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The blood tests finally express anaemia and kidney disease.
This thursday Rubio must go again to the vet to do an ultrasound scan and we can know what kind of kidney disease he has.
I have been three hours and twenty minutes trying to upload a photo- any photos so I could leave an update but my iPad will not/ cannot get WiFi and my phone just kept asking me to sign up to Flickr and not accepting my email address and password.
I have had lots of kind emails so wished to update and thank everyone… Jonathan got his test results late this afternoon and his problem is Anaemia which has to be investigated as to the cause when we return home. We are taking things easy and enjoying our holiday without pushing ourselves too much. This shot is an ICM which I hope is not already on here but picked at random so it could be lol….
Taken at Constantine Bay Cornwall in May 2021
Why Older People Feel the Cold More
Slower Metabolism: As the body ages, its metabolic rate naturally decreases, meaning it burns fewer calories and generates less internal heat.
Reduced Insulation: Muscle mass and the layer of subcutaneous fat under the skin thin with age, reducing the body's natural insulation and causing heat to escape more quickly.
Poorer Circulation: Stiffer blood vessels and a less efficient heart make it harder for the body to pump warm blood to the hands and feet.
Health Conditions & Medications: Chronic conditions like hypothyroidism, diabetes, and anaemia can impair temperature regulation. Medications such as beta-blockers or blood thinners can also increase cold sensitivity.
Reduced Mobility: Spending more time sitting or lying down reduces the heat produced by physical movement.
So lots of layers - even if it does make you look "inflated".
Minehead, Somerset, UK.
I recieved this as an email attachment I share with you ..
Kind courtesy Virendra
From: Virendra Singh
The wonder of a Banana
A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas. He said the expression "going bananas" is from the effects of bananas on the brain.
Read on:
Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!
This is interesting.
After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.
Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fibre. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.
Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.
But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Anaemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anaemia.
Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure, so much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Constipation: High in fibre, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates
your system.
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.
Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.
Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away
© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved
Street photography from Glasgow, Scotland.
Previously unpublished archive shot from this day, 7th August, in 2017.
The number of days that I remain in my current home is now into single digits and I still have so much to sort, pack and do. Fatigue from lack of sleep and lingering breathlessness from my Tako-Tsubo attack and anaemia are making things really difficult and now I have a return of the back pain that laid me out for months a couple of years ago. It's all I needed.
It turns out that downsizing in a hurry and getting rid of so many things is really emotionally painful. I am trying to just hold on to things that are either essential or precious to me. The decisions are still really difficult.
I am extremely grateful for the donations to help me stay online while I will be in temporary accommodation. Thank you so very much.
A very tasty vegetable but also the leaf, stem, and root are used to make “extracts” which contain a high concentration of certain chemicals found in the plant. These extracts are used as medicine.
Artichoke is thought to help reduce the symptoms of heartburn and alcohol hangover. It's also used to treat high cholesterol, kidney problems, anaemia, fluid retention (oedema), arthritis, bladder infections, and liver problems.
Some people use artichoke for treating snakebites, preventing gallstones, lowering blood pressure, lowering blood sugar; or as a tonic. So good in fact, that every gardener should probably grow some !!
On Explore August 8th currently #208, many thanks for all views, faves and comments, all are very much appreciated.
They're cheeky little so-and-so's! Barney's been helping me out with the hens recently. I've never encountered the problem before but we had an outbreak of red mites in our hen house a few weeks back. Not the little spider mites you sometimes see under stones, these red mites are really horrible pests and in hot weather their numbers can sky rocket in days - you can get a massive infestation extremely quickly. They live in cracks inside the hen house during the day and come out at night to feed off the chickens. In large numbers can cause severe anaemia and even death :( Obviously, I started treating the house and the chickens as soon as I realised we had a problem but it takes a while to fully control red mites and in the meantime the chickens have understandably become reluctant to go to bed at night.
They've been roosting all over the garden - under bushes, on the ground between the shed and the fence, in flowerpots (yes, really!), on tarpaulin, under garden furniture... To my surprise Barney's taken it upon himself to sniff and flush out the hideaways. I didn't have to ask. That first night, he stuck his head in the hen house before I shut the door - not something he'd done before - took a good sniff and walked off. Next moment, just as I found one was missing, there was a furious squawk. I turned to see the black hen fluttering out from under a bush, Barney standing behind, grinning. He usually tries quite hard to avoid the chickens and never deliberately disturbs them - but he seemed to understand she shouldn't be out there at night. Every night since then, if any hens try roosting outside their house, Barney's been helping me finding them. He can get into spaces I can't and sniffs them out much faster than I can spot them by just looking.
I've also found he makes a pretty good chicken herder! Barn's never been trained on stock but does know "walk on", "further out", "back off", "stop" and what pointing means. He's proved pretty invaluable at balancing my movements and blocking off escape routes as I usher them to bed. He will very gently encourage them into the hen house. I've been impressed by his ability to judge for himself how hard to push - he doesn't panic the hens but they move better for Barney than for me. I give some directions but mostly leave it to him. It has been pretty cool seeing him naturally take to "work" :) I think his evening job may have finished though now, as I seem to have beaten the mites and the hens are going to bed by themselves... Still nice to know, if I need help, my "sheepdog" is also a good chickendog!
Reached Explore #62
A year ago we nearly lost Flori to Hemalytic Anaemia and each day she's with us is a bonus. She's had a good year and is looking great for 15 years old too - HSS!
1O/365 [explored! #23]
I have no more inspirations. I have no more hope. I have nothing.
I don’t know if I’ll continue with this 365. It’s been a complete failure.
This is my first picture that has been explored, this made my day! :D Thank you everyone!!
I was tagged, so here are my ten facts about me:
1. If I’m not at school, I’m probably on/in my bed, either reading, watching the television, on the computer or sleeping.
2. I have the worst sleeping habits. The earliest I’ve gotten to sleep in the past week was last night; I fell asleep somewhere around 3 am. Therefore, I always have dark circles around my eyes, it’s a drag.
3. I’m anaemic. Anaemia is an iron deficiency where you don’t have enough red blood cells. This makes it difficult for your blood to carry oxygen, causing tiredness and other symptoms.
4. I still sleep with a night light. I’m deathly scared of the dark and I can’t sleep if there’s not some source of light in the room.
5. I’ve probably made the worst decisions possible in my life. I’m so stressed out about the situation I’ve put myself in. And the ways I deal with my stress aren’t the best.
6. One Flickr member in particular is such an inspiration to me. I’m in love with every picture he produces. His work is utterly amazing.
7. If I could, I’d live off of slushies, those cherry yogurt tubes and potatoes for the rest of my life.
8. I’ve learned that no matter WHAT, all guys ever want is to get into your pants. It’s quite sad what eager beavers [ahah, I laughed so hard when you said that Kristin] the male population has become.
9. I prefer Coco Cola over Pepsi. But I prefer Diet Pesi over Diet Coke.
1O. I feel trapped.
monday 30th november;
i look a total dick in this picture, but it was taken whilst i was on the phone and it was actually an accident as i thought it was on self-timer and it wasn't and i looked at my phone whilst adjusting my scarf haha.
so today, urm.. i basically did nothing. bought two hoodies at matalan for £7 each which i was really pleased about. if i was a lad i would have probably got the bone-on cause im cool like that ya'see. college ended at 2:30pm and my mum picked me up, where we went to sainsbury's and she got a cardigan/coat for us to share. we used the self checkout system cause i find it exciting and want a job as a checkout person LMAO.
on the other note;
my mum was on about taking me to the doctors on friday morning for a check-up on my anaemia and she also was on about me going on "the pill" but she also isn't aware of me being sexually active either + i'm scared of the side effects. fuck knows. help? haha
oh yeah, and i was on the phone to joe, spent my lunch with joe and joe also walked me to my mums car after college. (Y)
" ...staying up nights to read it in 97 different tongues. A picture of reality in the 18th century, Henceforward no more desert isles. Henceforward wherever one happens to be born is a desert isle. Every man his own civilized desert, the island of self on which he is shipwrecked: happiness, relative or absolute, is out of the question. Henceforward everyone is running away from himself to find an imaginary desert isle, to live out this dream of being Robinson Crusoe. Follow the classic flights, of Melville, Rimbaud, Gauguin, Jack London, Henry James, D. H. Lawrence... thousands of them. None of them found happiness. Rimbaud found cancer. Gauguin found syphilis. Lawrence found the white plague. The plague! The plague of modern progress: colonization, trade, free Bibles, war, disease, artificial limbs, factories, slaves, insanity, neuroses, psychoses, cancer, syphilis, tuberculosis, anaemia, strikes, lock-outs, starvation, nullity, vacuity, restlessness, striving, despair, ennuie, suicide, bankruptcy, arterio-sclerosis, megalomania, schizophrenia, hernia, cocaine, prussic acid, stink bombs, tear gas, mad dogs, auto-suggestion, auto-intoxication, psychotherapy, hydrotherapy, electric massages, vacuum cleaners, pemmican, grape-nuts, haemorrhoids, gangrene. No desert isles. No Paradise. Not even relative happiness. Men running away from themselves so frantically that they look for salvation under the ice-floes or in tropical swamps, or else they climb the Himalayas or asphyxiate themselves in the stratosphere... "
'Blood' by Dreph
Mural to raise awareness of sickle cell anaemia and encourage people, particularly those of the black community, to donate blood.
Chives ~~Allium schoenoprasum
Chives are a native bulb, rarely found growing wild.
Growing to an height of 20cm. the flowers appear June to July.
A popular garden herb, chives are used particularly in salads and having an high iron content has been used to treat anaemia.
Tabanus.
A large horse-fly.
Both males and females engage in nectar feeding, but in addition to this, females of most species are anautogenous, meaning they require a blood meal before they are able to reproduce effectively. To obtain the blood, the females bite animals, including humans, while the males are harmless.
Female horse-flies can transfer blood-borne diseases from one animal to another through their feeding habit. In areas where diseases occur, they have been known to carry equine infectious anaemia virus, some trypanosomes, the filarial worm Loa loa, anthrax among cattle and sheep, and tularemia.
*Wiki*
A good edible species but should always cooked, as raw they contain a substance which attacks red blood cells and causes anaemia. 🤔 This is neutralised by heat.
“Rag picking is probably one of the most dangerous and
dehumanizing activities in India. Child rag pickers are working in
filthy environments, surrounded by crows or dogs and have to search through hazardous waste without gloves or shoes.
They often eat the filthy food remnants they find in the garbage bins or in the dumping ground. Children run the risk of finding needles, syringes, used condoms, saline bottles, soiled gloves and other hospital wastes as well as ample of plastic and iron items. They suffer from many diseases, such as respiratory problems, worms, anaemia, fever and other problems
which include cuts, rashes and dog bites.”
Ragpickers who are “informal” stakeholders in the waste management system are a vulnerable group in India. This unpaid and unrecognised group form an integral part of the waste management eco-system. The number of ragpickers in India is estimated to range between 1.5 million to 4 million.
MumBai
Photography’s new conscience
Chives ~~Allium schoenoprasum
Chives are a popular perennial garden herb used particularly in
salads.
Growing to an height of 20cm. the flowers are purple - pink and
appear in June to July.
Having an high iron content, chives has been used to treat
anaemia.
"A Dream Within..." is a charity event for Crohn's and Colitis UK (info: www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/) and is inspired by Edgar Allan Poe.
Why Crohn's and Colitis UK? Crohn's Disease is a treatable illness, but not curable, also the cause is still unknown. Many people have never even heard of this illness, but with time the symptoms and side effects of Crohn's will get worse (anaemia, short bowel syndrome, malnutrition, DVT... etc the list is going on and on), and it sometimes gets life threatening.
With the growing number of patients diagnosed each year it is vital that the research towards this illness is well funded, that soon they will finally find a cure so future patients will not have to face the huge impact of Crohn's on their lives.
Why Poe? I just simply find E. A. Poe very inspiring. There is no other like him. Each designer was assigned to a different verse/part of one of Poe's poems and was asked to interpret it into a creation, a visual composition of theirs.
50% of the income of each design will go to Crohn's and Colitis UK, but there will also be donation boxes dotted around.
The event will start with a little fashion show on 9th of November 1PM SLT and will run for a whole week at Azure Island (Finesmith)
Just to let you know that I haven't been around because my mom-in-law (see below) is in hospital with heart failure and anaemia and the doctors are trying to stabilise her. At 92 she is little and frail and in some pain. Lots of hospital visiting. Hope to see you very soon. Love Ilse
PS Schmocus is a term invented by Geza who is the master of schmocus. A great example here
Leith Hospital and Infirmary on Mill Lane, Leith was built in 1850 (opening in 1851) and incorporated the functions of the Casualty Hospital and the Dispensary. The first consulting physician to the hospital was James Scarth Combe (1796–1883), best known for his 1822 description of pernicious anaemia some years before that of Thomas Addison (1739–1860) whose name remains associated with the condition. In 1875 an extension to the hospital was built in King Street to meet increasing demand for its services.
In 1866, the hospital appointed its first district nurse, Mrs. Brown “to carry out faithfully the doctors’ orders, to instruct the relations or friends of the patient in the art of good nursing and to inculcate, and if necessary enforce, attention to cleanliness”. The hospital paid for her to attend a nursing course at King's College, London. Popular and hardworking she made 13,000 home visits in 1877 alone.
In 1874, the hospital appointed its first qualified Lady Superintendent of Nursing.
Two further extensions were added to the hospital in 1873 and 1888. In 1903 to mark Queen Victoria’s jubilee a new major extension, the surgical block, was opened on King Street facing the nurses’ home which had been built on the opposite side of the street. The two buildings were connected by tunnel running under King Street.
Teaching for medical students
Following the establishment by Sophia Jex-Blake (1840–1912) of the Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women, in 1887 the Hospital Directors gave Jex Blake permission to allow her female medical students to attend Leith Hospital for comprehensive clinical teaching. The arrangement began well but in 1888 an incident in the hospital would lead to the demise of Jex-Blake’s School of Medicine for Women. Jex-Blake had a strict rule that students must leave the hospital by 5pm. In breach of this rule, four students stayed on to follow a case after hours. Jex-Blake dismissed two, Ina and Grace Cadell. Both successfully sued Jex-Blake and the school for wrongful dismissal.
The lawsuit was widely publicised. Together with wider opposition to medical education for women at the time, this put further pressure on Jex-Blake. The Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women closed in 1898.
The 20th century
At the start of the 20th century, Leith was a modern busy hospital, at last able to meet the health needs of the community which it served. The pressure on beds was further relieved by the opening of the East Pilton Fever Hospital in 1896.
In 1906 the first output of fully qualified physicians from Edinburgh University arrived and of these both Jessie Gellatly and Agnes Marshall Cowan joined the staff of Leith Hospital.
In 1908 the South Leith poorhouse moved to Seafield where it later became the Eastern General Hospital. The vacated site which fronted onto Great Junction Street was bought by the hospital in 1911 in the hope that it might be used for future expansion.
The Leith community was devastated by the tragic loss of many of its young men on their way to fight in the First World War. The Quintshill Rail Disaster in May 1916 resulted in 226 fatalities of whom 214 were soldiers of the 7th Battalion (Leith’s Own) Royal Scots on their way to Gallipoli. This still remains Britain’s worst rail disaster. A school of nursing was established and recognised by the general nursing Council in 1923.
As communities raised funds for war memorials, the Leith community decided that their war memorial should take the form of the children’s wing for Leith Hospital. Fundraising started in 1919. Many individual benefactors supported the hospital by endowing beds, in memory of relative killed in action in the First World War. The new building, which was designed by George Simpson, opened in January 1927. The hospital joined the National Health Service in 1948.
Closure
Leith Hospital closed in 1987, with the buildings converted to residential units. Local protests, including a petition to keep the hospital open, were unsuccessful. The building was sold for £1.6 million. Six years later, the Leith Community Treatment Centre opened in Junction Place, offering a reduced range of services. [Wikipedia - Abridged]
That bent the camels back.
I'm back from Scotland, although this is the shot from the day before I left. I think I looked at this and wasn't enamoured and that prompted my attack of the whinging, whining mojo-anaemia. It had been grey for a week (with the occasional sunny spell which I used as far as possible), and I'd been stuck for inspiration.
I stood in a lake, holding onto a post sticking up out of the water. And that was all. There was no back story, I simply didn't know what to do on a grey day.
At the time I was peculiarly bothered. I'm not any more. If I ever plough through my Scottish shots and somehow choose the picture of the day, this one will soon be forgotten. And hopefully my moaning too.
The best bit of the 365 is hanging out with the gang, but I've imposed my landscape theme because I want to do something with all these images at the end of the year. Most of the enjoyment of the project comes from you guys, any pressure comes from me just looking to create something I can use in some way.
I appreciate the encouraging comments and pledge that my stream will henceforth be a 'no whining' zone. For several days at least.
Salt...every human's need in entire life...without salt there is no food and no world...
it is available everywhere...we are seeing very beautiful advertisement about the salt product from various brands...but there is an story behind this product...
Tamil Nadu is one of the few states that produce salt in India. In Tamil Nadu, salt is produced primarily in the three districts of Nagapattinam, Tuticorin and Marakkanam in Villupuram.
This is about the Salt production at Marakkanam in Villupuram Dist.
The salt pan workers work under extremely hazardous conditions. They work with the harsh sun beating down upon them under the open sky and have employment only for about six months in a year.
Their daily wages vary between 35 rupees to 85 rupees (US$ 0.78 to 1.9). Women generally get paid lower than men. In Marakknam, most of the workers belong to the Schedule Caste communities. It is estimated that about 3000 workers exist in Marakkanam area.
While poverty, indebtedness and deprivation are common to all the salt pan workers, the women, as in many other poor communities, become greater victims of poverty. Generally, they suffer from serious gynaecological problems and. malnutrition and anaemia are also very common. They also do not have support systems to take care of their children. They hardly have access to any quality medical care. Since usually both the parents go to work in the salt pans, it is not clear as to who takes care of their children.
I have captured their activities in three seasons ie., initial ground preparation, Salt making and storing, the final one is in the rainy season where the ground is full of water... I had been there many times to see their activities and i used to talk to them about their work and life balance, to be frank I was so shocked while seeing their work on the field...it was so hot and if we continue be there for more than 15min we may feel that the water level in our body will be completely drained out. such a hot and dry day whole day and everyday...
Species information
Scientific name:
Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson
Common name:
elephant yam, elephant foot yam, whitespot giant arum, stink lily, telinga potato (English); suram, jimmikand (India); buk (Thailand); suweg, walur, eles (Indonesia)
Conservation status:
Not considered to be threatened.
Habitat:
Secondary forest or highly disturbed areas.
Key Uses:
Food, fodder, medicine.
Known hazards:
Tubers of wild plants are highly acrid and can irritate the mouth and throat on ingestion due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals.
About this species
Elephant yam is a striking aroid with a flower spike crowned with a bulbous maroon knob and encircled by a fleshy maroon and green-blotched bract. The solitary leaf, which emerges after the flowering parts, resembles a small tree.
Amorphophallus paeoniifolius has been in cultivation throughout tropical Asia for centuries. The tubers are the third most important carbohydrate source after rice and maize in Indonesia. They are also consumed widely in India and Sri Lanka, although elsewhere they are seen as a famine crop, to be used when more popular staples, such as rice, are in short supply.
Elephant yam belongs to the same genus as the crowd-pulling titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum). It should not be confused with Dioscorea species, which are also known by the common name yam, but belong to a different plant family (Dioscoreaceae). In particular it should not be confused with elephant’s foot yam (Dioscorea elephantipes) from South Africa.
Medicinal Uses
Elephant yam has medicinal properties and is used in many Ayurvedic (traditional Hindu) preparations. The tubers are considered to have pain-killing, anti-inflammatory, anti-flatulence, digestive, aphrodisiac, rejuvenating and tonic properties. They are traditionally used in the treatment of a wide range of conditions including parasitic worms, inflammation, coughs, flatulence, constipation, anaemia, haemorrhoids and fatigue.
( www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/amorphophal... )
Woolpit is a village in Suffolk, midway between the towns of Bury St. Edmunds and Stowmarket.
The village's name was first recorded c. 1000 as Wlpit. In the Doomsday Book it was recorded as Wlfpeta, and in the 11th. century the village was known as Wulpettas. The name derives from the Old English wulf-pytt, meaning 'pit for trapping wolves'. According to legend, Woolpit is the place where the last wolf in England was trapped in the 12th. century.
Before the Norman Conquest the village belonged to Ulfcytel Snillingr. Between 1174 and 1180, Walter de Coutances, a confidant of King Henry II, was appointed to Woolpit. After his death or retirement it was to be granted to the monks of Bury St. Edmunds Abbey who retained it until the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII.
The medieval writers Ralph of Coggeshall and William of Newburgh report that two children appeared mysteriously in Woolpit sometime during the 12th. century. The brother and sister were of generally normal appearance except for the green colour of their skin. They wore strange looking clothes and spoke in an unknown language. They appeared to be starving so the villagers offered to feed them, but they refused normal food. They were brought to the house of Sir Richard de Caine, at Wilkes, where it was found that they would only eat raw beans. Eventually, they learned to eat other food and lost their green pallor, but the boy was sickly and died soon after the children were baptised. The girl adjusted to her new life, but she was considered to be 'loose and wanton in her conduct'. After learning to speak English she explained that she and her brother had come from St Martin's Land, an underground world whose inhabitants are green.
Some researchers believe that the story of the green children is a typical folk tale, describing an imaginary encounter with the inhabitants of another world. Others consider it to be a garbled account of a historical event, perhaps connected with the persecution of Flemish immigrants living in the area at that time.
It is thought that skin discolouration like that described could be the result of dietary deficiency anaemia, which would be corrected with an improved diet. A local tradition is that there are people alive today who are descended from the Green Children.
Until the Reformation St. Mary's church housed a richly adorned statue of the Virgin Mary known as 'Our Lady of Woolpit', which was an object of veneration and pilgrimage, perhaps as early as the 13th. century. It stood in its own chapel within the church, of which no trace survives but which may have lain at the east end of the south aisle, or more probably on the north side of the chancel in the area now occupied by the 19th. century vestry.
Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Woolpit seems to have been particularly popular in the 15th. and early 16th. century, and the shrine was visited twice by Henry VI, in 1448 and 1449. The statue was removed or destroyed after 1538 when Henry VIII ordered the taking down of 'feigned images abused with Pilgrimages and Offerings' throughout England. The chapel was demolished in 1551.
In the 15th. century and for some time afterwards, two fairs were held annually. The Horse Fair was held on two closes, or fields, on 16th. September. The Cow Fair was held on its own field on 19th. September, here toys, as well as cattle, were sold.
Sir Robert Gardiner, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, was Lord of the Manor from 1597 to 1620. He founded an almshouse for the care of the poor women of Woolpit and nearby Elmswell. Gardiner's charity still exists today. On Gardener's death Woolpit passed to his grandnephew, Gardiner Webb, who died in 1674.
Records of brick production in Woolpit date back to the 16th. century, when Edward Duger and Richard Reynolds both had brick-kells, kell being a local word for a kiln. The bricks were very white and Frederic Shoberl suggested they were 'equal in beauty to stone'. In 1818 he remarked that most of the mansions in Suffolk were built from these bricks. Today only the quarry pits remain.
Mill Lane marks the site of a post mill which was demolished in about 1924. Another mill, which fell down in 1963, stood in Windmill Avenue.
The village sign was commissioned in 1977 to commemorate the Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee and is made of wrought iron. The sign has three main themes. The wolf on the right represents the origin of the village name, the church of St. Mary is in the middle and the Green Children are on the left.
The karonda fruit is a rich source of iron and contains a fair amount of Vitamin C. It is antiscorbutic and very useful for cure of anaemia. Mature fruit contains high amount of pectin and, therefore, besides being used for making pickle, it can be exploited for making jelly, jam, squash, syrup and chutney. Ripe fruits exude a white latex when severed from the branch.
The roots of the plant are heavily branched and make it suitable for stabilising eroding slopes.
It grows naturally in the Himalayas at elevations of 300 to 1800 meters, in the Siwalik Hills, the Western Ghats and in Nepal and Afghanistan. It flourishes well on lands with high temperatures. At present it is grown on a limited scale in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh regions of India. It is also found in some parts of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
I slept well until three, then woke up.
And could not go back to sleep.
Oh well.
I played the age old guessing game of what the time might be without having a watch or clock.
Minutes dragged.
We got up at quarter past five, outside it was still dark, and what I could see of the sky seemed to be cloud, which was a shame as I had plans.
Plans, as Monday was a bank holiday and I worked by travelling to Denmark, I had agreed with my boss to take Friday off instead, and whilst I was away, a small colony of Queen of Spains had been found in Walmer. I got the location from a friend, ando so all I needed was the weather to be bright enough for the rare migrant butterflies to come out and bask.
In order to be able to do this, I really needed the car, so that meant dropping Jools off in Hythe and coming back.
Which I did.
Always amazes me that people speed to work in the morning. I understand speeding to get home, but driving like a twat just to get a better parking space is something I don't understand.
Amway, we get to Hythe without serious incident, then I drive home for breakfast, at which point it starts to rain.
Hard.
Rain and chasing butterflies do not mix. At all, so I have little choice but to sit and wait. And write. And edit shots.
Because, I have taken a large number of photographs this month, so I will be editing them well into next month and probably beyond.
Anyway.
It stops raining at about nine, and soon it is drying out, so at then, against my better judgement, I drive to Walmer to hunt the Queens. I manage to find a place to park nearby, and begin hunting where they were spotted the day before.
Even if it had stopped raining, it was cloudy and so dull, and no butterflies were to be seen at first.
Another guy with a camera turned up, and in the end we swapped news. He had driven up from Bristol that morning, and was desperate to see one, while I had at least seen one two years back. I wandered more to the far side of the field, while I stayed near the road.
Oh yes, the field.
The land has been acquired for housing, so that and one the other side of the road are laying fallow this year, and the locals are apparently using it as a dog's toilet. There was literally shit everywhere. In bags and out. Those who throw away full bags of dog shit mystify me. I mean, why?
Anyway, the weak sun does break through, and I charge across the field hoping to see one of the Queens basking. But I see none.
I do get a female Adonis basking, which is the only butterfly I see, except a large white that flies up from a hedge as I walk past and never returns.
I hunted for two hours, in the end leaving at ten past twelve, giving me 50 minutes to get to Hythe to collect Jools from work.
Rain began to fall any way.
So, I drove through the Alkham Valley to Folkestone, then over the downs into Hythe, getting to the factory with ten minutes to spare. And in a few minutes the factory empties and people pile into their cars for the weekend.
Jools comes out and asks, what's the plan?
Fish and chips and then go up to the ossuary?
Yes and OK.
We drove to the old Aldi car park, got the last space and walked to the HIgh Street to the oddly named Torbay of Hythe, and as the lunch rush was over, plenty of tables. I ordered skate and chips, Jools had cod, and we shared a portion of onion rings.
It was a large piece of skate, an inch thick, and I were proper full. Which made the walk up the the church after a bit of a huff and puff.
St Leonard has a crypt, and in it over a thousand skeletons and body parts are stored. Nothing untoward in this, just unusual in the 21st century. I think there is just one other in England.
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St Leonard’s Church has the largest and best-preserved collection of ancient human skulls and bones in Britain. The collection consists of shelves in four arched bays that contain 1,000 skulls in total, and a single stack of bones and skulls measuring 7.5m in length, 1.8m in width and just over 1.8m in height. The stack of bones was reassembled on its brick base in 1910.
Size of the collection
Past historians indicated that the collection represents the remains of some 4,000 people, but it is impossible to verify the number of bones in the stack. Our latest estimate is a maximum number of 1,200 skulls in the crypt and the total number of individuals represented as 2,000.
Earliest written and pictorial evidence
The earliest references to the collection are 1678 by Samuel Jeake, then Town Clerk of Rye, and 1679 by Rev Brome, Chaplain to the Cinque Ports, both of whom described ‘an orderly pile of dead men’s bones’ in the ‘charnel house’ on the north side of the church. The earliest known drawings are dated 1787 depicting piles of skulls and bones inside the crypt’s entrance door, and 1820 showing the south-west bay and stack similar to its present appearance. Postcards in the early 1900s with photographs of the crypt show the layout much the same as it is today.
The crypt as a charnel house
The crypt has been referred to as ‘the bonehouse’ and ‘the ossuary’. One suggestion is that it had been a charnel house or chapel, to house de-fleshed, separate bones and that St Leonard’s is one of a number of English medieval charnel chapels underneath churches, as the Hythe crypt resembles the attributes of other such chapels.
Origins of the collection
There have been many theories over the years as to who the people were and how their remains came to be resting in the crypt. These include Danish pirates slain in a battle (from a footnote on the 1787 drawing mentioned above); men who fell in the 1066 Battle of Hastings (handwritten footnote on a 1860s illustration); and Anglo-Saxons killed in battle. Another suggestion refers to the people being victims of the Black Death, but such bodies were usually hastily disposed of in quicklime.
However, these theories have been rejected by an osteologists’ project from 2009 to 2012 involving analysis of all the skulls on the shelves, which found a higher proportion of females than males, and nearly 10% of sub-adults (juveniles).
Our conclusion now is that they were Hythe residents who died over a long period and had been buried in the churchyard (evidenced by the deposits of soil within the skulls), and that the earliest of the remains were dug up in the 13th century when the church was extended eastwards over their previous graves. However, this number of individuals is high for ‘Hythe only’ residents, and the collection probably includes bones from four graveyards in the Hythe area that are said to have fallen out of use and closed by 1500.
No accurate evidence for the date of death of the people has been determined, and estimates range from 12th to 15th centuries, though more likely to be 13th century if it coincides with the building of the chancel.
Origins of the people
There is no clear evidence of where the people originated. Studies, of which the earliest was in 1908, have been undertaken by measuring up to 30 different dimensions of each of a group of skulls (a technique known as craniometry). The 1908 study, based on just the ratio of the maximum breadth of a skull to its maximum length, indicated a number were of Italian descent. This could have been a possible link with the Romans in view of the nearby Roman port at Lympne (Portus Lemanis), or with traders visiting Hythe when it was an important medieval trading port.
The more detailed studies in the past five years indicated that some people could have been of Scandinavian descent, and one or two skulls appear to show African origins. It is hoped that more definitive evidence of origin can be obtained by a possible future isotope analysis study.
Evidence of injury and disease
Such a large collection can provide some interesting knowledge about the lifestyle of the people concerned through detailed analysis.
A small A picture of a damaged skullnumber of skulls indicate injury through sharp blows. One in the south-west bay with a hole right through it (see photograph to the left) has been suggested to be either a result of trepanning (surgical drilling through the skull), or caused by a sharp object, such as a dagger, because of the radiating fractures inside the skull.
Another skull in the south-west bay shows a severe dent caused by a blunt object such as a stone, whilst a skull in the north-east bay indicates injury from a slicing blow, probably by a sword at the back of the head, which was not immediately fatal because of evidence of healing.
A few bones show breakages during the individual’s lifetime and partial healing, whilst others have evidence of arthritis or bone diseases.
One significant feature of the skulls is the proportion showing evidence of cribra orbitalia, which was a symptom of chronic iron deficiency anaemia related to poor diet and/or infections. The evidence for this comes from pin-prick holes in the bone surface around the eye sockets. 22% of the skulls appear to be affected by this, with a higher proportion among the skulls of young people. The overall proportion in Hythe is much higher than the 10% recorded for English medieval sites. Another indicator of the disease could be malaria, which occurs in marshy or swampy areas.
The standard of teeth still present in the skulls varies, with many of the back molars worn down through constantly eating rough food. A number indicate abscesses and about 10% show pre-death loss of at least one tooth, pointing to lack of dental care/treatment. However, holes in teeth (which would now be treated by fillings) are non-existent, pointing to a sugar-free diet. A lower jaw (in one of the cabinets) shows teeth on either side sloping outwards due to wear. This could indicate that the individual used his/her teeth for a particular purpose, possibly related to occupation.
Recent and current analysis and study
Several studies have taken place since 2008 – by staff and post graduate students of Bournemouth University, by St Leonard’s Osteological Research Group (StLORG), an independent group of forensic scientists and osteologists, and since 2015 by the University of Kent Biological Anthropology lecturer and final-year degree students.
StLORG members completed a three-year project to catalogue and profile all 1,022 skulls on the shelves, to identify the sex and age at death of each person, as well as analysing distinctive features on the skull from injury or disease.
The Kent University projects have focused on measurements of skulls to determine origin, and a study of skulls that show evidence of cribra orbitalia.
Identifying children and young people
New techniques have also identified a larger number of children and young people (termed as ‘sub-adults’ in forensic studies) than was previously recognised. The age of children and young people can be determined from the eruption and development of teeth. Two very small skulls in the south-west bay, which were argued for many years as being those of dwarfs, have been confirmed by a forensic odontologist (teeth expert) as being children aged four and six-seven years respectively, based on their teeth development.
Care and Conservation
All these studies and activities are undertaken with care and respect for the skulls and bones and follow Church of England and English Heritage guidelines for handling human remains. Gloves are worn when handling any skull or bone in the collection. ‘Do not touch’ signs displayed explain the potential harm that hands touching skulls or bones can cause through transfer of sweat or grease.
We are now looking at how best we can preserve the collection for the future based on current conservation practice, for which our small charge for visitors will help in funding practical work.
Media coverage
The skulls and bones have been the subject of increased media coverage since 2010. Various TV companies have included short items in historical, antiques, Great British Railway Journeys (with Michael Portillo) and regional news programmes, the most recent being BBC One South East Today in summer 2017. National and local press coverage has highlighted St Leonard’s Church crypt as a place to visit.
Future study
Our aim is to develop our working relationship with the University of Kent biological anthropology staff and students on further studies to advance our knowledge about the origin of the people, and their health and lifestyle.
We shall continue to welcome staff and students from other academic institutions to undertake projects which will benefit their studies and enhance our visitor experience.
The Parish of St Leonard, Hythe
Oak Walk
Hythe
Kent
CT21 5DN
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A large civic church, as befits one of the original Cinque Ports. Traces of the Norman building may still be seen in the blocked round-headed windows in the north wall of the nave and the excellent Norman arch at the east end of the south aisle. The chancel is thirteenth century in origin, completed by Pearson in 1886. The pulpit is a great piece of Victorian craftsmanship, designed by George Edmund Street in 1876. The three-light stained glass in the east window is by Wallace Wood and dates from 1951. There are Royal Arms of the reign of William and Mary. The chancel has a triforium gallery, an unexpected find in a parish church. A circular staircase runs from the north-west corner linking the triforium, rood loft and roof. Under the chancel is an interesting processional passage, open to the public during the summer, which contains hundreds of skulls collected from the churchyard during clearances. In the churchyard is the grave of Lionel Lukin, who obtained a patent for his invention - the lifeboat - in 1785.
This is a Rotary Postcard printed in Britain, it shows Piccadilly Circus looking southeast towards the junction with the Haymarket. On the right is the Criterion Theatre and Restaurant and playing at the theatre is a farce entitled, “Oh I Say” starring James Welch, the Brian Rix of his day. It is May/June 1913 and a bus on the right is advertising “Ariadne in Naxos”, the latest three act opera by Richard Strauss and produced by Sir Beerbohm Tree and Sir Thomas Beecham at His Majesty’s Theatre, it ran for about a month from early May whereas the farce at the Criterion ran until early February 1914 from late May, the overlap was only about a week or less at the end of May and the beginning of June. The clue to the exact date may lay with the flying of the Union flags, Tuesday the 3rd June was King George V's birthday. The opera was sung in German by an all star cast from the opera houses of Europe, Eva Von Der Osten from Dresden, Francillo Kauffmann from Vienna, Hermine Rossetti from Munich, Robert Hutt from Frankfurt and Theo Drill-Orridge and Otto Marak from Hamburg, it was probably the last German opera sung in German at a London venue for a very long time. Whilst appearing in the Farce at the Criterion, James Welch also endorsed Hall’s Tonic Wine in a series of newspaper advertisements which claimed it was good for Depression, Debility, Anaemia, Insomnia, Influenza, Neuralgia, Exhaustion, Weakness and Brain Fag. Just along from the Criterion is the German Delicatessen and Restaurant run by Herman Appenrodt, it was one of several in the west end of London and the first world war would see an end to his business. Best viewed with the zoom feature.
And when I look to the stars, I see someone else.
I'm going to do one of those bizarre things where I start typing and just don't stop. Stop reading when you get tired. Okay go.
I actually went and took this today. Not the background (that's from when it snowed) but, anyway.. The only reason I'm saying this is because apart from a select few, no one I know will ever read this, and I wouldn't want them to either. I don't care what they think of me, but they already think I'm crazy without any more help from me, so. Whatever. Anyway. Prepare yourself for a whole load of what is essentially moaning. Since, I thought I should explain the recent moody/uninspired theme to my stream. I don't owe you this, but Basically, I feel pretty awful at the moment. It is entiiirely unexplainable; externally I'm completely happy, I have everything I need/want and the people in my life make me feel like the luckiest girl alive. But I can't shake this stupidly lonely feeling. I'm on the verge of tears all the time, and it doesn't make sense. I'll be in the middle of the common room and I'll just want to curl up and cry. Usually, when I'm upset, school sort of banishes the feeling and I can forget all about it, but I just can't. I don't know what it is. I assume it's anaemia, since I've had it before and it made me constantly tired then, too, but I just got back from the doctors and I have a blood test in a week then a week waiting for results which is another two weeks feeling like this in this stupid little rut of craziness. The doctor, who didn't actually care what I was saying to him, has also given me a form to fill out on depression. No dude, I'm not depressed, just please notice my existance and don't leave this for another two weeks? Ugh. I know it'll go away on its own, eventually, I guess I'm just looking for a quick fix to restore me to the all-consuming happiness I've been feeling for the past six months or so. I miss it.
Anyway. The conclusion of all that is, don't worry, I'll be fine, and my photography will probably suffer for a bit, but I'll be back on form in a little while. Just bear with a few samey, potentially face-less portraits until then, pretty please. I love you guys.
"A Dream Within..."
8 fantastic designers have come together to create amazing exclusive outfits inspired by Edgar Allan Poe.
About the event itself:
"A Dream Within..." is a charity event for Crohn's and Colitis UK (info: www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/) and is inspired by Edgar Allan Poe.
Why Crohn's and Colitis UK? Crohn's Disease is a treatable illness, but not curable, also the cause is still unknown. Many people have never even heard of this illness, but with time the symptoms and side effects of Crohn's will get worse (anaemia, short bowel syndrome, malnutrition, DVT... etc the list is going on and on), and it sometimes gets life threatening.
With the growing number of patients diagnosed each year it is vital that the research towards this illness is well funded, that soon they will finally find a cure so future patients will not have to face the huge impact of Crohn's on their lives.
Why Poe? I just simply find E. A. Poe very inspiring. There is no other like him. Each designer was assigned to a different verse/part of one of Poe's poems and was asked to interpret it into a creation, a visual composition of theirs.
50% of the income of each design will go to Crohn's and Colitis UK, but there will also be donation boxes dotted around.
Here is the taxi to visit "A Dream Within...":
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Azure%20Island/131/98/7
I'm wearing the beautiful dress "White Orchid" designed by Nevery Lorakeet - *LpD* for this event.
Style Card:
Dress: *LpD* - White Orchid ("A Day Within...")
Hair: Truth - Vida
Necklace: Vintage Jewels - Lovis White
Earrings: Vintage Jewels - Lovis White
Lips: Madrid Solo - Soft Kisses 6
Hands: Slink - Mesh hands
Pose: *PosESioN* - Supreme Set
Photographer and model: Gretel Bulloch
The Postcard
A postally unused Cameracolour Series postcard that was published by J. Salmon Ltd. of Sevenoaks, Kent. The card, which has a divided back, was printed in England.
Beatrix Potter
Helen Beatrix Potter (28th. July 1866 - 22nd. December 1943) was an English writer, illustrator, natural scientist and conservationist. She was best known for her children's books featuring animals, such as 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit'.
Born into an upper-middle-class household, Potter was educated by governesses, and grew up isolated from other children. She had numerous pets, and spent holidays in Scotland and the Lake District, developing a love of landscape, flora and fauna, all of which she closely observed and painted.
Potter's study and watercolours of fungi led to her being widely respected in the field of mycology.
In her thirties, Beatrix self-published the highly successful children's book 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit'. Following this, she began writing and illustrating children's books full-time.
Beatrix wrote thirty books, the best known being her twenty-three children's tales. With the proceeds from the books and a legacy from an aunt, Potter bought Hill Top Farm in Near Sawrey in 1905; this is a village in the Lake District in the historic county of Lancashire. (The neighbouring village is called Far Sawrey). Over the following decades, Beatrix purchased additional farms to preserve the unique hill country landscape.
In 1913, at the age of 47, Beatrix married William Heelis, a respected local solicitor from Hawkshead.
Beatrix was also a prize-winning breeder of Herdwick sheep, and a prosperous farmer keenly interested in land preservation. She continued to write and illustrate, and to design spin-off merchandise based on her children's books for British publisher Warne until the duties of land management and her diminishing eyesight made it difficult for her to continue.
Beatrix Potter died of pneumonia and heart disease on the 22nd. December 1943 at her home at the age of 77, leaving almost all her property to the National Trust. She is credited with preserving much of the land that now constitutes the Lake District National Park.
Potter's books continue to sell throughout the world in many languages, with her stories being re-told in songs, films, ballet, and animations, and her life is depicted in two films and a television series.
Beatrix Potter - The Early Years
Potter's family on both sides were from the Manchester area. They were English Unitarians, associated with dissenting Protestant congregations that were influential in 19th. century England. They affirmed the oneness of God, and rejected the doctrine of the Trinity.
Beatrix's paternal grandfather, Edmund Potter, from Glossop in Derbyshire, owned what was then the largest calico printing works in England, and later served as a Member of Parliament.
Potter's father, Rupert William Potter (1832–1914), was educated at Manchester College by the Unitarian philosopher James Martineau. He then trained as a barrister in London.
Rupert practised law, specialising in equity law and conveyancing. He married Helen Leech (1839–1932) on the 8th. August 1863 at Hyde Unitarian Chapel, Gee Cross. Helen was the daughter of Jane Ashton (1806–1884) and John Leech, a wealthy cotton merchant and shipbuilder from Stalybridge.
Helen's first cousins were siblings Harriet Lupton (née Ashton) and Thomas Ashton, 1st Baron Ashton of Hyde. It was reported in July 2014 that Potter had personally given a number of her own original hand-painted illustrations to the two daughters of Arthur and Harriet Lupton, who were cousins to both Beatrix Potter and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
Potter's parents lived comfortably at 2 Bolton Gardens, West Brompton, where Helen Beatrix was born on the 28th. July 1866; her younger brother Walter Bertram was born there on the 14th. March 1872.
The house was destroyed in the Blitz. Bousfield Primary School now stands where the house once was. A blue plaque on the school building testifies to the former site of the Potter home.
Both of Beatrix's parents were artistically talented, and Rupert was an adept amateur photographer. Rupert had invested in the stock market, and by the early 1890's, he was extremely wealthy.
Beatrix Potter was educated by three governesses, the last of whom was Annie Moore (née Carter), just three years older than Potter, who tutored Potter in German as well as acting as lady's companion. She and Potter remained friends throughout their lives, and Annie's eight children were the recipients of many of Potter's picture letters. It was Annie who later suggested that these letters might make good children's books.
Beatrix and her younger brother Walter Bertram, who died in 1918, grew up with few friends outside their large extended family. Her parents were artistic, interested in nature, and enjoyed the countryside.
As children, Beatrix and Bertram had numerous small animals as pets which they observed closely and drew endlessly. In their schoolroom, they kept a variety of small pets - mice, rabbits, a hedgehog and some bats, along with collections of butterflies and other insects - which they drew and studied.
Potter was devoted to the care of her small animals, often taking them with her on long holidays. In most of the first fifteen years of her life, Potter spent summer holidays at Dalguise, an estate on the River Tay in Perthshire, Scotland. There she sketched and explored an area that nourished her imagination and her observation.
Potter and her brother were allowed great freedom in the country, and both children became adept students of natural history. In 1882, when Dalguise was no longer available, the Potters took their first summer holiday in the Lake District, at Wray Castle near Lake Windermere. Here Potter met Hardwicke Rawnsley, vicar of Wray and later the founding secretary of the National Trust, whose interest in the countryside and country life inspired the same in Potter, and who was to have a lasting impact on her life.
At about the age of 14, Beatrix began to keep a diary. It was written in a code of her own devising which was a simple letter for letter substitution. Her Journal was important to the development of her creativity, serving as both sketchbook and literary experiment: in tiny handwriting, she reported on society, recorded her impressions of art and artists, recounted stories, and observed life around her.
The Journal, decoded and transcribed by Leslie Linder in 1958, does not provide an intimate record of her personal life, but it is an invaluable source for understanding a vibrant part of British society in the late 19th. century. It describes Potter's maturing artistic and intellectual interests, her often amusing insights on the places she visited, and her unusual ability to observe nature and to describe it.
Started in 1881, her journal ends in 1897 when her artistic and intellectual energies were absorbed in scientific study and in efforts to publish her drawings. Precocious but reserved and often bored, she was searching for more independent activities, and wished to earn some money of her own while dutifully taking care of her parents, dealing with her especially demanding mother, and managing their various households.
Scientific Illustrations and Work in Mycology
Beatrix Potter's parents did not discourage higher education. As was common in the Victorian era, women of her class were privately educated, and rarely went to university.
Beatrix was interested in every branch of natural science save for astronomy. Botany was a passion for most Victorians, and nature study was a popular enthusiasm. She collected fossils, studied archaeological artefacts from London excavations, and was interested in entomology.
In all these areas, she drew and painted her specimens with increasing skill. By the 1890's, her scientific interests centred on mycology. First drawn to fungi because of their colours and evanescence in nature and her delight in painting them, her interest deepened after meeting Charles McIntosh, a revered naturalist and amateur mycologist, during a summer holiday in Dunkeld in Perthshire in 1892.
McIntosh helped to improve the accuracy of her illustrations, taught her taxonomy, and supplied her with live specimens to paint during the winter. Curious as to how fungi reproduced, Potter began microscopic drawings of fungus spores (the agarics) and in 1895 developed a theory of their germination.
Through the connections of her uncle Sir Henry Enfield Roscoe, a chemist and vice-chancellor of the University of London, she consulted with botanists at Kew Gardens, convincing George Massee of her ability to germinate spores and her theory of hybridisation.
She did not believe in the theory of symbiosis proposed by Simon Schwendener, the German mycologist, as previously thought; instead, she proposed a more independent process of reproduction.
Rebuffed by William Thiselton-Dyer, the Director at Kew, because of her gender and amateur status, Potter wrote up her conclusions and submitted a paper, 'On the Germination of the Spores of the Agaricineae', to the Linnean Society in 1897.
The paper was introduced by Massee because, as a female, Potter could not attend proceedings or read her paper herself. She subsequently withdrew it, realising that some of her samples were contaminated, but continued her microscopic studies for several more years.
Beatrix's paper has only recently been re-discovered, along with the rich, artistic illustrations and drawings that accompanied it. Her work is only now being properly evaluated.
Potter later gave her other mycological and scientific drawings to the Armitt Museum and Library in Ambleside, where mycologists still refer to them to identify fungi. There is also a collection of her fungus paintings at the Perth Museum and Art Gallery in Perth, Scotland, donated by Charles McIntosh.
In 1967, the mycologist W.P.K. Findlay included many of Potter's beautifully accurate fungus drawings in his Wayside & Woodland Fungi, thereby fulfilling her desire to one day have her fungus drawings published in a book. In 1997, the Linnean Society issued a posthumous apology to Potter for the sexism displayed in its handling of her research.
Beatrix Potter's Artistic and Literary Career
Beatrix Potter's artistic and literary interests were deeply influenced by fairy tales and fantasy. She was a student of the classic fairy tales of Western Europe. As well as stories from the Old Testament, John Bunyan's 'The Pilgrim's Progress' and Harriet Beecher Stowe's 'Uncle Tom's Cabin', she grew up with Aesop's Fables, the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, Charles Kingsley's 'The Water Babies', the folk tales and mythology of Scotland, the German Romantics, Shakespeare, and the romances of Sir Walter Scott.
As a young child, before the age of eight, Edward Lear's 'A Book of Nonsense', including the much loved 'The Owl and the Pussycat', and Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland' had made their impression, although she later said of Alice that she was more interested in Tenniel's illustrations than what they were about.
The Brer Rabbit stories of Joel Chandler Harris had been family favourites, and she later studied his Uncle Remus stories and illustrated them.
Beatrix studied book illustration from a young age and developed her own tastes, but the work of the picture book triumvirate Walter Crane, Kate Greenaway and Randolph Caldecott, the last an illustrator whose work was later collected by her father, was a great influence.
When Beatrix started to illustrate, she chose first the traditional rhymes and stories, 'Cinderella', 'Sleeping Beauty', 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves', 'Puss-in-Boots', and 'Red Riding Hood'. However, most often her illustrations were fantasies featuring her own pets: mice, rabbits, kittens, and guinea pigs.
In her teenage years, Potter was a regular visitor to the art galleries of London, particularly enjoying the summer and winter exhibitions at the Royal Academy in London. Her Journal reveals her growing sophistication as a critic as well as the influence of her father's friend, the artist Sir John Everett Millais, who recognised Potter's talent of observation. Although Beatrix was aware of art and artistic trends, her drawing and her prose style were uniquely her own.
As a way to earn money in the 1890's, Potter and her brother began to print Christmas cards of their own design, as well as cards for special occasions. Mice and rabbits were the most frequent subject of her fantasy paintings.
In 1890, the firm of Hildesheimer and Faulkner bought several of the drawings of her rabbit Benjamin Bunny to illustrate verses by Frederic Weatherly entitled 'A Happy Pair'.
In 1893, the same publisher bought several more drawings for Weatherly's 'Our Dear Relations', another book of rhymes, and the following year Potter sold a series of frog illustrations and verses for 'Changing Pictures', a popular annual offered by the art publisher Ernest Nister. Potter was pleased by this success, and determined to publish her own illustrated stories.
Whenever Beatrix went on holiday to the Lake District or Scotland, she sent letters to young friends, illustrating them with quick sketches. Many of these letters were written to the children of her former governess Annie Carter Moore, particularly to Moore's eldest son Noel, who was often ill.
In September 1893, Potter was on holiday at Eastwood in Dunkeld, Perthshire. She had run out of things to say to Noel, and so she told him a story about "Four little rabbits whose names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter". It became one of the most famous children's letters ever written, and the basis of Potter's future career as a writer-artist-storyteller.
In 1900, Potter revised her tale about the four little rabbits, and fashioned it into a dummy book - it has been suggested, in imitation of Helen Bannerman's 1899 bestseller 'The Story of Little Black Sambo'.
Unable to find a buyer for the work, she published it for family and friends at her own expense in December 1901. It was drawn in black and white with a coloured frontispiece.
Rawnsley had great faith in Potter's tale, recast it in didactic verse, and made the rounds of the London publishing houses. Frederick Warne & Co. had previously rejected the tale but, eager to compete in the booming small format children's book market, reconsidered and accepted the 'Bunny Book' (as the firm called it) following the recommendation of their prominent children's book artist L. Leslie Brooke.
The firm declined Rawnsley's verse in favour of Potter's original prose, and Potter agreed to colour her pen and ink illustrations, choosing the then-new Hentschel three-colour process to reproduce her watercolours.
Potter used many real locations for her book illustrations. The Tower Bank Arms, Near Sawrey appears in 'The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck'.
On the 2nd. October 1902, 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' was published, and was an immediate success. It was followed the next year by 'The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin' and 'The Tailor of Gloucester', which had also first been written as picture letters to the Moore children.
Working with Norman Warne as her editor, Potter published two or three little books each year: 23 books in all. The last book in this format was 'Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes' in 1922, a collection of favourite rhymes. Although 'The Tale of Little Pig Robinson' was not published until 1930, it had been written much earlier.
Potter continued creating her little books until after the Great War when her energies were increasingly directed toward her farming, sheep-breeding and land conservation.
The immense popularity of Potter's books was based on the lively quality of her illustrations, the non-didactic nature of her stories, the depiction of the rural countryside, and the imaginative qualities she lent to her animal characters.
Potter was also a canny businesswoman. As early as 1903, she made and patented a Peter Rabbit doll. It was followed by other spin-off merchandise over the years, including painting books, board games, wall-paper, figurines, baby blankets and china tea-sets. All were licensed by Frederick Warne & Co., and earned Potter an independent income, as well as immense profits for her publisher.
In 1905, Potter and Norman Warne became unofficially engaged. Potter's parents objected to the match because Warne was "in trade" and thus not socially suitable. The engagement lasted only one month - Warne died of pernicious anaemia at the age of 37.
That same year, Potter used some of her income and a small inheritance from an aunt to buy Hill Top Farm, Near Sawrey in the English Lake District near Windermere. Potter and Warne may have hoped that Hill Top Farm would be their holiday home, but after Warne's death, Potter went ahead with its purchase as she had always wanted to own the farm, and live in "that charming village".
Country Life and Marriage
Hill Top is now owned by the National Trust, and preserved as it was when she lived and wrote her stories there.
The tenant farmer John Cannon and his family agreed to stay on to manage the farm for her while she made physical improvements and learned the techniques of fell farming and of raising livestock, including pigs, cows and chickens; the following year she added sheep.
Realising she needed to protect her boundaries, she sought advice from W.H. Heelis & Son, a local firm of solicitors with offices in nearby Hawkshead. With William Heelis acting for her, she bought contiguous pasture, and in 1909 the 20 acre (8.1 ha) Castle Farm across the road from Hill Top Farm.
Beatrix visited Hill Top at every opportunity, and her books written during this period (such as 'The Tale of Ginger and Pickles', about the local shop in Near Sawrey and 'The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse', a wood mouse) reflect her increasing participation in village life and her delight in country living.
Owning and managing these working farms required routine collaboration with the widely respected William Heelis. By the summer of 1912, Heelis had proposed marriage and Potter had accepted; although she did not immediately tell her parents, who once again disapproved because Heelis was only a country solicitor.
Potter and Heelis were married on the 15th. October 1913 in London at St. Mary Abbots in Kensington. The couple moved immediately to Near Sawrey, residing at Castle Cottage, the renovated farmhouse on Castle Farm, which was 34 acres large.
Hill Top remained a working farm, but was now remodelled to allow for the tenant family and Potter's private studio and workshop. At last her own woman, Potter settled into the partnerships that shaped the rest of her life: her country solicitor husband and his large family, her farms, the Sawrey community and the predictable rounds of country life.
'The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck' and 'The Tale of Tom Kitten' are representative of Hill Top Farm and her farming life, and reflect her happiness with her country life.
Rupert Potter died in 1914 and, with the outbreak of the Great War, Beatrix, by now a wealthy woman, persuaded her mother to move to the Lake District, and found a property for her to rent in Near Sawrey.
Finding life in Near Sawrey dull, Helen Potter soon moved to Lindeth Howe (now a 34 bedroomed hotel), a large house that the Potters had previously rented for the summer in Bowness, on the other side of Lake Windermere.
Beatrix's brother Walter Bertram Potter, who was also an accomplished artist and farmer, died suddenly of a stroke after working in his garden on the 22nd. June 1918. He was buried in the parish churchyard at Ancrum, Scotland, near the remains of the Old Parish Church, which was abandoned in 1890. Walter was 46 years of age when he died, or, to put it another way, he lived for 16,900 days.
Beatrix continued to write stories for Frederick Warne & Co., and fully participated in country life. She established a Nursing Trust for local villages, and served on various committees and councils responsible for footpaths and other rural issues.
Sheep Farming
Soon after acquiring Hill Top Farm, Potter became keenly interested in the breeding and raising of Herdwick sheep, the indigenous fell sheep breed.
In 1923 she bought a large sheep farm in the Troutbeck Valley called Troutbeck Park Farm, formerly a deer park. Beatrix restored its land with thousands of Herdwick sheep, and this established her as one of the major Herdwick sheep farmers in the county.
She was admired by her shepherds and farm managers for her willingness to experiment with the latest biological remedies for the common diseases of sheep, and for her employment of the best shepherds, sheep breeders, and farm managers.
By the late 1920's, Potter and her Hill Top farm manager Tom Storey had made a name for their prize-winning Herdwick flock, which took many prizes at the local agricultural shows, where Potter was often asked to serve as a judge.
In 1942 Beatrix became President-elect of the Herdwick Sheepbreeders' Association, the first time a woman had been elected, although she died before taking office.
Lake District Conservation
Beatrix Potter had been a disciple of the land conservation and preservation ideals of her long-time friend and mentor, Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley, the first secretary and founding member of the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty.
According to the National Trust:
"She supported the efforts of the National Trust
to preserve not just the places of extraordinary
beauty, but also those heads of valleys and low
grazing lands that would be irreparably ruined
by development."
Beatrix Potter was also an authority on the traditional Lakeland crafts and period furniture, as well as local stonework. She restored and preserved the farms that she bought or managed, making sure that each farm house had in it a piece of antique Lakeland furniture.
Beatrix was interested in preserving not only the Herdwick sheep, but also the way of life of fell farming. In 1930 the Heelises became partners with the National Trust in buying and managing fell farms included in the large Monk Coniston Estate. The estate comprised many farms spread over a wide area of north-western Lancashire, including the Tarn Hows.
Potter was the de facto estate manager for the Trust for seven years until the National Trust could afford to re-purchase most of the property from her. Potter's stewardship of these farms earned her full regard, but she was not without her critics, including those who felt that she used her wealth and the position of her husband to acquire properties in advance of their being made public.
She was notable in observing the problems of afforestation, preserving the intact grazing lands, and husbanding the quarries and timber on the farms. All her farms were stocked with Herdwick sheep, and frequently with Galloway cattle.
Beatrix Potter - The Later Years
Beatrix Potter continued to write stories and to draw as she aged, although mostly for her own pleasure. Her books in the late 1920's included the semi-autobiographical 'The Fairy Caravan', a fanciful tale set in her beloved Troutbeck fells. It was published only in the US during Potter's lifetime, and not until 1952 in the UK.
'Sister Anne', Potter's version of the story of Bluebeard, was written for her American readers, but illustrated by Katharine Sturges. A final folktale, 'Wag by Wall', was published posthumously by The Horn Book Magazine in 1944.
Potter was a generous patron of the Girl Guides, whose troupes she allowed to make their summer encampments on her land, and whose company she enjoyed as an older woman.
Potter and William Heelis enjoyed a happy marriage of thirty years, continuing their farming and preservation efforts throughout the hard days of World War II. Although they were childless, Potter played an important role in William's large family, particularly enjoying her relationship with several nieces whom she helped educate, and giving comfort and aid to her husband's brothers and sisters.
The Death of Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potter died of complications from pneumonia and heart disease on the 22nd. December 1943 at Castle Cottage, and her remains were cremated at Carleton Crematorium.
Beatrix left nearly all her property to the National Trust, including over 4,000 acres (16 km2) of land, sixteen farms, cottages and herds of cattle and Herdwick sheep.
Hers was the largest gift at that time to the National Trust, and it enabled the preservation of the land now included in the Lake District National Park, as well as the continuation of fell farming. The central office of the National Trust in Swindon was named "Heelis" in 2005 in her memory.
William Heelis continued his stewardship of their properties and of her literary and artistic work for the twenty months he survived her. When he died in August 1945, he left the remainder of the land and property to the National Trust.
Beatrix Potter's Legacy
Beatrix left almost all the original illustrations for her books to the National Trust. The copyright to her stories and merchandise was left to her publisher Frederick Warne & Co., now a division of the Penguin Group.
On the 1st. January 2014, the copyright expired in the UK and other countries with a 70-years-after-death limit.
Hill Top Farm was opened to the public by the National Trust in 1946; her artwork was displayed there until 1985 when it was moved to William Heelis's former law offices in Hawkshead, also owned by the National Trust as the Beatrix Potter Gallery.
Beatrix gave her folios of mycological drawings to the Armitt Library and Museum in Ambleside before her death.
'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' is owned by Frederick Warne and Company, 'The Tailor of Gloucester' by the Tate Gallery, and 'The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies' by the British Museum.
The largest public collection of her letters and drawings is the Leslie Linder Bequest and Leslie Linder Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. (Linder was the collector who—after five years of work—finally transcribed Potter's early journal, originally written in code.)
In the United States, the largest public collections are those in the Rare Book Department of the Free Library of Philadelphia, and the Cotsen Children's Library at Princeton University.
In 2015 a manuscript for an unpublished book was discovered by Jo Hanks, a publisher at Penguin Random House Children's Books, in the Victoria and Albert Museum archive. The book 'The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots', with illustrations by Quentin Blake, was published on the 1st. September 2016, to mark the 150th. anniversary of Potter's birth.
In 2017, 'The Art of Beatrix Potter: Sketches, Paintings, and Illustrations' by Emily Zach was published after San Francisco publisher Chronicle Books decided to mark the 150th. anniversary of Beatrix Potter's birth by showing that:
"She was far more than a 19th.-century
weekend painter. She was an artist of
astonishing range."
In December 2017, the asteroid 13975 Beatrixpotter, discovered by Belgian astronomer Eric Elst in 1992, was named in her memory.
Beatrix Potter's Work
There are many interpretations of Beatrix's literary work, the sources of her art, and her life and times. These include critical evaluations of her corpus of children's literature. 'That Naughty Rabbit: Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit' by Judy Taylor tells the story of the book's first publication and its many subsequent editions.
Potter's country life and her farming have been discussed in the work of Susan Denyer and other authors in the publications of The National Trust, such as 'Beatrix Potter at Home in the Lake District' (2004).
Potter's work as a scientific illustrator and her work in mycology are discussed in Linda Lear's books 'Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature' (2006) and 'Beatrix Potter: The Extraordinary Life of a Victorian Genius' (2008).
Adaptations of Beatrix Potter's Work
In 1971, a ballet film was released, 'The Tales of Beatrix Potter'. It was directed by Reginald Mills, set to music by John Lanchbery with choreography by Frederick Ashton, and performed in character costume by members of the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera House orchestra. The ballet of the same name has been performed by other dance companies around the world.
In 1992, Potter's children's book 'The Tale of Benjamin Bunny' was featured in the film Lorenzo's Oil.
Potter is also featured in Susan Wittig Albert's series of light mysteries called 'The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter'. The first of the eight-book series is 'Tale of Hill Top Farm' (2004), which deals with Potter's life in the Lake District and the village of Near Sawrey between 1905 and 1913.
Beatrix Potter in Film
In 1982, the BBC produced 'The Tale of Beatrix Potter'. This dramatisation of her life was written by John Hawkesworth, directed by Bill Hayes, and starred Holly Aird and Penelope Wilton as the young and adult Potter, respectively.
'The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends', a TV series based on nine of her twenty-four stories, starred actress Niamh Cusack as Beatrix Potter.
In 1993, Weston Woods Studios made a film called 'Beatrix Potter: Artist, Storyteller, and Countrywoman' with narration by Lynn Redgrave and music by Ernest Troost.
In 2006, Chris Noonan directed 'Miss Potter', a biographical film of Potter's life focusing on her early career and romance with her editor Norman Warne. The film stars Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor and Emily Watson.
On 9 February 2018, Columbia Pictures released 'Peter Rabbit', directed by Will Gluck, based on the work by Beatrix Potter. The character Bea, played by Rose Byrne, is a re-imagined version of Beatrix. A sequel to the film entitled 'Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway' was released in 2021.
On the 24th. December 2020, Sky One premiered 'Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse', a made-for-television drama film. The film was inspired by the true story of six-year-old Roald Dahl meeting his idol Beatrix Potter.
Set in 1922, the movie was written by Abigail Wilson, directed by David Kerr and starred Dawn French as Beatrix Potter, Rob Brydon as William Heelis and Jessica Hynes as Sofie Dahl. Filming took place in Wales (the birthland of Roald Dahl, French and Brydon), during the COVID-19 pandemic. This production incorporates live action, stop motion and puppetry.
Final Thoughts From Beatrix Potter
"There is something delicious about
writing the first words of a story. You
never quite know where they'll take you."
"Once upon a time there were four little
Rabbits, and their names were--Flopsy,
Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter."
"I hold that a strongly marked personality
can influence descendants for generations."
"Believe there is a great power silently
working all things for good, behave
yourself and never mind the rest."
"Thank goodness I was never sent to
school; it would have rubbed off some
of the originality."
"I cannot rest, I must draw, however poor
the result, and when I have a bad time
come over me, it is a stronger desire than
ever."
"All outward forms of religion are almost
useless, and are the causes of endless
strife."
"I remember I used to half believe and
wholly play with fairies when I was a child.
What heaven can be more real than to
retain the spirit-world of childhood,
tempered and balanced by knowledge
and common-sense."
"It is said that the effect of eating
too much lettuce is 'soporific'."
"Most people, after one success, are so
cringingly afraid of doing less well that
they rub all the edge off their subsequent
work."
"Peter was not very well during the evening.
His mother put him to bed, and made some
chamomile tea: 'One table-spoonful to be
taken at bedtime'."
"This is a fierce bad rabbit; look at his savage
whiskers, and his claws and his turned-up tail."
"I hold an old-fashioned notion that a happy
marriage is the crown of a woman’s life."
"In the time of swords and periwigs and full-skirted
coats with flowered lappets - when gentlemen wore
ruffles, and gold-laced waistcoats of paduasoy and
taffeta - there lived a tailor in Gloucester."
"I fear that we shall be obliged
to leave this pudding."
"Peter lost one of his shoes among the cabbages,
and the other shoe amongst the potatoes."
"I am aware these little books don't
last long, even if they are a success."
"With opportunity the world
is very interesting."
"If I have done anything, even a little,
to help small children enjoy honest,
simple pleasures, I have done a bit
of good."
"But not even Hitler can damage the fells."
"One place suits on person, another place
suits another person. For my part, I prefer
to live in the country, like Timmy Willie."
J. Salmon Ltd.
Alas, J. Salmon no longer produce postcards. Having churned out small coloured rectangles of card from its factory in Kent for more than 100 years, the company stopped publishing postcards in 2017.
The fifth-generation brothers who still ran the company sent a letter to their clients in the autumn of 2017, advising them that the presses would cease printing at the end of 2017, with their remaining stock being sold off throughout the following year.
The firm’s story began in 1880, when the original J. Salmon acquired a printing business on Sevenoaks high street, and produced a collection of twelve black and white scenes of the town.
In 1912, the business broke through into the big time by commissioning the artist Alfred Robert Quinton (1853 - 1934), who produced 2,300 scenes of British life for them up until his death.
From Redruth to King’s Lynn, his softly coloured, highly detailed watercolours of rosy milkmaids, bucolic pumphouses and picturesque harbour towns earned him a place in the hearts of the public, despite references to his 'chocolate-box art' by some art critics.
J. Salmon also produced photographs and cheery oils of seaside imagery captioned with a garrulous enthusiasm: “Eat More Chips!”, “Sun, Sand & Sea”, “We’re Going Camping!”
It commissioned the comic artist Reg Maurice (who often worked under the pseudonym Vera Paterson), to produce pictures of comically bulbous children with cutesy captions, alongside the usual stock images of British towns.
It was this century’s changing habits – and technology – that did for Salmon. Co-managing director Charles Salmon noted:
“People are going for shorter breaks,
not for a fortnight, so you’re back home
before your postcards have arrived."
He barely needed to say that Instagram and Facebook had made their product all but redundant, almost wiping out the entire industry in a decade.
Michelle Abadie, co-director of the John Hinde Collection, said:
“When I heard the news, I was
actually surprised they still existed."
John Hinde was once J Salmon’s biggest rival; it sold 50-60 million postcards a year at its peak in the 1960's, but it, too, shuttered four years previously. The licensing for its rich archive of images was sold off, and repurposed in art books.
However, in one sense, the death of the postcard is overstated. Like vinyl records, our fetish for the physical objects we left behind is already making its presence felt.
Michelle Abadie points out:
“If you go into Waterstones now, they
sell lots of postcards of book covers.
The idea itself isn’t dead – as a
decorative object, people still want
them.”
I know everyone will be utterly over saturated with pictures of the 10th May Northern Lights display, but it would be remiss not to add them to my stream so that I can always recall what was a magical night. I have always been fascinated by the Northern lights since I was a child, and to get to see them 1.5 miles from home and not have to fork out the £2k we planned to spend to go to Iceland for my 50th is a bonus.
Hubby wasn't feeling too great, so it was a bit touch and go as to whether we would head out, but he steeled himself and we went and found a carpark overlooking a flood plain that looks north. I fired out a quick test shot with my phone on night mode and went into a complete flap, as she was dancing spectacularly. We stood in this field, with the weirdest animal noises I have ever heard, some local misreants turned up to the carpark and the air was filled with the aroma of weed and they very helpfully turned on their car main beam. Joy.
After they had had their drug fill, they drove off and all was peaceful again. I was so emotional and regailed it as the best night ever, which of course upset hubby who reminded me that our wedding was pretty good too. Well yes, but how do you compare rainbows each are amazing.
After 1.5 hours of standing by the river, I was sure I had it, and we left, albeit I then sat in the garden til 1am and then later stood in the bath so I could continue shooting out of the window until 3am when I could hold out no longer and begrudgingly went to bed.
What a display though, the strongest since the 30s apparently, and the AUK group kept saying a stronger wave was hitting roughly every hour. Breathtaking, and the novelty of being able to shoot them so close to home, at a reasonable hour, in just a t-shirt and not mid blizzard was such a bonus. Albeit the t-shirt proved a complete fail on my part as the mozzies that live by the river saw an all you can eat buffet and had their monies worth, I shall probably get anaemia from blood loss now, but totally worth it!
I slept well until three, then woke up.
And could not go back to sleep.
Oh well.
I played the age old guessing game of what the time might be without having a watch or clock.
Minutes dragged.
We got up at quarter past five, outside it was still dark, and what I could see of the sky seemed to be cloud, which was a shame as I had plans.
Plans, as Monday was a bank holiday and I worked by travelling to Denmark, I had agreed with my boss to take Friday off instead, and whilst I was away, a small colony of Queen of Spains had been found in Walmer. I got the location from a friend, ando so all I needed was the weather to be bright enough for the rare migrant butterflies to come out and bask.
In order to be able to do this, I really needed the car, so that meant dropping Jools off in Hythe and coming back.
Which I did.
Always amazes me that people speed to work in the morning. I understand speeding to get home, but driving like a twat just to get a better parking space is something I don't understand.
Amway, we get to Hythe without serious incident, then I drive home for breakfast, at which point it starts to rain.
Hard.
Rain and chasing butterflies do not mix. At all, so I have little choice but to sit and wait. And write. And edit shots.
Because, I have taken a large number of photographs this month, so I will be editing them well into next month and probably beyond.
Anyway.
It stops raining at about nine, and soon it is drying out, so at then, against my better judgement, I drive to Walmer to hunt the Queens. I manage to find a place to park nearby, and begin hunting where they were spotted the day before.
Even if it had stopped raining, it was cloudy and so dull, and no butterflies were to be seen at first.
Another guy with a camera turned up, and in the end we swapped news. He had driven up from Bristol that morning, and was desperate to see one, while I had at least seen one two years back. I wandered more to the far side of the field, while I stayed near the road.
Oh yes, the field.
The land has been acquired for housing, so that and one the other side of the road are laying fallow this year, and the locals are apparently using it as a dog's toilet. There was literally shit everywhere. In bags and out. Those who throw away full bags of dog shit mystify me. I mean, why?
Anyway, the weak sun does break through, and I charge across the field hoping to see one of the Queens basking. But I see none.
I do get a female Adonis basking, which is the only butterfly I see, except a large white that flies up from a hedge as I walk past and never returns.
I hunted for two hours, in the end leaving at ten past twelve, giving me 50 minutes to get to Hythe to collect Jools from work.
Rain began to fall any way.
So, I drove through the Alkham Valley to Folkestone, then over the downs into Hythe, getting to the factory with ten minutes to spare. And in a few minutes the factory empties and people pile into their cars for the weekend.
Jools comes out and asks, what's the plan?
Fish and chips and then go up to the ossuary?
Yes and OK.
We drove to the old Aldi car park, got the last space and walked to the HIgh Street to the oddly named Torbay of Hythe, and as the lunch rush was over, plenty of tables. I ordered skate and chips, Jools had cod, and we shared a portion of onion rings.
It was a large piece of skate, an inch thick, and I were proper full. Which made the walk up the the church after a bit of a huff and puff.
St Leonard has a crypt, and in it over a thousand skeletons and body parts are stored. Nothing untoward in this, just unusual in the 21st century. I think there is just one other in England.
-------------------------------------------
St Leonard’s Church has the largest and best-preserved collection of ancient human skulls and bones in Britain. The collection consists of shelves in four arched bays that contain 1,000 skulls in total, and a single stack of bones and skulls measuring 7.5m in length, 1.8m in width and just over 1.8m in height. The stack of bones was reassembled on its brick base in 1910.
Size of the collection
Past historians indicated that the collection represents the remains of some 4,000 people, but it is impossible to verify the number of bones in the stack. Our latest estimate is a maximum number of 1,200 skulls in the crypt and the total number of individuals represented as 2,000.
Earliest written and pictorial evidence
The earliest references to the collection are 1678 by Samuel Jeake, then Town Clerk of Rye, and 1679 by Rev Brome, Chaplain to the Cinque Ports, both of whom described ‘an orderly pile of dead men’s bones’ in the ‘charnel house’ on the north side of the church. The earliest known drawings are dated 1787 depicting piles of skulls and bones inside the crypt’s entrance door, and 1820 showing the south-west bay and stack similar to its present appearance. Postcards in the early 1900s with photographs of the crypt show the layout much the same as it is today.
The crypt as a charnel house
The crypt has been referred to as ‘the bonehouse’ and ‘the ossuary’. One suggestion is that it had been a charnel house or chapel, to house de-fleshed, separate bones and that St Leonard’s is one of a number of English medieval charnel chapels underneath churches, as the Hythe crypt resembles the attributes of other such chapels.
Origins of the collection
There have been many theories over the years as to who the people were and how their remains came to be resting in the crypt. These include Danish pirates slain in a battle (from a footnote on the 1787 drawing mentioned above); men who fell in the 1066 Battle of Hastings (handwritten footnote on a 1860s illustration); and Anglo-Saxons killed in battle. Another suggestion refers to the people being victims of the Black Death, but such bodies were usually hastily disposed of in quicklime.
However, these theories have been rejected by an osteologists’ project from 2009 to 2012 involving analysis of all the skulls on the shelves, which found a higher proportion of females than males, and nearly 10% of sub-adults (juveniles).
Our conclusion now is that they were Hythe residents who died over a long period and had been buried in the churchyard (evidenced by the deposits of soil within the skulls), and that the earliest of the remains were dug up in the 13th century when the church was extended eastwards over their previous graves. However, this number of individuals is high for ‘Hythe only’ residents, and the collection probably includes bones from four graveyards in the Hythe area that are said to have fallen out of use and closed by 1500.
No accurate evidence for the date of death of the people has been determined, and estimates range from 12th to 15th centuries, though more likely to be 13th century if it coincides with the building of the chancel.
Origins of the people
There is no clear evidence of where the people originated. Studies, of which the earliest was in 1908, have been undertaken by measuring up to 30 different dimensions of each of a group of skulls (a technique known as craniometry). The 1908 study, based on just the ratio of the maximum breadth of a skull to its maximum length, indicated a number were of Italian descent. This could have been a possible link with the Romans in view of the nearby Roman port at Lympne (Portus Lemanis), or with traders visiting Hythe when it was an important medieval trading port.
The more detailed studies in the past five years indicated that some people could have been of Scandinavian descent, and one or two skulls appear to show African origins. It is hoped that more definitive evidence of origin can be obtained by a possible future isotope analysis study.
Evidence of injury and disease
Such a large collection can provide some interesting knowledge about the lifestyle of the people concerned through detailed analysis.
A small A picture of a damaged skullnumber of skulls indicate injury through sharp blows. One in the south-west bay with a hole right through it (see photograph to the left) has been suggested to be either a result of trepanning (surgical drilling through the skull), or caused by a sharp object, such as a dagger, because of the radiating fractures inside the skull.
Another skull in the south-west bay shows a severe dent caused by a blunt object such as a stone, whilst a skull in the north-east bay indicates injury from a slicing blow, probably by a sword at the back of the head, which was not immediately fatal because of evidence of healing.
A few bones show breakages during the individual’s lifetime and partial healing, whilst others have evidence of arthritis or bone diseases.
One significant feature of the skulls is the proportion showing evidence of cribra orbitalia, which was a symptom of chronic iron deficiency anaemia related to poor diet and/or infections. The evidence for this comes from pin-prick holes in the bone surface around the eye sockets. 22% of the skulls appear to be affected by this, with a higher proportion among the skulls of young people. The overall proportion in Hythe is much higher than the 10% recorded for English medieval sites. Another indicator of the disease could be malaria, which occurs in marshy or swampy areas.
The standard of teeth still present in the skulls varies, with many of the back molars worn down through constantly eating rough food. A number indicate abscesses and about 10% show pre-death loss of at least one tooth, pointing to lack of dental care/treatment. However, holes in teeth (which would now be treated by fillings) are non-existent, pointing to a sugar-free diet. A lower jaw (in one of the cabinets) shows teeth on either side sloping outwards due to wear. This could indicate that the individual used his/her teeth for a particular purpose, possibly related to occupation.
Recent and current analysis and study
Several studies have taken place since 2008 – by staff and post graduate students of Bournemouth University, by St Leonard’s Osteological Research Group (StLORG), an independent group of forensic scientists and osteologists, and since 2015 by the University of Kent Biological Anthropology lecturer and final-year degree students.
StLORG members completed a three-year project to catalogue and profile all 1,022 skulls on the shelves, to identify the sex and age at death of each person, as well as analysing distinctive features on the skull from injury or disease.
The Kent University projects have focused on measurements of skulls to determine origin, and a study of skulls that show evidence of cribra orbitalia.
Identifying children and young people
New techniques have also identified a larger number of children and young people (termed as ‘sub-adults’ in forensic studies) than was previously recognised. The age of children and young people can be determined from the eruption and development of teeth. Two very small skulls in the south-west bay, which were argued for many years as being those of dwarfs, have been confirmed by a forensic odontologist (teeth expert) as being children aged four and six-seven years respectively, based on their teeth development.
Care and Conservation
All these studies and activities are undertaken with care and respect for the skulls and bones and follow Church of England and English Heritage guidelines for handling human remains. Gloves are worn when handling any skull or bone in the collection. ‘Do not touch’ signs displayed explain the potential harm that hands touching skulls or bones can cause through transfer of sweat or grease.
We are now looking at how best we can preserve the collection for the future based on current conservation practice, for which our small charge for visitors will help in funding practical work.
Media coverage
The skulls and bones have been the subject of increased media coverage since 2010. Various TV companies have included short items in historical, antiques, Great British Railway Journeys (with Michael Portillo) and regional news programmes, the most recent being BBC One South East Today in summer 2017. National and local press coverage has highlighted St Leonard’s Church crypt as a place to visit.
Future study
Our aim is to develop our working relationship with the University of Kent biological anthropology staff and students on further studies to advance our knowledge about the origin of the people, and their health and lifestyle.
We shall continue to welcome staff and students from other academic institutions to undertake projects which will benefit their studies and enhance our visitor experience.
The Parish of St Leonard, Hythe
Oak Walk
Hythe
Kent
CT21 5DN
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A large civic church, as befits one of the original Cinque Ports. Traces of the Norman building may still be seen in the blocked round-headed windows in the north wall of the nave and the excellent Norman arch at the east end of the south aisle. The chancel is thirteenth century in origin, completed by Pearson in 1886. The pulpit is a great piece of Victorian craftsmanship, designed by George Edmund Street in 1876. The three-light stained glass in the east window is by Wallace Wood and dates from 1951. There are Royal Arms of the reign of William and Mary. The chancel has a triforium gallery, an unexpected find in a parish church. A circular staircase runs from the north-west corner linking the triforium, rood loft and roof. Under the chancel is an interesting processional passage, open to the public during the summer, which contains hundreds of skulls collected from the churchyard during clearances. In the churchyard is the grave of Lionel Lukin, who obtained a patent for his invention - the lifeboat - in 1785.
www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Hythe
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The PARISH OF HYTHE is within the ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION of the diocese of Canterbury, and deanry of Eleham.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Leonard, is a fine handsome building, consisting of three isles, a north and south cross, and three chancels, with a tower steeple at the west end, in which are six bells and a clock. The church stands on the side of a high and steep hill, a considerable height above any of the town, having a very large church-yard adjoining, mostly on the west and north sides, in the middle of which is a large open well of water, under a cove of the quarry stone. There is a very handsome flight of many stone steps up to the church, given by William Glanville, representative in 1729. The room over the porch at the entrance, is the town-hall, where the mayor and other members of it are yearly chosen. The tower, built in the room of the old one, which suddenly fell down in 1748, was rebuilt, and the church repaired, by a brief. It is a very fine one, of excellent masonry of quarry stone, with ashlar quoins and ornaments, and has four turrets on the top. The middle isle has, not long since, been paved with Portland stone, and new pewed. There are two galleries; one built at the charge of the parish, in 1750; the other by Hercules Baker and William Glanville, representatives, in 1734. In the middle hangs a handsome brass branch. This isle has a row of small upper windows on each side, being an upper story in the choir fashion. The south cross, at the time the tower was new built, and the church repaired, was taken down by the family of Deedes and rebuilt by them, with a vault of its full size underneath, for their burial, which was finished in 1751, at their own charge; for this, and for appropriating to themselves and servants four pews in this isle, they obtained a faculty. This cross isle or chancel is paved with Portland stone, and is separated from the south isle by an iron railing. In it are several monuments of the Deedes family. On the west side of the north cross, there appears on the outside to have been an antient door-way, the arch over it being circular, with zig zag ornaments, &c. The ground on the outside is nearly up to the spring of the arch, and there are no appearances of it on the inside. The three chancels are very antient indeed, much more so than the isles, from which there is an ascent to each; the pillars in them are inclustered with small ones of Bethersden marble, and both the arches and windows very beautiful and lofty. The middle or high chancel has a grand approach, having eight steps to it from the middle isle, and three more towards the altar. The windows are very light and losty, especially the three at the east end, which are remarkably elegant. There are, round the upper part of it and on the south side, small double arches and Bethersden pillars, similar to those on the sides of the choir in Canterbury cathedral. The whole is new paved with Portland stone. The north chancel, which, as well as the opposite one, has a rise of steps from the isle, has no inscription in it. The pillars of both these chancels have an unusually large base, of near three feet high, and about five feet square, upon the surface of the pavement. The rector formerly repaired the high chancel; but on account of the smallness of his living, the parish took upon themselves the repair of it, and in lieu assessed him to a small portion of the church rate. In this church are numbers of monuments and memorials; among others, for the family of Deedes, for the Master's and Collins's. Memorials for Isaac Rutton, lieutenant of Dover castle, obt. 1683; for Henry Estday, gent. obt. 1610; for Robert Kelway, A. M. rector of Hope, &c. obt. 1759. An inscription on brass for John Bredgman, the last bailiff and the first mayor of Hythe, obt. 24 Elizabeth, 1581. For several of the Knights, arms, A chevron, between three birds ; and a monument for Robinson Bean, gent. ten times mayor here, &c. &c.
Leland says, as has been already mentioned before, that it evidently appeared, where the church now is was once an abbey, and the ruins of the offices belonging to it were in his time to be seen, near the spring in the church-yard; but there have been no traces of any such buildings for a long time, nor any mention made of such foundation by any other writer.
In the cript or vault under the east end of the middle chancel, is piled up that vast quantity of human sculls and bones, so often mentioned in this history, the pile of them being twenty-eight feet in length, and eight feet in height and breadth. They are by the most probable conjectures supposed to have been the remains of the Britons, slain in a bloody battle, fought on the shore between this place and Folkestone, with the retreating Saxons, in the year 456, and to have attained their whiteness by lying for some length of time exposed on the sea shore. Several of the sculls have deep cuts in them, as if made by some heavy weapon, most likely of the Saxons.
¶Leland's authority has been mentioned for there having been four parish churches, viz. St. Nicholas, Our Lady, St. Michael, and Our Lady of Westhithe, at the time this town was in its greatest prosperity, which were then clean destroyed, as he expresses it; and that there remained the ruins of them and the church-yards in his time. And though I meet with no other mention of them by other writers, yet there are probable circumstances, to think there were once more parishes and their churches here than the present parish and church of St. Leonard; for it appears by the map of the hospital lands, made in 1685, that there is a field about half a mile westward from Hythe church, called St. Nicholas's church-yard, with some ruins of a building at the south-west corner of it. Upon the side of the quarry-hills, between Hythe town and West Hythe, is another field, called St. Michael's Ash, probably from that church having been once near it. This will account for two of these churches, Our Lady of West Hythe is the third, and the fourth which he calls Our Lady, I should think means the present church, which might perhaps in early times be so called. However, I find the present one of St. Leonard, mentioned as the only parish church of Hythe as early as the 8th of Richard II. several years before the dreadful conflagration abovementioned happened, which is said to have been the ruin of the town of Hythe. This church of St. Leonard being exempt from the jurisdiction of the arch deacon, has always been accounted as a chapel of ease to the adjoining church of Saltwood, to the manor of which this borough of Hythe was ever appurtenant; accordingly it is, with that rectory, in the patronage of the archbishop, the rector of Saltwood being collated and inducted to the rectory of Saltwood, with the chapel of Hythe appurtenant to it.
It is included in the king's books in the valuation of the rectory of Saltwood. In 1588 here were communicants five hundred and sixty.
There was formerly a chantry in this church, which was suppressed with others of the same kind anno I and 2 Edward VI. when the incumbent William Decon, had a yearly pension of six pounds (fn. 21).
I slept well until three, then woke up.
And could not go back to sleep.
Oh well.
I played the age old guessing game of what the time might be without having a watch or clock.
Minutes dragged.
We got up at quarter past five, outside it was still dark, and what I could see of the sky seemed to be cloud, which was a shame as I had plans.
Plans, as Monday was a bank holiday and I worked by travelling to Denmark, I had agreed with my boss to take Friday off instead, and whilst I was away, a small colony of Queen of Spains had been found in Walmer. I got the location from a friend, ando so all I needed was the weather to be bright enough for the rare migrant butterflies to come out and bask.
In order to be able to do this, I really needed the car, so that meant dropping Jools off in Hythe and coming back.
Which I did.
Always amazes me that people speed to work in the morning. I understand speeding to get home, but driving like a twat just to get a better parking space is something I don't understand.
Amway, we get to Hythe without serious incident, then I drive home for breakfast, at which point it starts to rain.
Hard.
Rain and chasing butterflies do not mix. At all, so I have little choice but to sit and wait. And write. And edit shots.
Because, I have taken a large number of photographs this month, so I will be editing them well into next month and probably beyond.
Anyway.
It stops raining at about nine, and soon it is drying out, so at then, against my better judgement, I drive to Walmer to hunt the Queens. I manage to find a place to park nearby, and begin hunting where they were spotted the day before.
Even if it had stopped raining, it was cloudy and so dull, and no butterflies were to be seen at first.
Another guy with a camera turned up, and in the end we swapped news. He had driven up from Bristol that morning, and was desperate to see one, while I had at least seen one two years back. I wandered more to the far side of the field, while I stayed near the road.
Oh yes, the field.
The land has been acquired for housing, so that and one the other side of the road are laying fallow this year, and the locals are apparently using it as a dog's toilet. There was literally shit everywhere. In bags and out. Those who throw away full bags of dog shit mystify me. I mean, why?
Anyway, the weak sun does break through, and I charge across the field hoping to see one of the Queens basking. But I see none.
I do get a female Adonis basking, which is the only butterfly I see, except a large white that flies up from a hedge as I walk past and never returns.
I hunted for two hours, in the end leaving at ten past twelve, giving me 50 minutes to get to Hythe to collect Jools from work.
Rain began to fall any way.
So, I drove through the Alkham Valley to Folkestone, then over the downs into Hythe, getting to the factory with ten minutes to spare. And in a few minutes the factory empties and people pile into their cars for the weekend.
Jools comes out and asks, what's the plan?
Fish and chips and then go up to the ossuary?
Yes and OK.
We drove to the old Aldi car park, got the last space and walked to the HIgh Street to the oddly named Torbay of Hythe, and as the lunch rush was over, plenty of tables. I ordered skate and chips, Jools had cod, and we shared a portion of onion rings.
It was a large piece of skate, an inch thick, and I were proper full. Which made the walk up the the church after a bit of a huff and puff.
St Leonard has a crypt, and in it over a thousand skeletons and body parts are stored. Nothing untoward in this, just unusual in the 21st century. I think there is just one other in England.
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St Leonard’s Church has the largest and best-preserved collection of ancient human skulls and bones in Britain. The collection consists of shelves in four arched bays that contain 1,000 skulls in total, and a single stack of bones and skulls measuring 7.5m in length, 1.8m in width and just over 1.8m in height. The stack of bones was reassembled on its brick base in 1910.
Size of the collection
Past historians indicated that the collection represents the remains of some 4,000 people, but it is impossible to verify the number of bones in the stack. Our latest estimate is a maximum number of 1,200 skulls in the crypt and the total number of individuals represented as 2,000.
Earliest written and pictorial evidence
The earliest references to the collection are 1678 by Samuel Jeake, then Town Clerk of Rye, and 1679 by Rev Brome, Chaplain to the Cinque Ports, both of whom described ‘an orderly pile of dead men’s bones’ in the ‘charnel house’ on the north side of the church. The earliest known drawings are dated 1787 depicting piles of skulls and bones inside the crypt’s entrance door, and 1820 showing the south-west bay and stack similar to its present appearance. Postcards in the early 1900s with photographs of the crypt show the layout much the same as it is today.
The crypt as a charnel house
The crypt has been referred to as ‘the bonehouse’ and ‘the ossuary’. One suggestion is that it had been a charnel house or chapel, to house de-fleshed, separate bones and that St Leonard’s is one of a number of English medieval charnel chapels underneath churches, as the Hythe crypt resembles the attributes of other such chapels.
Origins of the collection
There have been many theories over the years as to who the people were and how their remains came to be resting in the crypt. These include Danish pirates slain in a battle (from a footnote on the 1787 drawing mentioned above); men who fell in the 1066 Battle of Hastings (handwritten footnote on a 1860s illustration); and Anglo-Saxons killed in battle. Another suggestion refers to the people being victims of the Black Death, but such bodies were usually hastily disposed of in quicklime.
However, these theories have been rejected by an osteologists’ project from 2009 to 2012 involving analysis of all the skulls on the shelves, which found a higher proportion of females than males, and nearly 10% of sub-adults (juveniles).
Our conclusion now is that they were Hythe residents who died over a long period and had been buried in the churchyard (evidenced by the deposits of soil within the skulls), and that the earliest of the remains were dug up in the 13th century when the church was extended eastwards over their previous graves. However, this number of individuals is high for ‘Hythe only’ residents, and the collection probably includes bones from four graveyards in the Hythe area that are said to have fallen out of use and closed by 1500.
No accurate evidence for the date of death of the people has been determined, and estimates range from 12th to 15th centuries, though more likely to be 13th century if it coincides with the building of the chancel.
Origins of the people
There is no clear evidence of where the people originated. Studies, of which the earliest was in 1908, have been undertaken by measuring up to 30 different dimensions of each of a group of skulls (a technique known as craniometry). The 1908 study, based on just the ratio of the maximum breadth of a skull to its maximum length, indicated a number were of Italian descent. This could have been a possible link with the Romans in view of the nearby Roman port at Lympne (Portus Lemanis), or with traders visiting Hythe when it was an important medieval trading port.
The more detailed studies in the past five years indicated that some people could have been of Scandinavian descent, and one or two skulls appear to show African origins. It is hoped that more definitive evidence of origin can be obtained by a possible future isotope analysis study.
Evidence of injury and disease
Such a large collection can provide some interesting knowledge about the lifestyle of the people concerned through detailed analysis.
A small A picture of a damaged skullnumber of skulls indicate injury through sharp blows. One in the south-west bay with a hole right through it (see photograph to the left) has been suggested to be either a result of trepanning (surgical drilling through the skull), or caused by a sharp object, such as a dagger, because of the radiating fractures inside the skull.
Another skull in the south-west bay shows a severe dent caused by a blunt object such as a stone, whilst a skull in the north-east bay indicates injury from a slicing blow, probably by a sword at the back of the head, which was not immediately fatal because of evidence of healing.
A few bones show breakages during the individual’s lifetime and partial healing, whilst others have evidence of arthritis or bone diseases.
One significant feature of the skulls is the proportion showing evidence of cribra orbitalia, which was a symptom of chronic iron deficiency anaemia related to poor diet and/or infections. The evidence for this comes from pin-prick holes in the bone surface around the eye sockets. 22% of the skulls appear to be affected by this, with a higher proportion among the skulls of young people. The overall proportion in Hythe is much higher than the 10% recorded for English medieval sites. Another indicator of the disease could be malaria, which occurs in marshy or swampy areas.
The standard of teeth still present in the skulls varies, with many of the back molars worn down through constantly eating rough food. A number indicate abscesses and about 10% show pre-death loss of at least one tooth, pointing to lack of dental care/treatment. However, holes in teeth (which would now be treated by fillings) are non-existent, pointing to a sugar-free diet. A lower jaw (in one of the cabinets) shows teeth on either side sloping outwards due to wear. This could indicate that the individual used his/her teeth for a particular purpose, possibly related to occupation.
Recent and current analysis and study
Several studies have taken place since 2008 – by staff and post graduate students of Bournemouth University, by St Leonard’s Osteological Research Group (StLORG), an independent group of forensic scientists and osteologists, and since 2015 by the University of Kent Biological Anthropology lecturer and final-year degree students.
StLORG members completed a three-year project to catalogue and profile all 1,022 skulls on the shelves, to identify the sex and age at death of each person, as well as analysing distinctive features on the skull from injury or disease.
The Kent University projects have focused on measurements of skulls to determine origin, and a study of skulls that show evidence of cribra orbitalia.
Identifying children and young people
New techniques have also identified a larger number of children and young people (termed as ‘sub-adults’ in forensic studies) than was previously recognised. The age of children and young people can be determined from the eruption and development of teeth. Two very small skulls in the south-west bay, which were argued for many years as being those of dwarfs, have been confirmed by a forensic odontologist (teeth expert) as being children aged four and six-seven years respectively, based on their teeth development.
Care and Conservation
All these studies and activities are undertaken with care and respect for the skulls and bones and follow Church of England and English Heritage guidelines for handling human remains. Gloves are worn when handling any skull or bone in the collection. ‘Do not touch’ signs displayed explain the potential harm that hands touching skulls or bones can cause through transfer of sweat or grease.
We are now looking at how best we can preserve the collection for the future based on current conservation practice, for which our small charge for visitors will help in funding practical work.
Media coverage
The skulls and bones have been the subject of increased media coverage since 2010. Various TV companies have included short items in historical, antiques, Great British Railway Journeys (with Michael Portillo) and regional news programmes, the most recent being BBC One South East Today in summer 2017. National and local press coverage has highlighted St Leonard’s Church crypt as a place to visit.
Future study
Our aim is to develop our working relationship with the University of Kent biological anthropology staff and students on further studies to advance our knowledge about the origin of the people, and their health and lifestyle.
We shall continue to welcome staff and students from other academic institutions to undertake projects which will benefit their studies and enhance our visitor experience.
The Parish of St Leonard, Hythe
Oak Walk
Hythe
Kent
CT21 5DN
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A large civic church, as befits one of the original Cinque Ports. Traces of the Norman building may still be seen in the blocked round-headed windows in the north wall of the nave and the excellent Norman arch at the east end of the south aisle. The chancel is thirteenth century in origin, completed by Pearson in 1886. The pulpit is a great piece of Victorian craftsmanship, designed by George Edmund Street in 1876. The three-light stained glass in the east window is by Wallace Wood and dates from 1951. There are Royal Arms of the reign of William and Mary. The chancel has a triforium gallery, an unexpected find in a parish church. A circular staircase runs from the north-west corner linking the triforium, rood loft and roof. Under the chancel is an interesting processional passage, open to the public during the summer, which contains hundreds of skulls collected from the churchyard during clearances. In the churchyard is the grave of Lionel Lukin, who obtained a patent for his invention - the lifeboat - in 1785.
www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Hythe
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The PARISH OF HYTHE is within the ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION of the diocese of Canterbury, and deanry of Eleham.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Leonard, is a fine handsome building, consisting of three isles, a north and south cross, and three chancels, with a tower steeple at the west end, in which are six bells and a clock. The church stands on the side of a high and steep hill, a considerable height above any of the town, having a very large church-yard adjoining, mostly on the west and north sides, in the middle of which is a large open well of water, under a cove of the quarry stone. There is a very handsome flight of many stone steps up to the church, given by William Glanville, representative in 1729. The room over the porch at the entrance, is the town-hall, where the mayor and other members of it are yearly chosen. The tower, built in the room of the old one, which suddenly fell down in 1748, was rebuilt, and the church repaired, by a brief. It is a very fine one, of excellent masonry of quarry stone, with ashlar quoins and ornaments, and has four turrets on the top. The middle isle has, not long since, been paved with Portland stone, and new pewed. There are two galleries; one built at the charge of the parish, in 1750; the other by Hercules Baker and William Glanville, representatives, in 1734. In the middle hangs a handsome brass branch. This isle has a row of small upper windows on each side, being an upper story in the choir fashion. The south cross, at the time the tower was new built, and the church repaired, was taken down by the family of Deedes and rebuilt by them, with a vault of its full size underneath, for their burial, which was finished in 1751, at their own charge; for this, and for appropriating to themselves and servants four pews in this isle, they obtained a faculty. This cross isle or chancel is paved with Portland stone, and is separated from the south isle by an iron railing. In it are several monuments of the Deedes family. On the west side of the north cross, there appears on the outside to have been an antient door-way, the arch over it being circular, with zig zag ornaments, &c. The ground on the outside is nearly up to the spring of the arch, and there are no appearances of it on the inside. The three chancels are very antient indeed, much more so than the isles, from which there is an ascent to each; the pillars in them are inclustered with small ones of Bethersden marble, and both the arches and windows very beautiful and lofty. The middle or high chancel has a grand approach, having eight steps to it from the middle isle, and three more towards the altar. The windows are very light and losty, especially the three at the east end, which are remarkably elegant. There are, round the upper part of it and on the south side, small double arches and Bethersden pillars, similar to those on the sides of the choir in Canterbury cathedral. The whole is new paved with Portland stone. The north chancel, which, as well as the opposite one, has a rise of steps from the isle, has no inscription in it. The pillars of both these chancels have an unusually large base, of near three feet high, and about five feet square, upon the surface of the pavement. The rector formerly repaired the high chancel; but on account of the smallness of his living, the parish took upon themselves the repair of it, and in lieu assessed him to a small portion of the church rate. In this church are numbers of monuments and memorials; among others, for the family of Deedes, for the Master's and Collins's. Memorials for Isaac Rutton, lieutenant of Dover castle, obt. 1683; for Henry Estday, gent. obt. 1610; for Robert Kelway, A. M. rector of Hope, &c. obt. 1759. An inscription on brass for John Bredgman, the last bailiff and the first mayor of Hythe, obt. 24 Elizabeth, 1581. For several of the Knights, arms, A chevron, between three birds ; and a monument for Robinson Bean, gent. ten times mayor here, &c. &c.
Leland says, as has been already mentioned before, that it evidently appeared, where the church now is was once an abbey, and the ruins of the offices belonging to it were in his time to be seen, near the spring in the church-yard; but there have been no traces of any such buildings for a long time, nor any mention made of such foundation by any other writer.
In the cript or vault under the east end of the middle chancel, is piled up that vast quantity of human sculls and bones, so often mentioned in this history, the pile of them being twenty-eight feet in length, and eight feet in height and breadth. They are by the most probable conjectures supposed to have been the remains of the Britons, slain in a bloody battle, fought on the shore between this place and Folkestone, with the retreating Saxons, in the year 456, and to have attained their whiteness by lying for some length of time exposed on the sea shore. Several of the sculls have deep cuts in them, as if made by some heavy weapon, most likely of the Saxons.
¶Leland's authority has been mentioned for there having been four parish churches, viz. St. Nicholas, Our Lady, St. Michael, and Our Lady of Westhithe, at the time this town was in its greatest prosperity, which were then clean destroyed, as he expresses it; and that there remained the ruins of them and the church-yards in his time. And though I meet with no other mention of them by other writers, yet there are probable circumstances, to think there were once more parishes and their churches here than the present parish and church of St. Leonard; for it appears by the map of the hospital lands, made in 1685, that there is a field about half a mile westward from Hythe church, called St. Nicholas's church-yard, with some ruins of a building at the south-west corner of it. Upon the side of the quarry-hills, between Hythe town and West Hythe, is another field, called St. Michael's Ash, probably from that church having been once near it. This will account for two of these churches, Our Lady of West Hythe is the third, and the fourth which he calls Our Lady, I should think means the present church, which might perhaps in early times be so called. However, I find the present one of St. Leonard, mentioned as the only parish church of Hythe as early as the 8th of Richard II. several years before the dreadful conflagration abovementioned happened, which is said to have been the ruin of the town of Hythe. This church of St. Leonard being exempt from the jurisdiction of the arch deacon, has always been accounted as a chapel of ease to the adjoining church of Saltwood, to the manor of which this borough of Hythe was ever appurtenant; accordingly it is, with that rectory, in the patronage of the archbishop, the rector of Saltwood being collated and inducted to the rectory of Saltwood, with the chapel of Hythe appurtenant to it.
It is included in the king's books in the valuation of the rectory of Saltwood. In 1588 here were communicants five hundred and sixty.
There was formerly a chantry in this church, which was suppressed with others of the same kind anno I and 2 Edward VI. when the incumbent William Decon, had a yearly pension of six pounds (fn. 21).
Fortitude Valley was named for the ship Fortitude that was leased by J.D. Lang to bring hard-working Protestants to the new colony. From 1849 the immigrants established farms and dairies in the area just outside the environs of the old penal settlement. Development continued as more settlers arrived and the population grew. By the 1880s a booming local economy led to close residential development which was further encouraged by the extension of the train line from Brisbane Town proper. From the 1890s major department stores, such as T.C Beirne, McWhirter’s, and Overells built substantial stores in the Valley and these were joined by major manufacturing businesses.
In 1890, when Dixson and Sons built this factory, it became the second tobacco manufacturer on this side of Brunswick St, joining a hotel, grocers, boot manufacturers and the Oddfellows’ Hall, Reading Room and Free Library. Cameron Bros. & Co. tobacco manufacturers built their warehouse in the next block on the corner of Martin and Brunswick Streets in the same year.
In 1889 Robert Dixson of Melbourne purchased 32 perches on the corner of Ivory and Brunswick Streets. Within days a new title was issued to Dixson and Sons Ltd. The Dixson family had a well-established tobacco manufacturing and importation firm in Sydney and Robert Dixson was Minister for Education in the South Australia.
In April 1890 the Dixson and Sons Ltd factory on the corner of Brunswick and Ivory Streets was reported as being amongst the many fine buildings recently erected in Brisbane. The four storey building was constructed of ornamentally treated brick work with the dressings picked out in red and white brick. The tobacco factory fitout included hydrants all over the factory and ventilation “as far as the manufacturing of tobacco will allow”. The basement contained sixteen pressing machines, drying cupboards, and a sweating room. The building was designed by notable Queensland architectural firm John Hall and Son. John Hall and Son, and later Hall and Dods (FR Hall & RS Dods) are responsible for some of the finest buildings in Brisbane. In 1890, as well as Dixson’s Building, John Hall and Son designed Burke’s Hotel in South Brisbane, the Town Hall also at South Brisbane, Toombul Shire Hall and a number of villas in the suburbs. At this time, Francis Richard Hall was principal of the firm and, although “not regarded as a distinguished designer,” was a “capable manager” and attracted talented, skilled assistants to the firm.
Dixson and Sons was reported to be “the oldest established and largest tobacco manufacturers in Australia” and that their popular brands are made with imported American leaf tobacco, but manufactured in Australia, thereby being equal to imported brands, but providing employment for labour in Queensland. By 1896 the Dixson Factory was claimed to be improving the locally grown tobacco by insisting that local producers take every care to ensure that their product is equal to imported leaf.
In 1902 all of the businesses of Dixson and Sons. Ltd, and Robert Dixson and Co. tobacco manufacturers were amalgamated. They traded as Dixson Tobacco Company Limited with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Fremantle. By this time, the Brisbane company had moved out of their building in Brunswick Street and relocated their operations to 173 Elizabeth Street. The building stood empty and was purchased by William Shaw, the Managing Director of British Australasian Tobacco Company, Limited, Sydney in 1905.
In May 1906, the Brisbane Institute of Social Service leased the building for an initial term of five years. The Brisbane Institute of Social Service was inaugurated in 1907 by Rev. L. L. Wirt, the head of the Wharf Street Congregational Church to provide a venue for young people to spent time that would encourage physical and intellectual improvement. The objects of the Institute were reported as “the Formation, not reformation; humanitarian, not sectarian; To give a right start in life with the children of the poor up to school age. To provide an ennobling social and educational centre for working boys and girls. To institute and maintain a place of wholesome amusement and clean recreation as a counter to the influence of the street.” The work of this benevolent organisation was, Rev. Wirth asserted, founded in the “faith in God” and the generosity of the City of Brisbane and its people who earnestly “believed in the brotherhood of man".
Approval was given by the owners of the Dixson Factory in October 1906 for “radical alterations to the fabric of the building” to make it better suited to the work of the institute and the “needs of the industrial classes”. L.G. Corrie was the honorary architect who transformed the building from a tobacco factory to a place of space and light. The ground floor was opened up as a main hall containing the gymnasium which was founded by the sons of a Mr. Campbell and named in his honour. On the first floor were a kindergarten and a crèche to care for the children and babies of “hard-working women." This was Brisbane’s first nursery-kindergarten. A Young Men’s Club and the Wilson clubrooms for Girls occupied the second floor. These facilities were ‘crowned’ by “the roof garden, light and airy”. Harry Doggett was the builder who supervised the construction work. The chimney associated with the Dixson Tobacco Factory was removed in this conversion.
The work of the Brisbane Institute of Social Service flourished in this building and it was formally purchased by the Institute in 1912. Unfortunately, as reported by Mr. J. R. Taylor (president) in 1932, the “upkeep of these premises … [was] found to be greater than could be maintained by the revenue available”. By 1917 the Brisbane Institute of Social Service Buildings were occupied by a broom manufacturer and motor garage on the ground floor, shop fitters and signwriters on the second, with the top floor occupied by the caretaker. That year the former Dixson Factory was transferred to Taylor and Colledge Limited.
Taylor and Colledge were a drug manufacturing company which also sold medical instruments and personal grooming and hygiene accessories. It became Taylors and Elliotts in 1926 and merged with the Australian Drug Co. Pty. Ltd to become Taylors, Elliotts and Australian Drug Co. Pty. Ltd. in 1932. Like Dixsons Tobacco Factory, Taylors and Elliotts proudly proclaimed that “the large number of drugs and pharmaceutical preparations distributed by the .. company are manufactured solely in Australia” whereas previously many medicines were imported. In 1931 the company produced “Addis toothbrushes, Busistos’ eucalyptus oil, Clements’ tonic, hypol emulsion, kotex, Kruse’s magnesia, cherro malto, pino mentho pastilles, Abe’s volatile rub, exhepos (a palatable concentrated extract of mammalian liver for pernicious anaemia), and lubarol (the new palatable laxative emulsion, which is recognised as one of the latest discoveries in modern science).” At the Ipswich Show that year, Taylors and Elliotts also displayed “Queen” perfumes and toilet articles, which were manufactured in Queensland. In 1933 the company opened a new veterinary department in Edward Street featuring veterinary instruments and remedies. By that time the company’s land holding and operations had almost doubled to its current size, bounded by Brunswick, Ivory and McLachlan Streets.
World War Two created a large demand for drugs. By 1941, although the Commonwealth had “bought large quantities early in the war”, drugs obtained from herbs imported from China and France were in short supply. The proposed solution was for “patriotic home gardeners to grow their own plots of medicinal herbs”. Gardeners here could follow the lead of “thousands of members of gardening clubs in the United States” who were growing important herbs for atropine and hyoseyamine, heart ailments and a variety of ointments. Brisbane drug manufacturers were prepared to purchase herbs from backyard growers only if they were grown under proper conditions with special seed. Mr L.A. Poole, the director of Taylors Elliotts and Australian Drug Pty Ltd said the government would have to supervise herb growers and the farmers would need to be encouraged to take up large-scale production. In 1941 Taylors, Elliotts and Australian Drug Pty Ltd manufacturing chemists had two stores in Brisbane (in Charlotte St & Brunswick St), as well as a bulk store in Montague Road West End. They also has offices in Quay Street Rockhampton, and Sturt St, Townsville. In 1942 Taylors and Elliotts Brisbane was providing advice as to whether native quinine samples could be used as substitutes for medicinal quinine.
In 1954 it was announced that, “in the interests of greater co-ordination of the wholesale druggists, importing chemists and merchants throughout the Commonwealth,” Taylors and Elliotts firm was to be changed to Drug Houses of Australia Ltd, known as D.H.A. (Queensland) Pty Ltd.
In 1960 the land was transferred to South Queensland Mines (Pty) Ltd and a Deed of Grant issued with specific reservations excluding mining, petroleum extraction and quarrying on the site. The following year on 4 December 1961 the land was transferred to the State. Since that time, the State of Queensland, represented by various government departments, have controlled to site.
Source: Brisbane City Council Heritage Register.
Salt...every human's need in entire life...without salt there is no food and no world...
it is available everywhere...we are seeing very beautiful advertisement about the salt product from various brands...but there is an story behind this product...
Tamil Nadu is one of the few states that produce salt in India. In Tamil Nadu, salt is produced primarily in the three districts of Nagapattinam, Tuticorin and Marakkanam in Villupuram.
This is about the Salt production at Marakkanam in Villupuram Dist.
The salt pan workers work under extremely hazardous conditions. They work with the harsh sun beating down upon them under the open sky and have employment only for about six months in a year.
Their daily wages vary between 35 rupees to 85 rupees (US$ 0.78 to 1.9). Women generally get paid lower than men. In Marakknam, most of the workers belong to the Schedule Caste communities. It is estimated that about 3000 workers exist in Marakkanam area.
While poverty, indebtedness and deprivation are common to all the salt pan workers, the women, as in many other poor communities, become greater victims of poverty. Generally, they suffer from serious gynaecological problems and. malnutrition and anaemia are also very common. They also do not have support systems to take care of their children. They hardly have access to any quality medical care. Since usually both the parents go to work in the salt pans, it is not clear as to who takes care of their children.
I have captured their activities in three seasons ie., initial ground preparation, Salt making and storing, the final one is in the rainy season where the ground is full of water... I had been there many times to see their activities and i used to talk to them about their work and life balance, to be frank I was so shocked while seeing their work on the field...it was so hot and if we continue be there for more than 15min we may feel that the water level in our body will be completely drained out. such a hot and dry day whole day and everyday...
This is deliciously campy isn't it?
That dress was cheap, clingy short and absolutely dreadful to wash - it did have the virtue of slipping off easily.
The make up back then was a shiseido foundation terribly expensive, Japanese and made you look like an anaemia Geisha.
Maggi bouillon cubes: For years, the product was simply a best-selling condiment used to flavour traditional stews and soups.
Today, it’s a small but potentially powerful weapon in the fight against one of the world’s most widespread nutritional disorders, iron deficiency anaemia.
Tabanus striatus complex, Family: Tabanidae
Large 2cm male horsefly
Tabanus striatus complex involves 3 species confused under the same name. The true Tabanus striatus from Pakistan through India and Sri Lanka to China, Tabanus partitus in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Micronesia and Tabanus triceps from Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan.
Tabanus is a genus of biting horseflies of the family Tabanidae. Females have scissor-like mouthparts that aim to cut the skin. The horsefly can then lap up the blood. Horseflies of this genus are known to be potential vectors of anthrax, worms and trypanosomes. The genus contains hundreds of species.
Horse-flies are true flies in the family Tabanidae in the insect order Diptera. They are often large and agile in flight, and the females bite animals, including humans, to obtain blood. They prefer to fly in sunlight, avoiding dark and shady areas, and are inactive at night. They are found all over the world except for some islands and the polar regions.
Adult horse-flies feed on nectar and plant exudates. The males have weak mouthparts and only the females bite animals to obtain enough protein from blood to produce eggs. The mouthparts of females are formed into a stout stabbing organ with two pairs of sharp cutting blades, and a spongelike part used to lap up the blood that flows from the wound. The larvae are predaceous and grow in semiaquatic habitats.
Female horse-flies can transfer blood-borne diseases from one animal to another through their feeding habit. In areas where diseases occur, they have been known to carry equine infectious anaemia virus, some trypanosomes, the filarial worm Loa loa, anthrax among cattle and sheep, and tularemia. As well as making life outdoors uncomfortable for humans, they can reduce growth rates in cattle and lower the milk output of cows if suitable shelters are not provided.
Salt...every human's need in entire life...without salt there is no food and no world...
it is available everywhere...we are seeing very beautiful advertisement about the salt product from various brands...but there is an story behind this product...
Tamil Nadu is one of the few states that produce salt in India. In Tamil Nadu, salt is produced primarily in the three districts of Nagapattinam, Tuticorin and Marakkanam in Villupuram.
This is about the Salt production at Marakkanam in Villupuram Dist.
The salt pan workers work under extremely hazardous conditions. They work with the harsh sun beating down upon them under the open sky and have employment only for about six months in a year.
Their daily wages vary between 35 rupees to 85 rupees (US$ 0.78 to 1.9). Women generally get paid lower than men. In Marakknam, most of the workers belong to the Schedule Caste communities. It is estimated that about 3000 workers exist in Marakkanam area.
While poverty, indebtedness and deprivation are common to all the salt pan workers, the women, as in many other poor communities, become greater victims of poverty. Generally, they suffer from serious gynaecological problems and. malnutrition and anaemia are also very common. They also do not have support systems to take care of their children. They hardly have access to any quality medical care. Since usually both the parents go to work in the salt pans, it is not clear as to who takes care of their children.
I have captured their activities in three seasons ie., initial ground preparation, Salt making and storing, the final one is in the rainy season where the ground is full of water... I had been there many times to see their activities and i used to talk to them about their work and life balance, to be frank I was so shocked while seeing their work on the field...it was so hot and if we continue be there for more than 15min we may feel that the water level in our body will be completely drained out. such a hot and dry day whole day and everyday...
Salt...every human's need in entire life...without salt there is no food and no world...
it is available everywhere...we are seeing very beautiful advertisement about the salt product from various brands...but there is an story behind this product...
Tamil Nadu is one of the few states that produce salt in India. In Tamil Nadu, salt is produced primarily in the three districts of Nagapattinam, Tuticorin and Marakkanam in Villupuram.
This is about the Salt production at Marakkanam in Villupuram Dist.
The salt pan workers work under extremely hazardous conditions. They work with the harsh sun beating down upon them under the open sky and have employment only for about six months in a year.
Their daily wages vary between 35 rupees to 85 rupees (US$ 0.78 to 1.9). Women generally get paid lower than men. In Marakknam, most of the workers belong to the Schedule Caste communities. It is estimated that about 3000 workers exist in Marakkanam area.
While poverty, indebtedness and deprivation are common to all the salt pan workers, the women, as in many other poor communities, become greater victims of poverty. Generally, they suffer from serious gynaecological problems and. malnutrition and anaemia are also very common. They also do not have support systems to take care of their children. They hardly have access to any quality medical care. Since usually both the parents go to work in the salt pans, it is not clear as to who takes care of their children.
I have captured their activities in three seasons ie., initial ground preparation, Salt making and storing, the final one is in the rainy season where the ground is full of water... I had been there many times to see their activities and i used to talk to them about their work and life balance, to be frank I was so shocked while seeing their work on the field...it was so hot and if we continue be there for more than 15min we may feel that the water level in our body will be completely drained out. such a hot and dry day whole day and everyday...
Fruit ONLY! Cure for one thousand illnesses
Top
FRUITS AND THEIR PROPERTIES
Pineapple
Avocado
Figs
Mangoes
Grapes
Papaya
Passionfruit
Banana
Peaches
Apricot
Lemons
Grapefruit
Melons
Orange
Prunes
Tangerine
Tomato
Watermelon
Strawberry
Apple
Olives
NUTS AND THEIR PROPERTIES
Almond
Brazil Nut
Cashew Nut
Chestnut
Coconut
Hazelnuts
Peanuts
Pinenuts
PistachioNut
Walnut
SEEDS AND THEIR PROPERTIES
Linseed
Pumpkin
Seasame
Sunflower
BERRIES AND THEIR PROPERTIES
Bilberry
Blackcurrant
Cherry
Cranberry
Gosseberry
Hawthorn Berry
Mulberry
Strawberry
FRUITS AND THEIR PROPERTIES
PINEAPPLE
Like melons, pineapples have no built-in reserves of starch that convert to sugar- thestarch is stored in the stem of the plant rather than in the fruit itself. Just before the fruitripens completely, the starch converts to sugar and enters the fruit;
A large pineapple will have a greater proportion of edible flesh to rind and core, but small and medium- sized pineapples can still be delicious;
The fruit should be firm and plump, as well as heavy for its size, with fresh looking green leaves;
A good pineapple should be fragrant, but if the fruit is cold, the aroma may not be apparent;
The pineapple is considered to be a protective fruit;
Nutritional Value
The pineapple is the most essential foodstuff in “The Dries Cancer Diet”;
This fruit has great nutritive value;
It contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats and water.It also has calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium, potassium and sodium, chlorine,sulphur and manganese;
Pineapples are an excellent source of vitamin C and have vitamin A, B1 and B2;
Health Benefits
Lessens time and degree of inflammation;
Pineapple enzymes have been used with success to treat rheumatoid arthritis and tospeed tissue repair as a result of injuries, diabetic ulcers and general surgery;
Bromelain enzymes are present in raw pineapple or freshly squeezed juice;
Pineapple enzymes act specifically to break down protein, helping to ease digestion;
Reduces blood clotting and helps remove plaque from arterial walls. Studies suggest that pineapple enzymes may improve circulation in those with narrowed arteries, such as angina sufferers;
Used to help cure bronquitis, throat infections; it has a laxative effect, helps to clear digestive inflammation and intestinal fevers;
It is efficient in the treatment of arterioscleroses and anaemia;
Pineapple is an excellent cerebral toner; it combats loss of memory, sadness and melancholy;
AVOCADO
A smooth, buttery texture and a mild, nutty flavour are the hallmarks of the avocado, a tropical fruit with a unique flavour that can be used in many different ways;
On the outside it looks like a leathery pear that is sometimes called an “alligator pear” or a “butter pear”;
Nutritional Value
The third most important food in “The Dries Cancer Diet”;
Is high in vitamin E. It is also high in monounsaturated fat and calories;
It is one of the most nourishing fruits;
It has almost all vitamins, including vitamin C;
The avocado contains fourteen minerals, all regulate body functions and stimulate growth;
Its fatty substances have a good effect on the organism while animals fats have a harmful effect;
Health benefits
Avocado nourishes all the organism and helps cure several ailments;
Helps to combat harms done by eating meat, digestive problems, rheumatism, kidney, liver and skin infections;
They aid in red blood regeneration and prevent anaemia;
FIGS
Figs are noticed for their sweetness and soft texture – they consist of a pliable skin enclosing a sweet, even softer, fleshly interior filled with edible seeds;
Figs have the shortest life span of any fruit in the market. Once they are harvested, they last about only a week. As a consequence, about 90 percent of the world’s fig harvest is dried;
Nutritional Value
The mineral content of figs closely resembles that of human milk;
Figs are rich in both vitamins A, B1, B2 and calcium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, sodium potassium and chlorine;
Due to its high content in glucose, the most assimilative of all sugars the fig is nutritive;
Figs are high in vitamin B, that is essential in the intestine regulation, the fig has a similar function in our bodies as cereals do;
They contain mucin and pectin;
Black figs are high in potassium;
Dried figs, offer a surprisingly dense nutritional package;
Dried figs are rich in fibre, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron, and are useful as a more nourishing substitute for sugar in cooking;
Health Benefits
The fig is oxidant, laxative, diuretic, digestible and a blood cleanser;
It is excellent for the liver;
Great producers of energy;
MANGOES
Mangoes are round, oval, or kidney shaped, and are about the size of a small melon or large avocado.They have a smooth skin and orange yellow flesh;
When ripe, the flesh is soft and exceptionally juicy, to the point where eating a mango can be a fairly messy business, the taste, however, is matchless;
Most mangoes start off green and develop patches of gold, yellow, or red as they ripen;
Nutritional Value
Mangoes are rich in vitamins A and C;
Their content in vitamin C varies according to the type of mango;
They are a useful source of vitamin E and iron;
Ripe mangoes are rich in beta - carotene;
Mangoes have excellent nutritive qualities;
Health benefits
Mangoes are depurative and diuretic;
Are good to combat stomach acidity;
GRAPES
Most commercial grapes grow on woody vines that are not raised from seeds, but are propagated from cuttings or grafted onto existing rootstocks;
The vine plants must be staked or trellised as they grow, to support the heavy bunches of fruit;
There are four classes of grapes: wine grapes,table grapes, raisin grapes, and sweet juice grapes.
Grapes do not mix well with other fruits so they should be eaten alone;
Nutritional Value
They are incredibly rich in vitamins A, C and P (bioflavonoids) and trace elements such as germanium and selenium;
High in water and magnesium content;
Dark grapes are high in iron;
Raisins and sultanas are a concentrated source of calories, sugar and nutrients;
Health Benefits
Grapes are considered one of the most medicinal fruits;
They are used in several cures having excellent results;
Grapes are one of the most efficient and reliable therapies that have an impressive track record for tumour reduction;
Grapes will purify the blood, invigorate the immune system, and put flesh and weight back onto bodies that have become severely wasted and weakened by cancer;
Sugar from grapes is easily digested and assimilated by the blood without tiring the digestive organ;
Grapes tonic, mineralise and renovate the tissues;
Grapes promote the action of the bowel, clean the liver and aid kidney function;
Due to their high water content they add to the fluids and help eliminate hardened deposits that may have settled in any part of the body;
They are very soothing to the nervous system;
They are good blood builders due to their high content of iron;
PAPAYA
Called also a tree melon because of its resemblance to a melon, this fruit grows on a giant herbaceous plant and not a tree;
The cultivated papaya is a melon like fruit with yellow- orange flesh enclosed in skin that ranges in colour from green to orange to rose;
At the papaya’s centre is an oblong cavity containing dozens of small black seeds. It can be round, pear-shaped, or long like a banana;
The papaya is sometimes referred to as papaw, but this is not correct, as the papaw is a separate fruit that belongs to an unrelated botanical family;
Nutritional Value
It is a valuable and delicious fruit;
Papayas are rich in several vitamins A, B, C, and D;
Rich in calcium, phosphorous and iron;
Excellent to eat in the morning for they have nutritional value that satisfies the body’s needs in the morning;
Excellent food for children because it is important for their growth;
The papaya is high in digestive properties and has a direct tonic effect on the stomach;
Health benefits
Papayas clean the digestive organ;
Papayas are diuretic, laxative and refreshing;
Helps to maintain the acid –alkaline balance of the body;
Used in the treatment of stomach ulcers and fevers;
PASSION FRUIT
An egg-shaped tropical fruit that is also called a purple granadilla, the passion fruit has a wrinkled purple brown rind enclosing flesh – covered seeds;
The seeds are edible, so the orange pulp can be eaten straight from the shell. Its pulp is very good and highly aromatic it is used for juicing;
Nutritional Value
Rich in vitamin C and a good source of vitamin A, iron and potassium;
If eaten with the seeds, it is an excellent source of dietary fibber;
Health Benefits
Passion fruit has somniferous properties, taken before going to bed they help relax and sleep during the night;
They have febrifugal and soporific properties;
BANANA
Bananas have a peel that comes off easily and neatly;
A ripe banana is firm, with a plump texture, strong peel, and no trace of green on the skin;
A skin that is flecked with brown means thr fruit is good.They ripen best after they have been picked;
They can be easily digested by everyone;
Nutritional Value
Good source of potassium, whether ripe or less ripe;
Very ripe bananas are high in sugars;
Sugars in the banana are readily assimilated and they contain many vitamins and minerals;
Rich in starch and soluble fibre;
They are excellent four young children and infants;
Bananas are good in reducing diets because they satisfy the appetite and are low in fat;
Health Benefits
Potassium can help avoid and regulate high blood pressure;
Good for energetic activity. The starch in less ripe bananas resists digestion and, along with the fruit’s soluble fibre, provides a gentler, longer-lasting energy rise than most sweet foods, which is good for stamina;
Very ripe bananas are high in sugars that are readily assimilated;
They benefit muscular system and can improve stamina;
Less ripe bananas counter constipation, ripe sugary bananas help relieve diarrhoea;
Ripe bananas may raise mood and help sleep. Carbohydrates eaten with little protein are known to have a soothing effect by stimulating serotonin, a substance that raises mood;
Ripe bananas eaten on their own supply all the ingredients for this reaction: quickly absorbable carbohydrate, serotonin, its precursor trypophan and vitamin B6;
Bananas are an excellent food to treat anaemia;
Bananas feed the natural acidophilus bacteria of the bowel;
PEACHES
Peaches are round and smooth with juicy and sweet flesh that ranges from white to intensely yellow;
Fine quality peaches are firm and free from blemishes. They have a fresh appearance. If peaches are picked green or immature they will not ripen satisfactorily;
Peaches do not gainm sugar after they are pickefor they do not have no reserve of starch.
Nutritional Value
Provide a good amount of vitamin C and A;
High sugar content;
Health Benefits
Peaches are diuretic, depurative and detoxifying so they are wonderful to eat on a weight - loss program;
The body assimilates peaches very easily;
Indicated to help lung debility, liver infections, cancer ulcers, herpes rheumatic pain, arterial hypertension and anaemia;
APRICOT
Fresh apricots, which are among the first fruits of summer, are notable for their fragrance, delicate flavour and velvety surface.
Nutritional Value
Exceptionally high in beta-carotene. Dark orange fresh apricots are one of the top fruits for beta-carotene;
Rich in soluble fibre;
Dried apricots are rich in potassium;
Health Benefits
Foods high in beat-carotene are linked to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, cataracts and some forms of cancer;
An intake of potassium helps avoid and regulate high blood pressure;
Steadies blood sugar levels and helps constipation. Studies have shown that a high intake of soluble fibre steadies blood sugar and energy levels by slowing digestion. It can also help to lower cholesterol level;
Dried apricots in particular help prevent and treat constipation;
Helps prevent iron deficiency. A low intake of iron is a common cause of resistance and stamina;
LEMONS
Lemons have slin of an oily, fine texture and are heavy for their size;
They are firmbut not hard to the touch;
The bulk of lemons are either Eurekas or Lisbons;
A short neck at the stem end distinguishes Eureka lemons; Lisbons have no distinct neck, but the blossom end tapersto a pointed nipple;
Eurekas may have a few seeds and a somewhat pitted skin, while Lisbons are commonly seedless, with smoother skin. Both types have medium – thick skins and are abundantly juicy.
Nutritional Value
Rich in alkaline elements;
Lemons are very rich in acid citric and vitamin C;
They contain phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium and calcium;
They are very refreshing and make a wonderful drink in the Summer and a marvellous tea in the winter;
Health Benefits
They are antiseptic, natural and secure against stomach and intestine fermentations;
Lemons are one of the most highly alkalinizing foods;
They destroy all microbes and create germ invulnerability;
Lemons are usually used in fevers and flues as well as in cleansing processes of the body;
They are very good in retaining calcium in the body;
Lemons are wonderful for throat trouble and catarrh;
GRAPEFRUIT
Grapefruit is a subtropical acid fruit, probably developed from a cross between an orange and a shaddock, a citrus fruit with thick skin, many seeds, almost no juice, and a verysour taste;
Grapefruit often has a reddish brown colour over the normal yellow. This citrus fruit combines tanginess and sweetness;
Nutritional Value
Fresh grapefruit is low in calories and is a good source of flavonoids, water-soluble fibers, potassium, vitamin C and folic acid;
Grapefruit is very rich in citric acid and their salts;
Health Benefits
Grapefruit, like other citrus fruits, has been shown to exert some anticancer effects;
Grapefruit pectin has been found to possess cholesterol-lowering action similar to that of other fruit pectins;
Normalizes hematocrit levels (refers to percentage of red blood cells per volume of blood);
When taken befor bedtime, grapefruit is conductive to a sound sleep;
Helps prevent constipation and stone formation;
Excellent aid in reducing fevers from colds and flu;
Good for any hardening of the body tissue, such as of the liver and arteries
MELONS
Melons are members of the Cucurbitaceae, or gourd family, they grow on vines;
Except for watermelons, all melons resemble winter squashes in structure- they have a thick flesh with a central seed-filled cavity;
Melons do not combine with other foods and should be eaten alone;
Nutritional Value
Melons are a good source of potassium, vitamin A, B, and C;
The orange flesh varieties have exceptional amounts of betacarotene;
Melons are very high in silicone especially when eaten right down to the rind;
Health Benefits
Ripe melons are refreshing, alkalising, mineralising, oxidant and diuretic;
They have an anti-clotting action on the blood;
Melons are an excellent supply of distilled water that contains the finest mineral elements;
ORANGE
Orange trees (and orange hybrids such as tangerines and tangelos) are semitropical evergreens;
Oranges are firm, heavy for their size, and evenly shaped. The skin is smooth. Thin skinned oranges are juicier than thick skinned specimens, and small to medium – sized fruits are sweeter than the larger ones
Nutritional Value
Oranges combine vitamin C and flavanoids;
They provide pectin;
High in sodium when completely matured in the sunshine;
Oranges are one of the best sources of water - soluble vitamin C;
Health Benefit
Helps the body’s defences. Vitamin C is vital for resistance to infection, both as an oxidant and in its role in improving iron absorption. Oranges combine Vitamin C with flavorous, such as hesperidins, which seem to strengthen the vitamin’s antioxidant powers;
Anti-cancer potential – In several studies, people who eat more oranges and other citrus fruit have lower rates of some cancers, especially of the stomach. The fruit may block the possible transformation of nitrates and nitrites in foods, especially smoked, into nitosamines associated with stomach cancer;
Pectin helps lower cholesterol. Oranges provide pectin, a form of soluble fibre that helps reduce blood cholesterol, especially “bad” LDL type cholesterol;
Can improve small blood vessels strength. Flavonoids and vitamin C in oranges help maintain cell wall strength, aiding capillary circulation;
Excellent for treating overacid body conditions, constipation or a sluggish intestinal tract;
PRUNES
Prunes are dried plums, but just not any plums: The two fruits are identical botanically;
Compared to plums that are marketed fresh, the varieties that make satisfactory prunes generally have firmer flesh, more sugar, and a higher acid content – traits that make it possible for the fruits to be dried with their pits intact without fermenting;
The transition from plum to prune is a carefully controlled process. The plums are allowed to mature on the tree until they are fully ripe and have developed their maximum sweetness. Then they are mechanically harvested and dried for 15 to 24 hours under closely monitored conditions of temperature and humidity;
Nutritional Value
Rich in magnesium, sodium, phosphorous and potassium;
Provide a useful amount of fibre and iron;
Health Benefits
Prunes have an excellent laxative effect;
They clean and unclog the liver, the digestive system and helps to overcome infections and intestinal fevers;
Due to its high content in phosphorous the prune has excellent results in cerebral debility;
TANGERINE
Tangerines are flat at the ends and have deep orange, loose fitting, pebbly skin;
Nutritional Value
High content in phosphorous, calcium and vitamin C;
Rich in magnesium and vitamins;
Health Benefits
Due to its high content in phosphorus and calcium the tangerine benefits the development of the skeleton;
With its magnesium it tonics the articulations, muscles, benefits the intestines and the nervous system;
Their vitamins content is advised against infections;
TOMATO
Although botanically a fruit-specifically, a berry- the tomato is prepared and served as a vegetable;
Equal to oranges, both in vitamins and in alkaline elements and are the finest of foods;
Nutritional Value
Tomatoes are high in vitamin value andhave significant levels of antioxidants;
They have a small amount of beta-carotene;
Health Benefits
People who eat more of foods rich in these antioxidants have been shown to have lower levels of several forms of cancer, as well as of heart disease, stroke and cataracts;
May contain other protective substances. Tomatoes are a good source of theflavonoid substance quercetin, plus a large amount of a carotene called lycopene. Both are being investigated for their potential protective effects;
Helps remove toxins, especially uric acid;
WATERMELON
Watermelons bears more resemblance to a cucumber, with its seeds dispersed in aradical pattern throughout its flesh;
There are more than fifty varieties of watermelon. Most watermelons have familiar red flesh, but there are orange and yellow- fleshed varieties. There are also seedless varieties;
Watermelons are about 92 percent water and 8 percent sugar;
It is extraordinarily refreshing and must be eaten ripe and fresh;
Nutritional Value
Watermelons are valuable for their minerals, vitamins, sugars and pure water;;
They Provide a useful amount of fibre and iron;
Health Benefits
The water content helps to clean the kidneys from uric acid;
STRAWBERRY
Strawberries are known as a “false” fruit because it grows from the base and not from the ovary of the flower, therefore it is not a “true” berry;
Nutritional Value
One of the richest sources of vitamin C as well as fibber;
High content of sodium and easy assimilative iron;
Health Benefits
They are a traditional diuretic and have an excellent effect on the kidneys;
Also used to relieve rheumatism or gout;
Strawberries have an alkaline reaction in the body due to their high sodium content;
APPLE
A member of the rose family, the apple has a compartmented core and is classified as a pome fruit;
Nutritional Value
The apple may not be the nutritional standout of the fruit bowl, but if an apple is eaten, it will provide you with respectable amounts of soluble and insoluble fibber, some vitamin C and beta-carotene (if you eat the peal), and potassium and boron;
The fruit is fibrous, juicy and nonsticky, making it a good tooth –cleaner and a gum stimulator.
Apples contain pectin and are an alkaline food;
Health Benefits
Can reduce blood cholesterol levels, especially “bad” LDL type cholesterol. Pectin, a soluble fibre in apples, is thought to play a key part in this;
Counters constipation and diarrhoea. The specific combination of fibre types and fruit acid in apples is probably responsible for their well-known ability to prevent and treat constipation. The liquid- gelling pectin and the natural antiviral properties in apples explain their traditional use for diarrhoea;
Traditionally used for arthritis, rheumatism and gout. The apple’s benefits for digestion and the disposal of unwanted substances from the body support its reputation for helping joint problems. This may be due to a combination of actions: fruit acids that improve digestion, the antioxidant effect of the flavonoid quercetin and pectin’s ability to increase elimination.
May improve defences against illness;
OLIVES
Nutritional Value
Due to fat content olives are highly energetic, especially when ripe, they should be used in the winter;
Olives are easy to digest if well chewed;
Black olives are better than green olives;
Health Benefits
They are recommended for tuberculosis and other chest infections as well as asthma.
NUTS AND THEIR PROPERTIES
The protein and fat contained in many nuts and a few seeds provide a great amount of physiological fuel value to the body;
Walnuts, pine nuts, pistachios, almonds and peanuts are very rich in arginine (produces significant reductions in serum cholesterol;
Arginine inhibits fat absorption;
The inclusion of argimine-rich nuts and seeds in the diet frequently helps to prevent coronary heart disease;
Nuts are also rich in tryptophan and tyrosine, two important aminoacids for the brain;
These affect neurotransmitters or chemicals within the brain;
Tryptophan stimulates serotin, the neurotransmitter that causes a sense of relaxation;
Nuts are rich in selenium, strontium, boron and molybdenum;
Selenium is a potent oxidant, it helps protect the immune system from damage caused by free radicals;
Selenium is also vital for proper function of the pancreas and keeping muscle tissue elastic;
Strontium is vital to the production of immune system macrophages, which move about the body like garbage collectors, consuming foreign debris and harmful bacteria that may injure the system in several ways;
Strontium is also a key component in intracellular functions, it’s presence in the body keeps cells from mutating due to environmental (chemical) or social (stress) considerations;
Strontium is also involved in the bonding of calcium with magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium to form strong bones;
Boron is essential for calcium uptake and healthy bones and teeth;
Molybdenum is needed in extremely small amounts for nitrogen metabolism;
Stimulates normal cell activity and is part of the enzyme system of xanthine oxidase;
Molybdenum concentrates primarily in the liver, bones, and kidneys;
Low intakes have been frequently associated with male sexual impotence, higher incidents of cancer, and frequent mouth and gum diseases in both sexes;
ALMOND
Nutritional value
High in fat which is mainly monosaturated;
Rich source of vitamin E;
Almonds are one of the richest non-animal sources of calcium;
Health Benefits
Helps reduce blood cholesterol - although almonds are high in fat, it is mainly monounsaturated;
Vitamin E has recently emerged as very protective against death from heart disease when eaten in much higher amounts than the daily adult allowance of 10mg;
They are very nutritive, rich in fat and proteins. Their proteins have a high biological value and they are excellent substitute for meat;
Almonds are energetic and therefore advised to hard and intellectual workers and students;
Many doctors prescribe almonds to their cancer patients;
BRAZIL NUT
Nutritional Value
This tropical nut contains exceptionally high levels of selenium;
The protein of this nut is of high biological value and recognised has complete;
Complete proteins are the ones that have all the essential aminoacids which are indispensable to life maintenance and growth;
The index of growth resulting from the use of the brazil nut is equal to the use of milk;
Rich in healthy fats it is essential for students and hard workers;
Health Benefits
Fattening food for Cancer, AIDS and other flesh-wasting diseases;
Has anticancer properties due to its exceptionally high levels of selenium;
Very important to help cure anaemia, malnourished people and tuberculoses;
CASHEW NUT
Nutritional Value
Cashew Nuts have a high vitamin C content as well as iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium and vitamin B1;
They also contain about 50% fat, mainly monounsaturated, so enjoy them in small amounts;
Health Benefits
Cashew nuts have antiseptic and cicatrising properties;
They are excellent for toothache and gums;
CHESTNUT
NutritionaL Value
Chestnuts are energetic and many people eat them in order to perform hard work;
Health benefits
They are a good food for the liver and kidneys;
Chestnuts should be eaten with a juicy fruit to serve as a laxative because the cashew nut is astringent;
The water chestnut is excellent for intestinal discomforts due to inadequate chewing of each mouthful consumed, eating in hurry and bad food combinations;
COCONUT
A quality coconut is heavy for its size. When shaken, the liquid inside will slosh around. A nut without liquid indicates spoilage as well as moldy or wet eyes.
The water of the coconut is notthe milk. The coconut is an essential food in "The Dries Cancer Diet"
Nutritional Value
Rich in potassium, sodium and selenium;
It is an excellent and complete food when taken in its natural form;
It’s a good substitute for egg, cheese and milk even better than all of them;
Coconut milk compares to mother's milk in its chemical balance;
Health benefits
It is well tolerated by diabetics;
Coconut is also good to develop the thorax and has a terrific effect on the nerves;
Coconut is good for arterioscleroses problems;
Plays an important part in the metabolic process of polyunsaturated fatty acids;
Prevents the development of free radicals;
HAZELNUTS
Nutritional Value
Contain about as much vitamin E as almonds. And are high in vitamins B1 and B6;
They are also high in fat so they should also be enjoyed in small amounts;
Hazelnut oil is delicious and suitable for use in cold dishes and for low temperature cooking;
PEANUTS
Nutritional Value
Contain about 26 percent protein-higher than dairy products, eggs, fish and many cuts of meat;
They have many of the essential B-complex vitamins including thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin as well as appreciable amounts of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and magnesium – including a balanced share of calories, but no cholesterol;
Health Benefits
Peanut leaves are used to cure insomnia, haemorrhages, hypertension and elevated cholesterol levels;
PINE NUTS
Nutritional Value
Provide more a good amount of vitamin E, as well as a high level of iron magnesium, manganese, zinc and vitamin B1;
PISTACHIO NUT
Nutritional Value
Pistachios are rich in potassium, phosphorous, and magnesium salts;
High lipid (fat) and protein contents;
Health benefits
The three elements above combined are an effective treatment for controlling hypertension;
All nuts and seeds are fantastic for energy needs due to their high lipid and protein contents. But pistachios give energy in an unusual way;
Glumatic acid forms an interesting partnership with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA and glumatine (GAM) in making the reactions of the brain run more smoothly;
G.A is a stimulant neurotransmitter; GABA is calming to the brain; and GAM is difficult to classify simply because it performs many different functions related to brain metabolism;
But the nonessential amino acid GA has the highest concentration of all the amino acids in the brain. It helps in the production of mental energy more than anything else;
WALNUT
Nutritional Value
Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids;
High concentration of nutrients;
Good amount of ellagic acid;
Health benefits
Helps maintain heart health. Linoleic acid can reduce blood cholesterol levels. Linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, and omega –3 fatty acid, discourage blood clots;
Two large-scale diet surveys showed that people who ate walnuts had a lower risk of coronary heart disease;
In a third walnuts lowered blood fats, including cholesterol, and blood pressure levels;
Omega –3 fatty acids have been used successfully to reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis and itchy, scaly skin conditions;
Concentration source of nutrients. The high calorie concentration in walnuts and their substantial nutrient levels, make them good for people with small appetites, such as convalescents;
Walnuts contain a fair amount of ellagic acid. It has cancer-prevention properties and it has a soothing effect on our minds and nerves, which enable us to sleep;
SEEDS AND THEIR PROPERTIES
Seeds develop good complexion and strong bones due to several good minerals in which they are rich;
They help to prevent sagging jowls and fatty accumulation around the throat;
The jaws are constantly exercised by frequent seed or nut chewing;
Excess deposits of fat stored in the muscle tissue of the face, neck, and throat is gradually “burned up” by increased chemical combustion;
Seeds keep teeth free of cavities and plaque and the gums free of inflammatory infections like periodonitis and gingivitis;
Chewing seeds often helps to “massage” gums areas with lesions;
LINSEED
Nutritional Value
Linseed is one of the few plant substances rich in omega-3 fatty acids;
Health Benefits
Benefits heart health, the body’s defence systems and inflammatory conditions;
Lignans are among the plant substances that have a weak oestrogen-like activity. They may also supplant stronger oestrogens, reducing high blood levels of oestrogen, a risk factor for breast cancer;
As well as averting constipation, linseed encourages “friendly” intestinal flora, which prevent the development or re-absorption of toxic products of the metabolism;
Linseed contains mucilaginous fibre, which soothes the delicate linings of the stomach and digestive tract.
PUMPKIN SEEDS
Health Benefits
Tests confirm the traditional use of pumpkin seeds for an enlarged prostate;
In 1990, in a double blind study over 3 months, pumpkin seed extract significantly improved symptoms such as urinary-flow time, amount and frequency in sufferers, compared to those given a placebo;
Pumpkin seeds can reduce the formation of calcium oxalate crystals, which can lead to bladder stones. For example, in 1987. In a study of an area in Thailand with a high number of bladder stone sufferers, pumpkin seeds were more effective than conventional treatment in reducing crystals;
Zinc is vital to the immune system, for example, to help infection resistance and for wound healing, growth and taste.
SESAME SEEDS
Health benefits
Sesame seed is excellent for underweight and malnourished people;
It is used in the relief for colitis, gastritis, heartburn, and indigestion;
The sesame seed oil has an excellent result in the treatment of complicated fracture wounds;
SUNFLOWER SEEDS
Nutritional Value
Rich natural source of vitamin E and linoleic acid;
Good source of beta carotene and vitamins C and E;
Health Benefits
A low level of vitamin E is the most important risk factor in deaths from heart attack. People with low vitamin E levels are nearly 3 times more likely to develop angina. Increasing linoleic acid decreases both total and LDL “bad” cholesterol, which helps avoid narrowing of the arteries. Linoleic acid also discourages blood clotting;
Anti-cancer potential – people who eat more foods rich in the antioxidant beta carotene and vitamins C and E levels of cancer, and are less vulnerable to cataracts as they get older;
Prevents damage caused by exercise. Exhaustive exercise increases the concentration of free radicals in the body, which can lead to muscle damage unless ample vitamin E is present to prevent oxidation;
Sunflower seeds have been used in the form of tea to remove mucus accumulation and to cure prostate problems;
BERRIES AND THEIR PROPERTIES
Berries contain significant amounts of: iron, copper, manganese, zinc, molybdenum, cobalt, nickel, chromium, fluorine, selenium, silicon, rubdium, aluminium, boron, bromine and others;
Ellagic acid is a substance that reduces greatly the incidence of cancer and it is present in berries and brazil nuts;
Ellagic acid can only be used as a preventive and not as a treatment;
BILBERRY
Nutritional Value
Rich in flavonoids and anthocyanosides;
Dried bilberries can be taken as they are, but it is better to take a concentrated solutionof the fruit juice and drink and drink a wineglassful as required;
Health Benefits
Bilberry flavonoids strengthen the blood capillaries and improve circulation. This property may help prevent and treat problems such as chilblains, broken veins, varicose veins and poor circulation in diabetics;
Bilberry extract has been shown to help a range of eye problems. Bilberry extract taken in combination with 20mg of beta-carotene a day may improve adaptation to light and night vision;
May help the body resist illness. Bilberry anthocyanin flavonoids have antioxidant, anti-infective and anti-inflammatory actions;
Counters urinary tract infections. Blueberries contain the same compound that in cranberries prevents the main bacteria that cause urinary tract infections from gaining a hold on the bladder wall;
Traditionally used to treat diarrhoea. Eating bilberries or blueberries fresh or dried is an old remedy for diarrhoea;
Bilberries contain a significant preventive and curative antiulcer activity, which are attributed to the group of compounds in the berries themselves called anthocyanosides. This flavonoid is also common to all red and blue berries such as blackberries, cherries, blueberries and hawthorn;
The fluid extract or powder of dried bilberries has been amply documented to benefit problems of circulatory insufficiency in the extremities including feet and legs, hands and arms, as well as the head area;
In fact, the extract is well documented to reduce and even reverse damage caused by actual blood-vessel deterioration or inflammation;
It strengthens the entire vascular system and prevents leakage of fluids or cells from capillaries;
Strengthens coronary arteries and helps prevent obstruction of heart arteries by accumulation of digested fat;
Bilberry also inhibits the degradation of blood platelets;
Extract of bilberry is quite useful for the prevention and treatment of haemorrhaging and the formation of blood clots. It prevents venous insufficiency causing swelling of the ankles and feet-especially during pregnancy or as people age.
Bilberries increase enzymatic activity and energy production in the eye. Thus, it enables the eyes to receive and transmit signals better and more rapidly
BLACKCURRANT
Nutritional Value
Blackcurrants are very high in vitamin C and also provide significant amounts of vitamin E and carotenes;
High potassium level;
Health Benefits
People who eat more of foods rich in antioxidants have been shown to have a lower rate of heart disease, stroke, cataracts and cancer;
Anthocyanin flavonoids counter the common bacteria that cause food poisoning and urinary tract infections. The high pectin level of blackcurrants can also help relieve diarrhoea, for which the fruit is traditionally used;
Anthocyanin flavonoids are anti-inflammatory, which explains why a blackcurrant drink helps to relieve a swollen, sore throat and may also be linked to its traditional use for rheumatism. Blackcurrant seeds contain 25-30% gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid;
Extracted from the seeds, GLA is used to treat inflammation associated with rheumatism and skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis. In theory, the amount of blackcurrants most people eat provides too little GLA to benefit these ailments but traditional use for rheumatism suggests they are worth trying. Grind the seeds to help make the GLA available to the body;
Diuretic with a high potassium level;
Diuretic often help those who suffer from high blood pressure and rheumatism, but deplete their potassium levels. Blackcurrants combine a diuretic effect with a high level of potassium;
CHERRY
Nutritional Value
Cherries are have a high iron and alkaline content;
Health Benefits
Cherries are excellent, for they depurate, alkalise and mineralise our blood; They are famous for their quality to neutralise the organism acids;
They can help gout by lowering uric and acid levels;
Gout sufferers build up excess uric acid, a natural waste product of digestion, which forms into crystals in the joints leading to pain and swelling;
Acid cherries have astringent properties while sweet cherries are laxative;
Black cherries are recommended against anaemia due to their high iron content;
CRANBERRY
Health Benefits
Helps prevent and treat urinary tract infections, particularly cystitis in women;
The most common bacteria causing urinary tract infections, Escherichia coli, thrives by attaching itself to the walls of the intestines and bladder. An unidentified substance in cranberry discourages the adhesion;
Can help the body’s defences – Cranberries are anti-fungal and antiviral (but not against the Candid albicans fungus that causes thrush);
May aid kidney stone sufferers- in those with kidney stones, small amounts of cranberries may help lower urine levels of calcium, preventing stone formation;
GOSSEBERRY
Health Benefits
Gooseberry have about them certain nutritional properties that help to lower serum cholesterol in the circulating blood plasma by assisting fat metabolism within the liver;
HAWTHORN BERRY
Nutritional Value
They have a high sugar- low-protein and fat content pulp;
Rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids;
Health Benefits
These berries are active in the treatment of heart palpitations, angina, and stroke. This action is attributed in part, on the bioflavonoids such as rutin and hesperidin and vitamin C present in the berries;
MULBERRY
Nutritional Value
These berries are rich vitamin A, potassium, phosphorous and calcium;
Health Benefits
They have a strong anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action and therefore used to clean the blood, digest and refresh;
It is advised to people with acid saturated bodies as well as rheumatic problems, gout and arthritis;
STRAWBERRY
Strawberries are known as a “false” fruit because it grows from the base and not from the ovary of the flower, therefore it is not a “true” berry;
Nutritional Value
One of the richest sources of vitamin C as well as fibber;
High content of sodium and easy assimilative iron;
Health Benefits
They are a traditional diuretic and have an excellent effect on the kidneys;
Also used to relieve rheumatism or gout;
Strawberries have an alkaline reaction in the body due to their high sodium content;
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FRUITS AND THEIR PROPERTIES
Pineapple
Avocado
Figs
Mangoes
Grapes
Papaya
Passionfruit
Banana
Peaches
Apricot
Lemons
Grapefruit
Melons
Orange
Prunes
Tangerine
Tomato
Watermelon
Strawberry
Apple
Olives
NUTS AND THEIR PROPERTIES
Almond
Brazil Nut
Cashew Nut
Chestnut
Coconut
Hazelnuts
Peanuts
Pinenuts
PistachioNut
Walnut
SEEDS AND THEIR PROPERTIES
Linseed
Pumpkin
Seasame
Sunflower
BERRIES AND THEIR PROPERTIES
Bilberry
Blackcurrant
Cherry
Cranberry
Gosseberry
Hawthorn Berry
Mulberry
Strawberry