glass Church (01534 720934; glass church.org), aka St Matthew's, at Millbrook, has fully reopened after restoration. The glass font is among the creations of designer René Lalique, who was commissioned in 1932 by Florence Boot, wife of the founder of Boot's the Chemist.
Party on
Jersey may have a reputation as a sleepy backwater, but barely a month goes by without a special event taking place.
On 15 July, the Olympic torch makes its most southerly stop in the British Isles along the south coast of Jersey, from Bel Royal to Weighbridge Place. On 9 August, the island gets into the carnival spirit for its annual Battle of Flowers (01534 730178; battleofflowers.com),above, an event with appropriately royal beginnings for this jubilee year – it was first held in 1902 to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII. Floats decked with blooms will process through the streets for the Grand Day Parade, accompanied by musicians, dancers and entertainers. On 10 August, the whole spectacle will be illuminated by thousands of lights for the traditional Moonlight Parade.
Jersey Live Music Festival (jerseylive.org.uk; from £58) will take place at the Royal Jersey Showground on 1 and 2 September. Headline acts include Professor Green and The Stranglers.
Staying power
This island has plenty of hotels and self-catering options, all listed on the tourist board's website (jersey.com). But Jersey also has a good deal of unusual accommodation. Heritage Holiday Lets (01534 633304; jerseyheritage.org) is a portfolio of quirky historic properties, including the Barge Aground, a 1930s house designed in the shape of a boat which sits on the dunes at St Ouen's Bay. Sleeping six, it's available from £396 for a minimum two-night break.
Luxury camping now features in the island's accommodation mix with the opening this year of Durrell Wildlife Camp (01534 860090; durrell.org/camp) in the grounds of the wildlife park established here in 1959 by the author and conservationist Gerald Durrell. From 30 July to 3 September, 12 geodesic domes will be ready for hire, sleeping two adults and two children, with bathrooms and kitchenettes. Prices start at £495 for four nights, including park entry.
Other accommodation news for this year includes the reopening of the Marina Metro Hotel (01534 724519; marinametrojersey.com), at Havre des Pas in St Helier, after a major refurbishment. Its 34 bedrooms cost from £68 per night, including breakfast.
Travel essentials
Getting there and getting around
Flights from the UK to Jersey include: BA (0844 493 0787; ba.com) from Gatwick; Jet2 (0871 964 0016; jet2.com) from Leeds/Bradford and Blackpool; easyJet (0843 104 5000; easyjet.com) from Southend, Glasgow and Liverpool; bmibaby (0905 828 2828; bmibaby .com) from East Midlands; Manx2 (0871 200 0440; manx2.com) from Isle of Man, Gloucester and Oxford; Blue Islands (08456 202122; blueislands .com) from Isle of Man, Bristol, Bournemouth, Manchester, London City, Cambridge and Southampton; and Flybe (01392 268529; flybe.com) from Bristol, Southampton, Gatwick, Luton, Birmingham, Cardiff, Doncaster-Sheffield, Norwich, Durham Tees Valley, Exeter, Humberside, Manchester, Edinburgh and Newcastle.
Condor Ferries (0845 609 1024; condorferries .co.uk) operates from Poole, Weymouth and Portsmouth to Jersey's Elizabeth Terminal (01534 447788; portof jersey.je). Connex Jersey (01534 877772; mybus.je) operates bus services from the ferry port and Jersey Airport to Liberation Station in St Helier, as well as local routes across the island. Taxis from the airport cost about £15. Car hire is available through companies including Hertz (01534 636666; hertzci.com) and Sovereign (01534 608062; carhire-jersey.com). A week's car hire starts at about £130.
Jersey has lots of cycle routes and Funky Puffin Bike Hire (07797 720159; jerseybikehire.co.uk) has bikes from £18 per day adults, £10 for children.
More information
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What is the name of the Cumbrian town on the river Eden which has an annual horse fair ? | Appleby horse fair begins in Cumbria - and is already hit by row over 'invasion' | Daily Mail Online
Next
My Big Fat Gypsy horse fair: Traditional gathering begins in Appleby - and is already hit by row over 'invasion'
Thousands of travellers and tourists are arriving in Appleby, Cumbria to take part in the annual horse fair
The event - the largest of its kind in Europe - runs for a week and has been taking place for hundreds of years
But there is already anger over this year's event - with dozens of travellers camping on the town's golf course
| Appleby |
Which city stands on the rivers Spree and Havel ? | Splashing out at Appleby: Thousands of gipsies gather for annual horse fair - and for once it's warm - YouTube
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Splashing out at Appleby: Thousands of gipsies gather for annual horse fair - and for once it's warm
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Published on Jun 14, 2015
Splashing out at Appleby: Thousands of gipsies gather for annual horse fair - and for once it's warm enough to want to cool off in the river
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3111078/Splashing-Appleby-Thousands-gipsies-gather-annual-horse-fair.html
~
Thousands of travellers have descended on the town of Appleby for the annual horse fair which is one of the largest gipsy events in the world.
Men, women, children and above all horses arrived in the Cumbrian town today, ahead of the fair which is an opportunity for travellers to showcase their wares and swap notes about life on the road.
And as Britain basked in a mini heatwave, those attending took advantage of 18C (64F) conditions to cool off in the River Eden.
Dozens of children and adults could be seen splashing around on horseback in the shallow river, washing their horses at the same time as enjoying a brief dip themselves.
Others brought their elaborate traditional caravans, made of wood and canvas, while children rode on small trailers pulled by ponies.
Category
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What is the largest lake in Italy ? | The 5 Largest Lakes in Italy | USA Today
The 5 Largest Lakes in Italy
The Borromeo Islands are among Lake Maggiore's major attractions.
(Photo: Andy Sotiriou/Photodisc/Getty Images )
What Are Some Unique Landforms in Italy?
Italy counts more than 1,500 lakes, but most of the largest are in the north, where the Alps form a mountainous boundary with countries farther north. Three of the lakes -- Garda, Maggiore and Como -- rank as Italy’s largest, while the fourth- and fifth-ranked lakes -- Trasimeno and Bolsena -- lie farther south.
Garda
Lake Garda -- Lago di Garda in Italian -- has an area of 143 square miles, making it the country’s largest lake and also the third-largest in the Alps, surpassed only by Lake Constance and Lake Geneva. Its borders touch on the Italian regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige. Despite its mountain location, Garda is well-sheltered by the high peaks and enjoys a Mediterranean climate, allowing citrus and olive trees to flourish at its southern end. The northern end was Austrian territory until 1919 and maintains a strong German-speaking character today through the thousands of Austrian and German tourists who vacation in the area.
Maggiore
With an area of 82 square miles, Lake Maggiore is Italy’s second-largest lake. The lake’s 34 mile length forms part of the boundary between the regions of Lombardy and Piedmont, while the international border between Italy and Switzerland also crosses the water; the northern end is in the Swiss canton of Ticino. One of the lake’s most popular attractions is the picturesque town of Stresa and the three Borromeo Islands just offshore, which you can visit by boat. The narrow lakeside roads are very busy in the peak summer season, but the lake is just as beautiful in spring and autumn, when the roads are quieter.
Como
Lake Como is the third-largest Italian lake, with an area of 56 square miles. It’s easily reachable from Milan, 25 miles to the south, and as a result is popular with locals looking to escape from the crowded city. Como is also popular with celebrities -- film star George Clooney and businessman Richard Branson have homes there, and part of the James Bond film “Casino Royale” was filmed at a lakeside villa.
Trasimeno
While Garda, Maggiore and Como in the Italian north are the country’s largest lakes, Trasimeno is the largest on the Italian peninsula south of the Po river. Just 10 miles west of the city of Perugia, it has an area of 49 square miles, but its maximum depth of just 20 feet illustrates how different it is in comparison with its much deeper northern neighbors. Many Italians are aware of Trasimeno from school history lessons, because it is the site of a bloody defeat for the Romans in 217 B.C. when an army led by Hannibal killed around 15,000 Roman soldiers. Today it's a national park with lots of hiking trails for walkers.
Bolsena
Bolsena has an area of 44 square miles and owes its existence to a hollow formed in the crater of an extinct volcano. It is the furthest south of the five largest lakes and spreads out to the southwest of the city of Orvieto in the province of Lazio. The lake gives its name to a small lakeshore town. The fertile lake makes fishing one of the main local industries, but you’re also likely to see vineyards and olive groves around the lake if you visit.
References
| Lake Garda |
What is the second largest of the Balearic Islands ? | Corso Zanardelli 150, Gardone Riviera
0365-20 158
www.villafiordaliso.it
The luxurious lakeside villa where Mussolini entertained his mistress Claretta Petacci is now one of Italy’s most opulent “gastrohotels”. The beautiful restaurant is a showcase for creative cuisine, with subtle combinations of ingredients exquisitely presented. A great place for a special occasion. Closed Mon and Tues lunch, and Nov–mid-Feb.
Er Più
35/56 Via Castellini 21, Como
031 272 154
www.erpiucomo.com
One of the few good restaurants in Como, this is a haven for fish fans. You can have it smoked, salted, fried, oven-cooked, marinaded, in a soup or in a stew. The fish comes from both lake and sea, and the menu typically features everything from lobster, scallops and clams to seabass and salmon. Desserts, created by the patisserie chef since 1974, are irresistible. To save on cost go at lunch time when the set menu is half the price of the evening meals. Closed Tue, most of August, one week Jan.
Esplanade
Via Lario 3, Desenzano del Garda
030 914 3361
http://www.ristorante-esplanade.net
One of Lake Garda’s top restaurants, where chef Massimo Fezzardi‘s cuisine combines tradition with creativity. Enjoy a stunning lake setting and a menu typically featuring millefeuille of artichokes with roast scampi and purée of anchovy, salt-crusted Piedmont fillet of beef and duck ravioli with rosemary and goose liver. Closed Wed.
Villa Crespi
Via G. Fava 18, Orta San Giulio
0322 911 902
www.hotelvillacrespi.it
An exclusive Moorish villa hotel with a Neapolitan chef who sources the finest ingredients: mozzarella from southern Italy, shrimps from San Remo, truffles from Alba, locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables. His creative dishes – many of which are Mediterranean – have earned the restaurant two Michelin stars. Feast on Sicilian scampi in Martini sauce, ravioli with clams and caviar, veal fillet with fresh foie gras and marsala sauce – washed down with wine from the 83-page wine list. For the ultimate gourmet sensation opt for the 10-course tasting menu. Closed Tue, Wed lunch.
Piccolo Lago
Via Filippo Turati 87, Fondotoce, Lake Mergozzo
0323 586 792
www.piccololago.it
The ‘Little Lake’ restaurant has two Michelin stars and a beautiful setting on the tiny Lago di Mergozzo, between Mergozzo and Fondotoce. Traditional Piedmontese dishes, rich risottos and trout, pike and perch from the lake are elegantly prepared and presented. This is also a hotel with 12 modern rooms and lakeside pool. Closed Mon and lunch Tues-Fri.
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What is the longest river in Scandinavia ? | Glomma | river, Norway | Britannica.com
Glomma
Volga River
Glomma, also spelled Glåma, river , eastern Norway . Rising in a series of small lakes and streams that drain into Aursunden (lake) about 80 miles (130 km) southeast of Trondheim, near the Swedish-Norwegian border, the Glomma flows out of the lake southward through Østerdalen (Eastern Valley) to Kongsvinger, then westward and southwestward into Øyeren (lake). From there it continues southward to Sarpsborg and enters Oslo Fjord at Fredrikstad after a course of 372 miles. The longest river in Scandinavia, it drains an area of 16,236 square miles (42,051 square km). Its chief tributaries are the Atna, Rena, and Vorma.
Glomma river at Elverum, Nor.
Jensens
The Glomma flows through Norway’s richest timber forests to Sarpsborg, which has extensive sawmills and paper mills to handle the logs that are floated downstream. The river is a major source of hydroelectric power. Flumes (artificial channels) bypass the falls and power plants, and the Glomma is navigable from its mouth up to the Sarpsfoss (Sarps Falls) at Sarpsborg.
Learn More in these related articles:
Norway
country of northern Europe that occupies the western half of the Scandinavian peninsula. Nearly half of the inhabitants of the country live in the far south, in the region around Oslo, the capital. About two-thirds of Norway is mountainous, and off its much-indented coastline lie, carved by deep...
Østerdalen
narrow valley, Hedmark fylke (county), southeastern Norway. It extends in a general north-south direction from the eastern flanks of the Dovre Mountains and is approximately 75 miles (120 km) long. The Glomma (Glåma), Norway’s longest river, flows through the valley. Lumbering,...
in Norway: Drainage
The Glåma (Glomma) River, running south almost the entire length of eastern Norway, is 372 miles (600 km) long—close to twice the length of the two other large drainage systems in southern Norway, which meet the sea at the cities of Drammen and Skien. The only other long river is the 224-mile- (360-km-) long Tana-Anarjåkka, which runs northeast along part of the border with...
2 References found in Britannica Articles
Assorted References
drainage of Norway (in Norway: Drainage )
physiography of Østerdalen (in Østerdalen )
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Date Published: September 15, 2010
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Access Date: January 18, 2017
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| river glomma |
The Northwest of which country is called Thrace ? | Glomma | river, Norway | Britannica.com
Glomma
Volga River
Glomma, also spelled Glåma, river , eastern Norway . Rising in a series of small lakes and streams that drain into Aursunden (lake) about 80 miles (130 km) southeast of Trondheim, near the Swedish-Norwegian border, the Glomma flows out of the lake southward through Østerdalen (Eastern Valley) to Kongsvinger, then westward and southwestward into Øyeren (lake). From there it continues southward to Sarpsborg and enters Oslo Fjord at Fredrikstad after a course of 372 miles. The longest river in Scandinavia, it drains an area of 16,236 square miles (42,051 square km). Its chief tributaries are the Atna, Rena, and Vorma.
Glomma river at Elverum, Nor.
Jensens
The Glomma flows through Norway’s richest timber forests to Sarpsborg, which has extensive sawmills and paper mills to handle the logs that are floated downstream. The river is a major source of hydroelectric power. Flumes (artificial channels) bypass the falls and power plants, and the Glomma is navigable from its mouth up to the Sarpsfoss (Sarps Falls) at Sarpsborg.
Learn More in these related articles:
Norway
country of northern Europe that occupies the western half of the Scandinavian peninsula. Nearly half of the inhabitants of the country live in the far south, in the region around Oslo, the capital. About two-thirds of Norway is mountainous, and off its much-indented coastline lie, carved by deep...
Østerdalen
narrow valley, Hedmark fylke (county), southeastern Norway. It extends in a general north-south direction from the eastern flanks of the Dovre Mountains and is approximately 75 miles (120 km) long. The Glomma (Glåma), Norway’s longest river, flows through the valley. Lumbering,...
in Norway: Drainage
The Glåma (Glomma) River, running south almost the entire length of eastern Norway, is 372 miles (600 km) long—close to twice the length of the two other large drainage systems in southern Norway, which meet the sea at the cities of Drammen and Skien. The only other long river is the 224-mile- (360-km-) long Tana-Anarjåkka, which runs northeast along part of the border with...
2 References found in Britannica Articles
Assorted References
drainage of Norway (in Norway: Drainage )
physiography of Østerdalen (in Østerdalen )
External Links
Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback.
MEDIA FOR:
You have successfully emailed this.
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Tips For Editing
We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind.
Encyclopædia Britannica articles are written in a neutral objective tone for a general audience.
You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered.
Any text you add should be original, not copied from other sources.
At the bottom of the article, feel free to list any sources that support your changes, so that we can fully understand their context. (Internet URLs are the best.)
Your contribution may be further edited by our staff, and its publication is subject to our final approval. Unfortunately, our editorial approach may not be able to accommodate all contributions.
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Thank You for Your Contribution!
Our editors will review what you've submitted, and if it meets our criteria, we'll add it to the article.
Please note that our editors may make some formatting changes or correct spelling or grammatical errors, and may also contact you if any clarifications are needed.
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Date Published: September 15, 2010
URL: https://www.britannica.com/place/Glomma
Access Date: January 18, 2017
Share
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Which German football club has won the most league titles? | Champions League Winners: The most successful countries and cities | Sportslens
Blog Teams AC Milan Champions League Winners: The most successful countries and cities
Champions League Winners: The most successful countries and cities
M. A. Umair 7 May, 2013 AC Milan , Ajax , Aston Villa , Barcelona , Bayern Munich , Benfica , Borussia Dortmund , Celtic , Chelsea , England , Football Stats , France , General Football News , Germany , Holland , Inter Milan , Italy , Juventus , Lists , Liverpool , Manchester United , Marseille , Nottingham Forest , Porto , Portugal , PSV Eindhoven , Real Madrid , Romania , Scotland , Serbia , Spain , UEFA Champions League
This year’s Champions League will obviously go to Germany and it will be the seventh time a German club will be crowned the champions of Europe. Which makes one wonder, how many Champions League trophies have gone to the other top European football nations.
Lets take a look at how many Champions League or the European Cup trophies have been accumulated by each country.
Spain – 13
We know Real Madrid has nine and it is no surprise who won the other four.
Madrid won their first one all the way back in 1956 and their ninth title came in 2002 when they defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in the final. The final was played in Scotland and the goalscorers were Lucio for Bayer and Raul and Zinedine Zidane for Madrid.
Barcelona won their first in 1992 – the first trophy for Spain since 1966 and the last time this competition will be played under the name European Cup. Barca defeated Serie A side Sampdoria 1-0 after Ronald Koeman scored off a free-kick in extra time.
Wins by city
Barcelona – 4
Italy – 12
Italy has produced some of the greatest footballers and their record in Europe justifies that statement.
AC Milan are the most successful Italian club in Europe; they won the Champions League on seven occasions. Their latest success came in 2007 when Filippo Inzaghi’s brace saw them avenge their 2005 final defeat against Liverpool.
Inter Milan and Juventus are the other two teams, winning three and two titles respectively. Internazionale’s latest win came under Jose Mourinho in 2010 while Juve have not seen European glory since 1996.
Wins by city
Turin – 2
England – 12
England find themselves tied with Italy with 12 trophies but their trophies have been divided between more clubs than any other country.
England’s first ever European success came in 1968 when Manchester United managed to score three goals in the extra time against Benfica after the game had ended 1-1 in regulation time. United went on to win two more trophies in 1999 and 2008.
The most successful English club in Europe has been Liverpool. They have been crowned champions on five occasions, the latest coming in 2005 against Milan. Chelsea won their first trophy last year and that makes nine trophies for England.
The Three Lions’ remaining three trophies were won by, what now seems unusual, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa. Villa won their only trophy in 1982, just two years after Forest won and successfully defended theirs in 1979 and 1980.
Wins by city
Dortmund – 1
Netherlands – 6
With the quality of Bundesliga on display this season, it is hard to believe that Netherlands are tied with them on European triumphs. But we must not forget, the Dutch have been way ahead of their time providing players that went on to win trophies for so many other clubs.
Ajax have seen some of the greatest ever footballers in their ranks and their glorious history speaks for itself. They won the European title on four occasions. Their latest success came in 1995 when Patrick Kluivert’s solitary goal was enough to beat Milan. They were back to defend their title the very next year but lost to Juventus on penalties.
The other famous academies from Netherlands are Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven. Both have won the trophy only once in their history – Feyenoord in 1970 and PSV in 1988.
Wins by city
Eindhoven – 1
Portugal – 4
We witnessed an FC Porto team led by Jose Mourinho leave teams like Marseille, Manchester United, Lyon and Deportivo La Coruna behind to reach the final and defeat an AS Monaco side who had left Real Madrid and Chelsea in shock. The final was pretty one-sided and Porto added to their earlier triumph in 1987.
SL Benfica have won the other two European trophies for Portugal but their wins came all the way back in 1961 and 1962.
Wins by city
Porto – 2
Countries with a single Champions League win
The above account for 53 Champions League and European Cup trophies out of a total of 57 tournaments. The remaining four winners came from a different country each.
France
The solitary trophy for France came in 1993 when Olympique Marseille defeated Milan 1-0 under the captaincy of Didier Deschamps.
Scotland
Celtic won the European Cup in 1967 to mark the solitary win for Scotland. Celtic are based in the city of Glasgow.
Romania
Steaua Bucharest may seem like Europa League -material at best now but in the 1986 European Cup final, an all Romanian Bucharest side defeated Terry Venables’ Barcelona on penalties.
Serbia
In 1991, Serbia was still a part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Their club Red Star Belgrade made it into the final of the 1991 European Cup and defeated Marseille on penalties to win their first title. Serbia had won a European Cup even before it was formed.
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What was the name of the cat that survived the sinking of the Bismarck, HMS Cossack and the HMS Ark Royal in WW II ? | Footballers who have won the most trophies in club football
Italian Serie A Calcio 2015-16
Footballers who have won the most trophies in club football
Messi and Iniesta joined the list of players who have won 25 club trophies but they are #7 in the all-time list
by Ed Ran
Stats 12 Aug 2015, 17:13 IST
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta have now won 25 trophies in club football – tied with Xavi
When FC Barcelona beat Sevilla 5-4 to win the UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday night, the Catalan club won its fourth trophy of the year – on course for a sextuple last won under Pep Guardiola in 2009. In doing so, both Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta joined Xavi as the most decorated players in Spanish football.
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The Super Cup trophy was also a landmark for both Iniesta and Messi as they now have a trophy haul of 25 major titles – counting both domestic and international trophies. But it only just puts them in the top 10 in the list of players with most trophies won in club football.
Ryan Giggs leads the pack with 34 trophies for Manchester United. It includes an astounding 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and nine Community Shields in England. He has also won two Champions League titles and a Club World Cup in a career that spanned an incredible 24 seasons. The Welsh legend scored in almost every Premier League season except his final season after which he retired at the age of 40.
Although 31-year-old Iniesta may not win another 10 club trophies before he retires, Messi (still only 28) has a huge opportunity to top the list in the future. The Argentine is in the form of his life and can easily play top level football for another five to six years at least.
Ryan Giggs (L) has won 34 club trophies while Paul Scholes and Edwin van der Sar (R) have 25 each
Second on the list is Vitor Baia, who has played for Barcelona, but also won trophies with Porto. The Portuguese goalkeeper won 31 trophies in his career (26 with Porto and 5 with Barcelona) – the highlight being the Champions League triumph in 2004. He won 11 Portuguese league titles and one La Liga title in a 21-year career.
Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish is tied in second place with Baia. His 31 trophies include six league titles with Liverpool and four with Celtic. He has also won the Champions League three times with the Merseyside club. Combining his trophies won as a manager takes him closer to 50 trophies in his career.
Kenny Dalglish (L) and Vitor Baia have won 31 trophies each
FIFA Player of the Century Pele is fourth on the list with 28 titles won with Brazilian club Santos and the New York Cosmos. The three-time World Cup winner with Brazil played for 22 years and scored more than a 1000 goals.
European journeyman Zlatan Ibrahimovic is fifth having won titles in four different countries. Starting his career in Ajax, he then moved to Italy before playing in Spain and now plying his trade in France. League titles follow Ibrahimovic wherever he goes and he has won 12 league titles (although the two won with Juventus were stripped after the Calciopoli scandal). Surprisingly, the Swedish striker has never won the Champions League.
AC Milan and Serie A legend Paolo Maldini also has 26 titles, five of which are Champions League trophies. He has won seven league titles with Milan. The defender was also unlucky to finish Champions League runners-up on three occasions and Serie A runners-up thrice in a career spanning 25 seasons.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paolo Maldini have won 26 trophies each
Other players who have 25 trophies include Dani Alves, Paul Scholes and Edwin van der Sar. Players who fell short of 25 trophies include legends such as Germany and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn and Liverpool centre-back Alan Hansen. Both players won 23 trophies in their career
Among the players who have won 21 trophies include Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano (who won five consecutive European Cups with Real Madrid), Johan Cruyff (Ajax, Barcelona, Feyenoord) and former Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who joined Manchester United this summer.
Alfredo Di Stefano won five consecutive European Cups from 1955/56 to 1959/60
Clarence Seedorf, who has won 4 Champions League title with three different teams (Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan – twice) has 21 trophies, the same as Brazilian legend Cafu. Two more full backs have 20 trophies each – Manchester United’s Gary Neville and Brazil’s Roberto Carlos, who won trophies with Palmeiras, Real Madrid and Fenerbahce.
Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta win their 25th trophy with Barcelona, equalling Xavi's record. #fcblive
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Which US state did Sir Walter Raleigh name? | History Of Raleigh | raleighnc.gov
History Of Raleigh
Last updated Aug. 17, 2016 - 3:35 pm
Raleigh's history is bountiful. In 1792, Raleigh was created to be North Carolina's seat of government. To fully appreciate this uniquely blessed city, one must contemplate the history and delightfully complex composition of the state that created Raleigh. Home to the Native American Iroquoian, Siouan and Algonquian tribes, it is also the birthplace of Virginia Dare, the first child born of English parents in the new world during the first attempt by the English to settle the western hemisphere. One of the original 13 colonies, North Carolina was the first to officially call for independence with the Halifax Resolves in 1776.
A state of yeoman farmers and among the South's first industrial areas, North Carolina was no home place to the gentry, but rather a state of working men and women who valued education and established the nation's first state university. North Carolina's appreciation of education also created a notable public school system and the nation's best community college system. Though firmly in the grip of the hard times of the 1920s, North Carolina invested in a statewide network of paved thoroughfares and became known as "the good roads state," recognizing that the lifeline of economic growth was a statewide transportation network.
That diverse composition of people, that love of freedom, that gritty work ethic, that esteem for education and that common sense approach to economic development combined to create the robust environment in which North Carolina's capital city today thrives.
Listed below are key dates and events in the history of this great city.
Prior to 1800
1587: Under direction of Sir Walter Raleigh, John White founds the "Cittie of Raleigh." The only known site is in the vicinity of the settlement built in 1585 by the Ralph Lane Colony on the north end of Roanoke Island, about 190 miles from present-day Raleigh. John White returns to England.
1590: John White returns, but the colony has disappeared. Today, it is popularly referred to as The Lost Colony. The word, "Croatoan," carved on a tree, was considered a clue as to the colony's fate.
December 17, 1770: Joel Lane presents a petition to the General Assembly to create a new county.
January 5, 1771: A bill creating Wake County passes in the General Assembly. Wake County is formed in March from portions of Cumberland, Orange and Johnston counties. Many historians believe the county was named after Margaret Wake Tryon, the wife of Royal Gov. William Tryon. The county seat was Bloomsbury.
October 1784: Meeting in New Bern, the General Assembly voted to fix the seat of North Carolina government.
November 1787: The General Assembly authorizes the Constitutional Convention to establish the state's permanent capital.
August 4, 1788: The Constitutional Convention votes to locate the new capital within 10 miles of Isaac Hunter's Wake plantation.
January 5, 1792: The General Assembly appoints commissioners to select a site for the new capital.
March 20, 1792: After 10 days of viewing the proposed sites, the commissioners select a tract of land owned by Joel Lane for the new capital at a cost of $2,756. Sen. William Christmas, a surveyor, is hired to lay out the new city. The sale of lots begins.
November 1792: The North Carolina General Assembly chooses the name "Raleigh" for its capital city.
December 30, 1794: General Assembly meets for the first time in Raleigh new Statehouse.
January 21, 1795: General Assembly charters Raleigh. Seven commissioners are appointed to govern the new city. John Haywood is named the first Intendant of Police (later renamed Mayor).
1799: N.C. Minerva and Raleigh Advertiser is the first newspaper published in Raleigh.
1800s
1800: Raleigh's population is 669.
1801: At the cost of $374, the City purchases its first fire engine which expels water at 80 gallons per minute.
1803: Amended charter grants voting rights to city residents. Raleigh voters elect first commissioners.
December 29, 1808: Andrew Johnson, the nation's seventeenth President, is born at Casso's Inn, which was located between Morgan, Fayetteville and Willington streets.
September 1818: Raleigh's first water system is completed. Pumps were operated by waterwheel on Rocky Branch and the water flowed by gravity through wooden spouts along Hargett and Fayetteville streets. The pipes frequently clogged with mud and burst and the scheme soon was abandoned.
March 1819: Raleigh forms a volunteer fire company. The City buys a pump fire engine.
1820: Raleigh is North Carolina's third largest city with a population of 2,674.
December 22, 1821: The first regular fire company is formed.
June 21, 1831: Fire destroys the Statehouse. In December of 1832, the General Assembly votes to rebuild the Capitol.
January 1, 1833: The first railroad in the state is completed in Raleigh. Horse-drawn cars haul quarried granite to the construction site of the new Capitol. Riding the train is a popular means of entertainment for Raleigh society.
1840: Raleigh & Gaston Railroad is chartered, opening on March 24 with 86 miles of track. The steam locomotives were given the spirited names of "Tornado," "Whirlwind," "Volcano" and "Spitfire." In June, Raleigh, which had 2,244 people and was the fourth largest city in the state, celebrated the completions of the new railroad and the new Capitol.
1842: St. Mary's School for Women is founded by the Rev. Aldert Smedes.
April 17, 1844: Sitting under one of the city's finest and oldest oak trees, Presidential candidate Henry Clay writes the "Raleigh Letter," arguing against the annexation of Texas. The Henry Clay Oaks stood for many centuries on the north side of North Street, west of the intersection with North Blount Street. After losing the presidential nomination to North Carolina native James K. Polk, Clay retorted: "Sir, I would rather be right than be president."
February 14, 1848: The first telegraph message is sent through Raleigh. The line connects the city with South Carolina and Virginia.
January 29, 1849: The General Assembly authorizes the State Hospital for the Insane after an appeal and campaign by Dorothea Dix, for whom the hospital was named when it opened Feb. 22, 1856 in southwest Raleigh.
February 1852: The City reorganizes the Fire Department and employs its first paid chief.
October 1853: The first state fair is held near Raleigh.
1857: Raleigh extends it city limits for the first time and established a new charter.
March 1858: Raleigh ends its citizen guard and hires a paid watch.
1860: Raleigh is North Carolina's fourth largest city with a population of 4,780.
April 15, 1865: President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated and Union troops camped in Raleigh are prepared to rampage through the city in retaliation. But Union Gen. John A. Logan intervenes with threats that he backs up with gun emplacements pointed at his own troops.
December 1, 1865: Shaw University begins with theological classes offered to freedmen by Dr. Henry M. Tupper. Originally called the Raleigh Institute, Shaw was the first coed college for African-Americans in the nation - perhaps the world.
1867: St. Augustine's College founded is founded by Episcopal clergy for the education of freed slaves.
June 3, 1867: President Andrew Johnson visits Raleigh for the dedication of a monument in honor of his father, Jacob, who died from pneumonia after saving two leading citizens from drowning.
July 1868: Gov. Holden appoints new Raleigh Commissioners, including the first African-Americans, James Henry Harris, editor of the North Carolina Republican and Handy Lockhart.
November-December 1868: A series of fires culminates in the destruction of Raleigh City Market.
January 4, 1869: North Carolina opens the nation's first school for blind and deaf African-Americans in Raleigh.
April 1869: The Method community is established by freedmen.
January 6, 1870: The State Penitentiary opens in a log building.
April 1871: Raleigh Commissioners make provision for Mount Hope Cemetery.
1872: Peace Institute is opened by the Rev. Robert Burwell.
1875: Shaw University secures its charter; Raleigh's governing board is renamed the Board of Aldermen, increase to 17.
1879: North Carolina's first telephone exchange opens in Raleigh.
1880: Raleigh's population of 9,265 makes it the state's second largest city; The News and The Observer are consolidated.
1884: Free home-delivery of mail begins for Raleigh.
December 1, 1886: Fayetteville Street is paved.
December 25, 1886: Mule-drawn street railway starts operations. The Raleigh Street Railroad Company switched to electricity after 1890.
March 22, 1887: Raleigh resident R. Stanhope Pullen donated property for Pullen Park.
August 27, 1888: The Raleigh Chamber of commerce is organized.
October 3, 1889: North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts is opened with the donation of $8,000 from the City of Raleigh and land given by R. Stanhope Pullen. The college was later named North Carolina State University.
August 21, 1892: Union rail passenger station opens.
May 1894: Rex Hospital opens. Its nursing school is the state's first.
1898: Automobiles are first seen on Raleigh streets.
1899: Raleigh adopts a flag.
-- Baptist Female University (later Meredith College) opens.
-- The Tucker Building, Raleigh's first skyscraper, is erected.
-- A&M (NCSU) trustees vote to admit women students.
1900s
Nancy McFarlane is elected Mayor of Raleigh.
Raleigh passed the $16 Million Housing Bond Referendum to support quality affordable housing.
Raleigh passed the $40 Million Transportation Bond Referendum to fund bike lanes, greenways, new sidewalks, sidewalk repair and general street resurfacing.
The City formally opened the Falls of Neuse Road bridge, completing the first phase of a major project that provides motorists and pedestrians a new route to subdivisions and other locations in far north Raleigh.
The City Council approved a design for the planned Horseshoe Farm Park, 146 acres of land on the Neuse River in northeastern Wake County. The first phase of the park construction will include widening the access road to the park site, dam improvements, parking, signage, connecting to the Neuse River Greenway Trail, developing soft surface walking trails, natural resource management, stabilization of the existing farm house structure and building restrooms and a picnic shelter.
Mayor Charles Meeker joined with the North Central Citizens Advisory Council and the residents around the New Bern Avenue and Edenton Street community in a walking tour of the landmarks in the neighborhood. The tour is part of the City’s New Bern Avenue Corridor Study. The study of Raleigh’s historic eastern gateway focuses on the area from Swain Street to Wake Medical Center. The preliminary goals of the study are to identify ways to improve the appearance of the corridor; support pedestrian, bicycle and transit uses along the corridor; and stimulate economic development initiatives and revitalization in the area.
A new fall tradition was launched in Downtown with ARTSober. Performances by the Carolina Ballet, Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy, the North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Theatre, North Carolina Opera and PineCone rang out throughout the day of Oct. 15, emanating from the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts and Lichtin Plaza. The arts festival was designed to recruit wider audiences to the performing arts center.
The City conducted an open house on the Peace Street Corridor Visioning Study. The study is focusing on Peace Street from West to Person streets. The goal is to identify and propose improvements to enhance the corridor’s capacity for pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic and support private redevelopment efforts. JDavis Architect worked with the City to develop the Peace Corridor Visioning Study as a pro bono project.
NOVEMBER
The City Council received an update of the draft Unified Development Ordinance. The Council approved a seven week public review period starting Jan. 3, with a public hearing set for Feb. 21.
The City Council approved a resolution requesting the State of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources designate the first eight miles of the Neuse River Greenway Trail as a Mountain to Sea Trail segment.
The City Council unanimously approved the authorization of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization entering into a contract for Phase II of a transportation planning study of the U.S. 1 North Corridor in Franklin County.
The City hosted its second and final open house to gather public input on a comprehensive pedestrian plan. The City, in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, is developing a plan which will implement a convenient network of sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, trails and other pedestrian facilities throughout Raleigh.
Raleigh residents gained a new park to enjoy when the City opened Strickland Road Neighborhood Park. The 37-acre park’s phase I development included new playground equipment, walking trails, driveway, a 35-space parking lot and cost $628,884. Plans for the park include a neighborhood center, basketball half-courts and picnic areas.
The eight-mile Upper Neuse River Greenway Trail was opened to the public. This is the first section of the planned Neuse River Greenway Trail to be completed. The Neuse River Greenway Trail was envisioned as a segment of the State of North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail, which will run 1000 miles across North Carolina from Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks.
Newly released figures from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis revealed that some metro areas are beginning to distance themselves from the pack in their economic recovery from the recession, according to the Urban Land Institute magazine. Raleigh took fifth place among metropolitan areas posting the highest total economic growth. The article’s author, Jeffrey Spivak wrote: “In just 10 percent of the nation’s 50 largest metropolitan areas, total economic growth exceeded 10 percent since 2007.”
The financial services company USAA and the veterans’ membership organization Military.com placed Raleigh on their list of the 10 best metropolitan areas for military retirees to launch new careers.
The City was awarded most gracious access of more than four rolling and wooded acres that sustain one of the Piedmont’s most expansive variety of flowers, shrubberies, plants, grasses, groundcovers and trees. The benefactors Mary Coker Joslin and the late William Joslin, made their home at the site at 2431 West Lake Drive for more than 60 years. The Joslin family and the City of Raleigh have founded a tax-exempt entity, the City of Oaks Foundation, which will be the owners of the property and the recipient of the Joslin Gardens Endowment Fund for the maintenance of the property.
The City Council requested an extension from the North Carolina Department of Transportation of the temporary bicycle lane markings along Hillsborough Street between Gardner and Enterprise streets.
The long awaited reopening of the popular amusement center at Pullen Park took place on a glorious Nov. 19 afternoon. The 124-year-old park’s amusement center, the fifth oldest operating amusement park in the United States and the 16 oldest in the world, had been closed since December 2009 for much needed renovations. The renovations to the southern end of Pullen Park included a new carousel house, welcome center, train station, concessions building and restroom. The carousel’s animals received a significant makeover. Other site improvements included a new entrance, event spaces, playground, underground utilities and picnic shelters. Additionally, Lake Howell was drained and dredged and a new boat dock was installed along with a new apron and geothermal energy system for the lake.
The City Council voted unanimously to support policy recommendations by the American Water Works Association for the upcoming federal farm bill. The recommendations would significantly reduce nutrient loading in drinking water reservoirs from agricultural operations.
The City Council approved a request to negotiate a contract with Skeo Solutions of Charlottesville, Va., to serve as a consultant for the collaborative discussion with the Chavis community on the future of Chavis Park. In 2009, the Council approved the relocation of the historic Chavis Park carousel within the park. The Council also agreed to survey the Chavis community to learn the residents’ wishes and concerns for the future and the park. In addition to the historic carousel the 34-acre park which was dedicated in 1937, features greenway trails, athletic facilities, a neighborhood pool and community center.
Raleigh enjoys the quality of life that puts it on the top of the “best of” lists. To stay at such a dizzying height takes insight, foresight, innovations and a unified strategy. Making that happen is the objective of the Raleigh Innovation Summit that Mayor Charles Meeker announced Nov. 21 in conjunction with Dr. Terri Lomax, vice chancellor or Research, Innovation and Economic Development at North Carolina State University. The summit will be held Jan. 18 in the Raleigh Convention Center.
DECEMBER
The people of Raleigh gave outgoing Mayor Charles Meeker a big thank you Dec. 3, after he threw the switch on the city’s holiday tree. Immediately after lighting the tree on Fayetteville Streets’ City Plaza, Mayor-Elect Nancy McFarlane joined Mayor Meeker on the stage and read a proclamation from the residents of Raleigh proclaiming December “Mayor Charles Meeker Month” as a means of expressing their gratitude for his service and leadership. After reading the proclamation, the City fired up a glowing tribute to the Mayor that read: “Thank You Charles.” The Fayetteville Street setting for the tribute was most appropriate. Mayor Meeker listed the return of Fayetteville Street to vehicular traffic and the revitalization of Downtown as his paramount priorities. Traffic returned to “North Carolina’s Main Street” July 29, 2006.
A swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected Mayor and City Council was held the evening of Dec. 5 in the Cabarrus Street lobby of the Raleigh Convention Center. The installation marked Nancy MacFarlane’s first term as Mayor of Raleigh and the 34th Raleigh City Council under the council/manager form of government. This is the 20th City Council under the district system, with direct election of the Mayor. The ceremony marked the close of Charles Meeker’s decade of service as Mayor. First elected Mayor in 2001, he served nine terms as a member of the Raleigh City Council, having served four terms as a Council Member being elected in 1985, 1987, 1991, and 1993. His five terms as Mayor tie him with the late Avery C. Upchurch as Raleigh’s longest-serving Mayors.
The City Council asked the City Attorney’s Office to pursue an exemption to the newly adopted State law that allows the carrying of concealed weapons essentially everywhere, with the exceptions of some City-owned parks and recreational facilities.
The City Council accepted the lowest responsible bid ($1.5 million) for the construction of phase I of the Simmons Branch drainage improvements project. The bid award is the first phase of three planned stormwater utility improvement projects in the Simmons Branch watershed to reduce roadway flooding, structural flooding and replace deteriorated infrastructure.
The City Council approved the initial planning phase of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Gardens expansion.
Mayor Nancy McFarlane reacted to the Dec. 8 U.S. Postal Service’s announcement that, “discontinuance of Century Station will not be pursued at this time,” to thank those who made efforts to keep the Fayetteville Street National Register Property operating, especially former Mayor Charles Meeker.
Raleigh’s population of 403,892 makes it the nation’s 43rd most populous city, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The rise is a combination of Raleigh’s consistent growth while other cities’ populations are shrinking or growing at a slower pace. Raleigh’s population rose more than 46.2 percent since the last U.S. Census was conducted. The 2000 population was 276,093. The Capital City’s population has more than doubled since 1988 when 201,111 persons called Raleigh home. Raleigh’s population is between Miami’s at 399,457 and Omaha, Neb., at 408,958.
The City of Raleigh and Progress Energy Carolinas announced the start of a two-year research and development partnership to evaluate solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations. The project connects two charging stations in Raleigh to a solar photovoltaic array and battery system. When the sun is shining, the array produces electricity and charges either a plugged-in vehicle or the on-site battery.
In its quest to learn which city Southerners consider sets the best table in all of Dixie, Southern Living magazine has chosen what it evaluates as the top 10 and is asking its readers to share their opinions. Raleigh is among the 10 selected as the magazine’s Top 10 “Tastiest Towns in the South.” The magazine reports that Raleigh’s “fantastic farmers markets and chefs devoted to their culinary heritage” earned it a spot in the top 10.
The City Council agreed to be a partner for the “Run for Our Heroes” road race that will raise funds for the Raleigh Police Memorial Foundation. The City will contribute $3,000 to the event.
2012
JANUARY
The new year brought the reopening of two Raleigh historic cemeteries. O’Rorke Catholic Cemetery and Mt. Hope Cemetery experienced significant tree and monument damage in the April 2011 tornadoes. While the monument repairs are ongoing, the hazardous tree work and debris removal has been completed. City Cemetery will be reopened soon.
On January 3, the City Council unanimously selected Black & Veatch to provide professional services for a planned hydroelectric facility at Falls Lake Dam. Two public meetings and a site visit on the proposed dam facility were held on January 23.
A former warehouse building on the west end of Martin Street near railroad tracks in Downtown Raleigh should be retrofitted to accommodate a new rail station, the City Council determined on January 3. Council Members voted unanimously to endorse the site, upholding a recommendation from the City’s Passenger Rail Task Force. The vacant warehouse, called the Dillon Viaduct Building, would house the train station component of Raleigh’s proposed Union Station.
On January 6, Mayor Nancy McFarlane announced that Red Hat, Inc., the world’s leading provider of open source solutions, will be making its global headquarters in Downtown Raleigh – 100 East Davie Street specifically.
The City kicked off the Blue Ridge Road District Study on January 12. The purpose of the study is to develop a plant to improve vehicle and pedestrian connectivity in the west Raleigh neighborhood. The study will also seek to leverage state and local policies and investments to support growth and to guide development in the corridor to conserve natural systems and landscapes.
The City’s Dempsey E. Benton Water Treatment Plant has achieved LEED Silver certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use, and for incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies.
The Raleigh-Wake 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center celebrates it 40th anniversary on January 12.
The City Council voted unanimously January 17 to approve a bid fro the new carousel building at Chavis Park. The construction contract for the carousel building was awarded to RESOLUTE Building Co., which submitted the lowest base bid in the amount of $1.8 million. The new carousel building is expected to be complete in the fall.
Also on January 17, the City Council authorized the City of Raleigh Community Development Department staff to begin negotiations with Passage Home for the development of affordable two-bedroom apartments for families with low and moderate incomes.
Developing Raleigh’s potential and resources to make it a 21st century innovation city was the pursuit of the Innovation Summit that was held January 18 in the Raleigh Convention Center.
Raleigh took another national “first place” January 25 with its opening of America’s first solid waste services facility built to LEED Platinum standards – the absolute pinnacle of sustainability.
A new year brings more accolades for the Capital City, this time for women’s health and raising families. The analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Census Bureau and the American Cancer Society found Raleigh at the top of the rankings of the healthiest cities in the nation for women, according to Women’s Health magazine. 24/7 Wall St. placed Raleigh third among its “10 Best Cities for Raising a Family.” Among the Capital City’s assets that were identified in this ranking were its strong economy, growing high-tech and biotech industries, good schools and highly educated adult population.
On January 30, Chavis Community Center began serving as the first Raleigh College Center, an information hub for people who want to learn about attending college.
FEBRUARY
The City Council approved a $374,344 contract with Turner Asphalt, Inc., for bicycle and pedestrian improvements to Wade Avenue. The purpose of the project is to enhance pedestrian and bicycle connectivity and accessibility along Wade Avenue between Ridge Road and Faircloth Street.
City Manager J. Russell Allen received approval on Feb. 7, from the City Council to pursue the potential development of a Critical Public Safety Facility on City-owned property at 2425 Brentwood road. The Council Members approved the creation of a new fund account for the initial phase of work on the site and the transfer of $600,000 from previous public safety project accounts to cover the estimated fees that re required for conceptual development of the property.
The site analysis of the six acres bounded by Raleigh Boulevard on the north, Brentwood Road on the east, Westinghouse Boulevard on the west and private commercial develop on the south is cleared and ready for development. The report noted that its being located across Raleigh Boulevard from the City’s proposed Downtown Remote Operations facility would present opportunities for operations support, particularly during periods of emergency activity.
On Feb. 7, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution stating its intent to foster “open” government by encouraging the use of open-source systems in ensuring open access to data.
Mayor Nancy McFarlane and other City officials celebrated with two area “enviropreneurs” on Feb. 16, the completion of the Neuse River Solar Farm at the City’s Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant on Battle Bridge Road.
The solar array is the product of a four-year pursuit by the City and its project partners NxGen and Southern Energy Management. NxGen of Charlotte operates the Neuse Solar Farm. Southern Energy Management of Morrisville designed, engineered and constructed the solar array. NxGen is selling the power produced by the solar array to Progress Energy for distribution to its customers. The City owns the land. The farm’s 1.3-megawatt annual output can power 130 homes a year.
On Feb. 21, the City council received a report from the City of Raleigh Stormwater Management Advisory Commission on how low-impact post-construction practices can protect Raleigh’s streams and lakes from deterioration. According to the report, the overall quality of surface water in Raleigh and downstream in the Neuse River continues to decline.
Also on Feb. 21, the City Council approved the selection of FSC II, LLC DBA the Fred Smith Company to build the Poole Road to Anderson Point Park segment of the Neuse River Greenway Trail. The $1.681 million contract includes construction of 1.2 miles of 10-foot wide trail and a bridge over a tributary of the Neuse River.
In the fall of 2011, an amendment was proposed to alter the location of a proposed multi-purpose facility at Lake Johnson Park. On Feb. 21, the City Council moved forward with the original plans for the Lake Johnson Interpretive Center being located adjacent to the pool.
As part of its Black History Month celebration, the North Central Citizens Advisory honored the decades of service St. Agnes Hospital provided to African American residents. The Feb. 25 celebration was in the Martin Luther King Jr. Ballroom on the St. Augustine’s College Campus. St. Agnes Hospital opened in 1896 and served Raleigh’s African American residents from its location on the St. Augustine’s College campus until the opening of Wake Med in April 1961. In proclaiming it St. Agnes Hospital Day, Mayor Nancy McFarlane noted that, “almost as important as the care the hospital provided its patients was the training it provided its nursing school students” throughout those 65 years.
MARCH
On March 6, the City Council endorsed the recommendations of the City of Raleigh Passenger Rail Task Force regarding the number and general placement of station locations associated with the Triangle Transit Authority’s proposal for light rail service from Garner to Durham.
The four commuter rail station locations endorsed by the City Council are: southeast Raleigh in the vicinity of Hammond Road and Rush Street; Downtown Raleigh at the Raleigh Train Station; North Carolina State University campus, just east of Dan Allen Drive; and, west Raleigh in the vicinity of Corporate Center Drive.
The City Council approved a proposed resolution committing to fund the first phase of the planned Union Station multimodal complex. The City’s share of the projected $75 million project cost will be approximately $7 million.
On March 7, the City of Raleigh refunded $33.4 million in Series 2004 water/sewer utility bonds. This resulted in net present value savings of $2.9 million or 8.84 percent of the amount of the refunded bonds.
The City Council approved the joint purchase of 113 acres of conservation easement in Orange County. The City is participating with the Eno River Association, the Orange County Natural Resources Conservation Service, Orange County and the Town of Hillsborough in the purchase. The land features approximately 8,000 linear feet along Seven Mile Creek. The City’s participation in the $746,000 purchase is $69,000.
Council Members voted in favor of the City issuing up to $9 million in two-thirds general obligation bonds. The proposal consists of $7.5 million for parks and recreational facilities bonds and $1.5 million for land acquisition bonds. The City proposed to use the bonds for the following projects: second-phase development of the Annie Louise Wilkerson, M.D., Nature Preserver Park; a new tennis complex next to Barwell Road Community Center; upgrades to the City’s Dix soccer fields off of Western Boulevard to the WRAL Soccer Center on Perry Creek Road; and, an urban agricultural center just south of Downtown off of Garner Road.
According to a March 12 report from the technology jobs website DICE.com , the Triangle is the hottest spot for technology jobs in the United States. The report found that employers within a 30-mile radius of Raleigh are posting 1,120 jobs daily with an average salary of $79,000. That jobs number is up 50 percent from a year ago and nearly triple from the depths of the recession in March 2009.
Raleigh residents posted the highest optimism about where they live among the nation’s large metro areas, according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. The index found that 74.9 percent of those polled said “their city or area is getting better as a place to live.” Only the smaller metro areas of Provo-Orem, Utah (76.0 percent) and Lafayette, La., (75.8 percent) posted higher results.
On March 20, the City Council authorized the contribution of more than $545,000 to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the City’s share of the replacement of the flyover bridge at Hillsborough Street and Western Boulevard. The project is to be completed in the summer of 2014 at a cost of about $2.65 million.
The City Council unanimously approved the appropriation of up to $6,600 for the replacement of two video encoders to enable viewing the streamed feed of live coverage of meetings of the City Council and City boards, commissions and committees on mobile devices.
On March 23, it may have seemed to some that Sir Walter Raleigh was a bit overdressed, but the residents of his eponymous city thought he looked swell. That’s because the statue in front of the Raleigh Convention Center was decked out with a Shaw University Bears flag and a North Carolina State University Wolfpack basketball jersey. That evening, the Lady Bears won the NCAA Women’s Division II national championship. Alas, the NCSU men’s basketball squad fell short in its bid for a victory in the NCAA Division I Midwest regional semifinal.
First-phase construction of the Chavis Park carousel house project began the last week in March. The park and Chavis Community Center will remain open to the public throughout construction of the carousel house project.
The City of Raleigh’s commitment to building an even more robust, sustainable economy became tangible with the opening of the Economic Development Office. The mission of the new units is to develop a strategic plan for implementing the economic development policies that were established in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and to manage the relationship of City-funded economic development agencies.
APRIL
April brought 10-digit dialing to the Triangle. The addition of the area code to local dialing accommodates the expanding number of telephone numbers in the area served by the 919 area code. Unforeseen was the tremendous burden careless dialing would placed on the Raleigh-Wake Emergency Communications Center. Misdials and hang-up calls related to 10-didti dialing slowed 911 dispatchers’ response time and overtaxed operators receiving calls. Residents are reminded that if they dial 911 instead of the intended 919 stay on the line and talk to the 911 dispatcher. Misdials and hang-up calls divert resources away from actual emergencies since dispatchers must dial back on hang-ups to assure than an emergency is not taking place. If no response is receive3d from the call-back, dispatchers send a police officer to the source of the call to make certain that no assistance is needed. To date in 2012 the Emergency Communications Center has responded to 597,555 911 calls, an increase of 17.4 percent over 2011.
Michael Baker Engineering Inc. of Cary was selected to conduct an environmental study of the proposed West Street extension project. The City is considering an extension of South West Street between West Cabarrus Street and West Martin Street in Downtown Raleigh as part of the proposed Union Station project.
The City approved an ordinance to designate parking spaces on City streets solely for plug-in electric vehicles. The ordinance requires that electric vehicles parked in the designated spaces must be attached to a charging station. Otherwise, the owner would be found in violation of the ordinance and face a $50 fine.
The City Council unanimously approved the issuance of two sets of authorized bonds. The proposal consists of the issuance of up to $138.6 million in general obligation bonds and up to $9 million in two-thirds general obligation bonds.
The $138.6 million in general obligation bonds were approved by Raleigh voters in past referendums to finance various public improvements. They include:
$30 million in street improvement bonds approved in 2005;
$88.6 million in parks and recreation facilities bonds approved in 2007; and,
$20 million in transportation bonds approved in 2011.
The $9 million in two-thirds general obligation bonds consist of $7.5 million for parks and recreational facility and $1.5 million for land acquisition bonds.
The Local Government Commission of North Carolina awarded the bonds to J.P Morgan Securities LLC at a true interest cost of 2.78 percent. This is the lowest interest rate received by the City for its new money general obligation bonds in at least the last 20 years.
The Raleigh City Council approved the bonding of the City of Oaks and the capital of Kenya as Sister Cities. Nairobi becomes Raleigh’s fifth such “sibling” joining Kingston-Upon Hull, United Kingdom; Compiegne, France; Rostock, Germany; and Xiangyang, China.
AECOM was selected to assist the City with the Blount Street/Person Street Corridor Plan Study.
The Raleigh-Cary metropolitan area was the fifth heartiest population gainer between April 1 2010 and July 1, 2011, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s population estimate of the nation’s 366 metropolitan areas. The area’s population growth for the 15-month period was 2.9 percent.
The City approved a request by the Raleigh Historic Development Commission for $91,000 from the Preservation Revolving Loan Fund to assist with the rehabilitation of the Gethsemane Seventh Day Adventist church at 501 S. Person St. that was damaged by the 2011 tornado.
The upcoming proposed budget will contain funding for a hosted open data catalogue, the City Council directed. This catalogue is one of the steps that have been identified by City staff for Raleigh to become an open-source e-Government.
MAY
For the third consecutive year, a report released by the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found Wake to be the healthiest county in North Carolina.
The Raleigh City Council endorsed portions of the Rocky Branch, Little Rock, Walnut Creek and Neuse River greenway trails as the designated East Coast Greenway trail through the Capital City. The trail will span from Maine to Florida.
The City Council eliminated the alternate-day outdoor watering requirement which was part of the City’s permanent conservation measures.
Park Construction was awarded a $21,144,474.75 contract for installation of a third parallel sewer pipe along Crabtree Creek from the I-440-Highway 264 interchange to just east of Capital Boulevard. The new sewer pipe is the first phase to relieve current wet weather flow capacity restrictions within the Crabtree Creek basin.
J.F. Wilkerson Contracting Company was awarded a contract for more than $3.5 million for the Centennial Reuse Pipeline – Segment 4 project. When completed, the reuse system will be capable of providing approximately 3.3 million gallons of reuse water daily.
Backwater Environmental, a division of the Osborne Company, was awarded a contract for $2,134,534 to perform the Upper Longview Lake Improvement Project. The project area is adjacent to Bertie Drive, behind Enloe High School and the tributary along Locke Lane. The project is to improve water quality and wildlife habitat in the Upper Longview Branch Lake through restoration of approximately 3500 linear feet of creek channel and 2.7 acres of lake and wetland improvements.
On May 9, Mayor Nancy McFarlane announced that Downtown Raleigh will host the City’s Independence Day celebration.
The City moved ahead on improvements to Lake Wheeler Road that include a five-foot asphalt pathway on the western side of the roadway corridor combined with a concrete sidewalk along areas where there is existing or proposed curb and gutter. The improvements also include a left-turn lane at the intersections of Lake Wheeler Road and Sierra Drive and Lake Wheeler Road and Carolina Pines Avenue.
The City Council approved the purchase of nearly 25 acres of land for a future neighborhood park site. The property is located northeast of the intersection of I-540 and US 401. The purchase price for the land is $84,900 per acre, totaling $2,112,500.
The City Council approved the site plan for Stanhope Center II, a mixed-use development on Hillsborough Street. The plan calls for 156 multi-family dwelling units; 36,914 square feet of retail use; 12,630 square feet of restaurant use; 43,090 square feet of office space and a 1,037-space parking deck. The 4.5-acre site is on the southern side of Hillsborough Street between its intersections with Friendly Drive and Concern Street.
The Raleigh City Council voted 7-1 to approve a resolution asking the Wake County Board of Commissioners to place a half-cent sales tax increase on the ballot to pay for countrywide transit improvements.
RTD Construction, Inc. was awarded a $4.9 million contract for improvement to the Little Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plant will be expanded to handle up to 2.2 million gallons per day from the current maximum of 1.85 million.
The City of Raleigh joined with the City of Durham, Durham County, the Triangle Land Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land in purchasing 527 acres of conservation easements to protect water quality along the Falls Lake and Swift Creek watersheds. The City’s participation is not to exceed $649,800.
Carousels and Carvings, Inc. was approved for the restoration of the historic Herschell carousel at Chavis Park. The historically accurate restoration work includes degreasing, cleaning, sand blasting, stripping, priming and painting all the original wood and metal parts and pieces, and restoring them to brand new working condition. The contract is for $211,437.
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution expressing its opposition to the North Carolina General Assembly of any legislation on the natural gas recovery by hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) until the safety of the process can be established by the appropriate state agencies.
Forbes magazine conducted a survey of the best big cities for jobs. It ranked the 65 metropolitan statistical areas that have more than 450,000 jobs. Raleigh placed seventh on the list. The survey included this year’s employment growth rate and the most recent year-on-year job growth.
The World of Bluegrass is coming to Raleigh! That is the great news the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) announced May 16. Starting in 2013, the World of Bluegrass, which includes the four-day IBMA Business Conference, the International Bluegrass Music Awards Show and the three-day Bluegrass Fan Fest will take place in Downtown Raleigh.
A collection of eight life-size (human form) bronze sculptures arrived in Downtown Raleigh for Artsplosure and lingered at various Downtown locations throughout the summer, leaving around Labor Day. The marvelous works of Seward Johnson conjured the works of Impressionist masterpieces from the likes of Renoir and Monet. Throughout the summer Raleigh residents were charmed; touching and interacting with the iconic images in a way that would never be possible in a museum.
Rent.com compiled a list of the 10 best cities for college graduate in 2012 and Raleigh was on it. The list was based on: mean annual income, cost of living, rental inventory and the unemployment rate, which received double weight.
On May 31, the City of Raleigh unveiled its “Big Belly” solar trash compactor at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and North Street.
JUNE
On June 5, the City Council approved the selection of Burns and McDonnell for the threat and security assessment for the Critical Public Safety Facility.
The vote was unanimous from the City Council to designate the Garland Dewey and Elma Arndt House as a Raleigh Historic Landmark. The house, located at 1428 Canterbury Road, is the 150th Raleigh Historic Landmark.
Brier Creek Town Center II gained unanimous approval from the City Council; the project would total up to 1.63 million square feet on 38.5 acres. It is to include up to 600 residential units, possibly 300 hotel lodging units and up to 115,000 square feet of retail. Two parking decks are included in the plans.
A $356,567 contract to AECOM was approved by City Council to lead the City in the creation of a new Parks and Recreation Department System Plan.
The City of Raleigh Office of Economic Development unveiled a website for economic development at www.investraleigh.com .
Citrix Systems chose Raleigh as the site for the expansion of its Data Sharing Group. In return, Citrix will receive an incentive from the City of Raleigh in which the City offers Citrix Systems a grant that pays the company 2.25 percent of the new tax value of taxable investment recorded on the tax records for a period of 12 years at the current tax rate of $0.3735 per $100 property valuation.
On June 16, the Fire Department had a free, daylong public celebration of its 100th anniversary.
The City of Raleigh provided the lots for four new houses dedicated by Habitat for Humanity of Wake County. Other sponsors of the houses on Parnell Street were Home Depot and the 12 churches that comprise Habitat for Humanity’s Apostle Build Coalition.
The City of Raleigh and Progress Energy began replacing traditional streetlights with light emitting diodes (LED) fixtures as part of a pilot project that will explore how much money and electricity could be saved from converting all of Raleigh’s streetlights to LEDs and whether LEDs provide a superior quality of street lighting.
The website RealAge placed Raleigh-Durham sixth on its list of “10 Best Cities for a Happy Marriage.” The area’s vibrant academic presence and high employment level were the reasons cited for the exalted placement.
By a vote of 7 to 1, the City Council adopted a budget that continues to promote fiscal sustainability and cost competiveness, with budget reductions targeted to minimize customer service impacts. The budget includes the increase in the property tax rate of 0.91 cents that was agreed upon as part of the successful 2011 bond referendum. Those revenues will go to the City’s debt model to pay debt service for transportation and affordable housing projects.
Moffat Pipe Inc. was awarded a contract of $1.85 million for Phases II and III of a major stormwater drainage improvement project in North Ridge.
The City Council approved a variance from the right-of-way requirements set forth in the City Code for the SkyHouse Apartment project located at 313 S. Wilmington St. The proposed complex will be a 23-story, 320-unit complex. The Council agreed that the existing rights-of-way of 66 feet were adequate for the transportation needs of the area. The Code calls for 90- or 80-foot rights-of-way.
The City Council received the Capital Boulevard Corridor Study. The study presents a vision and strategy for the revitalization, redevelopment and renewal of Capital Boulevard from Downtown to I-440. The study was referred to the Comprehensive Planning Committee.
The City’s efforts to develop a multi-modal transit hub in the heart of Downtown received a significant boast June 22 with the announcement of a $21 million federal grant though the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) federal grant. The grant will be used for the first phase of construction of the transit center located at 510 W. Martin Street. The project will transform the existing Dillon Viaduct building into a new train station with new platforms and multiple improvements to the railroad infrastructure. The City is partnering with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and Triangle Transit on construction of the project.
City of Raleigh staff and transportation officials from eight states gathered at the Raleigh Convention Center to develop plans to accelerate the deployment of plug –in electric vehicles.
The members of the City Council joined more than 100 residents to participate in the second annual CityCamp Raleigh. The winning idea of the three-day gathering was R Greenway.
The $1.28 million in renovations to Carolina Pines Community Center were celebrated. The 17,139-square-foot facility at 2305 Lake Wheeler Road was opened in November 1972.
The Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program released June 28, showed Raleigh and Cary as having population growth percentages in excess of 3 percent, placing the area in the top 10 for U.S. cities’ population growth rate from 2010 to 2011.
Raleigh will be “an amazing place to get a job” Yahoo! Finance stated in its determination of the “Hottest American Cities of the Future.” It placed Raleigh sixth on its list.
JULY
The new fiscal year that began July 1, kept alive the very proud Capital City tradition of providing the best municipal services for the lowest costs. Municipal costs are: annual property taxes, solid waste fees, water and sewer charges, and storm water fees. Raleigh’s annual average for these costs is $1,487.06. The average annual municipal costs for the 11 other municipalities in Wake County is $1,710.76. That is $233.70 or more than 13 percent higher than the Raleigh annual average. The average for the non Wake areas of the Triangle is $1,869.84 or $382.78 more than Raleigh’s costs. That comes to 20.5 percent greater than Raleigh’s average.
The master plan for a mixed-use project near Crabtree Valley Mall was approved. The proposal includes up to 525 residential units, 15,000 to 60,000 square feet of retail space, including at least one eatery, 250,000 square feet of office space, a hotel with a maximum of 200 rooms and parking facilities.
An ordinance that prohibits fracking within the City of Raleigh was unanimously approved by the City Council. Fracking is the practice of recovering natural gas by hydraulic fracturing.
The City Council approved a permanent, full-time position dedicated to small business and entrepreneurial support. The staff member is to regularly engage local entrepreneurs within Raleigh to ensure the appropriate resources are being provided that fit their current and future business needs.
During its July 17 meeting, the City Council approved a recommendation from the Raleigh Police Department to create a new Greenway Volunteer Program. The greenway volunteers are to: promote courtesy and safety; provide information to the public; and, summon aid for greenway users in need. The program started August 1.
The roundabout on Hillsborough Street at Pullen Road was trimmed from two lanes to one in an attempt to reduce the number of accidents at the traffic circle.
Just a couple of weeks shy of its 80th anniversary, Raleigh Memorial Auditorium served as the site of the memorial service for native son Cpl. Darrion T. Hicks. Cpl. Hicks, 21, was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.
AUGUST
Raleigh placed fifth in a survey of the greenest U.S. cities. “Thumbtack,” a site self-described as “where you can easily hire local help,” ranked cities on per capita availability of eco-friendly services, as well as the premium charged by some “green” businesses.
The Chavis Park Community Conversation got underway. The goal of the conversation is to develop an adoptable revised master plan for the park. The program also is designed to develop a mutual understanding and respect for both the history and the future of the park and the role of the park in the community.
The City Council unanimously adopted the Capital Boulevard Corridor Study. The study, developed with significant input from the public, outlines recommendations for transforming the most traveled gateway into Downtown into a showcase for multimodal transportation and green infrastructure.
The City Council approved a contract for the construction of the Halifax Park and Community Center to Bradley Construction, Inc. The $3.15 million contract includes the construction of a new 17,000-square-foot community center. The center is located at 1015 Halifax Street on a 1.5-acre site leased from the Raleigh Housing Authority behind William Peace University.
HagerSmith Design PA was approved for the architectural, engineering design and construction administration for the Southeast Raleigh Tennis Center, located on an undeveloped site of nearly nine acres at the Barwell Road Park.
The design concept for the Mordecai Historic Park Interpretive Center was approved. The City acquired the nearly half-acre site and a 4,700-square-foot building at 1101 Wake Forest Road, to serve as the center. The purchase price was $600,000. The property is adjacent to Mordecai Park.
The City Council approved a strategy that merges federal grant funds with Capital Improvement Project funds to install up to 50 miles of new, on-road bicycle facilities. Council previously appropriated $500,000 in Capital Improvement Project funds for bicycle-marking projects. The City also received a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant through the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization for $1.1 million that required a $225,000 local match. Under the newly approved plan, the two efforts are combined into a single project.
Triangle leaders announced the opening of HUB Raleigh, a first-of-its-kind, co-working space in North Carolina that features a local and international network of resources to inspire, connect and mentor entrepreneurs. Located at 711 Hillsborough Street, HUB Raleigh is the first affiliate in North Carolina. Other North American cities in the network include San Francisco, Seattle, New Orleans, Miami, Atlanta and Boulder, Colo.
Traffic-calming projects are designed to reduce speeding on neighborhood streets. After having completed four traffic-calming projects in the last six years, the City plans to do up to 13 traffic-calming projects per year. The City Council’s adopted 10-year Capital Improvement Program allocates a total of $2.7 million to traffic-calming efforts.
SEPTEMBER
The City Council unanimously allocated $250,000 for development of a schematic design for a train station that will be part of the Raleigh Union Station. The City and the North Carolina Department of Transportation will work with a private consultant to complete an architectural design for the renovation of the Dillon Viaduct building as a train station, as well as other improvements to accommodate the facility. The total cost of the schematic design is an estimated $966,000. The City share of $250,000 comes from $3 million in bond money that Raleigh voters approved for the Union Station project in 2011.
The City Council unanimously approved a $411,895 contract to WSP Sells for a construction administration and construction materials testing contract for the 5.7-mile Honeycutt Greenway construction project. Funding for the project comes from the 2003 and 2007 Parks and Greenway Bond referenda.
By a vote of six to one, the City Council approved an additional $3 million to cover a gap in funding for the Union Station project; Raleigh’s multi-modal transit center. The project includes the adaptive reuse of the Dillon Viaduct building and the construction of railroad track improvements and station platforms and concourses. The total cost of the project was projected to be approximately $60 million. In June, the City received notice that it had been awarded a $21 million grant from the United States Department of Transportation to help fund the project. The North Carolina Department of Transportation pledged matching funds of $9 million and Triangle Transit pledged an in-kind match of the building and land, conservatively estimated at $1.5 million. The City also pledged a $3 million match for construction of the station, from proceeds from the transportation bond passed by City voters in 2011.
A study that recommends improvements for a three-mile stretch of Blue Ridge Road was received by the City Council. The study area extends from Edwards Mill Road to Western Boulevard and includes properties on either side of Blue Ridge Road and the open space in the corridor. The study contains recommendation in three major areas: transportation, green infrastructure and development. The study provides the City of Raleigh, State of North Carolina, property owners, and residents a coordinated blueprint to guide future improvements.
The City of Raleigh announced that Red Hat, the world’s leading provider of open source solutions, had signed a five-year deal to transform Downtown’s popular open-air concert venue into the Red Hat Amphitheater. The amphitheater opened in June 2010.
A partnership of the City of Raleigh, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance and Activate Good converted the somber 11th anniversary of the terrorists’ attacks on the United States into a day of “doing good.” On September 11, volunteers participated in blood donations, food drives, disaster relief training, home improvements, education, environmental protection and much more.
A series of budget transfers are approved to speed the rehabilitation of Sandy Forks Road. The section of Sandy Forks between Falls of Neuse and Six Forks is in very poor condition. The estimated cost of rebuilding the road is $10 million. In order to expedite the project, the City Council approved transferring $1.5 million from the Council’s General Fund balance. The money will be used for design services. By funding the design services portion of the project, the plans will be ready should the road be included in a future transportation bond package.
Mayor Nancy McFarlane led the dedication of the City’s first adopted bus shelter. The shelter, located at 4104 Poole Road, directly in front of the City’s new Capital Area Transit facility, was adopted by the employees of Veolia Transportation, a City vendor that operates the Capital Area Transit fixed-route bus service. The City has more than 200 bus shelters. Those wishing to participate can assist in removing trash in and around the shelter on a monthly basis.
The Raleigh City Museum reopens as the City of Raleigh Museum. Located in the former Brigg’s Hardware Building at 220 Fayetteville Street, the museum had been closed since July as part of the transition to City management. In June the City Council authorized a five-year sub-lease that retains the museum’s current space. The City Council also authorized an agreement by which the City assumed responsibility for operations and programs of the museum. The Raleigh City Museum nonprofit, which previously operated the museum, transferred all exhibits, collections and artifacts to the City.
Ernest Dollar is the new director for the City of Raleigh Museum. Mr. Dollar has served for the previous five years as executive direct of the Preservation Society of Chapel Hill.
As part of the planned redesign of Moore Square, the City of Raleigh conducted a tree investigation and inventory of the park. The work will help the City gauge how any redevelopment of Moore Square will impact the square’s popular trees.
The City of Raleigh hosted a visioning workshop for the Six Forks Road Corridor at the First Citizens Center on Six Forks Road. Six Forks Road is a major transportation corridor that connects to Interstate I440 beltline and is planned for future widening. The section of the corridor that is under review extends from Sandy Forks Road to I440.
The City Council approved the creation of the Historical and Museum Advisory Board and dissolved the Mordecai Historic Park Advisory Board.
The City Council authorized Capital Area Transit to move forward on implementing joint projects with Triangle Transit. One of the projects is a regional branding of transit services, including a new logo and other marketing materials.
The Federal Transit Administration awarded the City a grant of $1,344,000 for renovation of the Moore Square transit station, repayment of construction costs previously incurred by the City for the Capital Area Transit Operation Facility and purchase and installation of passenger amenities at various bus stops.
Mayor Nancy McFarlane welcomed Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo to Raleigh on September 21, for the announcement that the Union Station Project will receive the full $60 million in funding. The announcement was made at the site, the Viaduct Building, 510 West Martin Street.
The Pope House Museum officially opened for regular tours on September 29. Located at 511 South Wilmington Street, the structure has undergone a transition from private management to City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department management. The structure was built in 1901 as the home to Dr. Manassa Pope and his wife. Dr. Pope is the first medically licensed African-American doctor in North Carolina.
OCTOBER
The City Council approved the nominations of 22 community members to serve on the Public Leadership Group for the Chavis Park Community Conversation project. The goal of the project is to reach consensus on shared interests and identify options for additional amenities and improvements at Chavis Park.
The multi-year Little River Reservoir project was awarded an additional $355,000 in funding by the City Council. The funding will be used for engineering services for preparation of the required environmental impact statement, which will also consider alternatives to constructing the Little River Reservoir.
The City launched the Blount Street-Person Street Corridor Study. The objective of the study is to identify multi-modal transportation and streetscape design options and strategies to improve the corridors, with an emphasis on strategies that contribute to a distinct sense of place and economic development. The boundaries are 400 feet north of the intersection of Wake Forest Road at Old Louisburg Road to 800 feet south of the intersection of Hammond Road at Interstate 40.
The City and North Carolina State University hosted the kickoff event for “Uncovering Southwest Raleigh” at the McKimmon Center. The venture’s goal is to evaluate current and future forces affecting change, and to develop strategies to enable residents and the City to enhance and promote a healthy, creative and economically sustainable future for the district.
The City Council approved the renaming of the South Blount Street and Person Street Historic Overlay District the Prince Hall Historic District. In April the Council designated the area an historic overlay district. It was the first historic overlay district thus designated in 20 years. The Prince Hall Masonic Temple Building at 427 Blount Street is the source of the name. The district is comprised of 23.39 acres and is located in the general vicinity of South Person and South Blount streets between East Davie and East South streets.
DeVere Construction Company was selected to be the general contractor for the City of Raleigh’s Northeast Remote Operations Facility. The contract is $16.6 million for constructing the facility on 19.4 acres located at the intersection of Burwell and Spottswood streets.
A website was launched about the System Plan Project of the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department at www.yourparksyourfuture.com . The goal of the 16-month process is to create a sustainable plan through public participation that will shape the direction, development and delivery of the City’s parks and recreation services and facilities over the next 20 years.
For the past 33 years, the Wake County Council of Veterans Organizations has sponsored the North Carolina Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony. The City of Raleigh joined the council for the 2012 event. The City donated $1,500 to support the parade.
The City accepted public comments on a draft comprehensive pedestrian plan. The draft plan provides strategies for enhancing Raleigh’s transportation system by promoting walk ability throughout the city.
NOVEMBER
The City of Raleigh developed a new neighborhood planning strategy for its redevelopment areas. Proposed by the City’s Planning and Community Development departments, the new neighborhood planning strategy replaced Raleigh’s redevelopment areas with neighborhood revitalization strategy areas. The Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas will present a more comprehensive approach to neighborhood revitalization, moving beyond the redevelopment of houses with blighted conditions to include a broader range of neighborhood needs, including economic development. There are nine redevelopment areas in Raleigh.
The City Council approved the master plan for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Gardens and authorized City staff to negotiate a contract with McNeely Associates, PA for the design and construction administration services on the park. In the spring of 2013, the City will host a meeting to give the public a chance to review the schematic design. In the spring of 2014, bidding will begin on the construction phase of the project, with the contract expected to be granted by the summer of 2014.
The City Council accepted the donation of two horses for the City of Raleigh Police Department’s mounted patrol. Ms. Donna Sparkman donated a five-year-old, crossbred Percheron/Quarter horse named Prince (aka Zeus) to the Mounted Patrol Unit. Ms. Kris Kamin donated a five-year-old Percheron mare, Willow, to the unit. When the horses are no longer able to perform Mounted Patrol duties, the original owners will have the opportunity to reclaim ownership. Two current equine members of the Mounted Patrol Unit, Blade and Flash, are being returned to their owners. Flash is 18 years old and has been with the Mounted Patrol for 10 years. Blade is 14 years old and has been with the Mounted Patrol for approximately six years. Blade is retiring due to a foot injury.
The City Council voted unanimously to authorize City staff to negotiate a design service contract with Kimley-Horn & Associates for Phase II of the Hillsborough Street roadway improvements project. Phase II will improve the street from Gardner Street to the Rosemary Street/Shepherd Street intersection, including converting it to two lanes with a raised media.
The City Council unanimously approved the acquisition of 27 acres directly upstream of Lake Benson. The purchase will protect approximately 2,150 feet of Buck Branch, which drains directly into the upper reaches of Lake Benson and will eliminate the previously approved construction of single-family residences on the land. The total project cost is $529,800, with $322,300 being provided by the Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative. The purchase balance of $207,500 was donated by the landowner, Blackcap Properties.
Mayor Nancy McFarlane and Town of Wake Forest Mayor Vivian Jones officially dedicated the Upper Neuse Connector. The 558-foot bridge spans the Neuse River and connects the Town of Wake Forest’s Smith Creek Greenway with the City of Raleigh’s Upper Neuse River Greenway.
The City Council approved the staff’s reaching out to the Raleigh Development community for direction on how to streamline processes.
DECEMBER
The City of Raleigh sought input from the public during a four-day series of workshops on the design for the update of the Blount Street and Person Street corridors. The corridors extend from the I-40/Hammond Road interchange to the Capital Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue intersection.
Rifenburg Construction, Inc. was awarded a $2,957,389 construction contract for the Honeycutt Creek Greenway project. The 5.6-mile project will connect the existing East Fork Mine Creek Trail at Longstreet Drive with a paved surface continuing along East Fork Mine Creek through the Summerfield North neighborhood to Strickland Road. The trail crosses Strickland Road and proceeds through the Bent Tree neighborhood and through an existing pedestrian tunnel under I-540, through Honeycutt Park along Honeycutt Road to its intersection with Durant Road.
City Council authorized the City manager to execute a construction contract for $3,340,236 to DH Griffin, LLC for the construction of a 3.9-mile extension of the Walnut Creek East Greenway from Rose Lane to the Neuse River.
The City Council approved a $688,815 contract with Stewart Engineering for the construction administration of three greenway projects – Neuse River Trail-Horseshoe Bend, Walnut Creek East Extension and Crabtree East Extension.
The City of Raleigh will lease the Dorothea Dix Hospital campus from the State of North Carolina for 75 years under a lease agreement approved by the City Council on Dec. 4. The City plans to convert land on the 325-acre site into an urban park following development of a master planning process that will include citizen participation. The Council of State approved the lease agreement earlier in the day. The agreement was negotiated and recommended by Gov. Beverly Perdue and her administration. On Dec. 28 Mayor McFarlane and Gov. Perdue officially signed the lease agreement.
The City Council moved ahead with the proposed Critical Public Safety Facility and authorized solicitation of the Construction Manager-at-Risk for future approval for the project. The recommended phase one of the Critical Public Safety Center is approximately 95,000 square feet with a cost of approximately $69 million. The cost includes $15 million for required technology components. The facility will house the Emergency Communications Center, Emergency Operations Center and the City’s primary data center.
City Council Members authorized City staff to negotiate a contract with Wetherill Engineering for professional design services to determine the feasibility, design and cost estimates to retrofit bridges at six overpasses at Interstate 40 to improve pedestrian safety.
The City of Raleigh is the first municipality in the nation to be involved in the Apollo Program, an initiative aimed at encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles through the use of wireless charging technology. Launched by local startup company Evatran, the initiative has installed six prototype wireless charging systems with participants such as Duke Energy, Google and the Hertz Corporation.
District C City Council Member Eugene Weeks began his year of service as Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Weeks succeeds At-Large City Council Member Russ Stephenson. The Mayor Pro Tem fulfills the duties of the mayor if that person is unable to do so.
Mayor Nancy McFarlane began her second year leading Raleigh’s government and her first year as the chair of the North Carolina Metropolitan Mayors Coalition. The coalition represents the mayors of the state’s 28 largest cities.
American Airlines announced it will launch daily non-stop service between Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport on April 2.
On Dec. 28, Mayor Nancy McFarlane and Gov. Beverly Perdue signed documents leasing the State-owned Dorothea Dix property to the City of Raleigh for use as a destination park.
Assistant City Manager Julian Prosser wrapped up his career of public service that spanned more than 40 years, 32 with the City of Raleigh.
2013
JANUARY
On January 2, the City Council approved the Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan. The plan provides strategies for enhancing Raleigh’s transportation system by promoting walkability throughout the city.
The City Council voted 5-3 to give an additional $75,000 to the Carolina Ballet to cover a funding shortfall. The City’s Fiscal Year 2012-13 budget contains $250,000 for the ballet.
Forbes latest report on “America’s New Tech Hot Spots” ranks the Raleigh-Cary metropolitan area the fifth most sizzling in the nation. The report found that Raleigh-Cary produced 6.2 percent growth in science, technology, engineering and math related jobs over the last two years.
Richard Florida’s study of metro regions and their supply of human capital found the Triangle with vast resources both in the center cities and the suburbs. The study, “Human Capital in Cities and Suburbs,” found that 45.9 percent of Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill’s center cities held a bachelor’s degree or above. That is the nation’s highest percentage. Suburban Triangle dwellers came in eighth nationally with 34.0 percent of adults with a college degree or better.
On January 15, the City Council approved the selection of RK&K to perform the design services for the Sandy Forks Road widening project.
At the same meeting, the Council approved a budget transfer of $1.2 million for development of the proposed facility program including design alternatives, the project schedule and a cost estimate for the Downtown Remote Operations Facility. Council also authorized the City Manager to negotiate a contract amendment with Willard Ferm Architects to complete construction documents and provide for construction phase services. The Council also directed the City Manager to execute a contract for the construction manager at risk for $375,000 with Brasfield and Gorrie General Contractors to provide pre-construction services sufficient to develop a guaranteed maximum price for phase 1 of the construction.
The City Council adopted a resolution of intent to lease the Stone’s Warehouse property, located at 500 and 512 East Davie Street and 419 South East Street, to the Historic Preservation Foundation of North Carolina, Inc. The foundation will enter into an option to assign the lease to Landmark Asset Services to develop the property as a 49-unit apartment complex geared towards artists and entrepreneurs with lower than area median incomes.
The City Council unanimously authorized City staff’s participation in the issuance of a request for proposals for the construction, deployment and management of the proposed self-sustaining ultra-high-speed North Carolina Next Generation Network.
The Raleigh-Cary Metropolitan Statistical Area climbed to third in the 2012 Milken Institute Best Performing Cities Index. The index ranks the nation’s 200 MSAs on how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. The components include jobs, wages and salaries, and technology growth. Raleigh-Cary climbed 11 steps from 14th in 2011 to third in 2012.
The Human Life Project’s national rankings of America’s most family-friendly cities put Raleigh in first place.
24/7 Wall St. placed Raleigh seventh on its list of the 10 best-run cities in America. The ranking looked at the cities’ credit rating, violent crime per 1,000 residents and unemployment rate.
Using several metrics, Forbes rated the nation’s 100 most populous Metropolitan Statistical Areas and found Raleigh was fourth on the list of America’s Fastest Growing Cities in 2012.
Raleigh is tenth on CIP.com ’s ranking of Best Cities for IT Jobs 2013.
Using its 10-point transparency checklist, Sunshine Review ranked the City of Raleigh’s website the best government website in North Carolina.
On January 31, City Manager J. Russell Allen announced that he had named Cassandra Deck-Brown to be Raleigh’s Police Chief. She was Deputy Chief until the retirement of former Police Chief Harry Dolan, when Mr. Allen named her Interim Chief. Mr. Dolan retired October 1, 2012.
FEBRUARY
An annual study conducted by Texas A&M University found that the Triangle’s commuters wasted the least amount of time in traffic among the 32 U.S. metropolitan areas between 1 million and 3 million in population. Raleigh-Durham commuters wasted about 23 hours in traffic in 2011. That is five hours less than the next best metropolitan areas, Milwaukee and New Orleans.
On February 5, the City Council approved a design services contract not to exceed $450,000 with Stewart Cooper Newell Architects, PA for the design of Fire Station 12. The station will be built on City-owned land at the corner of Poole Road and Bus Way Drive.
In an attempt to best serve those who have sacrificed much for our country, the City Council approved a joint-venture rental, 10-unit housing proposal with CASA. The City will contribute $400,000 to the project to house homeless veterans.
On February 18, the City Council approved the Unified Development Ordinance. The new code is designed to address development trends over the next 30 to 50 years. The effective date is September 1.
The City of Raleigh’s state-of-the-art Transit Operations Center attained LEED Platinum certification.
The City Council approved a cost-sharing agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the replacement of the bridge at Trailwood Drive over Walnut Creek.
MARCH
The City Council voted March 5 to approve the schematic design of the two synthetic multipurpose fields to be installed at the WRAL Soccer Center. The estimated cost is $2.5 million, with $2.2 million coming from the City and the remainder from private contributions. (The fields were dedicated on August 18.)
Also on March 5, the City Council approved a resolution authorizing the filing of an application with the North Carolina Local Government Commission to sell up to $275 million in Combined Enterprise System Revenue Bonds. Approximately $75 million will be used to fund public utilities water and sanitary sewer system capital improvement projects. Approximately $200 million will be used to refund all or a portion of the City’s outstanding Series 2005 and Series 2006A Revenue Bonds with a lower interest rate.
At the same meeting, the City Council approved the schematic design for the second phase of the development of the Annie Louise Wilkerson, M.D., Nature Preserve Park.
During the evening portion of that same meeting, the City Council approved the schematic design for the Lake Johnson Center.
Forbes reported that the population of the Raleigh Metropolitan Statistical Area has expanded 47.8 percent since 2000, tops among the nation’s 52 metropolitan areas with a population of more than 1 million. That is more than three times the overall 12.7 percent average growth of those metro areas.
Mayor Nancy McFarlane was joined by other Wake County mayors at a press conference to voice opposition to HB150 that would limit the use of local housing appearance standards.
The team of Clancy & Theys Construction Company and Balfour Beatty Construction was selected to be the construction manager at risk for the Critical Public Safety Facility project. The planned $69 million facility will be constructed on a six-acre, City-owned lot at the intersection of North Raleigh Boulevard and Brentwood Road.
On March 19, the System Integration Plan for Barwell Road Community Park was unanimously adopted by the City Council. The plan documents existing site conditions at the 54-acre site and includes a set of guidelines for interim management of the park property.
APRIL
Demolition began April 1, of the former AMF Bowling Alley on Capital Boulevard. The demolition marks the first step in restoring the floodplain, improving water quality and creating a new greenway between Wake Forest Road and Crabtree Boulevard.
On April 2, the City Council approved a contract with Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc., to provide professional services for the Downtown Bus Facilities Master Plan. The project has two phases, one associated with the Union Station Multi-Modal Facility and the second for improvements to the Moore Square Transit Station.
The City Council approved a contract with Martin/Alexiou/Bryson, P.C. for engineering and design services for the installation of up to 50 miles of bicycle infrastructure improvements. The contract is for $325,000.
A survey of nearly 8,000 small businesses throughout the nation rated the business climates of metro areas and found Raleigh-Durham the eighth most supportive of their objectives. The categories included: overall friendliness, ease of starting a business, ease of hiring, training and firing, tax code, licensing, environmental and zoning.
The Raleigh-Cary area came in tied for second in a Gallup poll asking residents if they “felt comfortable walking alone in their community at night.” The poll was conducted among the 50 largest metropolitan statistical areas in the nation. The Denver-Aurora, Colo., area tied with Raleigh-Cary with 78 percent of respondents replying “yes” to the question. The Minneapolis-St. Paul area took first place with 80 percent responding in the affirmative.
The City Council on April 16 unanimously approved a design services contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates for the planned conversion of Lenoir Street and South Street from one-way traffic to two-way. The contract totals $297,883.
Also on April 16, the City Council voted unanimously to select Michael Baker Engineering, Inc., to provide design services for the planned widening of Capital Boulevard. The City is considering improvements to the section of Capital Boulevard from Spring Forest Road to Old Wake Forest Road. A traffic feasibility study will be conducted to help determine the scope of the project.
At the same meeting the City Council awarded two contracts for sanitary sewer improvements. The first contract for $2.4 million was to Centurion Construction Company, Inc., for the Marsh Creek Interceptor Sewer Improvement project. The second contract was for professional design services with Kimley-Horn and Associates for just over $519,000 for the Upper Walnut Creek Sewer Interceptor project.
The City Council awarded a $1,259,600 contract to Centurion Construction Company, Inc., for the construction of the Mordecai Interpretive Center.
The City Council unanimously adopted a utility connection fee schedule ordinance. The ordinance combines the currently charged acreage fees and capital facilities fees into one set of fees called capital facilities fees. This will simplify determining the correct utility connection fees for new construction and redevelopment project for both developers and City staff. The new fee structure was developed through the use of the Rational Nexus Test mandated by several court cases. The average increase in the combined water and sewer connection fee for a residential connection will be $388.00
On April 17, the Raleigh City Council voted not to renew City Manager J. Russell Allen’s employment contract.
The City of Raleigh and area residents joined on April 20 to celebrate the restoration and grand re-opening of the John Chavis Carousel in its new location within John Chavis Memorial Park.
MAY
On May 7, the City Council awarded a construction contract to Park Construction of North Carolina, Inc., for an upgrade of the sanitary sewer system along Mango Creek between the Neuse River and Hodge Road in the Town of Knightdale. The $2.49 million project will add necessary capacity to the drainage basin to help avoid sanitary sewer overflows.
Also on May 7, the City Council awarded a $4.18 million contract to FSC II, LLC the Fred Smith Company for the Crabtree Creek Trail east extension project. The east extension will connect with the existing trail at Milburnie Road, extend along Crabtree Creek, and ultimately join the Neuse River Trail at Anderson Point Park.
Under terms of a contract amendment approved by the City Council on May 7, North Carolina State University will expand its on-campus use of reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and other non-potable uses. The amendment provides for the City to accept wastewater from the university’s remediation system for delivery to the Centennial Campus utility plant, the Hunt Library, the Oval and other on-campus sites.
The City Council approved a low-interest loan of $750,000 to the Downtown Housing Improvement Corporation for construction of a 48-unit development for families with low to moderate incomes. Camden Glen will consist of 12 one-bedroom apartments, 28 two-bedroom units, and eight three-bedroom units at 2904 Tryon Road.
Governor Pat McCrory and Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane asked the General Assembly to set the effective date of the Dorothea Dix lease bill to next year to give the State of North Carolina and the City of Raleigh time to negotiate a new deal.
On May 21, the City Council awarded a contract not to exceed $2.7 million to Resolute Building, Inc., for the construction of Fire Station #29 on Leesville Road.
Also on May 21, the City Council approved the purchase of 12 contiguous parcels covering 1.71 acres for economic development. The parcels on East Hargett, South Bloodworth and East Martin streets cost $3.73 million.
At the same meeting, the City Council passed a resolution accepting a $27.64 million loan to finance the third of five phases to increase the hydraulic capacity of the Neuse River Waste Water Treatment Plant from a maximum of 60 million gallons per day to 75 million. The loan is provided by the North Carolina Clean Water State Revolving Fund.
NerdWallet calculated the best cities for starting a small business and ranked Raleigh second best in the entire nation. The results were based on the following questions:
Is it easy to obtain funding?
How business friendly is it?
Is the local economy thriving?
Will hiring be easy?
How affordable is it?
Raleigh’s highly educated population and low cost of living were touted for boosting it so highly in the ranking.
Raleigh-Cary is number three on Bloomberg’s ranking of America’s “boom towns.”
About $15.1 million of the $60 million federal contribution will be pulled from Raleigh Union Station to pay for improvements to a rail line to Charlotte, according to North Carolina Department of Transportation officials.
On May 23, 31-year veteran Perry James was named the interim City Manager.
The Capital City’s population grew by 4.8 percent during the two years from 2010 to 2012. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012 population estimates, the number of people who call Raleigh home totals 423,179, an increase of 19,232 people in the two-year period. The Census puts Raleigh 42nd on the list of America’s largest cities.
JUNE
Raleigh City Council Member Eugene Weeks joined a delegation from the Raleigh Sister Cities Association on a visit to Xiangyang, China. During the 10-day trip, the delegation discussed a trilateral agreement between the City of Raleigh, the City of Asheville, Xiangyang and Osogbo, Nigeria, where the association plans to construct a hospital. The association received a $100,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the project.
The John E. and Mary Frances Beaman House was designated a Raleigh Historic Landmark. Located at 2120 White Oak Road, the house built in 1929 is an excellent example of the Georgian Revival architecture style that was popular in and around the affluent Hayes Barton development of the 1920s.
Former Raleigh City Manager Lawrence P. Zachary died June 5. He was 91. Mr. Zachary came to the City of Raleigh in October 1968 as Assistant City Manager of Operations. He took the reins as City Manager in November 1973, serving in that capacity for a decade.
June 7-13 saw 126,000 people attend significant events in either the Raleigh Convention Center, the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts or the Red Hat Amphitheater. During that week: a dozen Wake County high schools held graduation ceremonies at the Raleigh Convention Center or the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts; the amphitheater was filled to the brim for three concerts; all while five multi-day conventions with nearly 1,200 attendees took place in the convention center. “This is one of our favorite weeks of the year,” said Roger Krupa, the director of the Downtown events campus. “These facilities are never more alive.”
City Council voted 5 to 3 to place a $75 million bond proposal on the fall ballot
On June 18, the City Council unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2013-14 budget. The budget does not increase property taxes, stormwater or privilege license fees. It does include an additional $13.9 million in revenue for the City’s Public Utilities’ system. The additional revenue is derived from a 14 percent sewer volumetric rate increase and a redesign of the water and sewer administrative fee to provide a portion of its capital debt service.
The budget increased support for the arts, raising the rate for funding from $4.50 to $5.00 per capita. The change, coupled with an increase in the City’s population, resulted in an additional $237,660 being allocated to the activities and programs administered by the City of Raleigh Arts Commission compared to the previous year.
The budget keeps alive the very proud Capital City tradition of providing the best municipal services at low costs. Municipal costs are annual property taxes, solid waste fees, water and sewer charges, and stormwater fees. Raleigh’s annual average is $1,543.94. The average annual municipal costs for the 11 other municipalities in Wake County is $1,758.68. That is a difference of $214.74 or more than 12 percent higher than the Raleigh annual average. The average annual municipal costs for the other Triangle municipalities outside Wake County and the state’s other largest cities is $1,751.50 or $207.56 above Raleigh’s average. That is 11.85 percent higher.
PC Construction Company received a bid of approximately $25.6 million for the third phase of the expansion of the Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The City Council authorized a fee of approximately $876,000 with Kimley-Horn and Associates for design services for the Hillsborough Street Phase 2.
The City Council approved a $749,700 contract with RK&K for design services for the Sandy Forks Road widening project.
The City Council agreed to address the growing needs for additional water resources by entering into a memorandum of agreement with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to fund a reallocation study of the water stored in the Falls Lake reservoir. The $450,000 study will determine whether water currently allocated to the water quality storage pool at Falls Lake can be safely reallocated to the water supply storage pool. Local demand for water is projected to exceed supply by 2040.
Funding for the South Saunders Street/South Wilmington Street corridor study was approved. A total of $150,000 was allocated for the study of Raleigh’s southern gateway.
The City Council approved adding the words “cultural resources” to make the Parks and Recreation Department the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department. The title change reflects the expanded scope of the department. The department’s Cultural Resources Division includes the Arts Commission and the historic resources and museum areas.
The schematic design for the Southeast Raleigh Tennis Center was approved. The new state-of-the-art tennis center will be located at 3935 Barwell Road. The $5 million project will provide approximately 20 outdoor tennis courts, the first public indoor tennis court in Raleigh, a 4,000-square-foot building and other amenities on an undeveloped site of slightly less than nine acres.
The Raleigh City Council approved the schematic design for the expansion of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Gardens. One highlight of the expanded gardens will be a Civil Rights Path with future educational stations offering visitors an opportunity to learn key details and history about the struggle for racial equality. Other new features will include a masonry screen wall with a memorial to local civil rights leaders.
The City Council updated the process used to develop traffic-calming projects. These updates are intended to improve communication about projects, speed reduction measures and improve project delivery.
The City of Raleigh Planning Department staff offered training labs on the regulations and procedures in the Unified Development Ordinance.
JULY
At its July 2 meeting, the City Council approved the purchase of two contiguous parcels of land for approximately $3.2 million. The land, approximately 40.42 acres, is located adjacent to the Dempsey E. Benton Water Treatment Plant. The land will be used as a raw water reservoir. The reservoir will enhance water quality and provide storage for at least 80 million gallons. Additionally, the reservoir could help accommodate future water supply resources.
Raleigh’s 3.74 patent applications per 10,000 residents place it fifteenth on Forbes’ list of the World’s Most Inventive Cities.
Due to its contract relationship with the Raleigh Business and Technology Center, the City conducted an audit of the contract that brought several financial and programmatic non-compliance issues to officials’ attention. Mayor McFarlane announced that the City took the following actions to address these concerns:
The City would not pursue a contract for fiscal year 2013-14 with the center.
The City requested the center vacate the City-owned facility at 900 S. Wilmington St. as of July 31; and,
The City notified tenants of the facility that they may negotiate short-term leases with the City for continuation of their current arrangements.
The City Council approved an increase in the Limited Repair Program annual budget and raised the maximum amounts for loans made under the program to Raleigh households with low incomes.
The Blount Street/Person Street Corridor Plan was approved. The corridor extends more than five miles from Capital Boulevard to Interstate 40 and includes Wake Forest and Hammond roads. It runs through industrial, residential, institutional and commercials zones. The first phase proposes road restriping that would define the two travel lanes, add bike lanes and define on-street parking. It also would convert the four-lane section of Wake Forest Road to a three-lane section with a center turn lane and add bicycle lanes. Person Street would be restored to two-way traffic.
The City Council approved a preservation plan to keep the four acres tucked away between Glenwood Avenue and Six Forks Road pristine. William and Mary Coker Joslin gave the land and home to the City of Oaks Foundation with the future purpose of it being a public garden. In return, the City of Raleigh will manage and program the property.
The City’s Wilders Grove Solid Waste Services facility was honored by the Solid Waste Association of North America. The facility was built on the site of a former landfill, saving $4 million to $7 million. Energy consumption in the facility is reduced by more than 40 percent using renewable geothermal energy, LED lighting, solar photo-voltaic panels and a web-based building control system. Recycled building materials were incorporated throughout construction of the facility and nearly 95 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfills. The facility is LEED Platinum certified.
The City’s Bicycle Program produced a map. BikeRaleigh highlights existing on-road bicycle facility, Capital Area Transit routes, the Capital Area Greenway system and popular destinations.
AUGUST
RMF Engineering, Inc. was awarded the contract for the design and construction stages of the Critical Public Safety Facility.
“It’s nice to be natural when you are naturally nice” once again has proven to be Raleigh’s most fitting aphorism, for it has been rated the fifth most hospitable of America’s cities by Airbnb.
The City Council accepted the recommendations from a Communications Task Force to review the City’s communications efforts, and forwarded the recommendations to the City Manager for review and implementation. The recommendations are:
Organize City communications operations to align all communication activities across the city. The recommendation included hiring a consultant to research the information needs of City residents;
Define the City’s identify to create a unique face and voice to communicate. This includes crafting and clearly defining a brand identity that supports economic development and the city’s innovative culture, and designing a new logo (not a replacement for the official City Seal) that reflects 21st century Raleigh;
Hire a social media manager to coordinate all social media outreach and to spark conversations with residents, and to act as a bullhorn for the City;
Expand the role of the Raleigh Television Network to provide additional relevant programming for residents, such as programming focused on innovation, culture, arts and entrepreneurships; and,
Define a crisis communication plan to guide response activities during emergencies.
With an expression of thanks, the City Council accepted the recommendation of its Passenger Rail Task Force to transfer the panel’s remaining work assignment to the Planning Commission.
Throughout August, the City sought public comment on the completed study of the Western Boulevard corridor that bisects the North Carolina State University campus between Gorman Street and Ashe Avenue.
Forbes acknowledged its abiding admiration of Raleigh in mid-August in presenting the 15th annual list of the Best Places for Business and Careers. Referring to Raleigh as a perennial top finisher, Forbes placed the Capital City in third place, touting its educated residents due to the proximity of Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University.
Looking for cities with below-average living costs and higher-than-average incomes, Kiplinger’s placed Raleigh fifth on its top 10 most affordable cities. Raleigh’s highest marks were for its housing costs – nearly 31 percent below the national average.
SEPTEMBER
The City Council approved a resolution authorizing the Police Department to submit a grant application to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for more than $525,000 to fund the creation of a squad to detect and arrest impaired drivers in Raleigh.
The City Council also authorized City staff to negotiate a contract to develop a Transit Technology Feasibility Study. The goals of the study are to investigate the possibility of future fixed-guideway transit investments, identify opportunities for preservation of rights-of-way for future transit system needs, and to consider ways to improve local transit operations in the City.
The City was awarded a $5.5 million federal transportation grant to help fund Raleigh Union Station. The additional funds move the City closer to building a passenger train station in Downtown Raleigh that will enhance connectivity and spur economic growth. The North Carolina Department of Transportation is working closely with the City of Raleigh and the Federal Railroad Administration in reviewing the project’s budget status and the existing cooperative agreement with a goal of reallocating stimulus money to support the station and have it listed in the agreement as dedicated funding for Raleigh Union Station.
Raleigh was ranked eighth on United Van Lines’ report of the nation’s top cities to which Americans are moving.
On Sept. 27-28, Raleigh celebrated the 75th anniversary of historic John Chavis Memorial Park.
The City Council approved a budget for the contractually obligated buy back from Charter Square of the “site one” Downtown development location adjacent to City Plaza. The buy-back obligation was triggered by Charter Square’s inability to meet the Sept. 20 deadline for starting construction of a planned 11-story, mixed-use building on the property. The original construction deadline of Sept. 19, 2012 was extended by the Council. The City will pay no more than $20.275 million to reacquire the site.
The City Council authorized the interim City Manager to execute a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Transportation to receive a $26.5 million grant in support of Phase 1 of the Raleigh Union Station project.
Tens of thousands of pickers and their fans were grinning throughout Downtown Raleigh the last week of September as the Capital City hosted the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass.
OCTOBER
The City Council voted unanimously to seek proposals for the sale and development of the Stone’s Warehouse property at the intersection of East and Davie streets. In January, the council approved a 99-year lease for the property with Vann Joines/Landmark Group. The developers sought to rezone and redevelop the City-owned block to allow for a 49-unit apartment complex geared toward artists and entrepreneurs with lower than area median incomes. The project subsequently failed to win the $4.1 million in low–income housing tax credits, prompting the City to solicit the proposals.
The Council approved a grant of $5,000 to Innovate Raleigh, a partnership between the City and North Carolina State University, Wake County Economic Develop, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, Wake Technical Community College, the Wake County Public School System and the Council for Entrepreneurial Development. The grant is for the annual conference that brings together those intrigued by and drawn to innovation.
While it’s an inclusive city, speeders are not welcomed here. That’s the message of the City of Raleigh’s anti-speeding pilot campaign that launched October 1.
On October 4, the City Council announced the selection of Ruffin L. Hall as Raleigh’s City Manager. A native of Fayetteville, Mr. Ruffin has more than 18 years experience working in local government throughout North Carolina in a variety of high profile and high quality communities including Charlotte, Durham, Chapel Hill and Wilmington.
On October 8, Raleigh voters approved the $75 million bond referendum by a vote of 70 percent to 30 percent. The approval will increase the property tax rate per $100 of taxation by 1.12 cents.
On October 12, volunteers planted 60 trees to mark the tenth anniversary of NeighborWoods, the City’s neighborhood street-tree planting program. The occasion marked the planting of tree number 14,246.
The Arts Commission hosted internationally recognized arts consultant and researcher Alan Brown on October 17, for a presentation on building creative capital in cities and communities.
Improvements to Pineview Drive from Swift Drive to the existing curb and gutter are approved. The street improvement petition was signed by 100 percent of the adjoining property owners and assessments for the improvements will apply.
Wake County was ranked eighth among the top 25 high-tech hot spots in the country by the Progressive Policy Institute, an economics think tank. The study showed that having a strong technology/information sector allowed the area to come back strong from the recession.
The Raleigh area is the only East Coast locale to make PayScale’s top 10 best cities for high-paying jobs in the United States. Raleigh was seventh on the list.
Money magazine named Raleigh one of the top five places in the nation to retire.
Lighten Up, Raleigh! And Get Your Shine On! is the City’s bicycle and pedestrian campaign to remind citizens they have to be seen to be safe.
More than 100,000 revelers packed the Red Hat Amphitheater during the outdoor entertainment season. Twenty-nine shows were held in the Downtown venue from May 2 through October 5. That was an increase of more than 50 percent compared to 2012’s attendance. The amphitheater, which holds a maximum of just under 6,000 people, hosted shows from Top 40 to R&B to Indie to Bluegrass.
NOVEMBER
The City Council approved a proposal that will bring the review of applications and coordination of City support for public events to a newly created City of Raleigh Special Events Office.
The City Council created a Watershed Protection Advisory Task Force to make recommendations on watershed protection fund activities.
The City Council unanimously approved two proposed property acquisitions and funding for stewardship of a third property during its regular meeting on November 5.
Six contiguous parcels adjacent to the Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant, totaling 130.44 acres, will be acquired for $1.95 million. Also approved was the donation to the City of 10 acres of wooded uplands and 1,230 linear street feet of an unnamed Little Beaverdam Creek tributary in the Saddleback Ridge area. The Triangle Greenways Council negotiated the donation of the land which is valued at $50,000. The City will provide $1,750 to fund the transaction costs and to assist in stewardship of the property. The final approval was $11,000 for the planning and stewardship elements of six healthy working forest easements, totaling 668 acres located in the Falls Lake watershed. Purchase of the easement was funded by grants received from the United States Endowment for Forestry and Communities Healthy Forests for Healthy Watersheds.
The City Council unanimously approved a new bicycle ordinance on November 5. The new ordinance clarifies differences between a bicycle and motor vehicles, and defines the streets and facilities that may be used by bicyclists.
The City broke ground on November 7 for its Downtown Remote Operations Facility, located at 2556 Westinghouse Boulevard. The new facilities will free up the decades-old, over-crowded facilities on Peace and West streets.
On November 19, the City Council approved a$169,497 contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for the Lake Wheeler Road stream restoration project.
The City of Raleigh, the City of Durham and Durham County jointly acquired 134 acres to be used for watershed protection for Falls Lake and as an active-use park. Raleigh’s share of the $2.3 million acquisition was $250,000.
DECEMBER
Ballroom A of the Raleigh Convention Center was the setting for the December 2 swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected Mayor and City Council. The ceremony marked Nancy McFarlane’s second term as Mayor and the 35th Raleigh City Council under the council/manager form of government. This was the 21st City Council under the district system, with direct election of the Mayor.
Three architecturally significant houses were granted Raleigh Historic landmark designation by the City Council on December 3. They are: the 1923 one-story frame Anderson House at 1201 park Drive; the Holleman House, 311 Calvin Road, an intact example of the Sears Americas foursquare kit house that gained popularly in the early twentieth-century Raleigh suburbs; and, the 1875 two-story weather-boarded Merrimon-Wynne House at 500 N. Blount Street. This residence serves as a local example of the Italianate residential style.
In early December the City of Oaks Foundation made two announcements that bode well for Raleigh’s future. The foundation presented a $25,000 award to the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department. The award is to be used to sponsor need-based scholarships for children to participate in City-conducted summer camps and nature programs.
The foundation’s second announcement was a land conservation easement agreement with Bob Kellam and Susan Wyatt that will preserve their 58-acre farm in east Raleigh as a wildlife sanctuary and center for agricultural and environmental education. The conservation easement donation is appraised at $3.19 million.
The City Council unanimously approved a temporary food distribution facility near Moore Square to serve the needy. Following a series of community meetings that began in September, the City’s Food Distribution Task Force studied alternatives to food distribution in Moore Square and unanimously determined the best option was to use a vacant warehouse as a temporary food distribution facility.
Ground was broken December 3 for the Raleigh Police Memorial – a long-standing promise made by Raleigh Police Department veterans to honor and keep the memory sacred of the officers who make the ultimate sacrifice serving Raleigh. The ceremony was held at the entrance to the Avery C. Upchurch Government Complex at 222 W. Hargett St., where the memorial is being installed.
The City Council approved a $2.1 million loan to DHIC to purchase the Washington Terrace apartments located at 1951 booker Drive.
The replacement of the failing dam and spillway at Lower Longview Lake was approved. Completion of the project will reopen to vehicular traffic the section of Albemarle Avenue that runs across the bridge. This section has been closed to traffic since 2009 due to the deterioration of the dam. The $2.50 million project will upgrade the capacity of the dam and spillway to meet the State of North Carolina standards.
The cost for the design of improvements to three pedestrian bridges providing access across Interstate 40 was approved by the City Council. The three bridges were selected based on pedestrian demand and funds available under a previously approved Federal Surface Transportation Program-Direct Apportionment/Planning grant. The three pedestrian bridges are: Buck Jones Road South of I-40 to Farm Gate Road; Avent Ferry Road south of Mistiflower Drive to 400 feet north of I-40; and, Rock Quarry Road south of I-40 to north of I-40. The design of improvements will total more than $1.94 million.
The City Council established the Downtown Plan Advisory Committee comprised of 22 members and five alternates. The committee will serve as advisors in support of the new Downtown Plan. A kick-off event will be held during the first three months of 2014, at which the members will be instructed in their roles in developing a strategy for further sustained improvements to Downtown Raleigh.
A contract was approved for the construction of the second phase of renovation planned for the Annie Louise Wilkerson, M.D., Nature Preserve Park. The contract for approximately $2 million was awarded to Daniels and Daniels Construction Co., Inc. The second phase includes the renovation of Dr. Wilkerson’s former home into an education center. Dr. Wilkerson gave the 157 acres in the extreme northern section of Raleigh upon her death in 2004 with the stipulation that it be maintained as a “nature preserve park” used for the primary purpose of nature and wildlife education.
Raleigh residents looking to make small improvement to their community gained a new funding option with the City’s two pilot projects using a “crowd funding” model of financing. The pilot launched December 9 with the goal of raising funds for two projects solely through small donations from residents. The City partnered with the City of Oaks Foundation on both projects, with donations being requested through December 31.
The first project is the purchase, installation and maintenance of decorative bicycle racks. The second project is the purchase, installation and maintenance of benches along the most popular sections of the new, 28-mile Neuse River Greenway.
The City of Raleigh contracted with the Triangle Transit Authority in mid-December to provide additional bus service for the Zebulon-Wendell-Downtown Raleigh route and to initiate an express route from Johnston County to Downtown Raleigh. The expanded service is designed to alleviate the clogged traffic that will result from the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s multi-year Fortify Raleigh project that will make necessary improvements to an 11.5-mile stretch of Interstate 40 and Interstate 440. The new services are being paid by NCDOT.
Raleigh’s 7.4 percent increase in “workers in their prime” between 2007 and 2012 was the fourth largest rise in the nation, according to a study by demographer Wendell Cox. Forbes.com reported the study’s findings.
2014
JANUARY
The sale of the southern portion of the Charter Square site to Dominion Realty for $6.3 million was approved. Dominion’s plans for the site include construction of a 230,000-square-foot office building. Dominion also is acquiring an option to purchase the northern portion of the site for up to two years following construction of the proposed office tower. Charter Square is adjacent to City Plaza in Downtown Raleigh.
Sasaki Associates, Inc. was chosen as the consultant to lead the Downtown Plan.
Fred Smith Company II, LLC was approved to build the 0.81 acre Horseshoe Bend section of the Neuse River Greenway Trail for a contract totaling $819,950. Horseshoe Bend is the last remaining section of the Neuse River Greenway Trail to be constructed.
The City contracted with the consulting firm Design Workshop to lead the Six Forks Road Corridor Study. The study is to determine what is needed to make the corridor more transit, pedestrian and bike friendly. The study area extends from the Interstate 440 interchange to the Lynn Road intersection.
NerdWallet issued its listing of the 10 best American cities for job seekers. Raleigh earned the sixth spot on the list.
A $5.56 million contract for widening and other improvements to 5,800 linear feet of Leesville Road was awarded to DeVere Construction Company. The project will widen Leesville Road from Interstate 540 to New Leesville Boulevard.
The LEED Platinum certification and the unveiling of the Wilders Grove Solid Waste Services Facility were celebrated January 25.
Recent surveys and studies found Raleigh to be among America’s most friendly environments for small business and one of the nation’s new “opportunity cities” according to Rocket Lawyer’s Semi-Annual Small Business Index.
FEBRUARY
Wetherill Engineering was awarded a $302,648 contract for engineering design services for the Interstate 40 bridge pedestrian retrofits improvement project. The project will improve pedestrian retrofits on three bridges at Interstate 40 at Buck Jones Road, Avent Ferry Road and Rock Quarry Road.
Clancy and Theys/Skanska, a joint venture, was selected as the construction manager at risk for the first phase of the Raleigh Union Station project.
After 20 years, the City of Raleigh and Hanson Aggregates reached a settlement. The case focused on Hanson’s quarry operations at 5001 Duraleigh Road in northwest Raleigh. The comprehensive settlement is especially beneficial to both the City of Raleigh and homeowners near Hanson’s quarry. Under the terms of the agreement, the City immediately obtained temporary and permanent easements from Hanson to connect Crabtree Creek Greenway with nearby Umstead State Park.
Subfreezing temps and a night of rain and sleet on top of February 12’s freaky fast enveloping blizzard keep the Triangle largely shut through Valentine’s Day. (Conditions were so extreme that the Duke/ UNC basketball game was postponed.)
A winning combination of characteristics garnered Raleigh second place in Forbes’ 2014 poll of America’s 20 fastest-growing cities. The 2013 jobs growth rate of 2.44 percent and population increase of 2.15 percent pushed Raleigh past all other American cities except Austin.
The City increased the reward offered for reporting illicit discharges into its sanitary sewer system from $1,000 to $5,000.
The City approved the sale of 0.52 acre on South Salisbury Street, between South and Lenoir streets, to Raleigh-based Summit Hospitality Group, Ltd. Approval of the $1.73 million deal will result in the construction of an 11-story Marriott Residence Inn.
Barnhill Contracting Company was approved as the construction manager at risk for the $8.9 million Abbotts Creek Park project.
On February 19, Mayor Nancy McFarlane announced that Raleigh is on a short list of cities working with Google to explore the possibility of bringing the ultra-high speed Google Fiber broadband network to the city.
The City Council authorized an agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for proposed improvement along Tryon Road from Par Drive to South Wilmington Street. The total estimated cost of the project is approximately $7.1 million, with the City’s share to be $1.8 million. The improvements along the approximately 1.1-mile stretch of road include replacing the bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railroad, realigning Tryon Road through the Renaissance Park development and widening existing portions to four lanes.
A public information session on the planning and design of the Raleigh Union Station was held February 27 at CAM Raleigh.
The recipients of the City of Raleigh Human Relations Commission’s annual awards are: Madison G. Dunn for her involvement in the community; Community Success Initiative, Inc. for helping men and women transition to contributing members of society; Randy Light for his unwavering dedication to the battle to defeat AIDS and champion its victims; and, Triangle Family Services for its steadfast service to Raleigh’s families for 76 years.
Michele Grant ended her 35-year career with the City of Raleigh on February 28. She was the City’s first housing planner and retired as its Community Development director.
MARCH
March 4, the City Council held its first work session prior to the start of the regularly scheduled daytime council meetings.
Barnhill Contracting received the City’s $4.40 million annual street resurfacing contract. The contract calls for resurfacing 20.3 miles of 115 streets. The City maintains 1050 miles of streets.
There was a time America’s most desirable cities were also its most expensive in which to live. According to a survey by Cheapism.com , that is “so 20th century.” Using the metrics of: the Cost of Living Index; income; unemployment rate; state income tax and combined sales tax, Cheapism.com found the U.S.’s six most affordable, fast growing cities and Raleigh was among them.
The City Council approved Raleigh’s participation in a pilot open data program with five other municipalities.
The City unveiled an upgraded open data website at https://data.raleighnc.gov .
Centurion Construction Company Inc. was awarded the $3.6 million Northshore Lake and Dam Rehabilitation Project.
The City accepted a $35,000 donation from the Midtown Raleigh Alliance to help fund the Six Forks Road Corridor Study. The consulting firm Design Workshop was selected to conduct the study at a cost of $185,000. The study is to create a long-term vision for the area between Interstate 440 and Lynn Road.
The City solicited public comment through an online survey concerning the plans for new and renovated Downtown transit facilities.
“Great cities don’t just happen. They must be cultivated and designed. Raleigh is in great shape today because of the leadership of the past. To continue to prosper, Raleigh must follow a thoughtful design.” That was the synopsis of Mayor Nancy McFarlane’s state-of-the-City address, delivered March 24 at the Raleigh Convention Center.
The City’s Office of Economic Development compiled the Small Business Resource Guide to help entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground.
Planned improvements to the Blue Ridge Road corridor such as sidewalks, trails and other amenities to make the area more pedestrian and bicycle friendly also will improve the health of the community, according to the Blue Ridge Road Corridor Health Impact Assessment.
A compelling aspect of the U.S. Census Bureau’s estimate that North Carolina’s population moved passed 9.8 million is that two areas in Tarheelia are fueling the growth – Metrolina and the Triangle. Charlotte and the Triangle accounted for 67 percent of the state’s population growth over the years that have elapsed since the 2010 decennial census. The Triangle grew by 7 percent over the past three years, adding 114,200 new residents.
Sister Cities of Raleigh played host to a delegation of government officials from Raleigh’s Sister City Xiangyang, China on March 28. The officials met with local business and government leaders to discuss potential substantive collaborations between Raleigh and China.
APRIL
The City Council, the Wake County Public School Board and Wake County approved the agreement for Abbotts Creek Park and Elementary School project.
The City Council signed an interlocal agreement with the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization for a corridor study that will evaluate the transportation network along the North Carolina Railroad Company corridor between North East Maynard Road in Cary and Gorman Street in Raleigh. Raleigh’s share of the $520,000 project was $120,000.
The preconstruction services contract for the Union Station project, totaling $200,157 was awarded to Clancy and Theys/Skanska Joint Venture.
Precision Safe Sidewalks was awarded a $2.10 million contract to conduct a survey of sidewalks and provide for the removal of trip hazards throughout Raleigh.
Lord Aeck Sargent was awarded the contract to create the Cameron Village Vicinity Plan. The study area included Cameron Village Shopping Center, the Cameron Village neighborhood, Oberlin Village, Broughton High School, and parts of the Cameron Park and University Park neighborhoods.
The City Council authorized staff to proceed with designs for a traffic-calming project on Milburnie Road from Raleigh Boulevard to Chatham Lane.
Raleigh celebrated the completion of the Walnut Creek Greenway Trail Extension Project. With the completion of the 4.5-mile section from Rose Lane to the Neuse River Trail, the Walnut Creek Trail extends more than 15 miles across southern Raleigh.
When international accounting firm KPMG compared the U.S. metropolitan areas with populations between 1 and 2 million, it found Raleigh to have the fourth-most business cost-friendly characteristics.
A whopping 91.4 percent of Raleigh-Cary residents surveyed replied that they were satisfied with the area, which ranked 14th nationally.
The Cultural Planning Group was authorized to help lead the City through the creation of the Raleigh Arts Plan.
The City Council authorized the City Manager and the City Attorney to execute a master network development agreement between the City of Raleigh and AT&T. The proposed agreement is the result of the request for proposals (RFP) released by the Triangle J Council of Governments for the North Carolina Next Generation Network. The RFP invited one or more private companies to build and operate next-generation networks in six communities – Carrboro, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh and Winston-Salem, along with university partners Duke University, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University/Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
The City Council approved low-interest loans to two affordable rental housing projects for elderly residents with low incomes. Approved was $950,000 for Brighton Pointe Phase II and $800,000 for Wakefield Spring. The two projects will provide 168 affordable rental housing units.
The City of Raleigh recognized individuals and organizations committed to preserving and improving the environment with the seventh annual Environmental Awards celebration April 22 at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
Since 2009, the Raleigh Police Memorial Foundation worked to make a long-standing promise a reality – to honor and keep the memory sacred of the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice serving Raleigh. That promise was fulfilled in the dedication of the Raleigh Police Memorial on April 25 at the entrance to the Avery C. Upchurch Government Complex.
Forbes not only gave Raleigh top billing as the best place in America to raise a family, it gave several reasons why the Oak City is the darling of the “best of” lists, not only for Forbes but other publications as well. It cited: median household income; cost of living; housing affordability; percentage of home owners; average commuting delays; and local school quality.
MAY
The City Council voted unanimously May 6 to adopt a new System Plan for the City’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, concluding a 16-month comprehensive process that included multiple public input sessions.
The City Council approved the design of the pedestrian improvement to Six Forks Road from Coleridge Drive to Wake Forest Road.
When Forbes.com looked at American cities’ percentage increase in the number of college graduates it attracted as residents between 2007 and 2012, it found San Antonio and New Orleans were the biggest gainers at 20.3 percent. Raleigh welcomed 45,546 during that period, earning the Oak City the tenth spot on the “New Brain Power” list. The figure of newly minted scholars was a 14.0 percent increase for Raleigh
The City of Raleigh opened the Northeast Outreach Center in the Mini City shopping center.
The Police Department announced that it would offer free classes on safe motorcycle operation in June, July, August, September, October and November.
The International Bluegrass Music Association announced May 13 that its World of Bluegrass would stay in Raleigh through 2018. “We want IBMA and the bluegrass community to put its roots down in Raleigh to stay,” Mayor Nancy McFarlane said in announcing the extension from the stage of the Red Hat Amphitheater.
The City Council approved the revised master plan for John Chavis Memorial Park.
The Fred Smith Company was awarded a $1.86 million contract for phase one construction of the Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve.
The City Council approved the rezoning of approximately 15.37 acres south of Hillsborough Street at the west end of Myra Road, adjacent to Interstate 40. The approved change was from Office and Institution Two Conditional Use to Residential Mixed Use – Four Stories – Conditional Use.
The City held six Downtown Plan visioning sessions in May.
JUNE
The City Council appointed 11 members to a newly established task force charged with reviewing the City’s window signage ordinance and procedures, and recommending any changes to the Council. Later in the summer, the Council referred vehicle signs to the task force as well.
The City Council expanded the scope of the Cameron Village Vicinity Plan to include Hillsborough Street.
The Hillsborough Street Municipal Service District was reauthorized by the City Council.
Mayor Nancy McFarlane welcomed officials from Raleigh’s French Sister City on June 6, the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
The repairs to the O’Rorke-Catholic Cemetery from the damage wrought by the April 2011 tornado are completed.
After several years of deferring needs due to the Great Recession, the Raleigh City Council approved the City budget for Fiscal Year 2015 that reinvests in Raleigh.
Included in the new fiscal year’s budget is a support program for entrepreneurial start-up businesses locating in the Oak City.
The Mordecai Historic Park Visitors Center is dedicated on June 18.
The two-way traffic design for Lenoir and South streets was approved.
JULY
The City Council approved the recommended alternative at Peace Street and Wade Avenue, as presented by the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the proposed bridge replacement along Capital Boulevard.
St. Matthews School, 5410 Louisburg Road and The Mecca, 13 East Martin Street became Raleigh’s 155th and 156th historic landmarks.
Raleigh’s Independence Day celebration kicked off at noon and roared non-stop until 11 p.m. Downtown reveled in American freedom with 20 bands playing three stages, fun-for-all events, fabulous food, art for sale and eating contests all culminating in fireworks.
On July 10, the City broke ground on the communications center on North Raleigh Boulevard. The 95,000-square-foot, four-story $71 million building will house the: Raleigh-Wake Emergency Communications Center; the City of Raleigh Emergency Operations Center; the City of Raleigh Traffic Control Center; and, the City of Raleigh Data Center.
The design for the widening of Sandy Forks Road was approved. The road will be widened from Six Forks to Falls of Neuse roads. The project will be submitted as a "greenroad" program, with the goal of promoting sustainable infrastructure design solutions on transportation projects.
For the fourth time in eight years, Forbes Magazine crowned the Capital City the best place for business and careers. Raleigh is the only East Coast city to make the list’s top 10.
City Manager Ruffin Hall announced his senior management team on July 21. They are: James Simpson Greene, Jr., former Deputy Manager of the City of Concord, who serves as Raleigh’s Assistant City Manager for Economic Development; Hamlet’s former City Manager Marchell Adams David, who was named Assistant City Manager for Community; Tansy D. Hayward, who serves as Assistant City Manager for Services and came from Tacoma, Wash., where she served as an Assistant City Manager; and Louis Buonpane, a 16-year City of Raleigh veteran who began serving as Chief of Staff on July 1. The Assistant City Managers began working for the City of Raleigh in August.
Assistant City Manager Dan Howe concluded his 29-year career on July 31.
AUGUST
The City of Raleigh, Wake County and other local government agencies agreed to jointly hire a consultant to update the Wake County Transit Plan. The Capital City allocated $50,000 to the project.
On August 5, the City Council got a peek into the future of the Moore Square Transit Station. Schematic design plans for a renovated transit station that would increase capacity and enhance amenities for transit passengers were presented at the council meeting.
The City Council approved a $49.43 million guaranteed maximum price contract with Clancy & Theys/Balfour Beatty, Joint Venture for completion of phase two of the construction of the City’s communication facility.
The City used grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Flood Mitigation Assistance program and budgeted dollars from the City’s Stormwater Utility fund to purchase seven structures that had experienced multiple flood-related losses over the years. The FEMA program provides funds for projects to reduce or eliminate the risk of flood damage to buildings that are insured under the National Flood Insurance Program.
Wake County’s population surpassed 1 million.
To find out which cities offer the best prospects for professionals aged 24 to 34 who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, Forbes analyzed the 100 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Raleigh captured the second spot nationally.
SEPTEMBER
NeighborWoods, Raleigh’s only source of residential street trees, turned 10. This year the program delivered its 15,000th tree.
On September 2, City Council Member Thomas Crowder issued a statement regarding the battle he had been waging with cancer for more than a year. His statement revealed that all options for a cure had been exhausted. He asked Council Members to appoint his wife to complete his term of office when his health forced him to resign from representing the residents of District D. In response, Council Member John Odom resigned the position of Mayor Pro Tem and made a motion that Mr. Crowder be named to the office by acclamation. The Council Members were unanimous in their consent of the motion. On September 16, the Council Members voted unanimously to allow Mr. Crowder’s wife, Kay, to serve out his term of office if he is unable.
The City provided a business incentives grant to Xellia Pharmaceuticals for the expansion of its manufacturing facility on Capital Boulevard. The grant requires the company to create 40 permanent full-time jobs within the next five years with average annual salaries of $45,000 to $70,000, plus the retention of 90 existing jobs.
Eight projects received Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Community Appearance. The awards recognize outstanding new contributions to the character and appearance of Raleigh. The 2014 winners include: North Carolina State University (NCSU) Department of Architecture Design + Build Studio for the Artists’ Backyard on the NCSU campus; FMW Real Estate and New City Design Group for their residential project at 2604 Hillsborough Street; the Merrimon-Wynne House; the Raleigh Police Memorial; the Person Street Partnership; the City of Raleigh’s Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center; the Wander Box; and Midtown Park.
Two design workshops were held on the Six Forks Road Corridor Study.
The City hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of extensive repairs to Mount Hope Cemetery. The April 2011 tornado ruined headstones and uprooted trees throughout the historic cemetery.
The last of the information sessions on the future Raleigh Union Station was held September 9 at the Contemporary Art Museum. The design team presented a large physical model of the proposed building and grounds. Construction for the project is scheduled to begin in early 2015.
As the sun set on Downtown Raleigh on the 13th anniversary of the terrorists attacks on New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., a celebration broke out at the Red Hat Amphitheater, which was filled with Raleigh’s 9/11 Day of Service volunteers. For the third year the volunteers were coordinated by Activate Good and directed their talents to more than 60 projects.
Being family friendly is the “hippest” thing to be for American cities wanting a robust future, according to Forbes.com . The changes in the number of residents aged five to 14 since 2000 were examined in the nation’s 52 largest metropolitan statistical areas. Raleigh’s 55.7 percent growth in that age group was the nation’s tops.
The Raleigh Historic Development Commission conducted two public reviews of the current design guidelines used by the City of Raleigh when reviewing proposed new construction in, and additions to, historic districts.
Stewart, Inc. was awarded the design services contract for the $490,935 Crabtree Creek West Greenway.
Scotia Construction, Inc. was awarded the $490,000 contract for the renovations of the old Capital Area Transit Facility on South Blount Street. The facility will house the joint City of Raleigh Accessible Raleigh Transportation Program/Wake County Shared Mobility Management Operations.
WalletHub went in search of the most and least educated towns in America. It found Raleigh to be the nation’s second-most educated. Durham was America’s third most.
The City acquired land on Harden Road for the relocation and replacement of Fire Station 14, which currently is on a 0.71-acre on Lake Boone Trail.
On September 24, Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Crowder resigned his seat on the City Council due to his failing health. Immediately following Mr. Crowder’s resignation, his wife, Kay, was sworn in to office and assumed her husband’s duties representing District D.
OCTOBER
Larry M. Jarvis was named the City of Raleigh’s director of the new Housing and Neighborhoods Department.
The Raleigh City Council approved GO Raleigh, a new branding and naming convention for Capital Area Transit (CAT). Other Triangle systems buses will be labeled GO Durham, GO Cary, GO Triangle and GO Chapel Hill. The new name and paint design will demonstrate connectivity while still allowing for local flavor and identity.
The City of Raleigh celebrated the 25th anniversary of its recycling program.
The City hosted a public open house and presentation on the East Cabarrus Green Street Project. The public input helped determine the scope of the project. The City has begun work on a draft streetscape plan for the East Cabarrus Green Street Project.
The Atwater-Perry House gained the distinction of being Raleigh’s 157th Historic Landmark.
On October 7, Raleigh City Council District B’s John Odom was unanimously approved to serve as Mayor Pro Tem.
Citrix held the grand opening of its office in the Warehouse District of Downtown Raleigh on October 9.
The City Council approved an interlocal agreement with Johnston County for future water resource planning. Both use the Neuse River as a primary water supply and both entities are actively planning for water resource needs. The goal is to identify sources capable of reliably supplying enough raw water to make the mutual pursuit of supply development favorable for both the City of Raleigh and Johnston County.
The City Council endorsed a proposed process to receive outside stakeholder input on a draft work plan for advancing the use of green infrastructure and low-impact development in Raleigh. The stakeholder process is expected to be completed and recommendations presented to Council in early 2015.
Long-time District D City Council representative Thomas Crowder died October 14. Mr. Crowder was in his fourth two-year term. At his request, his seat representing southwest Raleigh was filled by his wife, Kay, upon his resignation.
On October 20, the City of Raleigh launched Next Century Cities, a bipartisan, city-to-city initiative dedicated to ensuring the availability of next-generation broadband Internet for all communities.
Capital Area Transit provided 73,556 passenger trips on its State Fair shuttle. Ridership on the North Raleigh Line increased more than 12 percent.
The City of Raleigh Arts Commission selected five individuals – Marta Findlay-Partridge, George Holt, Terrence Mann, and Thomas and June Roberg – and two organizations – Ruggero Piano and Arts Together – to receive the 2014 Raleigh Medal of Arts.
NOVEMBER
Raleigh residents overwhelmingly approved a $91.775 million bond issue for parks and recreational facilities by 68 percent to 32 percent.
The City Council authorized an initiative to further reduce waste in the City by forming a task force which will make recommendations to the City Council and staff on waste reduction goals, potential guiding principles and implementation strategies.
The City Council approved an ordinance that established the Glenwood South Hospitality District for a one-year pilot. The pilot is an attempt to address concerns that the outdoor amplification noise permits adversely impact surrounding residences. The ordinance provides clarity and specifics for outdoor noise levels.
The design phase of the bicycle pavement marking project was completed in early November.
With more than 100 miles making up more than 28 trails, the Capital Area Greenway system is one of the jewels of the City of Raleigh’s parks system. To continue to serve as a highly functional, multi-use, recreation and transportation trail network, as well as an environmental conservation tool, City staff developed a planning and design guide for future development.
Raleigh racked up two more accolades – top 10 among U.S. cities for veterans (WalletHub) and second-best American city to find a job ( Forbes.com ).
The area between North Carolina State University and downtown Cary continues to attract residential, commercial, and institutional development. Due to projected increases in road and rail traffic, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization partnered with the City of Raleigh, the Town of Cary, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Triangle Transit, the North Carolina Railroad, and the Norfolk Southern Railroad to study land uses and mobility at railroad crossings between N.E. Maynard Road in Cary and Gorman Street in Raleigh.
On November 18, Council approved the master plan for the Sierra/Lineberry Drive Park and the Wooten Meadow Park, adopted a System Integration Plan, received the Situational Assessment, and appointed the citizen planning committee for the 2.42-acre southwest Raleigh park’s master planning process.
A consultant team led by JDavis Architects will be paid $293,745 to provide professional services for the City’s Southern Gateway Corridor Study. The focus area is along South Saunders and South Wilmington streets that are south of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, east of Lake Wheeler Road to Interstate 440 and west of the rail corridor that parallels South Wilmington Street.
Public Work Director Carl Dawson ended his career of nearly 40 years of public service, retiring in late November.
DECEMBER
Barry Furey, Director of the Raleigh-Wake Emergency Communications Center retired on December 1.The City Council approved a $244,981 contract with Clearscapes, P.A. for the strategic implementation phase of improvements to John Chavis Memorial Park.
The Garland Scott and Toler Moore Tucker House was named Raleigh’s 157th historic landmark.
The City Council voted unanimously on December 2 to partner with the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Raleigh Alliance on funding a new Downtown hotel market feasibility study. The City contributed $20,000 toward the $55,000 study.
The final design, permitting and the bidding phase of a construction project that will provide sidewalks on both sides of Capital Boulevard from Spring Forest Road to Old Wake Forest Road was approved by the City Council.
The widening of Mitchell Mill Road between Louisburg Road and Forestville Road got the green light.
The playground at Roberts Park was renovated for the first time in 23 years and on December 6 the community rejoiced in the $157,500 in improvements.
Wake County launched its quest for a new transit plan December 8 with a public meeting in the Raleigh Convention Center. The finished plan will be evaluated by Wake County, Triangle Transit and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, which includes representatives from every municipality in Wake County. The process is estimated to take seven months.
Former Raleigh City Council Member Mary Watson Nooe died December 14.
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Which book begins with the line The American handed Leamus another cup of coffee.... ? | Heritage History | Homeschool History Curriculum | Builders of our Country Vol. I by G. Southworth
Sir Walter Raleigh
I. Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Humphrey Gilbert
Sir Walter Raleigh was a brave and gallant English knight who lived during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The story is told that one day, as the Queen approached the place where he was waiting with a crowd to see her pass, she paused before a muddy spot in the way. Raleigh, without a moment's hesitation, slipped his velvet cape from his shoulders and spread it out for her to walk on. This little act of courtesy greatly pleased Queer. Elizabeth, and ever after she remembered her gallant knight.
Raleigh was born in a seaport town of Devonshire in 1552. Here large sailing vessels used to anchor to load and unload their cargoes.
When a boy, Raleigh was like all other boys. There was nothing he enjoyed quite so much as going down to the wharves and hearing the sailors tell thrilling stories of the sea and the strange countries they had visited. Then Raleigh would say to himself, "When I am a man, I, too, will discover some new land." And though he never discovered a new land, he did much in attempting to found an English colony in America.
Since the. Cabots crossed the Atlantic, England had not sent out many exploring expeditions. But, as you know, Spain had done so; and her colonies were growing stronger than those of any other European nation, and her trade was greater.
Never the best of friends with Spain, England naturally did not like to see Spain gaining more power than she herself across the sea. So, not to be outdone, the English made plans for planting colonies in America and for carrying on a larger trade with that country.
Moreover, England had other reasons for wanting to colonize America besides the desire to increase her trade and to hold her own with Spain. There was always the old hope of finding gold; and there was vet a fourth reason, one that had grown out of the condition of the English people themselves.
SIR WALTER RALEIGH
In the time of Queen Elizabeth, the population of England was about five millions, and there was not work enough in the kingdom to keep so many people employed. Hundreds could find nothing to do. So, whirs the rich in England were growing richer each day, the poor were growing poorer.
Why not send these poor idle people to America? There they would certainly have plenty of work and a fair chance to make a new start in life.
Of course this would mean a great risk and vast sums of money, and there were few persons who cared to hazard all they owned in an undertaking that might be unsuccessful. Again, how many people do you suppose would willingly be separated forever from their friends in England?
Yet, in spite of the risk, there were some wealthy men in England who put great sums of money into ships to carry colonists across the ocean. One of these was Sir Humphrey Gilbert, a stepbrother of Walter Raleigh. In 1578 he set sail with seven ships to plant a colony in North America. His first attempt was unsuccessful.
COLONISTS WAITING TO BOARD SHIP FOR VIRGINIA.
On his second voyage Sir Humphrey landed in Newfoundland and claimed it in the name of the Queen. From there he sailed south to the Kennebec River. As his three vessels skirted the coast, a great storm arose. Suddenly with a crash the largest ship crushed its bows against a hidden rock and sank.
The storm continued to rage wildly. Sir Humphrey decided to head for England. Soon his little ship began to founder in the terrible sea. Sitting near the stern the brave man called out to his companions on the other vessel, "The way to heaven is as near by sea as by land." That night his ship went down, and neither he nor his sailors were ever seen again.
II. Sir Walter Raleigh and His Colony
On the death of Sir Humphrey Gilbert, Walter Raleigh decided to carry out his stepbrother's scheme. He was a rich man and a great favorite with the Queen. He asked her to renew in his name the charter granted to Sir Humphrey, and the Queen gladly did so.
These charters gave in writing the privileges the Queen was willing to grant her colonists. It was so far from England to America, and the journey back and forth took so long, that it would have been impossible to refer questions to the Queen as they came up. The only way was to decide ahead what the colonists should be allowed to do. Then if the people who were to sail to the new land felt that they could be content under those conditions, all well and good. Otherwise they had better stay in England.
Walter Raleigh's charter granted him the, right to explore and settle the eastern coast of America and to make himself governor of any colony he might found. The colonists who went with him were to have all the political and religious rights and privileges that they had to England.
This was a very fair charter. Everything seemed to promise success to the future colonists. But to make assurance doubly sure, Raleigh thought best to send an exploring party ahead, so that when the colonists reached America they would know what to expect. With this in view, two vessels sailed away from England in 1584.
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Their anchors were cast just off the island of Roanoke; and going ashore the English found the climate delightful, the vegetation rich, acid the Indians most eager to welcome them. For several weeks the explorers stayed on the island; and such a good time did they have that, when they got back to England, they gave only glowing reports of all they bad seen.
Queen Elizabeth was so delighted when she heard of the glorious regions across the sea, that she named them Virginia, in her own honor. Elizabeth was not married and was proud of her title, "The Virgin Queen." As a reward for his efforts in the new land, Raleigh was knighted and became Sir Walter Raleigh.
Now there was nothing to delay the sending out of the colony, and soon the well-laden ships were on their way. In time Roanoke was reached, and the men and their goods were put safely ashore.
So far so good. But from this time matters did not progress. The colonists were lazy. Instead of exerting themselves in tilling the ground and building homes, they wasted their time and lived on what they could get from the Indians. Of course the Indians did not like this arrangement. The English were only a burden to them, and constant quarrels arose.
The next year Sir Francis Drake sailed up to Virginia to see how the colonists were getting along. He found them almost destitute and terribly homesick; and, yielding to their pleadings, he carried them back to England.
PIPES WHICH THE COLONISTS FOUND IN USE BY THE INDIANS
As far as founding a colony was concerned, the expedition had proved a failure. However, it brought about two results which became of great value to England. On their return Sir Walter's colonists presented him with two kinds of plants which they had found growing on Roanoke Island. One was the potato, which, up to this time, the English had never known. They tried it and liked it so well that it has ever since been raised in their land.
The other plant was tobacco, which the colonists had tried and had deemed worthy of being carried all the way to England.
Sir Walter tried the tobacco; and he, too, liked it. An amusing tale is told of what happened to Sir Walter one day as he was smoking. His servant, who had never before seen smoke come out of anyone's mouth, came into the room. He glanced at his master, thought he must be on fire, and rushed out for a jug of water, which he promptly poured all over Sir Walter to put out the fire.
In 1587 Sir Walter Raleigh made another effort to colonize America. This time the colonists included women and children as well as men.
Soon after they landed on Roanoke a little girl was born. She was the first child of English parents to be born in America. Her name was Virginia Dare, and she was the granddaughter of John White, the deputy governor of the colony.
Before long Deputy Governor White sailed back to England for new supplies. When he started, the colonists told him that, if for any reason they left Roanoke Island, they would carve on a tree the name of the place where he could find them; and that, if they were in any trouble when they moved, he would see a cross cut above the name.
Three years passed before Governor White came back to the island, and by that time there was no one to receive him. He could not find a single one of the colonists. Their homes were deserted, and the harbor was empty. Not a trace was left excepting the word "Croatoan" cut into the trunk of a tree, but there was no cross fiver the name. Croatoan was the name of an island not far away. But though search after search was made, not one of the missing colonists was ever found on that island or anywhere else.
STONE COMMEMORATING THE ROANOKE SETTLEMENT
The inscription reads:
On this site, in July-August, 1585 (O. S.), colonists sent out from England by Sir Walter Raleigh built a fort called by them "The New Fort in Virginia." These colonists were the first settlers of the English race in America. They returned to England in July,1586, with Sir Francis Drake. Near this place was born, on the 18th of August, 1587, Virginia Dare, the first child of English parents born in America—daughter of Ananias Dare and Eleanor White, his wife, members of another band of colonists sent out by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1587. On Sunday, August 20, 1587, Virginia Dare was baptized. Manteo, the friendly chief of the Hatteras Indians, had been baptized on the Sunday preceding. These baptisms are the first-known celebrations of a Christian sacrament in the territory of the thirteen original United States.
Saddened and disappointed by the fate of his colonists, Sir Walter Raleigh gave up his idea of personally founding an English settlement in America. His experiment had cost him over forty thousand pounds. However, he still held firmly to his belief that this country would one day be an English nation.
Stimulated by his example, others followed his lead with happier results. After a few years, more and more English people crossed to America, and many English colonies were established along the eastern coast.
The colonists soon realized that they had to work in order to live. They built comfortable homes, raised crops, and traded among themselves. They laid the foundations of such towns as Jamestown and Plymouth, which in the course of time became centers of trade with the mother country. In fact the English colonists who followed Sir Walter Raleigh's example succeeded by their hard and earnest work in turning a wilderness into the prosperous land of an English-speaking nation.
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Which two men are waiting for Godot? | SparkNotes: Waiting for Godot: Summary
Waiting for Godot
Context
Characters
Two men, Vladimir and Estragon, meet near a tree. They converse on various topics and reveal that they are waiting there for a man named Godot. While they wait, two other men enter. Pozzo is on his way to the market to sell his slave, Lucky. He pauses for a while to converse with Vladimir and Estragon. Lucky entertains them by dancing and thinking, and Pozzo and Lucky leave.
After Pozzo and Lucky leave, a boy enters and tells Vladimir that he is a messenger from Godot. He tells Vladimir that Godot will not be coming tonight, but that he will surely come tomorrow. Vladimir asks him some questions about Godot and the boy departs. After his departure, Vladimir and Estragon decide to leave, but they do not move as the curtain falls.
The next night, Vladimir and Estragon again meet near the tree to wait for Godot. Lucky and Pozzo enter again, but this time Pozzo is blind and Lucky is dumb. Pozzo does not remember meeting the two men the night before. They leave and Vladimir and Estragon continue to wait.
Shortly after, the boy enters and once again tells Vladimir that Godot will not be coming. He insists that he did not speak to Vladimir yesterday. After he leaves, Estragon and Vladimir decide to leave, but again they do not move as the curtain falls, ending the play.
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| Waiting for Godot |
What is a bird AND a fruit? | Waiting for Godot full play - YouTube
Waiting for Godot full play
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Published on Apr 8, 2015
Based on the play "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett.
Summary:
Two men, Vladimir and Estragon, meet near a tree. They converse on various topics and reveal that they are waiting there for a man named Godot. While they wait, two other men enter. Pozzo is on his way to the market to sell his slave, Lucky. He pauses for a while to converse with Vladimir and Estragon. Lucky entertains them by dancing and thinking, and Pozzo and Lucky leave.
After Pozzo and Lucky leave, a boy enters and tells Vladimir that he is a messenger from Godot. He tells Vladimir that Godot will not be coming tonight, but that he will surely come tomorrow. Vladimir asks him some questions about Godot and the boy departs. After his departure, Vladimir and Estragon decide to leave, but they do not move as the curtain falls. The next night, Vladimir and Estragon again meet near the tree to wait for Godot. Lucky and Pozzo enter again, but this time Pozzo is blind and Lucky is dumb. Pozzo does not remember meeting the two men the night before. They leave and Vladimir and Estragon continue to wait.
Shortly after, the boy enters and once again tells Vladimir that Godot will not be coming. He insists that he did not speak to Vladimir yesterday. After he leaves, Estragon and Vladimir decide to leave, but again they do not move as the curtain falls, ending the play.
Summary via SparkNotes.
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