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Completed in 1942, the Fire Command Post controlled all the guns which protected Halifax Harbour.
Soldiers would measure the distance and direction of the targets, these were passed by telephone to the gun battery. The gunners loaded and fired as ordered; they did not need to see the target.
This Fire Command Post controlled gun batteries at:
Devil’s Battery - three 9.2” guns
Fort McNab - two 6” guns
Strawberry Battery - two 12-pound guns
York Shore Battery - two twin 6-pounder guns
Chebucto Battery - three 6” guns
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York Redoubt was a main part of the defence of Halifax Harbour in the 19th and 20th centuries and a command centre during World War II, York Redoubt played a vital role in protecting Halifax since it was first built in 1793.
Parois lambrissées en platane avec incrustation de bouquets de fleurs en pâte de verre de Lalique.
Translation / Traduction 🇬🇧 UK
Paneled wood paneling in plane with inlays of flowers in Lalique glass paste.
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Georges Nagelmackers
Né le 25 juin 1845 à Liège et mort le 10 juillet 1905 à Villepreux, est un ingénieur civil et industriel belge, fondateur de la Compagnie des wagons-lits et de la Compagnie internationale des Grands Hôtels.
Il est le créateur des grands trains de luxe européens et notamment du premier Orient-Express.
Translation / Traduction 🇬🇧 UK
Georges Nagelmackers
Born on June 25, 1845 in Liège and died on July 10, 1905 in Villepreux, is a Belgian civil and industrial engineer, founder of the Compagnie des carriages-lit and the Compagnie internationale des Grands Hôtels.
He is the creator of the great European luxury trains, especially the first Orient Express.
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L'Orient-Express est un train de luxe créé par la Compagnie internationale des wagons-lits (CIWL) qui, depuis 1883, assure la liaison entre Paris, Vienne, ainsi que Venise, à partir de 1919, et Constantinople ( puis Istanbul ), desservant plusieurs capitales de nations européennes. Dans les années 1920, avec des artistes-décorateurs comme René Prou ou bien René Lalique, le style « Orient-Express » atteignit son apogée. C'est après plusieurs changements d'itinéraire, deux guerres et enfin par l'abaissement continu de son prestige pendant la Guerre froide, que le service quotidien Direct-Orient-Express vers Istanbul et Athènes cessa en 1977, vaincu par la faiblesse de sa vitesse commerciale (à peine 55 km/h vers la fin) due aux interminables arrêts douaniers dans les pays communistes traversés, ainsi qu'à l'état obsolète de leurs réseaux, et malmené par la concurrence grandissante de l'aviation de masse........
Source:
fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orient-Express#Pullman_Orient-Express
Voitures Pullman CIWL
Les voitures Pullman de la CIWL sont des voitures-salon construites à la fin des années 1920.
Elles proposaient, dans un cadre raffiné, des fauteuils individuels en vis-à-vis autour d'une table pour 2 avec lampe. La prestation sera élargie à la deuxième classe ( avec banquettes à la place des fauteuils ).
Description
On dénombre 4 séries de voitures Pullman et 211 unités.
Type « Sud-Express »
Pour moderniser le Sud-Express, la CIWL reçoit en 1926 ;
• 10 voitures-salon (n° 2737 à 2748) construites par la Société Lorraine des anciens établissements de Dietrich et correspondant à 5 couplages d'une voiture de 24 places et d'une voiture de 18 places avec cuisine pour restauration à la place dans les 2 voitures.
• 3 voitures supplémentaires avec cuisine (n° 2839 à 2841) construites par Dyle & Bacalan (Royaume-Uni).
Les dernières voitures de ce type ont circulé jusqu'en 1971.
Type « Flèche d'Or »
En 1926, pour son nouveau train Paris - Londres « la Flèche d'or », la CIWL prend livraison de :
• 1926 : 15 voitures de 24 places avec cuisine n° 4001 à 4015 construites par BRC
• 1926 : 15 voitures de 32 places (8 baies) sans cuisine n°4016-4030 construites par Metropolitan
• 1926 : 15 autres couplages (n° 4051 à 4080 avec et sans cuisine) réalisées par Metropolitan.
Les dernières voitures de ce type ont circulé jusqu'en 1969.
• 1927 : 30 voitures supplémentaires construites par CGC (n° 4031 à 4050) et BRC (n° 4081 à 4090)
Type « Étoile du Nord »
Soucieuse d'élargir sa clientèle à la 2e classe, la CIWL fait construire en 1927 :
• 20 voitures de 38 places avec cuisine (n° 4091 à 4110)
• 20 voitures de 51 places (n° 4111 à 4130)
Elles sont utilisées sur la liaison Paris - Amsterdam « Étoile du nord » en couplage d'une voiture de 1re classe avec deux voitures offrant des places de deuxièmes classes (voitures avec banquettes).
Type « Côte d'Azur »
Les voitures les plus luxueuses entrent en service sur la liaison Paris - Vintimille (« Train bleu ») en décembre 1929. Il s'agit de 34 voitures (n° 4131 à 4164) réalisées par EIC en deux lots :
• voitures de 20 places avec cuisine
• voitures de 28 places.
Ces voitures de première classe disposent de 7 baies élargies. Les fauteuils sont plus larges et inclinables.
Ces deux derniers modèles de voitures ont circulé respectivement jusqu'en 1963 et 1969.
Voitures particulières
• 1951 : les voitures 4160, 4162 et 4164 sont repeintes aux couleurs du train bleu
• 1967 : la 4013 devient une voiture-douches pour trains de croisières affrétés
• 1975 : la 4148 devient une voiture-bar pour rames affrétées.
Source:
fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voitures_Pullman_CIWL
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Piano Petrof
Petrof est la plus grande manufacture européenne de pianos (en nombre d'instruments fabriqués) actuelle (2019). L'entreprise, familiale, a été fondée en 1864 par Anthony Petrof, facteur (constructeur) tchèque de pianos. Elle est aujourd'hui une des rares marques indépendantes (pas de capitaux étrangers au capital social de l'entreprise).
Histoire :
Le premier piano de l'entreprise Petrof a été construit en 1864 à Hradec Králové, en République tchèque. C'est en 1894 que l'entreprise, d'abord orientée sur le marché local, s'ouvre à l'exportation. Une filiale est du reste ouverte l'année suivante à Temesvar, en Hongrie. En 1928, une filiale est ouverte à Londres, en collaboration avec le prestigieux facteur Steinway & sons.
En 1948, l'entreprise est nationalisée. Un département de recherches sur les pianos droits et à queue s'ouvre en 1954.
La famille Petrof revient aux commandes en 1991. Jack Petrof prend la tête de l'entreprise; il s'agit de la quatrième génération. En 1994, un nouveau centre de recherches s'ouvre, moderne et doté de la chambre insonorisée la plus grande du moment en République tchèque. En 2004, enfin, l'entreprise passe aux mains de la cinquième génération de Petrof ; elle est dirigée par Zuzana Ceralová Petrofová. Petrof est à présent représenté partout dans le monde, excepté en Afrique.
Source:
Translation / Traduction 🇬🇧 UK
Piano Petrof
Petrof is Europe's largest pianos factory (in number of instruments manufactured) today (2019). The family-owned company was founded in 1864 by Anthony Petrof, Czech pianos manufacturer. Today, it is one of the few independent brands (no foreign capital to the company's capital stock).
History:
Le premier piano de l'entreprise Petrof a été construit en 1864 à Hradec Králové, en République tchèque. C'est en 1894 que l'entreprise, d'abord orientée sur le marché local, s'ouvre à l'exportation. Une filiale est du reste ouverte l'année suivante à Temesvar, en Hongrie. En 1928, une filiale est ouverte à Londres, en collaboration avec le prestigieux facteur Steinway & sons.
In 1948, the company was nationalized. A research department on straight and tail pianos opened in 1954.
The Petrof family came to power in 1991. Jack Petrof takes the lead; this is the fourth generation. In 1994, a new research center opened, modern and equipped with the largest soundproofed room of the moment in the Czech Republic. Finally, in 2004, the company took over the fifth generation of Petrof; it is headed by Zuzana Ceralová Petrofová. Petrof is now represented all over the world, except in Africa.
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Voyage en train à bord de l’Orient Express
Il y a des voyages et des trains mythiques. Il y a des noms qui restent les symboles d’une époque. Le Transsibérien et le voyage de luxe dans l’Orient Express ont fait et font toujours rêver certains. Les guerres, le communisme, la recherche de la vitesse, de l’efficacité, au détriment de l’expérience si spécifique d’un long voyage en train ainsi que la concurrence de l’avion ont peu à peu étouffé cette correspondance de légende. Mais certaines légendes renaissent par la passion et l’obsession de certains. Il en fut ainsi pour Sir James Sherwood qui, pour le plus grand bonheur des amoureux du train, ressuscita avec une patience méticuleuse la riche histoire de l’Orient Express.
– VOYAGE A BORD DE L’ORIENT EXPRESS –
Voyager à bord de l’Orient Express ce n’est pas un simple transport d’un point A au point B. L’Orient Express est le train des rois et le roi des trains dans le digne héritage de son ingénieur le belge Georges Nagelmakers. Voyage à bord de ce train mythique, c’est la promesse d’une aventure en train chic, exclusive, luxueuse. Un projet idéal pour une escapade romantique. Le raffinement au bord de l’Orient Express n’est en rien tapageur, il représente l’essence même de cet engagement de porter avec justice et justesse une certaine idée du luxe.
Source :
www.bien-voyager.com/voyage-a-bord-de-lorient-express/
Translation / Traduction 🇬🇧 UK
Journey by train on the Orient Express
There are mythical journeys and trains. There are names that remain symbols of an era. The Transsiberian and the luxury trip in the Orient Express have made and still make some people dream. Wars, communism, the search for speed, efficiency, to the detriment of the so specific experience of a long train journey and the competition of the plane have gradually stifled this correspondence of legend. But some legends are reborn by the passion and obsession of some. This was the case for Sir James Sherwood, who, to the delight of the train lovers, revived with meticulous patience the rich history of the Orient Express.
- TRAVEL ON THE EAST EXPRESS -
Traveling on the Orient Express is not just a transport from point A to point B. The Orient Express is the king of the kings and the king of the trains in the worthy legacy of his engineer, the Belgian Georges Nagelmakers. Traveling on this legendary train promises a chic, exclusive, luxurious train adventure. An ideal project for a romantic getaway. The refinement on the banks of the Orient Express is not in any way glaring, it represents the essence of this commitment to bring justice and justice to a certain idea of luxury.
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La Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits et des Grands Express Européens en 1960
la CIWL en 1960
www.codimage.fr/pages/histoire-de-la-ciwl.html
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
www.belmond.com/fr/trains/europe/venice-simplon-orient-ex...
Voyage d’exception dans un Train de Luxe. ( Calais - Paris - Venise ) / An exceptional trip on a Luxury Train
A 5 alarm fire destroyed several warehouses and commercial buildings in an industrial area off 7th Street in San Jose.
One person suffered 3rd degree burns and was hospitalized. Several school buses in an adjoining property were damaged by heat.
San Jose Command Van 1 is a former San Jose Library Bookmobile that has been converted into this state of the art communications and command van by the San Jose Fire Department.
For more images from this incident check out YourFireDepartment.org, 7th St IC
This is the first time I have ever posted one of my graphic design projects on Flickr. I always figured Flickr was not really the venue for it.
That said, I couldn't find my firewire cable for my external drive today, so I figured I'd find something hidden away on my laptop to post. And so, here we have this project. I think I will miss the open-ended, imaginary-project coolness of school assignments.
PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 12, 2015) - F/A-18s launch from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Ryan McFarlane/Released) 151112-N-IN729-100
** Interested in following U.S. Pacific Command? Engage and connect with us at www.facebook.com/pacific.command and twitter.com/PacificCommand and www.pacom.mil/
The Denver, Colorado Police Department Incident Command Vehicle is parked in front of the Colorado Convention Center. They were working during the 2009 International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference and Convention. The IACP Annual Conference is held in a different North American city each fall.
The large billboard in the background features Chris "The Birdman" Andersen, who played basketball with the NBA's Denver Nuggets franchise. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Andersen
Cobra Commander meets his replacement.
The Commander is and always will be my preferred Cobra leader, but there's something about the conceptual insanity of Serpentor that appeals to me. So I knew I'd get around to making him eventually. Serpentor is my 61st custom GI Joe figure. I aim to hit 100 by the end of the year.
I don't have a ton of gold pieces, but I think the Air Chariot came out pretty well all the same.
This model started as a valkyrie riding a giant eagle, except valkyries do not ride eagles, and I also did not get my LUG bulk order in time. So here is a pivot to a hunter and her wolf companion. A bit of an abstract composition for this Summer Joust theme.
Another image here:
www.flickr.com/photos/192442079@N08/53882809084/in/datepo...
Rochester is a town and historic city in the unitary authority of Medway in Kent, England. It is situated at the lowest bridging point of the River Medway about 30 miles (50 km) from London.
Rochester was for many years a favourite of Charles Dickens, who owned nearby Gads Hill Place, Higham,[1] basing many of his novels on the area. The Diocese of Rochester, the second oldest in England, is based at Rochester Cathedral and was responsible for the founding of a school, now The King's School in 604 AD,[2] which is recognised as being the second oldest continuously running school in the world. Rochester Castle, built by Bishop Gundulf of Rochester, has one of the best preserved keepsin either England or France, and during the First Barons' War (1215–1217) in King John's reign, baronial forces captured the castle from Archbishop Stephen Langton and held it against the king, who then besieged it.[3]
Neighbouring Chatham, Gillingham, Strood and a number of outlying villages, together with Rochester, nowadays make up the MedwayUnitary Authority area. It was, until 1998,[4]under the control of Kent County Council and is still part of the ceremonial county of Kent, under the latest Lieutenancies Act.[5]
Toponymy[edit]
The Romano-British name for Rochester was Durobrivae, later Durobrivis c. 730 and Dorobrevis in 844. The two commonly cited origins of this name are that it either came from "stronghold by the bridge(s)",[6] or is the latinisation of the British word Dourbruf meaning "swiftstream".[7]Durobrivis was pronounced 'Robrivis. Bede copied down this name, c. 730, mistaking its meaning as Hrofi's fortified camp (OE Hrofes cæster). From this we get c. 730 Hrofæscæstre, 811 Hrofescester, 1086 Rovescester, 1610 Rochester.[6] The Latinised adjective 'Roffensis' refers to Rochester.[7]
Neolithic remains have been found in the vicinity of Rochester; over time it has been variously occupied by Celts, Romans, Jutes and/or Saxons. During the Celtic period it was one of the two administrative centres of the Cantiaci tribe. During the Roman conquest of Britain a decisive battle was fought at the Medway somewhere near Rochester. The first bridge was subsequently constructed early in the Roman period. During the later Roman period the settlement was walled in stone. King Ethelbert of Kent(560–616) established a legal system which has been preserved in the 12th century Textus Roffensis. In AD 604 the bishopric and cathedral were founded. During this period, from the recall of the legions until the Norman conquest, Rochester was sacked at least twice and besieged on another occasion.
The medieval period saw the building of the current cathedral (1080–1130, 1227 and 1343), the building of two castles and the establishment of a significant town. Rochester Castle saw action in the sieges of 1215 and 1264. Its basic street plan was set out, constrained by the river, Watling Street, Rochester Priory and the castle.
Rochester has produced two martyrs: St John Fisher, executed by Henry VIII for refusing to sanction the divorce of Catherine of Aragon; and Bishop Nicholas Ridley, executed by Queen Mary for being an English Reformation protestant.
The city was raided by the Dutch as part of the Second Anglo-Dutch War. The Dutch, commanded by Admiral de Ruijter, broke through the chain at Upnor[8] and sailed to Rochester Bridge capturing part of the English fleet and burning it.[9]
The ancient City of Rochester merged with the Borough of Chatham and part of the Strood Rural District in 1974 to form the Borough of Medway. It was later renamed Rochester-upon-Medway, and its City status transferred to the entire borough. In 1998 another merger with the rest of the Medway Towns created the Medway Unitary Authority. The outgoing council neglected to appoint ceremonial "Charter Trustees" to continue to represent the historic Rochester area, causing Rochester to lose its City status – an error not even noticed by council officers for four years, until 2002.[10][11]
Military History
Rochester has for centuries been of great strategic importance through its position near the confluence of the Thames and the Medway. Rochester Castle was built to guard the river crossing, and the Royal Dockyard's establishment at Chatham witnessed the beginning of the Royal Navy's long period of supremacy. The town, as part of Medway, is surrounded by two circles of fortresses; the inner line built during the Napoleonic warsconsists of Fort Clarence, Fort Pitt, Fort Amherst and Fort Gillingham. The outer line of Palmerston Forts was built during the 1860s in light of the report by the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdomand consists of Fort Borstal, Fort Bridgewood, Fort Luton, and the Twydall Redoubts, with two additional forts on islands in the Medway, namely Fort Hoo and Fort Darnet.
During the First World War the Short Brothers' aircraft manufacturing company developed the first plane to launch a torpedo, the Short Admiralty Type 184, at its seaplane factory on the River Medway not far from Rochester Castle. In the intervening period between the 20th century World Wars the company established a world-wide reputation as a constructor of flying boats with aircraft such as the Singapore, Empire 'C'-Class and Sunderland. During the Second World War, Shorts also designed and manufactured the first four-engined bomber, the Stirling.
The UK's decline in naval power and shipbuilding competitiveness led to the government decommissioning the RN Shipyard at Chatham in 1984, which led to the subsequent demise of much local maritime industry. Rochester and its neighbouring communities were hit hard by this and have experienced a painful adjustment to a post-industrial economy, with much social deprivation and unemployment resulting. On the closure of Chatham Dockyard the area experienced an unprecedented surge in unemployment to 24%; this had dropped to 2.4% of the local population by 2014.[12]
Former City of Rochester[edit]
Rochester was recognised as a City from 1211 to 1998. The City of Rochester's ancient status was unique, as it had no formal council or Charter Trustees nor a Mayor, instead having the office of Admiral of the River Medway, whose incumbent acted as de facto civic leader.[13] On 1 April 1974, the City Council was abolished under the Local Government Act 1972, and the territory was merged with the District of Medway, Borough of Chatham and most of Strood Rural District to form a new a local government district called the Borough of Medway, within the county of Kent. Medway Borough Council applied to inherit Rochester's city status, but this was refused; instead letters patent were granted constituting the area of the former Rochester local government district to be the City of Rochester, to "perpetuate the ancient name" and to recall "the long history and proud heritage of the said City".[14] The Home Officesaid that the city status may be extended to the entire borough if it had "Rochester" in its name, so in 1979, Medway Borough Council renamed the borough to Borough of Rochester-upon-Medway, and in 1982, Rochester's city status was transferred to the entire borough by letters patent, with the district being called the City of Rochester-upon-Medway.[13]
On 1 April 1998, the existing local government districts of Rochester-upon-Medway and Gillingham were abolished and became the new unitary authority of Medway. The Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions informed the city council that since it was the local government district that officially held City status under the 1982 Letters Patent, the council would need to appoint charter trustees to preserve its city status, but the outgoing Labour-run council decided not to appoint charter trustees, so the city status was lost when Rochester-upon-Medway was abolished as a local government district.[15][16][17] The other local government districts with City status that were abolished around this time, Bath and Hereford, decided to appoint Charter Trustees to maintain the existence of their own cities and the mayoralties. The incoming Medway Council apparently only became aware of this when, in 2002, it was advised that Rochester was not on the Lord Chancellor's Office's list of cities.[18][19]
In 2010, Medway Council started to refer to the "City of Medway" in promotional material, but it was rebuked and instructed not to do so in future by the Advertising Standards Authority.[20]
Governance[edit]
Civic history and traditions[edit]
Rochester and its neighbours, Chatham and Gillingham, form a single large urban area known as the Medway Towns with a population of about 250,000. Since Norman times Rochester had always governed land on the other side of the Medway in Strood, which was known as Strood Intra; before 1835 it was about 100 yards (91 m) wide and stretched to Gun Lane. In the 1835 Municipal Corporations Act the boundaries were extended to include more of Strood and Frindsbury, and part of Chatham known as Chatham Intra. In 1974, Rochester City Council was abolished and superseded by Medway Borough Council, which also included the parishes of Cuxton, Halling and Cliffe, and the Hoo Peninsula. In 1979 the borough became Rochester-upon-Medway. The Admiral of the River Medway was ex-officio Mayor of Rochester and this dignity transferred to the Mayor of Medway when that unitary authority was created, along with the Admiralty Court for the River which constitutes a committee of the Council.[21]
Like many of the mediaeval towns of England, Rochester had civic Freemen whose historic duties and rights were abolished by the Municipal Corporations Act 1835. However, the Guild of Free Fishers and Dredgers continues to the present day and retains rights, duties and responsibilities on the Medway, between Sheerness and Hawkwood Stone.[22] This ancient corporate body convenes at the Admiralty Court whose Jury of Freemen is responsible for the conservancy of the River as enshrined in current legislation. The City Freedom can be obtained by residents after serving a period of "servitude", i.e. apprenticeship (traditionally seven years), before admission as a Freeman. The annual ceremonial Beating of the Boundsby the River Medway takes place after the Admiralty Court, usually on the first Saturday of July.
Rochester first obtained City status in 1211, but this was lost due to an administrative oversight when Rochester was absorbed by the Medway Unitary Authority.[10] Subsequently, the Medway Unitary Authority has applied for City status for Medway as a whole, rather than merely for Rochester. Medway applied unsuccessfully for City status in 2000 and 2002 and again in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Year of 2012.[23] Any future bid to regain formal City status has been recommended to be made under the aegis of Rochester-upon-Medway.
Ecclesiastical parishes[edit]
There were three medieval parishes: St Nicholas', St Margaret's and St Clement's. St Clement's was in Horsewash Lane until the last vicar died in 1538 when it was joined with St Nicholas' parish; the church last remaining foundations were finally removed when the railway was being constructed in the 1850s. St Nicholas' Church was built in 1421 beside the cathedral to serve as a parish church for the citizens of Rochester. The ancient cathedral included the Benedictine monastic priory of St Andrew with greater status than the local parishes.[24] Rochester's pre-1537 diocese, under the jurisdiction of the Church of Rome, covered a vast area extending into East Anglia and included all of Essex.[25]
As a result of the restructuring of the Church during the Reformation the cathedral was reconsecrated as the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary without parochial responsibilities, being a diocesan church.[26] In the 19th century the parish of St Peter's was created to serve the burgeoning city with the new church being consecrated in 1859. Following demographic shifts, St Peter's and St Margaret's were recombined as a joint benefice in 1953 with the parish of St Nicholas with St Clement being absorbed in 1971.[27] The combined parish is now the "Parish of St Peter with St Margaret", centred at the new (1973) Parish Centre in The Delce (St Peter's) with St Margaret's remaining as a chapel-of-ease. Old St Peter's was demolished in 1974, while St Nicholas' Church has been converted into the diocesan offices but remains consecrated. Continued expansion south has led to the creation of an additional more recent parish of St Justus (1956) covering The Tideway estate and surrounding area.[28]
A church dedicated to St Mary the Virgin at Eastgate, which was of Anglo-Saxon foundation, is understood to have constituted a parish until the Middle Ages, but few records survive.[29]
Geography
Rochester lies within the area, known to geologists, as the London Basin. The low-lying Hoo peninsula to the north of the town consists of London Clay, and the alluvium brought down by the two rivers—the Thames and the Medway—whose confluence is in this area. The land rises from the river, and being on the dip slope of the North Downs, this consists of chalksurmounted by the Blackheath Beds of sand and gravel.
As a human settlement, Rochester became established as the lowest river crossing of the River Medway, well before the arrival of the Romans.
It is a focal point between two routes, being part of the main route connecting London with the Continent and the north-south routes following the course of the Medway connecting Maidstone and the Weald of Kent with the Thames and the North Sea. The Thames Marshes were an important source of salt. Rochester's roads follow north Kent's valleys and ridges of steep-sided chalk bournes. There are four ways out of town to the south: up Star Hill, via The Delce,[30] along the Maidstone Road or through Borstal. The town is inextricably linked with the neighbouring Medway Towns but separate from Maidstone by a protective ridge known as the Downs, a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
At its most limited geographical size, Rochester is defined as the market town within the city walls, now associated with the historic medieval city. However, Rochester historically also included the ancient wards of Strood Intra on the river's west bank, and Chatham Intra as well as the three old parishes on the Medway's east bank.
The diocese of Rochester is another geographical entity which can be referred to as Rochester.
Climate[edit]
Rochester has an oceanic climate similar to much of southern England, being accorded Köppen Climate Classification-subtype of "Cfb" (Marine West Coast Climate).[31]
On 10 August 2003, neighbouring Gravesend recorded one of the highest temperatures since meteorogical records began in the United Kingdom, with a reading of 38.1 degrees Celsius (100.6 degrees Fahrenheit),[32]only beaten by Brogdale, near Faversham, 22 miles (35 km) to the ESE.[33] The weather station at Brogdale is run by a volunteer, only reporting its data once a month, whereas Gravesend, which has an official Met Office site at the PLA pilot station,[34] reports data hourly.
Being near the mouth of the Thames Estuary with the North Sea, Rochester is relatively close to continental Europe and enjoys a somewhat less temperate climate than other parts of Kent and most of East Anglia. It is therefore less cloudy, drier and less prone to Atlanticdepressions with their associated wind and rain than western regions of Britain, as well as being hotter in summer and colder in winter. Rochester city centre's micro-climate is more accurately reflected by these officially recorded figures than by readings taken at Rochester Airport.[35]
North and North West Kent continue to record higher temperatures in summer, sometimes being the hottest area of the country, eg. on the warmest day of 2011, when temperatures reached 33.1 degrees.[36]Additionally, it holds at least two records for the year 2010, of 30.9 degrees[37] and 31.7 degrees C.[38] Another record was set during England's Indian summer of 2011 with 29.9 degrees C., the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK for October.
North and North West Kent continue to record higher temperatures in summer, sometimes being the hottest area of the country, eg. on the warmest day of 2011, when temperatures reached 33.1 degrees.[36]Additionally, it holds at least two records for the year 2010, of 30.9 degrees[37] and 31.7 degrees C.[38] Another record was set during England's Indian summer of 2011 with 29.9 degrees C., the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK for October.
Building
Rochester comprises numerous important historic buildings, the most prominent of which are the Guildhall, the Corn Exchange, Restoration House, Eastgate House, as well as Rochester Castle and Rochester Cathedral. Many of the town centre's old buildings date from as early as the 14th century up to the 18th century. The chapel of St Bartholomew's Hospital dates from the ancient priory hospital's foundation in 1078.
Economy
Thomas Aveling started a small business in 1850 producing and repairing agricultural plant equipment. In 1861 this became the firm of Aveling and Porter, which was to become the largest manufacturer of agricultural machinery and steam rollers in the country.[39] Aveling was elected Admiral of the River Medway (i.e. Mayor of Rochester) for 1869-70.
Culture[edit]
Sweeps Festival[edit]
Since 1980 the city has seen the revival of the historic Rochester Jack-in-the-Green May Day dancing chimney sweeps tradition, which had died out in the early 1900s. Though not unique to Rochester (similar sweeps' gatherings were held across southern England, notably in Bristol, Deptford, Whitstable and Hastings), its revival was directly inspired by Dickens' description of the celebration in Sketches by Boz.
The festival has since grown from a small gathering of local Morris dancesides to one of the largest in the world.[40] The festival begins with the "Awakening of Jack-in-the-Green" ceremony,[41] and continues in Rochester High Street over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
There are numerous other festivals in Rochester apart from the Sweeps Festival. The association with Dickens is the theme for Rochester's two Dickens Festivals held annually in June and December.[42] The Medway Fuse Festival[43] usually arranges performances in Rochester and the latest festival to take shape is the Rochester Literature Festival, the brainchild of three local writers.[44]
Library[edit]
A new public library was built alongside the Adult Education Centre, Eastgate. This enabled the registry office to move from Maidstone Road, Chatham into the Corn Exchange on Rochester High Street (where the library was formerly housed). As mentioned in a report presented to Medway Council's Community Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 28 March 2006, the new library opened in late summer (2006).[45]
Theatre[edit]
There is a small amateur theatre called Medway Little Theatre on St Margaret's Banks next to Rochester High Street near the railway station.[46] The theatre was formed out of a creative alliance with the Medway Theatre Club, managed by Marion Martin, at St Luke's Methodist Church on City Way, Rochester[47] between 1985 and 1988, since when drama and theatre studies have become well established in Rochester owing to the dedication of the Medway Theatre Club.[48]
Media[edit]
Local newspapers for Rochester include the Medway Messenger, published by the KM Group, and free newspapers such as Medway Extra(KM Group) and Yourmedway (KOS Media).
The local commercial radio station for Rochester is KMFM Medway, owned by the KM Group. Medway is also served by community radio station Radio Sunlight. The area also receives broadcasts from county-wide stations BBC Radio Kent, Heart and Gold, as well as from various Essex and Greater London radio stations.[49]
Sport[edit]
Football is played with many teams competing in Saturday and Sunday leagues.[50] The local football club is Rochester United F.C. Rochester F.C. was its old football club but has been defunct for many decades. Rugby is also played; Medway R.F.C. play their matches at Priestfields and Old Williamsonians is associated with Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School.[51]
Cricket is played in the town, with teams entered in the Kent Cricket League. Holcombe Hockey Club is one of the largest in the country,[52]and is based at Holcombe Park. The men's and women's 1st XI are part of the England Hockey League.[53] Speedway was staged on a track adjacent to City Way that opened in 1932. Proposals for a revival in the early 1970s did not materialise and the Rochester Bombers became the Romford Bombers.[54]
Sailing and rowing are also popular on the River Medway with respective clubs being based in Rochester.[55][56]
Film[edit]
The 1959 James Bond Goldfinger describes Bond driving along the A2through the Medway Towns from Strood to Chatham. Of interest is the mention of "inevitable traffic jams" on the Strood side of Rochester Bridge, the novel being written some years prior to the construction of the M2 motorway Medway bypass.
Rochester is the setting of the controversial 1965 Peter Watkins television film The War Game, which depicts the town's destruction by a nuclear missile.[57] The opening sequence was shot in Chatham Town Hall, but the credits particularly thank the people of Dover, Gravesend and Tonbridge.
The 2011 adventure film Ironclad (dir. Jonathan English) is based upon the 1215 siege of Rochester Castle. There are however a few areaswhere the plot differs from accepted historical narrative.
Notable people[edit]
Charles Dickens
The historic city was for many years the favourite of Charles Dickens, who lived within the diocese at nearby Gads Hill Place, Higham, many of his novels being based on the area. Descriptions of the town appear in Pickwick Papers, Great Expectations and (lightly fictionalised as "Cloisterham") in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Elements of two houses in Rochester, Satis House and Restoration House, are used for Miss Havisham's house in Great Expectations, Satis House.[58]
Sybil Thorndike
The actress Dame Sybil Thorndike and her brother Russell were brought up in Minor Canon Row adjacent to the cathedral; the daughter of a canon of Rochester Cathedral, she was educated at Rochester Grammar School for Girls. A local doctors' practice,[59] local dental practice[60] and a hall at Rochester Grammar School are all named after her.[61]
Peter Buck
Sir Peter Buck was Admiral of the Medway in the 17th century; knightedin 1603 he and Bishop Barlow hosted King James, the Stuart royal familyand the King of Denmark in 1606. A civil servant to The Royal Dockyardand Lord High Admiral, Buck lived at Eastgate House, Rochester.
Denis Redman
Major-General Denis Redman, a World War II veteran, was born and raised in Rochester and later became a founder member of REME, head of his Corps and a Major-General in the British Army.
Kelly Brook
The model and actress Kelly Brook went to Delce Junior School in Rochester and later the Thomas Aveling School (formerly Warren Wood Girls School).
The singer and songwriter Tara McDonald now lives in Rochester.
The Prisoners, a rock band from 1980 to 1986, were formed in Rochester. They are part of what is known as the "Medway scene".
Kelly Tolhurst MP is the current parliamentary representative for the constituency.
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 12, 2017) - The littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) transits the South China Sea during training. Currently on a rotational deployment in support of the Asia-Pacific rebalance, Coronado is a fast and agile warship tailor-made to patrol the region's littorals and work hull-to-hull with partner navies, providing 7th Fleet with the flexible capabilities it needs now and in the future. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amy M. Ressler/Released) 170212-N-WV703-923
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Swebrick Christmas Contest - Day 22, Max 110 pieces
(A marathon competition. One build per day from 1/12 to 24/12. Piece limit starts at 5 and increases with 5 for each day)
Colas Railfreight Class 60002 leads another passenger train down the Barrow Hill line during the rarities diesel gala 2015.
Group of several fragments with the depiction of a lyre player. These pieces has been recovered by the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of the Cultural Heritage and Swiss authorities in the free-port of Geneva.
Group of several adjoining fragments recomposing what remains of the upper part of a plaque with representation of a lyre player. The upper frieze consists of a meander line between multi-colored stripes quite similar to the previous plaques even in the decorative motifs of the squares.
The lyre player, with a brown skin tone outlined in a dark brown contour, is seen in profile facing left. He wears a “tutulus” with the lower edge divided into two bands by two brown lines, with sideburns and wavy hair on the neck sticking out of it. The bust, whose left shoulder is the only part preserved, appears naked. The face shows a receding forehead, a nose with a curly nostril and a large almond-shaped eye with red iris and white pupil, surmounted by a rather arched eyebrow. The lips are painted red.
Only the ends of the vertical arms of the lyre are preserved, together with part of the crosspiece with the upper end of nine ropes painted in red. Behind the character there is a portion of two overlapping "fan” decorations, probably a schematic representation of a plant element.
Source: Exhibition Catalogue
Fragmentary painted terracotta plaque
H. 39 cm., L. 53 cm.
530 - 520 BC
Exhibition “Colors of the Eruscans” - Cat N. 55
Rome, Centrale Montemartini
WHEELER ARMY AIR FIELD, Hawaii (Jan. 6, 2016) - Aircrews, from 16th Combat Aviation Brigade and their AH-64E Apache Guardians hover above the tarmac at Wheeler Army Airfield before landing to train with 2-6 Cavalry, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (Photo by Sgt. Daniel Kyle Johnson (USARPAC)
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Command-Aire MR-1 Little Rocket Racer N345JA (Reproduction) on static display at the Sun'n Fun Florida Air Museum at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in the City of Lakeland Polk County Florida U.S.A.
This is a reproduction built by Joe W. Araldi of the original Command-Aire MR-1 Little Rocket Racer 10403
In 1926, the Arkansas Aircraft Company was founded in Little Rock (Pulaski County) to build small personal airplanes. The company represented the first and one of the few aircraft companies that have existed in Arkansas. The Arkansas Aircraft Company, which later became known as Command-Aire, was nationally known for its aircraft, and it was one of the country’s leading airplane manufacturers in the late 1920s.
Although the company remained in business only from 1926 until 1931, the planes built by the company were well known, especially after the All-America Flying Derby. The 5,541-mile race, which began on July 21, 1930, in Detroit and ended eleven days later, featured overnight control stops in Buffalo, New York; New York City; Cincinnati, Ohio; Little Rock; Houston, Texas; San Angelo, Texas; Douglas, Arizona; Los Angeles, California; Ogden, Utah; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Chicago, Illinois, before returning to Detroit. The race’s purpose was to demonstrate the feasibility of long-distance flight by light airplanes. Lee Gehlbach, piloting a specially built Command-Aire plane named the “Little Rocket,” which flew at an average speed of 127.11 m.p.h., won the race. His prize was $15,000, a tremendous amount of money during the Depression. Command-Aire planes were also well known for being one of only two designs to pass the 1929 Guggenheim Safety Trial, in which all existing aircraft designs were test-flown and judged for safety.
Although approximately 300 planes were built by Command-Aire, only a handful remain today.
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As the embers float away from his body, the strangest phenomenon can be observed; the particles begin to fold, flapping like butterflies at first, faint screeches can he heard in all directions like howling ghosts, the particles grow louder, larger, and more black. Each speck of ash, transforming into a large screaming raven, hundreds of them spiraling around the fae. He nods to his avian companions, and motions with his fingers sending them off to survey the area.
Apollo 6 Command Module landed in the Pacific, northwest of the Hawaiian Islands at 4?46 PM, EST, April 4, 1968. Apollo 6 was the second unmanned flight of the Saturn V in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Lunar Landing Project.
Launch: April 4, 1968 7AM Complex 39 Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
Impact Zone: 27°40’ N - 157°55’ W / 50 Nautical miles West of the scheduled impact area.
Onboard Carrier (USS Okinawa) 15 hrs 55 min GET