Mukutmanipur's undulating forested landscape marked by the vibrant colours of Palash and Sonajhuri trees is refreshing and invigorating for the body and mind. It is marked by the prominent hillock about 200metres high, locally named "Baroghutu" (Baro- twelve, ghutu-/stones/hill). The tribal hamlets of Baroghutu, Jambeda, Kumorbahal, Dhagora and Mukutmanipur encircle this hillock. With a landscape that seems naturally designed for adventure, Mukutmanipur offers opportunities in rock climbing, trekking and a variety of water sports.

The local festivals, Tusu, Bhadu, Sahrai and Badna are symbolized by much music and dance, and strengthen the Mukutmanipur experience, laden with the relaxed air of nature in the heartland. The Bankura district has a tribal population famous for its music, art and culture. Mukutmanipur is one such quaint village. The community will provide the tourist with a life that is stress free.

Palash(Butea monosperma) is a species of Butea native to tropical and sub-tropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, ranging across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and western Indonesia. Common names include Palash, Dhak, Palah, Flame of the Forest, Bastard Teak, Parrot Tree, Keshu (Punjabi) and Kesudo (Gujurati).

It starts blooming end of JAN and arround mid March it is in full bloom. Perhaps the most attractive flower of the season. When in full bloom, it is a sight to behold ! The mountain ranges are transformed into a spectacular phenomenon making them appear as if the flames of saffron-red colors are leaping from them. No wonder the tree is also known as-and aptly so- ' Flame Of The Forest '. In West Bengal, it is associated with spring, especially through the poems and songs of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, who likened its bright orange flame-like flower to fire. In Santiniketan, where Tagore lived, this flower has become an indispensable part of the celebration of spring. The plant has lent its name to the town of Palashi, famous for the historic Battle of Plassey fought there.

It is a medium sized dry season-deciduous tree, growing to 15 m tall. It is a slow growing tree, young trees have a growth rate of a few feet per year. The leaves are pinnate, with an 8–16 cm petiole and three leaflets, each leaflet 10–20 cm long. The flowers are 2.5 cm long, bright orange-red, and produced in racemes up to 15 cm long. The fruit is a pod 15–20 cm long and 4–5 cm broadIt is said that the tree is a form of Agnidev, God of Fire. It was a punishment given to Him by Goddess Parvati for disturbing Her and Lord Shiva's privacy. In the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, these flowers are specially used in the worship of Lord Shiva on occasion of Shivratri. In Telugu, this tree is called Modugu chettu.

In Kerala, this is called 'plasu' and 'chamata'. Chamata is the vernacular version of Sanskrit word 'Samidha', small piece of wood that is used for 'agnihotra' or fire ritual. In most of the old namboodiri (Kerala Brahmin) houses, one can find this tree because this is widely used for their fire ritual.

Use as a dye

The flowers are used to prepare a traditional Holi colour. It is also used as a dyeing color for fabric.

Use as a pesticide

This plant kills Mosquitoes. They are attracted by the smell and color of the flower. Eggs that are laid into the liquid within the flower will never hatch. Any mosquito that touches the fluid can never escape from it.( Source: Wikipedia)

Medicinal value

The medicinal values of Palash have long been acknowledged in our ancient scriptures. Gum secreting from its bark cures Mucus Dysentery, Acidity & many stomach ailments. Its seeds are useful in treatment of worms and intestinal bacteria. ' Panchang ' of Palash or ash prepared from its five parts i.e. leaves, flowers, seeds, skin and root cures urinary tract, Obesity, Kidney problems, Backache & many more ailments. Highly esteemed by the ancient sages and modern researchers, the miraculous Palash, like Tulas, has no parallels. ( www.palashayurvedictreatment.com/palash.htm).

Going hand-in-hand with my sandstone fetish is a craving for the kind of entertainment that only gambling casinos can deliver. Sitting in front of a slot machine for hours on end is almost as satisfying as hiking in fabulous terrain for hours on end. Thus when I arrived in Wells, Nevada, I sought the action that is only available indoors and this is what I found. Note how the ambiance of the place suits the Green Weenie. I was fortunate to arrive when the facility was not too busy, as I hate waiting in line for anything. I envisioned row-upon-row of gaming machines at my disposal, which caused me to salivate (excuse my overly-graphic description).

Sorry I cannot name the place---the sign had been removed years earlier. But the exterior decor was unmatched anywhere except for Bombay Beach, California. The welcoming entrance was flanked by exciting textures and variations on the "painted" theme. Signs clearly showed what amenities were available for weary or thrill-seeking travelers: "SHOW-LOUNGE" and "RESTAURANT." Although not specifically mentioned, a large portion of the interior was surely devoted to the thrills of gambling.

Normally I accept things as they are, but in this case I was a bit miffed by the absence not only of valet parking, but also lines in the parking lot delineating where one could park. (But at least there was plenty of room for parking!) Judging from all the cracks in the asphalt, Nevada must have a lot of earthquake activity. I had a blast here.

I lied. I don't have a sandstone fetish.

I lied again.

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+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based on authentic facts. BEWARE!

Some background:

The roots of the Estonian Air Force go back to the Russian revolution of February 1917, after which the Estonian state obtained a degree of autonomy within Russia, which included the establishment of national armed forces. Thus many Estonians in the Russian Army returned home to take up arms for their homeland. The Estonian Declaration of Independence in early 1918 was not recognized by Germany, which invaded and occupied the country during 1918. The Estonian armed forces were disbanded.

Plans to acquire Spitfires and Lysanders from Britain were thwarted when the outbreak of World War II in 1939 forced Britain to cancel all export orders. After the defeat of Poland, Estonia was forced to accept a Mutual Assistance Pact with the Soviet Union, signed on 28 September 1939. This allowed the Russians to establish military bases in Estonia, which were later used in the Winter War against Finland. On 17 June 1940 the three Baltic States were invaded by Soviet forces. During the June 1940 invasion the Air Defence took no action and subsequently aircraft remained locked in their hangars. The air force became the Aircraft Squadron of the 22nd Territorial Corps of the Soviet Army in the summer of 1940.

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 25 ft 4 in (7.72 m)

Wingspan: 33 ft 2 in (10.11 m)

Height: 10 ft 2 in (3.10 m)

Wing area: 293 ft² (27.22 m²)

Empty weight: 1,960 lb (890 kg)

Max. takeoff weight: 2,885 lb (1,310 kg)

Powerplant:

1× Bristol Jupiter V 9-cylinder radial engine, 480 hp (345 kW)

Performance:

Maximum speed: 165 kn (190 mph, 305 km/h) at sea level

Range: 271 nmi (310 mi, 500 km)

Service ceiling: 27,000 ft (8,230 m)

Rate of climb: 3,200 ft/min (10.480 m/min)

Endurance: 1 hour 20 minutes

Climb to 10,000 ft: 6 min 20 sec

Armament:

2× 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine guns

Provision for up to 4× 20 lb (9 kg) bombs under the lower wings

The kit and its assembly:

I had bought an incomplete Matchbox A.W. Siskin kit a while ago, but lacked a good idea. This eventually came when I searched through the decal stack and came cross a Blue Rider sheet with Estonian triangles (see below) - and thought that an Estonian Siskin could be a good and exotic use. This was quite plausible because the Baltic country actually operated the type before WWII.

However, for a more whiffy touch, and in order to replace some missing parts, a few conversions had to be made. One modification concerns the landing gear, which had to be improvised; the struts came from a Revell Sopwith Triplane, IIRC, and the wheels from a Matchbox Gloster Gladiator.

The engine was replaced, too, with a Bristol Jupiter from a Mistercraft PZL P.7 fighter, and a leftover propeller from a Matchbox Gloster Gladiator. While the new engine appears a little large, the whole affair looks quite plausible and would even allow a free field of fire for the cowling-mounted, original armament.

Otherwise the simple but pleasant kit was built OOB. Rigging was done with heated black sprue material, glued into place with white glue after painting and decaling.

Painting and markings:

Well, there were not many Estonian aircraft, and most from the inter-war era seemed to carry a NMF/aluminium dope finish. I was able to dig up a profile of an Estonian Siskin IIIDC trainer, and it also shows some dark green round the cockpit area.

I used this as a starting point for a more camouflaged finish, also inspired by Latvian and Swedish Gloster Gladiators of that era, with dark green (FS 34079) upper surfaces, combined with aluminium dope on the undersides. In order to liven things up a little I also added an RAF Dark Green (ModelMaster) area in front of the cockpit, inspired by the Matchbox box art – but the different green tones are hard to tell apart.

Some metal panels were painted with Aluminium (Revell 99), while the fabric-covered areas, incl. the wings' undersides, were painted with Humbrol 56. The upper wing’s supporting struts were painted in black, as well as the cockpit interior – even though the latter is blocked by the pilot figure.

The Estonian national markings come from a Blue Rider sheet and actually belong to a modern 1:72 An-2. The tactical code was created with two layers of white over black single digits from TL Modellbau, creating a fake shadow effect for a better contrast. In order to liven things up a little more, I also a small unit badge to the fuselage flank under the cockpit, even though this was not typical for Estonian Air Force aircraft.

Some light dry-brushing with light grey was done in order to emphasize the nice surface structure of the Matchbox kit. Finally, the kit was sealed with matt acrylic varnish (Italeri).

A relatively simple build, but the overall result looks quite convincing, despite the exotic markings and the large diameter engine from the PZL P.7. Made me wonder what an Estonian Spitfire – had it been delievered – might have looked like? Hmmm…

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based on historical facts. BEWARE!

Some background:

The 80th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) was constituted on 13 January 1942 and activated on February 1942. It was redesignated as the 80th Fighter Group in May 1942. During World War II, the group was the first USAAF unit to be stationed in Burma after the Allied retreat in 1942. During its two years in combat, this group, which called itself the Burma Banshees, kept the supply lines open to China while clearing the way for Allied forces and US Army units such as Merrill's Marauders to sweep Japanese forces from northern Burma.

By the end of the war, the group had destroyed more than 200 bridges and killed scores of bridge repair crews. Air-to-air and air-to-ground sweeps by the group's pilots claimed 80 enemy planes destroyed in the air or on the ground. The 80th Fighter Group was withdrawn from combat in May 1945 and inactivated in November.

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 36 ft 1.75 in (11.02 m)

Wingspan: 40 ft 9 5/16 in (12.429 m)

Height: 14 ft 8 1/16 in (4.472 m)

Airfoil: Seversky S-3

Empty weight: 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)

Max takeoff weight: 17,500 lb (7,938 kg)

Powerplant:

1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 2,000 hp (1,500 kW),

driving a 4-bladed Curtiss Electric C542S constant-speed propeller, 13 ft (4.0 m) diameter

Performance:

Maximum speed: 426 mph (686 km/h, 370 kn) at 30,000 ft (9,100 m)

Range: 1,030 mi (1,660 km, 900 nmi)

Service ceiling: 42,000 ft (13,000 m)

Armament:

8x 0.5” caliber (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns (3.400 rounds)

Up to 2,500 lb (1,100 kg) of bombs, drop tanks and/or up to ten 5” (130 mm) unguided rockets

The kit and its assembly:

This is a very modest what-if model – just a fictional livery on a stock model, and part of the ongoing plan to “build down” The Stash™ of kits during the ongoing Corona lockdown. The idea behind it was spawned by a number of decals for P-40s for the 80th FG I found in my scrap box, which all carried spectacular skull markings on their noses. I wondered if and how these could be adapted to another aircraft type – and the P-47 lent itself for this project due to its sheer “canvas” size, despite having a radial engine, and being the natural successor of the P-40 in USAAF service.

From that I spun the idea further and settled for an early Razorback P-47D, in the form of the very nice Academy kit. The kit was basically built OOB, it went together nicely without major fights – a trait that I really like about most Academy kits. The only true weak spot of the P-47 is the flaps’ undersides: they are pretty thick/massive, so that there are shallow sinkholes. These are easy to fill, though, even though I ignored this flaw and rather lowered the flaps, a mod that’s pretty easy to do.

An addition is a scratched D/F loop antenna on a streamlined socket behind the cockpit, a typical feature of P-47s operated in the BMI theatre. The loop was created with thin wire, the socket is a piece of sprue, integrated into the spine with some putty. As a late-production Razorback Thunderbolt I gave the aircraft a Curtiss Electric paddle-bladed propeller, which the Academy kit offers as an optional piece.

The ordnance was also taken from the kit: a pair of Bazooka triple launchers for ground attack duties and a drop tank under the fuselage.

Painting and markings:

A simple affair: as an early P-47, I gave the aircraft the standard USAAF livery of olive drab and neutral grey. I used Tamiya XF-62, IMHO the best interpretation of the tone, and ModelMaster 1740, actually FS 36231 instead of FS 36173, but the Dark Gull Grey is a bit lighter than Neutral Grey and looks IMHO better on the 1:72 scale model. AFAIK, no P-47 carried the earlier mid-green blotches on the wings anymore. The cockpit was painted in Interior Green, while the landing gear wells became zinc chromate yellow, very traditional.

The individual aircraft markings were more spectacular and also challenging. The real eye-catcher is pair of 80th FG skulls on the cowling flanks, even though these had to be completed with paint since they come from a Hobby Boss P-40N and feature empty sections for the exhaust stubs. The empty eye sockets had to be added manually, too, and since there was now a lot of white, I added – after consulting pictures of 80th FG P-40s - thin black lines to the skull with a felt tip pen. A real improvement, and it’s even authentic!

Furthermore, I added 1st Air Commando Group markings in the form of five white diagonal stripes around the rear fuselage. This group operated in the BMI area, e.g. P-51s, B-25s and even P-47s, but the 80th FG was not part of it. Nevertheless, the stripes suit the Razorback very well, and they were created with generic 2mm decal stripes from TL Modellbau. Each stripe had to be applied and trimmed individually, not an easy task on the conical tail with its concave and convex surface. The result is not perfect, but I am fine with it, and it looks very cool.

Pictures of early USAAF P-47s in the BMI are hard to find, but what I found suggests that Allied machines wore single bands on wings and tail surfaces as additional ID markings from 1943 on, much like the P-47s over Europe. On later NMF aircraft, these were dark blue (on both USAAF and RAF aircraft), and I was lucky to have a complete set of white P-47 markings left over from an Xtradecal set for SEAC RAF Thunderbolts, which comes with pre-cut bands in white and blue, very convenient! On the downside, the white fuselage stripes dramatically revealed that the P-47’s OOB decals, esp. the Stars and Bars, lacked opacity, so that I had to add some white paint manually to hide the resulting mess.

Typical unit markings of the 89th FS are a red spinner, and since the P-47 has only a small one, I added a thin red frame around the cowling, as carried by later real-world 89th FS P-47s, which were left in bare metal, though. As a gimmick I painted the wheel hubs in red, too. As a personal marking of the pilot I christened the aircraft “The Big Fella”, taken from an Irish pre-WWII armored car, and I added some air victory markings.

As usual, the kit received a black ink washing overall and some post panel shading with Revell 42 and 46 on the upper surfaces and ModelMaster 2105 (Dark French Blue Gray) underneath for visual drama and weathering. Some light soot stains around the gun muzzled were created with graphite, oil stains under the fuselage with Tamiya “Smoke”.

While this was not a complex build and even the livery is pretty close to real world standards, I like the outcome and how the skull markings stand out on the huge P-47. The array of fuselage stripes are an interesting visual extra, even though I was afraid that they were, together with the white ID stripes on the wings, a bit too much. The red highlights are an interesting contrast, too, and IMHO the whole decoration works fine. Everything fictional, but plausible and believable.

Sacred Harp singing is a form of church music started in the early 19th century in the northeast, which went on to be popular in the south. It's an art form that came close to dying out, but has had a resurgence in popularity due in part to the Internet. The locals who enjoy this singing have formed the Harpeth Valley Sacred Harp Singers and you can find out more about them here: sacredharpnashville.org/

Here's what's going on in the picture: Chairs are arranged to form a square. That song's leader stands in the middle and faces the largest group who sings the melody. On one side are the basses, who are opposite from the trebles, with the altos in the back. The book they use is a modern reprint of a book dating back to 1844 called The Sacred Harp. The music is sung a cappella, which means they don't use instruments, but with everyone singing they can belt out the notes really loud. The leader and some of the singers wave their hand in a pattern to help keep the rhythm. This meetup was at the 2011 Wilson County Fair in Lebanon, TN

...is this good or bad?!

Rebkong is located in the Golden Valley of the Rongwu Guchu River in Malho prefecture southeast of Qinghai province, The valley is at about 2600m above sea-level, extends from the north to south, and is surrounded by several mountains. Rebkong is also famous for itâs Tibetan traditional arts and cultural preservation. The there are several large monasteries and villages scattering around the Rongwu town which is home to hundreds of artist. The most well known villages and monasteries are Sanggeshung Yago and Sanggeshung Mago(upper and lower Wutun), Gomar Gompa, Nyamtok village.etc. If you are interested in learning Tibetan culture and Tibetan traditional arts, Rebkong will be one of most recommend region.

blog.snowliontours.com/2012/11/amdo-region-of-tibet/

This is an OO gauge Bachmann wagon straight out of the box which has then been weathered by myself here at The Weathering Works.

Weathering on a wagon such as this is usually at a cost of £5.

The Weathering Works website complete with more info, pictures and weathering service pricing can be found here... www.theweatheringworks.co.uk

The Weathering Works are a custom model railway weathering service. Home to weathered model railway items in all gauges we aim to offer exhibition standard weathering at affordable prices. From steam and diesel locos to wagons and vehicles you can find it all here.

The aim of weathering is to give the models a sense of realism that they simply dont have straight out of the box and remove their plastic often toy like appearance. In reality even within a few days of service locos and wagons become dirtied so why not replicate this in model form. From track dirt to exhaust fumes it can all be replicated by TheWeatheringWorks.

As well as selling weathered stock direct both on my site and via eBay I also offer a weathering service by which you send me whatever you would like weathering and i send it back to you weathered to your desires.

Prices for the weathering service can be found on the Weathering service page of my website. This service varies from a dusting of dirt to reflect stock not long in service to a thoroughly uncared for and dirty piece which has chipped faded paintwork etc. A multitude of colours, techniques and mediums are used to enhance the appearance of your stock.

If you have any questions by all means get in touch and i hope you have enjoyed the picture. Thankyou.

• FOLSOM STREET FAIR 2009 !

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• ADDA DADA's VIEW COUNT is

THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE MILLION VIEWS !!!

(361,000,000+ VIEWS ) with over 10,200 followers !!!

(September 23, 2019)

THANK YOU for visiting my virtual art gallery! Enjoy my social documentary photos of various events !

ADDA DADA's photography presents a variety of adults at different public events . These photos do NOT imply the person's sexual orientation in any way. Everyone was asked and they consented to be photographed and posted.

Photos are properly marked SAFE or RESTRICTED ( 18+ only / nudity). There is NO porn, and, NO stolen photos on my site!

Viewers should be aware that these photos are viewed by a wide variety of folks . Inappropriate, RUDE, 'X' or 'R' rated comments shall be removed forthwith & you will be blocked.

MY photos are NOT to be reproduced, COPIED, BLOGGED, USED in any way shape or form. Use of them by anyone is an infringement of copyright ! © All rights reserved. Use without permission is illegal.

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"I rather see everyone walking around in the nude , than everyone walking around with guns."

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Check out ADDA DADA's other ALBUMS !

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FOLSOM STREET FAIR is this SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29,

2019 ! (ADDA DADA will be there !)

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This is my unrestricted entry to the LoR Global Contest 10, Unrest category: rioting, hostility, resistance, hoarding.

_____________________________________

Previously on Wolfgang & the gang: after his quite lengthy hibernation*, Wolfgang has been summoned to the Great Congress of Lenfald. In the meantime his entourage settled in a nearby tavern and waited for him.

The tavern was packed this evening. The gang has been told that there is a sing-along event tonight with live music** where everyone can sing his favorite song. It is gonna be fun, they thought, but then they had to realize pretty soon that Lenfels only sing about forests, trees, frogs, toads and hypnotoads***, which became rather unbearable after a while.

There he is, finally!" the team greeted Wolfgang with great relief.

"The congress took a whole lot longer as I expected. I almost starved but the guards refused to let me into the kitchen or bring me a meal. As the growling of my stomach became more intense, they finally brought me a pot of pea soup. It was tasty, even though there were some hairs in it, but to be fair, I could not tell if they were mine or someone else's".

"I even met the new High Lord of Lenfald. I asked him "Hey, are you high lord von Falkenborg?" and he replied "No, but I licked a toad so I could be any minute now!" resulting in an awkward pause in the conversation... I am not sure if I did not articulate well and he got the punctuation wrong, or worse, he got it right and there is a secret initiation ceremony for future High Lords of Lenfald..."

While Wolfgang briefly summarized the events of the congress, the band kept on playing.

"Oh no, not that song again!" Hyde cried out loud. A young fellow started to sing the song called "I am Groot" once again...

(I am Groot)

What is this song about?" asked Wolfgang.

(I am Groot)

"Not sure, but as far as I can tell it is about some kind of a tree-like monster whom the Lenfels worship. Or something like that."

(I am Groot)

"I really like the lyrics, it is very subtle and deep." said Söndör, the one-armed bandit.

(I am Groot)

"It is not his first keg of beer, is it?" asked Wolfgang

(I am Groot)

"Alright, that's it!" Wolfgang approached the enthusiastic singer and pushed him firmly to the side. "Thank you, this was a truly wonderful song, well done!"

"B-but I haven't finished it yet, this was only the first verse..." Complained the astonished lad.

"I said thank you..." snarled Wolfgang. The lad left wisely. "And now for something completely different." Wolfgang jumped on the table. - "Ladies and gents, please let me perform my favorite song, which is a real hit in my Casino in Lors Vegos. Hit it!"

"I like pig butts and I can not lie..." ****

The crowd was slowly recovering from the initial shock and started to whisper that led to a chain reaction of the wildest speculations...

"He said Lors Vegos, didn't he?"

"That shady casino in Loreos?"

"W-wait, Loreos? He sympathizes with them?"

"In these turbulent times? That's a riot!"

"How dares he?"

"Oh no you didn't!"

One bewildered drunk even tried to hit him with a marrowbone. He aimed well, but Wolfgang, thanks to his spider werewolf senses, easily caught it.

"Hmmm, a marrowbone, these folks must really like this song, let's show them the dance..." Wolfgang turned his back at the crowd and, as part of the choreography, started to violently shake his buttocks. This was way more than what the enraged Lenfels could handle.

"He is making fun of us! Let's smack him!"

THE END?

_____________________________________

Alternate views:

Tavern, main

Tavern, side view

Tavern, details

Brawl, main

Brawl, close up

Brawl, details

_____________________________________

*: I had roughly an 8 months long building break due to moving related stuff.

**: Why, of course live music, what else, I hear you asking. Lenfald's (in)famous innovator, Lennox Munro (Sir Caelan's older brother) invented a music-playing device but it never received international critical acclaim. People claimed that it sounds like a cat locked up in a box (which in fact was the key element of the invention).

***: ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD

****: written by the Lenfel Sir Munro Mix-a-lot

This is my grandfather, Matthew's great grandfather. He's almost 90 years old and Matthew just turned 90 days old.

It's an absolute pleasure seeing them together.

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Photo Credit: Abby Wood, Smithsonian's National Zoo

In this photo: Visitors enter the Smithsonian's National Zoo.

Date: 10.18.2013

The National Zoo is OPEN!

We appreciate your support. As a token of our thanks, all Zoo visitors will receive a 10 percent discount on food and merchandise October 18 through 20. Everyone 18 and younger can ride the carousel for FREE!

nationalzoo.si.edu/smithsoniannationalzooapp/

This is a metal park bench, and it has quite a bit of lichen growing on the shady side. I remember when these were put in--about 15 years ago. I have noticed the lichen growing only over the last couple of years, but it could have been there longer.

A contributor on iNaturalist suggests this is Flavoparmelia.

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The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is held annually during August in Bristol, England. Teams from the UK and other parts of the world bring their hot air balloons to the site and participate in mass ascents where as many as 100 balloons may launch at a time.

The event was first held in 1979 where it was dreamt up over a drink in a pub in Bristol. Just 27 hot air balloons took part in the first Fiesta at Ashton Court, which made 117 flights over the city. It is now one of the largest in Europe. It is now common to have crowds of over 100,000 on each of the four days of the festival. It takes place in a large country estate at Ashton Court. Mass launches are made twice a day, at 6am and 6pm, subject to weather conditions.

One popular attraction is the night glow, when balloons are inflated and glow to music after dark. These are held on the opening Thursday night at approx 9:30pm, followed by a spectacular fireworks display. There is another night glow at the same time followed by the fireworks on the Saturday night. Some people see these as the highlight of the fiesta.

The balloon makers, Cameron Balloons are near to the fiesta site, in Bedminster, and make many of the special shaped balloons, which have included Rupert the Bear, The Scottish Piper, Bertie Bassett, and the Tesco Trolley. Many shapes have also attended the fiesta from abroad, over the years a UFO and a beaver have travelled from the USA, a Kiwi Bird from New Zealand, and an upside down balloon from Holland.

The Fiesta costs nearly £500,000 to stage and is funded through a combination of commercial sponsorship, corporate hospitality, exhibitor stands and car park income. The show now combines ballooning with music concerts and a huge variety of entertainment for the family and is one of the UK's biggest outdoor events.

In 2003 the fiesta celebrated it's 25th anniversary.

Now in its 34th year in 2012, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is Europe's largest annual Hot Air Balloon event and one of the UK's top five outdoor events.

The Fiesta attracts 500,000 visitors during the show's four days and it's absolutely FREE to attend.

With mass Hot Air Balloon ascents at 6.00am and 6.00pm, the infamous Nightglows on both Thursday and Saturday evenings, arena and air displays, over 250 trade stands and caterers, and a variety of other entertainments, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is an event not to be missed.

Whether you want a fun packed day out for all the family, to meet up with friends for a drink whilst watching 150 balloons lift off, or simply to come and soak up the atmosphere at our village green - we can guarantee you a great time.

Ayesha Ansari is currently pursuing BBA (Hons) at Hajvery University (HU). She was awarded a scholarship to Study Abroad for 1 semester at Hochschule Liechtenstein, situated in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. The scholarship included Return AirTicket, Comprehensive Insurance, and 5000 Euros Stipend Money for daily expenses among other things. The following essay is written by her, which presents a glimpse of her Experience of Studying and Living Abroad in Europe.

My name is Ayesha Ansari, I am studying at Hajvery University (HU) as a BBA (Hons) student, and I would like to share my amazing and life-changing experience with the other students to encourage them to work harder and apply for these scholarships at HU.

I travelled to Vaduz, Liechtenstein to avail this scholarship opportunity given by Hajvery University & Erasmus Mundus, where I studied in a University named Hochschule Liechtenstein. This University is the most well-known university in the whole country.

My experience was fantabulous and outstanding. People there are quite independent and live very busy lives. I noticed they don’t try to interfere in anyone’s matters; however they are extremely co-operative and helpful.

Our lectures at the host university were conducted in the morning and some are in the evening, so I always went to university five minutes before to take the lecture and after lecture I spent some of my time in library and computer lab to review the lecture.

Apart from studies I also visited lot of cites and other countries i.e. Germany, Austria and Switzerland with the other scholarship students and my friend from HU, Sidra Nazir, who was also sent by Hajvery University as a Scholarship student to Lichtenstein. I visited different churches, libraries, museums and monuments of different cities named Zurich, Bern, Dornbrin, Buchs, Genneve, Chur etc. It was fun to visit the biggest water fall in Switzerland.

I learned basics of German language but I did not get a command in German language but I do understand a lot. During International and Christmas Dinner people from different countries have to make food items of their Mother land - Sidra and I cooked a delicious Biryani and for Christmas Dinner, we cooked mouth-watering Chicken Karahi. My friends from all over the world, and everyone else loved the Pakistani food!

Hochschule Liechtenstein also arranged a lot of events and tours, from time to time. I attended almost each and every event organized by them. Some of the events include International Dinner, Trip to Chocolate Factory, Halloween Night, Ball Night, Trip to Christmas Market and Christmas Dinner, Farewell Dinner and Ski and lots more .

I didn’t face any cultural shock as I knew what to expect about the culture of Europe. The only problem I faced was to search Halal meat but that too solved after a couple of days when some of the Muslim students guided me. I made a lot friends from different nationalities -from Bulgaria , Taiwan , Japan, China, Czech-Republic, Austria, Poland, India, Spain, Egypt, Germany etc , most of whom I am still in touch with them through facebook!

As far as Cuisine is concerned it was so good and as I am a cheese lover so I really enjoyed and loved one of the traditional Swiss dish named Foundue. I did a lot of shopping with the scholarship money, As I already have my laptop so I did not buy any laptop from the scholarship money. Luckily I did not face any problem during the exchange semester as their administration and management was quite co-operative.

I will definitely miss the hospitality and the perfect management of the administration of the host university, the pleasant and frosty weather and obviously The Scholarship money…..seriously that helps me a lot in shopping and visiting cities .

My experience as a Scholarship student was out of the world. When I analyze myself after the student abroad program……I find myself more confident and mature. My convincing power, communication and presentation skills are much more improved .It is one of the best chance to experience different cultures at one place and I really enjoyed experiencing and understanding different cultures. In short I become more polished, independent about taking the decisions.

Its fun to get a scholarship as it makes the life little jazzy. Thank-you Hajvery University ,Erasmus Mundus and Hochschule Liechtenstein.

HU is a joint-signatory of EM 2009-2013 Consortium of 20 Universities from Europe and SAARC countries, which allows the partner universities to send and host students between the consortium members. HU is grateful for European Commission for such initiatives and the funding to make this all possible, moreover to all our Partner Universities for co-operating to make this a success.

If you liked this post, you will definitely enjoy reading these posts:

Orientation Seminar for HU Study Abroad Students.

HU in International Landscape.

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and Hajvery University (HU) sign MoU of Educational Cooperation & Scientific Research.

Adnan Abdul Khaliq, Study Abroad Scholarship recipient talks about his experienc @ Fontys University, Netherlands.

Prof. Jeanne Schreurs, Hasselt University Belgium visits Hajvery University (HU), explores Cooperation / Dual Degrees between both Universities.

For Further Information, Queries regarding Study Abroad opportunities at Hajvery University (HU), and Study Abroad Scholarships contact:

Office of Foreign Affairs & Planning

Hajvery University (HU)

Email : intl@hup.edu.pk

web: hup.edu.pk/offices/foriegn-affairs-a-planning

Sorry to see that since I last photographed Edward's family grave and memorial on 2 March 2008, the headstone is now sitting off its plinth :o(

Those photos are in the comments section below.

11 Jan 2022: Julia and Edward's GG Granddaughter kindly sent me the image of Julia's grave shortly after she had died in 1898. It can be seen here:

flic.kr/p/2mWyAhr

Rifleman Edward Henry VAZEY M.M. (Military Medal)

‘Eddie’

Beloved son of

Edward & the late Julia VAZEY

Who was Killed in Action, Messines, France

22 June 1917 - aged 19 years

And of his chum

Rifleman Hector WALKER

Killed in Action 7 June 1917

Aged 22 years

Until we meet again

Edward’s parents & siblings headstone to the right:

In loving memory of

Julia

The beloved wife of

Edward H VAZEY

Died March 17 1898

Aged 39 years

Also Ruby and Pearl

Twin children of the above

Born November 16th, 1894

Died February 15th and 27th 1895

Also to the memory of

Edward H VAZEY

Beloved husband of the above

Died 27 January 1925

Aged 76* years

JULIA

ANGLICAN DIVISION C Row 3, Plot 20

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 64, 17 March 1899, Page 8

In loving remembrance of my dear wife Julia, who died March 17, 1898 at Auckland.

We miss thee from our home, dear mother,

We miss thee from thy place,

A shadow o’er our life is cast,

We MISS the sunshine of thy face.

We miss thy kind and willing hand,

Thy fond and earnest care,

Our home is dark without thee,

We miss thee everywhere.

Inserted by her loving husband and children. – Edward H. Vazey, Boston Road, Auckland.

[other memorial notices inserted by her daughters Nelly and Katie; and her sister Mrs HAYNES of Mercer] [4]

Julia gave birth to:

1877 George John; died 15 April 1955 aged 77, marine engineer buried Waikumete PROTESTANT LAWN A Row 8, Plot 44

1881 Frances Kate married Sidney Francis ASHBY c1907

1883 Charles Edward

1885 Eva married Harold William John HARPER c1911

1887 Julia married George SOLOMON c1920

1891 Henrietta

1892 Mildred May died 14 Oct 1962 aged 70, buried Waikumete ANGLICAN DIVISION C Row 3, Plot 18

1895 Ruby died 1895

1895 Pearl died 1895

1898* Edward Henry Patrick died 1917

EDWARD junior

Born: 17 March 1896* [sic – military records], Auckland and registered as Edward Henry Patrick when birth registered

Military number: 26718

Occupation at enlistment: Stereotyper for Brett Printing Co.

Fair complexion; blue eyes; light brown hair

July 1916 suffered influenza

Awarded the M.M. for acts of gallantry in the field

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 227, 22 September 1917, Page 4

HOW RIFLEMAN VAZEY DIED.

MILITARY MEDAL WELL WON.

Mr. E. H. Vazey, of Edwin Street, Newton, by last mail received a letter from Lieut. A. J. F. Berry, N.Z. Rifle Brigade, relating certain facts connected with the death of the former gentleman's son at the battle of Messines. Rifleman Edward Henry Vazey was born in Auckland, and went away with the Seventeenth reinforcements when 19 years of age. Prior to going to the war he was an employee of the Brett Printing and Publishing Co. The following is the letter from Lieut. Berry:—

"Perhaps a word or two from one who knew your son, and was with him when his end came, will help in your sorrow. I was your son's platoon commander, from the time he joined until he met his death, and knowing him as I did I can sympathise with you in your loss. As a soldier be was always very keen and most reliable. It was during the fighting at Messines that he showed his real worth, and for his excellent work done during those operations I recommended him for a decoration which, alas! he will never wear. When I told him how, pleased I was with the work he had done he replied that he had only tried to do his job. On the morning of the advance on Messines he received a slight wound in the forearm, tout had no thought of turning back, as the sergeant in charge of his section had also been slightly wounded, but was still leading his men. Some days later, in a night attack on the Hun trenches, your son again distinguished himself. When we had gained our objective he went out and got into touch with the units on our right and left and later took a message back through a very heavy artillery barrage. He was absolutely fearless, and seemed to revel in doing a job that had a spice of danger about it. We were all very sorry when he was fatally shot in the head by a machine-gun bullet. His Military Medal was deservedly won, and is a fitting tribute to the work which he did as a soldier." [1]

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 160, 6 July 1917, Page 2

AUCKLAND RECIPIENTS.

Private Edward Vazey. who is reported as having been killed in action, gained the Military Cross for gallantry in the field, he was born in Auckland, his father being Mr. Edward Vazey, a well-known resident of Newton and a veteran of the Maori War. Private Vazey left with the 17th Reinforcements and was with the Rifle Brigade when he met his death. He was only nineteen years of age, but being of particularly good physique, enlisted when he was seventeen years of age being then a member of the staff of the stereotyping department of the Star.[3]

A photo of him is available at the national museum:

“Killed in action at Messines (22.6.17) Rifleman Vazey came of a fighting family. His father fought and was wounded in the Maori War and his grandfather was a veteran of the Crimean War, having served in H.M. 58th Regiment.”

ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServle...

Restrictions may apply: Special conditions apply to using or handling this record for preservation reasons.

CWGC site record: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1738369

Cenotaph website record [with photo]: muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/RecordDetail.a...

Vazey's 'chum' also mentioned on the headstone has a Cenotaph record with portrait here:

muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/cenotaph/RecordDetail.a...

EDWARD senior

ANGLICAN DIVISION C Row 3, BETWEEN Plot 18-20

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 22, 28 January 1925, Page 4

FOUND DEAD ON LANDING.

BODY OF ELDERLY MAN, A MILKMAN'S DISCOVERY.

The body of an old man in a partial state of decomposition was the gruesome discovery of a milkman doing the rounds in the vicinity of Belgium Street, Newton, yesterday. Deceased was named Edward Vazey, and was one of the milkman's regular customers, residing at 12 Edwin Street. When making his usual call at about 7 o'clock yesterday morning, the milkman noticed that the milk he had left on the previous day had been left untouched and upon further investigation he discovered the dead body on the landing at the top of the stairs. The Newton police were informed and the body subsequently removed to the hospital mortuary. Deceased was 76 years of age and he had been receiving medical attention an inquest will not be necessary.

[2]

Occupation: Blacksmith

Aged stated as 77 on cemetery database

Update 11 Jan. 2022: Edward Senior was a Maori War Veteran, enrolled under the name of Edward ANDREWS** in the Armed Constabulary on 10 December 1868 and he voluntary discharged on 16 March 1870. He was wounded in the elbow at the taking of a pa and also fought in the Urewera. His military personnel record is available at:

www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=22347673

There is a probate available for a Edward Henry VAZEY 1925 but additional archives description states “Avondale – Police Officer”

archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23091960

PEARL

ANGLICAN DIVISION C Row 3, Plot 20

Aged 10 weeks

Funeral director: “Family involved”

RUBY

ANGLICAN DIVISION C Row 3, Plot 20

Funeral director: “Family involved”

…at her parents’ residence. Anglesea street, Ponsonby, Ruby, twin daughter of Edward and Julia Vazey; aged 11 weeks. The Lord said “Suffer little children to come unto me.” Private interment.[3]

* according to NZ Dept Internal Affairs historic BDM indexes or transcription error on their part.

**his mothers second husband's surname but as an adult took back onboard VAZEY as his surname.

SOURCES:

Cemetery database

NZ Dept Internal Affairs Historic BDM indexes

[1]

paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=AS...

[2]

paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=s...

[3]

paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=s...

[4]

paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=s...

here the project:

www.flickr.com/groups/italiangirlsphotographers/discuss/7>

HAPPINESS IS …….to be able to remain an eternally playful child at heart, ….even among grown-ups, ….when being a grown-up yourself,…., and share joyfully the divine Beauty around you, together with your fellow human beings , …. feeling deeply this divine blessing of your amazing HAPPINESS inside and around you !!! …..With the greatest, sweetest gratitude ever, ….for ever!!!!!….

( *** From the eternally uplifting Beauty of the Keukenhof Park of Holland!!)

This is a female Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis) in one of my garden bee-hotels. She's checking-out the weather between the heavy rain storms that we've been having. The cooler conditions do have the advantage that some of the more "flighty" invertebrates are less active and easier to photograph!

I liked this "profile" shot because it shows the two little facial "horns" that give this bee its Latin name. The horns are used for manipulating the mud used in nest building.

 Here is a borrowed image and text about the B52, which I use to fly in during the Vietnam conflict. Shown is the "payload" of the bomber. It's total conventional munitions capability (non-nuclear). Yes, we DID fly over the U.S. with armed Hydroghen bombs on board.

Borrowed from

The USA's B-52 fleet began service in the 1950s, but the USA's inability to build and sustain a modern bomber force that could replace it, coupled with a relatively low number of hours flown on sturdy airframes, has led to a long series of upgrades and modifications that could keep its B-52 fleet in service for over 80 years before all is said and done.

ABC's and 123's One is for One Beautiful Piece of Art from a One-of-a-Kind Friend!

I have liven in Kent since 2007, and hadn't visited Sevenoaks before yesterday. It being one of Kent's major towns, this is something of a surprise, I even had to check my photostream on here to make sure: nothing for Sevenoaks.

For me, Sevenoaks is famous for two things: 1. the seven oaks destroyed in the 1987 "hurricane" and I suppose home to the chain of hi-fi shops, Sevenoaks Audio, though I didn't see a branch during my visit.

I don't know why I decided to visit here today, the idea had been to go to Nunhead to a large rambling and overgrown Victorian cemetery (more of that later), and the Southeastern website suggested the way there was via St Pancras and then on Thameslink. I thought there must have been a route across Kent, which is how I came to be in Sevenoaks, change here for Nunhead.

So, why not explore the town before travelling on?

So, I guess that's why I was here.

The spread of the new COVID variant meant I did consider cancelling the trip, but with no new lockdowns announced on Monday, and armed with a mask I set off, Jools dropping me off at Dover Priory at half six, withenough time for a gingerbread latte (with an extra shot) before my train pulled in.

Less than a dozen got in the 12 carriages, and there service trundled through Kent, Ashford, Pluckley, Marden, Staplehurst, Tonbdrige to deposit me here at Sevenoaks.

I and half a dozen people got off, I lingered to take a couple of shots before the long walk up the hill to the town centre.

Thanks to GSV, I had travelled up London Road to the centre of town, so knew it was a hike, but worth it. I mean, no point going somewhere if there was nothing of worth to snap, was there?

At first I walked past large houses, then at the major road junction, a sparkling Ferrari Dealership, not something we have in Dover, and not sure if Canterbury even has one. But Sevenoaks does, as well as on one, not two, but three dry cleaners, all looking busy.

The main shopping area had old pubs and coaching inns, clapboard houses and other with peg tiles decorating the outside, all got photographed, of course.

Att he top of the shopping streets, where the two A roads meet, there is a fine pre-warboys signpost that I snapped good and proper.

Finally, as the hill flattened out, the buildings got older still, before coming to the parish church, which I knew from research was almost impossible to get inside judging by the reviews left.

It wasn't yet nine, my back was complaining, so I took a seat in the chuchyard to wait.

Wait for what, I do not know.

The clocked chimed mournfully for nine, to the south, a couple of workmen repair the top of the substantial wall, and I guess the ownes comes into the churchyard to find bricks that have fallen from it. The wall is at least twenty feet high, separating the church from the grand house, I wonder what the owners thought were being kept out?

--------------------------------------------

The church looks well from the main street, with its east end almost on the road. Built of local stone, the nave, aisles, chapels and tower are typical of fifteenth-century design. The church has been so often restored - in 1812, 1878, 1954 and most recently in 1994 when a crypt was built - that its historical interest is limited. However, the stained glass windows by Kempe and Heaton, Butler and Bayne are of excellent quality, especially those in the south aisle. There are also some interesting monuments, including one to William Lambarde (d. 1601), the first Kentish historian.

www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Sevenoaks+1

--------------------------------------------

SEVENOKE.

NEXT southward from Seale lies the parish and town of SEVENOKE, called, in the Textus Roffensis, SEOUENACCA, which name was given to it from seven large oaks, standing on the hill where the town is, at the time of its being first built. It is now commonly called SENNOCK.

THE PARISH of Sevenoke is situated partly above and partly below the great ridge of sand hills which runs across this county, and divides the upland from the Weald or southern district of it. It is divided into three districts, the Town Borough, Rotherhith or Rethered, now called Riverhead, and the Weald. The parish is of considerable extent, being five miles in length, from north to south, and about four miles in width. The soil of it varies much; at and about the town, it is a sand, as it is towards the hill southward, below which it is a stiff clay, and towards the low grounds, to Riverhead, a rich sertile soil. It reaches more than a mile below the hill, where there is a hamlet, called Sevenoke Weald, lying within that district, for it should be known, that all that part of this parish, which lies below the great range of sand hills southward, is in the Weald of Kent, the bound of which is the narrow road which runs along the bottom of them, and is called, to distinguish it, Sevenoke Weald; thus when a parish extends below, and the church of it is above the hill, that part below, has the addition of Weald to it, as Sevenoke Weald, Sundridge Weald, and the like.

THE TOWN of Sevenoke lies about thirty-three miles from London, on high ground above the sand hill, the church, which is situated at the south end of it, is a conspicuous object each way to a considerable distance. The high roads from Westram; and from London through Farnborough, meeting at about a mile above it; and that from Dartford through Farningham and Otford, at the entrance of the town; and leading from thence again both to Penshurst and Tunbridge. Between the town and the hill there is much coppice wood, and a common, called Sevenoke common, on which is a seat, called Ash-grove, belonging to Mrs. Smith. The town of Sevenoke is a healthy, pleasant situation, remarkable for the many good houses throughout it, inhabited by persons of genteel fashion and fortune, which make it a most desirable neighbourhood. In the middle of the High-Street is the house of the late Dr. Thomas Fuller, afterwards of Francis Austen, esq. clerk of the peace for this county; near which is the large antient market-place, in which the market, which is plentifully supplied with every kind of provisions, is held weekly on a Saturday; and the two fairs yearly, on July 10, and Oct. 12, and where the business of the assizes, when held at Sevenoke, as they were several times in queen Elizabeth's reign, and in the year before the death of king Charles I. and once since, has been usually transacted. At the south end of it is a seat, the residence of Multon Lambard, esq. at a small distance westward is the magnificent mansion and park of Knole; and eastward, a small valley intervening, the seat of Kippington; at a little distance northward of the town is an open space, called Sevenoke Vine, noted for being the place where the great games of Cricket, the provincial amusement of this county, are in general played; this joins to Gallows common, so called from the execution of criminals on it formerly. In the valley below it is Bradborne, and the famous silk mills, belonging to Peter Nonaille, esq. called Greatness, near which are the ruins of the hospital or chapel, dedicated to St. John, where this parish bounds to Otford.

About a mile north-west from the town, where the two roads from London and Westerham meet, is the large hamlet of Riverhead, bounded by the river Darent and the parish of Chevening; in which, among others, is the seat of Montreal; that of Mrs. Petley; and of the late admiral Amherst and others; most of which the reader will find described hereafter.

In the Account of the Roman Stations in Britain, written by Richard, a monk of Cirencester, published by Dr. Stukely, the station, called Vagniacæ, is supposed to have been at Sevenoke, which is there set down as eighteen miles distant both from Medum, Maidstone; and Noviomagus, Croydon; but in this opinion he has hardly been followed by any one.

THE MANOR OF SEVENOKE was always esteemed as an appendage to that of Otford, and as such was part of the possessions of the see of Canterbury, till it was exchanged with the crown for other premises, by archbishop Cranmer, in the 9th year of Henry VIII. as will be further mentioned below.

THE MANOR OF KNOLE, with that of Bradborne, in this parish, had, according to the earliest accounts, for some time the same owners as the manors of Kemsing, Seale, and Bradborne. Accordingly, in king John's reign, they were in the possession of Baldwin de Betun, earl of Albemarle, from whom they went in marriage into the family of the Mareschalls, earls of Pembroke. Whilst one of these, William Mareschal, earl of Pembroke, sided with the rebellious barons at the latter end of king John's, and beginning of king Henry III's reign, the king seized on his lands, as escheats to the crown; during which time these manors seem to have been granted to Fulk de Brent, a desperate fellow, as Camden calls him. He was a bastard by birth, of mean extraction, who had come out of the low countries, with some foreign auxiliaries and freebooters, to king John's assistance, and became a great favorite, both with that king and his son, Henry III. from both of whom he was invested with much power, and had the lands of many of the barons conferred on him; till giving loose to his natural inclination, he became guilty of many cruelties and oppressions, and at length sided with prince Lewis of France in his design of invading England. But failing in this, he fled into Wales, and the king seized on all his possessions throughout England; after which, returning and pleading for mercy, in consideration of his former services, he was only banished the realm, and died in Italy soon afterwards, as is said, of poison. After which, the earl returning to his obedience, obtained the possession of these manor's again. (fn. 1) Hence they passed again in like manner to Hugh Bigod, earl of Norfolk, whose heir in the 11th year of king Edward I. conveyed them to Otho de Grandison; on whose death without issue, William de Grandison, his brother, became his heir; his grandson, Sir Thomas Grandison, passed away Knole to Geoffry de Say, and Braborne, Kemsing, and Seale, to others, as may be seen under their respective descriptions.

Geoffry de Say was only son and heir of Geoffry de Say, by Idonea his wife, daughter of William, and sister and heir of Thomas lord Leyborne, and was a man of no small consequence, having been summoned to parliament in the 1st year of king Edward III. and afterwards constituted admiral of all the king's fleets, from the river Thames westward, being then a banneret. He died in the 33d year of king Edward III. leaving William, his son and heir, and three daughters. William de Say left issue a son, John, who died without issue in his minority, anno 6 king Richard II. and a daughter Elizabeth, who was first married to Sir John de Fallesley, and afterwards to Sir William Heron, but died s. p. in the 6th year of king Edward IV. (fn. 2) so that the three sisters of William de Say became coheirs to the inheritance of this family. (fn. 3)

¶How the manor of Knole passed from the family of Say I do not find; but in the reign of king Henry VI. it was in the possession of Ralf Leghe, who then conveyed it by sale to James Fienes, or Fenys, as the name came now to be called, who was the second son of Sir William Fynes, son of Sir William Fienes, or Fynes, who had married Joane, third sister and coheir of William de Say above-mentioned. He was much employed by king Henry V. and no less in favor with king Henry VI. who, in the 24th year of his reign, on account of Joane, his grandmother, being third sister and coheir to William de Say, by an especial writ that year summoned him to parliament as lord Say and Seale; and, in consideration of his eminent services, in open parliament, advanced him to the dignity of a baron, as lord Say, to him and his heirs male. After which he was made constable of Dover-castle, and warden of the five ports, lord chamberlain, and one of the king's council; and, in the 28th year of that reign, lord treasurer; which great rise so increased the hatred of the commons against him, that having arraigned him before the lord mayor and others, they hurried him to the standard in Cheapside, where they cut off his head, and carried it on a pole before his naked body, which was drawn at a horse's tail into Southwark, and there hanged and quartered.

Of the THREE DISTRICTS, into which this parish is divided, of which those of Town Borough and the Weald have already been described, the remaining one of Riverhead is by no means inconsiderable. It lies about a mile from Sevenoke town, and seems formerly to have been written both Rotherhith and Rothered, comprehending the western part of this parish; it contains the large hamlet of Riverhead, in which are situated lord Amherst's seat of Montreal; that of Cool Harbour, late admiral Amherst's; and Mrs. Petley's; through this hamlet the road branches on the one hand to Westerham, and on the other across the river Darent towards Farnborough and London; hence it extends beyond Bradborne to the bounds of this parish, north-eastward, at Greatness, which is within it.

In this hamlet was the antient mansion, called Brook's Place, Supposed to have been built by one of the family of Colpeper, out of the materials taken from the neighbouring suppressed hospital of St. John. It afterwards came into the possession of a younger branch of the family of Amherst. Jeffrey Amherst, esq. bencher of Gray's-inn, was owner of it, and resided here at the latter end of the last century. He was descended of ancestors, who had been seated at Pembury in the reign of king Richard II. from whom, in a direct line, descended Richard Amherst, esq. who left three sons; the eldest of whom, Richard, was sergeant at law, and of Bayhall, in Pembury, in the description of which a full account will be given of him and his descendants. Jeffry, the second, was ancestor of the Riverhead branch, as will be mentioned hereafter; and William, the third son, left an only daughter, Margaret, married to John Champs of Tunbridge.

Jeffry Amherst was rector of Horsemonden, and resided at Southes, in Sussex, where he died, and was buried in 1662; whose grandson, Jeffry Amherst, esq. was of Riverhead, as has been before mentioned. and a bencher of Gray's-inn, and dying in 1713, was buried at Pembury. By his first wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Yates, esq. of Sussex, he had several children, of whom, Jeffry, the second son, only arrived at maturity, and was of Riverhead; he was a bencher of Gray's-inn, and dying in 1750, was buried in Sevenoke church, having married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Kerrill, esq. of Hadlow, by whom he had seven sons and two daughters, viz. Elizabeth, married to John Thomas, clerk, of Welford, in Gloucestershire; and Margaret, who died unmarried.

Of the sons, Sackville, the eldest, died unmarried in 1763, Jeffry the second, will be mentioned hereafter; John, the third, was of Riverhead, and viceadmiral of the blue squadron; he married Anne, daughter of Thomas Lindzee, of Portsmouth, by whom he had no issue; he died in 1778, and his widow re-married Thomas Munday, esq. The seventh son, William, was a lieutenant-general in the army, and married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Patterson, esq. of London. He died in 1781, leaving one son, William-Pitt, and a daughter, Elizabeth-Frances.

Jeffry Amherst, esq. the second son, became, at length, possessed of the mansion of Brooks, and attaching himself early in life to the prossession of a soldier, he acquired the highest military honours and preferments, after a six years glorious war in North America, of which he was appointed governor and commander in chief in 1760; which, when he resigned, the king, among other marks of his royal approbation of his conduct, appointed him governor of the province of Virginia.

¶The victorious atchievements of the British forces in North America, during Sir Jeffry Amherst's continuance there, cannot be better summed up than by giving two of the inscriptions on an obelisk, in the grounds of his seat at Montreal; viz.

www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-kent/vol3/pp60-105

"My dream is to show others that I can be independent, that girls can also earn money and look after their family."

Farzana Hasan narrowly escaped a child marriage attempt when she was only in third grade. After hearing the news, teachers at the UCEP school in Bangladesh rushed to Farzana’s mother to discuss the issue and she changed her mind. Some years later, a neighbour tried to trap Farzana into a marriage and the teachers once again rescued her. Now Farzana is still able to enjoy her study in grade 7 and wishes to get married at the right age.

This International Day of the Girl we’re celebrating successes of adolescent girls and working to break down barriers preventing them from achieving their dreams.

Information provided by UCEP www.ucepbd.org/

Background

The UK supports the UCEP programme in Bangladesh alongside other international donors including the Save the Children, Citi Bank NA, Australian High Commission, GIZ, many other local corporations, the private sector and the Government of Bangladesh. DFID has provided a £20 million programme over 4 years.

The programme’s purpose is to provide urban, poor, working children and youth – especially girls and women – with basic education, vocational skills training and the chance to gain employment in market led technical areas.

Find out more: www.ucepbd.org/

www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/dfid-bangladesh

Picture: Ricci Coughlan/DFID

------------------------------------------

Free-to-use photo

This image is posted under a Creative Commons - Attribution Licence, in accordance with the Open Government Licence. You are free to embed, download or otherwise re-use it, as long as you credit the source as 'Ricci Coughlan/DFID'.

Red howler

Do not use my pictures without permission - but feel free to contact me or visit my website: www.gevoeligeplaten.nl or go and like my Facebook page: FB gevoeligeplatenl

Varous Artists

Wednesday 6 - Friday 8 November, Check listing for times

Various Locations

Various Locations

Street Talks is a series of quickfire public talks, part of the Re@ct: Social Change Art Technology Symposium. Rather than your typical poster session, these talks will take place on the streets of Dundee in various locations. Free speech is essential to political and social change – these artists are quite literally taking it to the streets to share their creative practices.

Luisa Charles & Elke Reinhuber –Wednesday 6th November, 2pm, Slessor Gardens

Luisa Charles – discusses the intersections of disability and design, and how novel bespoke design practices could offer a solution to designing for all needs, where universal design could not. These design ideologies, that include co-design, individual centred design, mass customisation, and mass personalisation, are exemplified by case studies from pop culture design media, such as the Fixperts and BBC’s Big Life Fix. She analyses the social, technological, and economical shifts that are required for these practices to become mainstream, and the capability of bespoke design to cause enough disruption within the design economy to create a shift in capitalism.

Elke Reinhuber – The Urban Beautician moved recently from the speckless city state of Singapore, where she already developed her retirement plans, across the South China Sea, to protest-ridden Hong Kong. There, she observed how much effort the cleaners put up to keep these megapolises scrubbed and tidy. As they are frequently overlooked, the Urban Beautician captured some of them during their relentless daily routine. While they have adapted themselves to their particular duties, their skills are hardly ever honoured or even acknowledged. Paying homage to their Sisyphean challenge, they can be positioned now anywhere through Augmented Reality and venerated as perpetualised sculptures of our everyday heroes.The Urban Beautician tries to improve neglected details in our urban environment with interventions in public space and performances to camera. Since more than a decade she cares for things most people are oblivious to.

Ibarieze Abani and Daisy Abbott & Anders Zanichkowsky – Thursday 7th November, 1:30pm, Albert Square, by McManus Gallery Steps

Ibarieze Abani and Daisy Abbott – Transmedia storytelling uses multiple delivery channels to convey a narrative in order to provide a more immersive entertainment experience (Jenkins, 2009). Transmedia activism can be very broadly defined as using storytelling to “effect social change by engaging multiple stakeholders on multiple platforms to collaborate toward appropriate, community-led social action” (Srivastava, 2009). Activism depends on participation and collaboration within a community to avoid unsustainable or inappropriate top-down interventions. A similar concept, transmedia mobilization, uses transmedia storytelling to engage “the social base of a movement in participatory media making practices across multiple platforms” (Constanza-Chock, 2013) and also requires interaction from diverse voices from within the community.

Anders Zanichkowsky –“I Am in Your Hands: Smartphones and the erotics of the future”Social media artist and queer anarchist Anders Zanichkowsky will present excerpts and reflections from his current Grindr project, “Queen of Hearts,” as well as other recent projects reading Tarot cards on hookup apps and go-go dancing for a remote audience on Instagram. During this talk, Anders will use the same social media platforms that are the subject of his presentation, inviting you into the theory behind the work, and into the work itself. Equal parts cultural criticism, performance art, and experimental public speaking, this street talk will level the hierarchy of physical presence over virtual appearance, and scandalously suggest how thirst traps and sexting with strangers can indeed point us towards a radical future of queer intimacy and counterculture.

Mohammad Namazi & Matteo Preabianca – Friday 8th November, 1:30pm, Wellgate Centre, Victoria Road entrance

Mohammad Namazi – An Archive of Audio Disobedience, intervenes into the public realm, and collaborates with individuals, to construct a live-event. The event manifests through utilising a net-based sound archive, capable of involving participants in a collective form of sound-action, -publication, -demonstration, -performance, and -play.

The archive comprises various audio effects, sound segments, words, and computer-generated speeches – to stage a critical symphony, rooted in and derived from, socio-political concerns.

Matteo Preabianca – Mantra Marx is the eighth album for the NonMiPiaceIlCirco! Project. NonMiPiaceIlCirco! is a musical project that has been on since 2004, the year of the first album. Since then, the line-up has been in a constant change, with Matteo Preabianca the only member from the beginning. So they took The Capital from the shelf to read again. But who remembers it, especially young people? Let’s get rid of guitars and songs to give a didactic approach to the music. 25 tracks, one for each of the First Book’s 25 chapters. They use the lyrics as Hinduist mantras, where repetition is the key for a deep understanding of our life, and Marx as well. Its music, besides being lo-fi and badly made, is just an excuse. The lyrics are a summarized version of the aforementioned book, spoken by 25 different Mandarin native voices, completely unaware of the reason behind the recording. Still time to die as a Marxist(?). Developed and recorded in China.

About the Artists

Daisy Abbott is an interdisciplinary researcher and research developer based in the School of Simulation and Visualisation at The Glasgow School of Art. Daisy’s current research focusses on game-based learning, 3D visualisation, and issues surrounding digital interaction, documentation, preservation, and interpretation in the arts and humanities. She also collaborates with artists on works aiming to explore the nature of digital interactivity and digital art.

Luisa Charles is an interaction designer, multidisciplinary artist, and filmmaker. Having been exhibited in the Science Museum, Science Gallery London, London Design Festival, and various film festivals, amongst others, her work spans many themes across science and technology, social politics, and personal narratives. She specialises in installation design and physical computing, experience design, fabrication, and videography, and her work often comes under the umbrella of speculative and critical design. Her work focuses heavily on research processes, and forms itself organically through investigation and experimentation.

Ibarieze Abani is a recent Masters graduate in Serious Games and Virtual Reality at the Glasgow School of Art, where she has carried out projects about cultural heritage, gender inequality, transmedia storytelling and climate policy. She is an advocate of the capabilities of interactive digital media as a tool for opening up dialogues surrounding large scale themes such as climate justice, social justice and intersectionality. She has a keen interest in working with people using digital media to make meaningful and tangible differences on a societal scale.

Mohammad Namazi (b. 1981. Tehran) is an artist, educator and researcher based in London. Mohammad works through means of de-construction, collaboration, process, unlearning, and telematics systems within social and cultural realms. The studio operates as a research-lab for inter-disciplinary projects that can span video, sound, liveevents, graphics, photography, sculptural structures, and internet-based projects. He received his doctorate from UAL research in 2019, and currently teaches as visiting lecturer at Wimbledon, and Chelsea College of Arts. Mohammad is a member of research cluster Critical Practice.

Matteo Preabianca- Music and Languages…Music and Languages? How come? Matteo starts playing violin when he was a child, but he did not like it, especially when he tried to beat it on the table. It did not make any good sound. So, better drumming, right? Meanwhile playing and spending a lot his mum’s money to buy records he realised even speaking other languages was not so bad. Especially when he invented his own. Step by step, he turned into a music and languages teacher.

Elke Reinhuber is not your average artist, because she became a specialist on choice, decision making and counterfactual thoughts in media arts. Currently, Reinhuber teaches and researches at the School of Creative Media, CityU Hing Kong and is affiliated with the School of Art, Design and Media at NTU in Singapore. In her artistic practice, she investigates on the correlation between decisions and emotions and explores different strategies of visualisation and presentation, working with immersive environments, mixed reality, imaging technologies and performance. In addition, her alter ego, the ‘Urban Beautician’ is pursuing a life which Elke didn’t follow.

Anders Zanickowsky is an American artist and activist who uses platforms like Grindr and Instagram as actual sites for performances about desire, uncertainty, and vulnerability. He is committed to José Esteban Muñoz’s concept of queer futurity in which artists refuse the oppressive confines of the present and reach instead towards what can only be imagined. He has an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2019) and was a resident with The Arctic Circle program in Svalbard (2016). Since 2008 he has worked in movements for housing justice, prison abolition, and HIV/AIDS.

Photography by Kathryn Rattray

Diamond Head Lighthouse is a United States Coast Guard facility located on Diamond Head in Honolulu, on the island of Oʻahu in the State of Hawaiʻi.

The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

The Diamond Head Lighthouse was featured on a United States postage stamp in June 2007

Perast (Montenegrin: Пераст) is an old town in the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. It is situated a few kilometers northwest of Kotor and is noted for its proximity to the islets of St. George and Our Lady of the Rocks / Our Lady of the Rocks, is one of the two islets off the coast of Perast in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro (Sveti Đorđe [Saint George[). It is an artificial island created by bulwark of rocks and by sinking old and seized ships loaded with rocks. The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rocks (Italian: Chiesa della Madonna dello Scarpello) is the largest building on the islet; it has a museum attached. There is also a small gift shop close to the church and a navigation light at the western end of the islet. According to legend, the islet was made over the centuries by local seamen who kept an ancient oath after finding the icon of Madonna and Child on the rock in the sea on 22 July 1452. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_the_Rocks - cite_note-heritage-3 Upon returning from each successful voyage, they laid a rock in the Bay. Over time, the islet gradually emerged from the sea. The custom of throwing rocks into the sea is alive even nowadays. Every year on the sunset of 22 July, an event called fašinada in the local dialect, when local residents take their boats and throw rocks into the sea, widening the surface of the island, takes place. The church was renovated in 1722. The church contains 68 paintings by Tripo Kokolja, a famous 17th-century baroque artist from Perast. His most important painting, ten meters long, is The Death of the Virgin. There are also paintings by Italian artists, and an icon (circa 1452) of Our Lady of the Rocks, by Lovro Dobričević of Kotor. The church also houses a collection of silver votive tablets and a famous votive tapestry embroidered by Jacinta Kunić-Mijović from Perast. It took her 25 years to finish it while waiting for her darling to come from a long journey, and eventually, she became blind. She used golden and silver fibers but what makes this tapestry so famous is the fact that she also embroidered her own hair in it.

Junagarh Fort (Rajasthani: जुनाग्द क़िला) is a fort in the city of Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. The fort was originally called Chintamani and was renamed Junagarh or "Old Fort" in the early 20th century when the ruling family moved to Lalgarh Palace outside the fort limits. It is one of the few major forts in Rajasthan which is not built on a hilltop. The modern city of Bikaner has developed around the fort.

The fort complex was built under the supervision of Karan Chand, the Prime Minister of Raja Rai Singh, the sixth ruler of Bikaner, who ruled from 1571 to 1611 AD. Construction of the walls and associated moat commenced in 1589 and was completed in 1594. It was built outside the original fort of the city, about 1.5 kilometres from the city centre. Some remnants of the old fort are preserved near the Lakshmi Narayan temple.

Historical records reveal that despite the repeated attacks by enemies to capture the fort, it was not taken, except for a lone one-day occupation by Kamran Mirza. Kamran was the second son of the Mughal Emperor Babur who attacked Bikaner in 1534, which was then ruled by Rao Jait Singh. In the battle, the Mughals were defeated by Rathors. Kamran then returned to Lahore.

The 5.28 hectares large fort precinct is studded with palaces, temples and pavilions. These buildings depict a composite culture, manifest in the mix of architectural styles.

GEOGRAPHY

Junagarh fort is located in the arid region of the Thar desert of Rajasthan bordered on the northwest by the Aravalli range, a range of mountains in western India. Part of the desert area is in Bikaner city, which is one of the three desert triangle cities; the other two cities are Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. The name of the place where Bikaner city with its forts was established was then known as Jungladesh.

HISTORY

Before the present Junagarh Fort was built, an old stone fort existed in the city. This fort was built in 1478 by Rao Bika who established the city of Bikaner in 1472. Rao Bika was the second son of Maharaja Rao Jodha of the Rathor clan, the founder of Jodhpur city. He conquered the large arid lands to the northern region of Rajasthan to set up his domain. As the second son of Jodha he had no chance of inheriting his father’s territory of Jodhpur or to the title of Maharaja. He, therefore, reconciled and decided to build his own kingdom at Bikaner at the place then called "Jungladesh". Bikaner, though a partly of the Thar Desert, was considered an oasis on the trade route between Central Asia and the Gujarat coast since it had adequate spring water sources. Bika’s name was thus tagged to the Bikaner city as well as to the then state of Bikaner (“the settlement of Bika”) that he established. The history of Bikaner and the fort within it thus start with Bika. It was only about 100 years later that Bikaner’s fortunes flourished under Raja Rai Singhji, the sixth ruler of Bikaner, who ruled from 1571 to 1611. During the Mughal Empire’s rule in the country, he accepted the suzerainty of the Mughals and held a high position of an army general in the court of Emperor Akbar and his son Emperor Jahangir. His successful war exploits by way of winning half of Mewar kingdom won him accolades and rewards from the Mughal emperors. He was gifted the jagirs (lands) of Gujarat and Burhanpur. With the large revenue earned from these jagirs, he built the Junagarh fort on a plain land, which has an average elevation of 230 m. The formal foundation ceremony for the fort was held on 17 February 1589 and the fort was completed on 17 January 1594. Raja Rai Singhji, was an expert in arts and architecture and the knowledge that he acquired during his several sojourns to several countries are amply reflected in the numerous monuments he built in the Junagarh fort. Thus the fort, a composite structure, became an outstanding example of architecture and a unique centre of art, amidst the Thar desert.

Karan Singh who ruled from 1631 to 1639, under the suzerainty of the Mughals, built the Karan Mahal palace. Later rulers added more floors and decorations to this Mahal. Anup Singh, who ruled from 1669–98, made substantial additions to the fort complex, with new palaces and the Zenana quarter (royal dwelling for females). He refurbished the Karan Mahal with a Diwan-i-Am (public audience hall) and called it the Anup Mahal. Gaj Singh who ruled from 1746 to 1787 refurbished the Chandra Mahal (the Moon palace). Following him, Surat Singh ruled from 1787 to 1828 and he lavishly decorated the audience hall (see picture in info box) with glass and lively paintwork. Dungar Singh who reigned from 1872 to 1887 built the Badal Mahal (the weather palace) named so in view of a painting of falling rain and clouds (a rare event in arid Bikaner). Ganga Singh who ruled from 1887 to 1943 built the Ganga Niwas Palace, which has towers at the entrance patio. This palace was designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob.[10] Ganga Singh’s son Sadul Singh succeeded his father in 1943 but acceded to the Union of India in 1949. He died in 1950.

Bikaner came under the suzerainty of the British Raj under a treaty of paramountcy signed in 1818, where after the Maharajas of Bikaner invested heavily on refurbishing their Junagarh fort. However, during the 18th century, before this treaty was signed, there was internecine war between rulers of Bikaner and Jodhpur and also amongst other Thakur, which was put down by the British troops. It is reported that during the attack by Jodhpur army, of the two entrances to the fort (one in the east and the other in the west), the eastern entrance and the southern rampart were damaged; marks of cannonballs fired are seen on the southern façade of the fort.

Ganga Singh was the best-known king among the Rajasthan princes. A favourite of the British Raj, he earned the title of Knight Commander of the Star of India. He served as a member of the Imperial War Cabinet, represented the country at the Imperial First World War Conferences and the British Empire at the Versailles Peace Conference and was aware of the shift of fortunes in the World War II but died in 1943, before the war was won by the allies. His contribution to the building activity in Junagarh involved separate halls for public and private audience in the Ganga Mahal and a durbar hall for formal functions. The hall where he held his Golden Jubilee as a ruler of Bikaner is now a museum. He also got a new palace - north of Junagarh fort - designed and built by Swinton, the third of the new palaces built in Bikaner and named it Lalgarh Palace in the name of his father and shifted his residence from Junagarh fort to this palace in 1902. The royal family still lives in a special suite in the Lalbagh palace, which they have converted into a heritage hotel.

STRUCTURES

The structures built within the Junagarh fort are the palaces and temples, which are made of red sandstone (Dulmera) and marble. The palaces are described as picturesque with their assortment of courtyards, balconies, kiosks and windows. The fort, the temples and the palaces are preserved as museums and provide insight into the grandiose living style of the past Maharanas of Rajasthan. The fort is called “a paradox between medieval military architecture and beautiful interior decoration”.

OVERVIEW

The massive fort built in the plains of Bikaner has a rectangular (quadrangular) layout with a peripheral length of 986 m. The fort walls are 4.4 m wide and 12 m in height. It encompasses an area of 5.28 ha. It was surrounded by a moat which was 6.1–7.6 m deep with a base width of 4.6 m and top width of 9.1 m. However, the moat no longer exists. The fort is well fortified with 37 bastions (‘burj’ in local language) and seven gates (two are main gates) to counter enemy attacks. The fort was built as a “new stronghold” outside of the ruins of an old fort built by Rao Bika and on the periphery of the Bikaner city walls (1.5 kilometres from the city centre); the old fort was demolished a century after it was built.

The fort with seven gates contains several palaces, pavilions and many temples of Hindu and Jain religions - the earliest dated to the 16th century. A major feature of the fort is the stone carving done in red and gold coloured sandstones. The interiors of the palaces are decorated and painted in traditional Rajasthani style. The Junagarh palaces have a large number of rooms, as every king built his own separate set of rooms, not wanting to live in his predecessors’ rooms. These structures were considered as “at par with those of Louis’s France or of Imperial Russia”. Several types of architectural style are discerned in the fort complex and hence it is called a true depiction of composite culture. The earliest style is of Rajput architecture, defined by Gujarati and Mughal architectural influence reflecting the association with Mughal rulers, the second type is of semi-western architecture reflecting British influence, and finally the revivalists Rajput architecture that evolved particularly during the rule of Maharaja Ganga Singh. Only the most representative of all these architectural styles are on display for visitors. Thus, the unique monuments on display in the Junagarh Fort represent sixteen successive generations of the rulers of Bikaner, starting from the end of the 16th century.

GATES

While the main entry gate was Karan Pol or Parole, facing east, the current gate of entry is called Suraj Pol (meaning the Sun gate), 'pol' also colloquially spelt prol, built in gold coloured or yellow sandstone, unlike the other gates and buildings built in red sandstone. It is the east facing gate permitting the rising Sun’s rays to fall on the gate, which is considered a good omen. The doors of this gate are strengthened with iron spikes and studs to prevent ramming by elephants during an attack. At the entrance to the gate, two red stone statues of elephants with mahouts stand as sentinels. The gate was also the location for announcing the arrival and departure of royalty by musicians playing the trumpet from a gallery in the gate. The other gates are Karan Pol, Daulat Pol, Chand Pol (a double gate) and Fateh Pol; these provided access to various monuments in the fort. The Karan Pol gate is also braced with iron spikes to prevent battering of the gate by elephants. To the right of this gate is Daulat Pol. Forty-one hand imprints are seen on the Daulat Pol gate wall, in red colour, of the wives of the Maharajas of Bikaner, who committed sati (self immolation) on the funeral pyres of their husbands who died in battle.

Between the main gate and the palace, there is a quadrangle, and then another gate called the Tripolia gate (triple gateway) before accessing the royal chambers. Next to this gate is a small temple called the Har Mandir, where the Royal family used to offer worship. In the quadrangle, which houses a large pavilion with a water pool built in Carrara Italian marble. The Karan Mahal, where public audience was held in the Diwan-i-Am by Karan Singh (1631–39) and his successors till the 20th century, can also be seen in the same quadrangle.

TEMPLES

Har Mandir temple was the royal chapel - private temple of the royal family. The royal family celebrated the Hindu festival of Dussera and Gangaur here, apart from celebrating other family functions such as birthdays and marriages. In the Dussera celebrations, weapons and horses were worshipped here. The main deities worshipped in this temple are the Hindu deities Lakshmi Narayan, a combined representation of god Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi.

The Ratan Behari temple located near the Junagarh Fort, was built in 1846 by the 18th ruler of Bikaner. It was built in Indo-Mughal architectural style using white marble. The Hindu god Krishna is deified in this temple.

PALACES

Karan mahal (Public Audience Hall) was built by Karan Singh in c.1680 to mark his victory over the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. It is considered as one of the most exquisite palaces built with gardens, which displays the aesthetic sensibilities of the royalty of Rajasthan. It has stained glass windows and intricately carved balconies built in stone and wood fluted columns. Later Rajas, Anup Singh and Surat Singh, also added lot of glitter to this palace with inlaid polychrome glass, intricate mirror patterns, and red and gold paint. In the coronation chamber, there is a shored up alcove, which was used as a throne.

Phool Mahal ("Flower Palace") is the oldest part of the palace and was built by king Raja Rai Singh of Bikaner, who ruled between 1571-1668.

Anup Mahal is a multi-storey structure, which functioned as the administrative headquarters of the kingdom. It has ornate wooden ceilings with inlaid mirrors, Italian tiles, and fine lattice windows and balconies. It has some gold leaf paintings. It is considered as one of the “grandest construction”.

Chandra Mahal has the most luxurious room in the palace, which houses gold plated deities and paintings inlaid with precious stones. In the royal bedroom, mirrors have been strategically placed so that the Maharaja could see from his bed, any intruder entering his room.

Ganga Mahal was built in the 20th century by Ganga Singh who reigned for 56 years from 1887 to 1943, has a large durbar hall known as the Ganga Singh Hall that houses the Museum. The museum has exhibits of war weaponry and also a World War I aeroplane (biplane), which is stated to be well maintained.

Badal Mahal (The weather palace) is part of the Anup Mahal extensions. It has paintings of Shekhawati Dundlod chiefs paying respects to the Maharaja of Bikaner in different types of turbans. Photos of people standing on nails, wood, swords and saws are also depicted here – a display of faith and endurance. The walls in this palace depict fresco paintings of the Hindu god Krishna and his consort Radha amidst the rain clouds.

Bikaneri Havelies located both within and outside the fort in the Bikaner city’s by lanes are also of unique architectural style in home architecture. Aldous Huxley who visited these havelis reportedly said “They are the pride of Bikaner.”

FORT MUSEUM

The museum within the fort called the Junagarh Fort Museum was established in 1961 by Maharaja Dr.Karni Singhji under the control of "Maharaja Rai Singhji Trust". The Museum exhibits Sanskrit and Persian manuscripts, miniature paintings, jewels, royal costumes, farmans (royal orders), portrait galleries, costumes, headgear and dresses of gods’ idols, enamelware, silver, palanquins, howdahs and war drums. The museum also displays armoury that consists of one of the assorted collection of post medieval arms.

MAHARAJA RAI SINGHJI TRUST

Maharaja Rai Singhji Trust has been set up by the 'Royal family of Bikaner' with the basic objective to showcase the fort with professional inputs in various areas and to improve the experience for visitors. Another objective is to promote education and research scholarships, cultural activities, setting up of libraries and integration with other such trusts.

WIKIPEDIA

XH - Talon - 8th Gen VTOL Hypersonic UCAV (IT1 This is not a graphics design)

2022 - New level of technology developed, XH Talon 8th VTOL Hypersonic UCAV

49' Length, 25' Span, Wings Folded: 16' Span

www.ioaircraft.com

Link to Engines/Propulsion www.ioaircraft.com/hypersonic/utbcc.php

Extreme capabilities, unseen by the humans including black programs. H2 fueled (kero based scramjet engines are not able to operate long above M6) with a kero reserve for ferry flights, subsonic, etc. It can adapt in flight from 100% kero through 100% H2 making it an advanced hybrid.

Summary technologies of the below (real, not academics) 49' length, less then 6' height, 25' span

-6000+F thermal resistance (3rd gen, normalizing high hypersonic flight and orbital re-entry making ablatives and ceramics obsolete entirely)

-graphene airframe (33X tensile strength of titanium but 1/100th the weight of styrofoam)

-VTOL (advanced vtol capabilities, which every aspect is composites)

-u-tbcc propulsion (thru m15 in atmosphere, unified turbine based combined cycle dual mode ramjet/scramjet)

-graphene based super conducting motors for the lift fans (no antiquated shaft driven lift fans)

-H2 Compressed, 1,600 gallons 16,000 PSI (already flown, and patented, publicly, 2nd gen is 16,000 PSI)

-400 gallon kero reserve (hybrid capable)

-Internal bay 154" length to accommodate 1 2,000 JDAM or 3 500 LBS and anything else in between

-3,000+NM RANGE from subsonic through hypersonic, ie Mach 9-14. Super Cruise is an estimated Mach 3. Is able to operate in ramjet mode as well, not just scramjet mode.

-The payload bay can also house a range extender tank conforming internally adding an additional 1,000+ nm range under power for longer range flights used for ferrying and also during intelligence gathering operations, mainly over russia and china.

-Folding wings (16' span folded) for naval operations + Internal tail hook

-Overall weight, at max payload of 3,000 LBS, Kero, and H2, apx 12,300 LBS (Less then the empty weight of an F-35. This is because H2 but also graphene airframe, and graphene/carbide hybrid surfacing)

-USAF version, just remove the lift fans and add more fuel capacity, give an additional 1,000+nm range internally

VTOL, ngad, ucav, arrw, hawc, glidebreaker, hypersonic, hypersonics, ksc, capecanaveral, spacecoast, spaceforce, hydrogen, graphene, darpa, airforceresearchlab, afwerx, defwerx, nasa, aviation, airbus, engineering, defense, icao, aiaa, nro, nrl, navsea, onr, afwerx, hsvtol, tbcc, darkstar, aerothermaldynamics, fighterjet, hypersonicfighter, innovation, aerospace, airplane

Virgin Orbit

Virgin Galactic

Sierra Nevada Corporation

Aevum Inc

NASA

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

AFOSR, Air Force Office of Scientific Research

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

AFWERX

United States Air Force

Air Force Research Laboratory

Firefly Aerospace

ESA - European Space Agency

SpaceX

Axiom Space

Airbus

Airbus Defence

BAE Systems

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Lockheed Martin

Raytheon Technologies

Rolls-Royce plc

National Reconnaissance Office

The Aerospace Corporation

Collins Aerospace

BlackSky

United Launch Alliance

TÉLÉSAT

ONE.Web

ICAO - International Civil Aviation Organization

Dassault Aviation

United States Space Force

Blue Origin

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Arianespace

This drawing is based on one made by MacGibbon & Ross. I have made a few changes to it, in particular, its orientation. M&R show the building orientated further clockwise, with the result that they call the south wing, the west wing etc etc. Nigel Tranter has copied M&R (as he often did) and the Canmore website has copied both of them - so they are all wrong! All the following references refer to the correct orientation, as shown here.

So, with that said, the three wings arranged as previously described, in a T, are plain to see. I will be making no further reference to the west wing, which is the most modern, having been added in the late 19th century. I imagine this is when the roof-line was made uniform over the whole building.

The old tower is clear to see, not just because it says 'Old Tower', but due to the massive thickness of its walls, which Tranter tells us reach 14 feet. This tower is believed to be 16th century and it was extended eastward, probably in the same century, to form the area known erroneously as the Guard Room. The north wall of this room is as thick as the original keep and M&R suggest that it may be of the same age. It was actually built as a kitchen, as demonstrated by the large fireplace at its east end, but when the kitchen was later moved to the newly built 17th century south wing and new entrances built alongside, 'Guard Room' became its convenient name (and just possibly its function).

The other interesting feature shown on this drawing is the passage, show in darker grey, that passes north/south through the wall that separates the old tower from the 16th century kitchen. It was excavated through the existing wall in the 19th century when the west wing was built and the "modern passage" added, as shown to the north. It provided the domestic staff with access from the kitchen in the south wing to the new west and the older east wings.

The porch shown by M&R and containing the word 'Entrances', has been removed.

View Large On Black

Chocolate Milk Is Good For Boxer - The Video Chocolate Milk - Cocoa Puffs TV Commercial Great Chocolate milk is sweetened cocoa-flavored milk It Is Good By: Chocolate Milk Rap Parody Displaying search results for Kinder Chocolate (Consumer Product) the number of total video 129386 Three-time IRONMAN world champion Craig Alexander featured in three new ads in the BUILT WITH CHOCOLATE MILK campaign carmelo anthony talks about his 'after' in this 30 second got chocolate milk? The Video Chocolate Milk - Cocoa Puffs TV Commercial Great 00:0:15 Chocolate milk has between 8 and 12 additional grams of sugar added · It Is Good By: Chocolate Milk Posts about Kinder Chocolate (Consumer Product) written by magictoysclub The new Built with Chocolate Milk campaign, the flavored, mustache-free sister of Got Milk The Video Chocolate Milk - Cocoa Puffs Tv Commercial Great (File : 3Gp, Flv, Mp4, WBEM, Mp3) Downing chocolate milk after a tough workout can help replenish exhausted muscles and significantly aid exercise recovery, new research shows It Is Good By: Chocolate Milk Duration: FEDER - Goodbye)) Duration: George Carlin - on airlines and flying Download and play online Kinder Chocolate (Consumer Product) Videos To mp3, mp4, 3gp, flv to your mobile phone, android, iphone, blackberry, tablet "Built With Chocolate Milk" partners with high-profile athletes, but that's not the only reason why its social media is successful Subscribe For More Boxing News: www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQQHa5xRhniFMFMw7O3RHQ youtu.be/z_x7TFBvSNA

At 6 weeks old Vincent was failing to thrive when Hypopara UK stepped in and told his mum about parathyroid hormone and a specialist who could help. Today Vincent gets his meds via a pump and is s strong 13 month old. Read his story in full here www.hypopara.org.uk

Íslandsmótið í fitness og vaxtarrækt sem haldið var í Háskólabíói 28,-29 apríl 2013.

Fitness karla.

www.fitness.is

Laredo is a fully functioning recreation of a late 1800's town in the American West. It recreates times gone by to the highest standard.

The town represents the American Wild West as it would have been in 1865 to 1889. It has has 24 buildings including a two-story Hotel with reception area, full-size saloon bar, theatrical-stage, double staircases leading to six-guest-bedrooms.

Located just twenty miles from London. All the building interiors are fully furnished and correctly decorated to the period. All available props are fully researched and would have been used within the time period. This resource is unique and is not available anywhere else in the UK.

Along the street is a Saloon, Marshals Office, working Blacksmiths, Livery Stables, General Store, Gunsmith, Wells Fargo, Wet-Plate Photographers Studio, Assay Office, Bank, Doctor/Dentist, Saddlery, Undertaker, Texas Rangers, Mining Company, Barber, Bakers, Cantina, Tobacconist, Attorneys Office and a Guest House. Complete with boardwalks, hitching rails, horse troughs, shop signage all strung along an unmade old western style street

Laredo was founded in 1971 by keen western enthusiast John Truder. The Laredo Western Club was formed when the group started to grow and needed a more structured organisation. The beginnings of the town started some years later and has gradually grown to what you see today.

Laredo Western Town is not open to the general public.

It looks like a breakdown van ride, It is made by Amutec and i don't know if any of those exist in the UK. If any of you have more information about this ride, please comment it here, thank you.

Oulton Park is a great circuit that has yet to be spoilt with run off areas the size of Brighton Beach and, as such, suits historic motor sport down to the ground. Drivers enjoy it as do spectators, who have the freedom to wander and watch almost at will. But it has to be said, today’s racing was boring. Maybe it’s too early in the year, maybe the grids were too small, or maybe the races, one lasting seventy-five minutes, were just too long.

Funnily enough, it was the race with the smallest entry that was the most exciting. Just eight cars started the Old Hall Trophy FF 1600 race but Douglas Crosbie and Samuel Carrington-Yates had a right ding dong battle for second place with neither giving an inch. In the end the two Van Diemans were beaten by the faster Ray GRS09 of Neil Alberico, with Douglas second.

The afternoon began with the Clay Hill Trophy 1970s Celebration Race, an easy win for Russell Paterson in the orange Morgan Plus Eight. The two Porsche 911 RSRs of Mark Bates and Paul Howells followed him home some thirty seconds adrift but it was the sideways Escort RS1800 of Mark Wright that provided a modicum of entertainment. Only eight cars finished.

The Pre-1966 Touring Car Race was jolly good fun with many battles breaking out during the sixty minutes of close encounters. Henry Mann seemed a might surprised to be given the chequered flag in his red Alan Mann Cortina, beating the similar Lotus of David Hall by seven seconds, while the Mustang of Dowd and Cooke went off song and although setting fasted qualifying time struggled to finish third. Further down in the pack, the Nick Smith Mini stormed home fourth leaving ex-F1 driver Roberto Moreno to die a death and retire. Retro-Speed favourites Andy Harrison and Tony Jardine peddled the red peril home to a well-judged thirteenth.

It should have rained for the Knickerbrook Trophy for World Sportscars but it didn’t, so the gaggle of Chevrons fought it out with the lone Lola for overall honours in the dry, depriving the spectators of at least one unpredictable race. That the Minshaws led the field home in their ultra rapid B8 was no big surprise. The same could not be said for the Lyons Lola T70 MK3b that popped and banged its way around the circuit for thirty minutes before eventually finishing well and truly last.

At 16:15 ten Pre-1966 GT cars set of on a seventy-five-minute marathon that had everybody falling asleep. The Mike Whitaker TVR Griffith stormed off into the distance and then slowed to a steady cruise after the Schryver/Hadfield Lotus 26R showed it lacked the consistent pace to mount a challenge. Everyone continued circulating, probably feeling ever lonely and unnecessarily burning fuel, until to everyone’s relief and with darkness in the air, the flag fell. The Marcos 1800GT of Tice and Conoly finished third while the pretty dark blue Diva GT of Aylett and Farrell led the Austin Healey 100/4 home at the tail end.

I came away feeling the Masters Series was jumping the gun. Like the Mille Miglia it needs glamour and sunshine to attract the crowds, both were missing from Oulton Park. For the organisers of this prestigious series of Championship gatherings, surely the season really begins in Barcelona.

Here is a picture of the oldest Red Sox hat that I own. It's a 47 Twins Red Sox hat. I believe that I bought it in late 2009 or early 2010. I have worn it countless times. It is very worn out looking now, and it's a bit too uncomfortable to wear. This is also my only Red Sox hat that is not navy colored. This hat is still extremely sentimental to me. I wear a Red Sox hat every day . This hat is still very important to me. It was one of my first Red Sox hats that I've owned. When this hat was still wearable,it was extremely comfortable

I might not be from Boston, but I will always be a diehard Red Sox fan.

Go Red Sox

Who is our neighbor? Whoever he/she is, we need to help him/her.

There is prostitution in every part of the world. And chances are there is human trafficking behind it. Government officials and cops are often bribed so few people know that this evil things happen in our areas.

Please help the women and teens who are forced to be sex slaves whenever you can or pray for them. Thank you and God bless you.

+++

Luke 10

The Good Samaritan

25 An expert in the Law of Moses stood up and asked Jesus a question to see what he would say. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to have eternal life?”

26 Jesus answered, “What is written in the Scriptures? How do you understand them?”

27 The man replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.’ They also say, ‘Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.’”

28 Jesus said, “You have given the right answer. If you do this, you will have eternal life.”

29 But the man wanted to show that he knew what he was talking about. So he asked Jesus, “Who are my neighbors?”

30 Jesus replied:

As a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, robbers attacked him and grabbed everything he had. They beat him up and ran off, leaving him half dead.

31 A priest happened to be going down the same road. But when he saw the man, he walked by on the other side. 32 Later a temple helper[i] came to the same place. But when he saw the man who had been beaten up, he also went by on the other side.

33 A man from Samaria then came traveling along that road. When he saw the man, he felt sorry for him 34 and went over to him. He treated his wounds with olive oil and wine[j] and bandaged them. Then he put him on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next morning he gave the innkeeper two silver coins and said, “Please take care of the man. If you spend more than this on him, I will pay you when I return.”

36 Then Jesus asked, “Which one of these three people was a real neighbor to the man who was beaten up by robbers?”

37 The teacher answered, “The one who showed pity.”

Jesus said, “Go and do the same!”

Once upon a time, I guess Kingsnorth was a small leafy village, set in loamy countryside, rarely visited. Indeed this is what Hasted suggests.

Set a mile or two outside Ashford, all was calm and peaceful until the railways came to Ashford and the town grew and grew.

In the 21st century, Kingsnorth is found from the main road into the town centre, along a busy road to where the old village pub still sits. And opposite is the start of Church Hill, at the top, not surprisingly, sits the church.

Inbetween now is a large and modern housing estate, and beside the church, a busy school, even busy on a Saturday morning due to football practice and the fleet of MPVs and Soccer Moms taking their darlings for a kickabout.

It is the modern way, after all.

St Michael sits quietly next door to the school, the end of a footpath leading to another housing development on the Brenzett road, were an old friend once had a house. And I can remember him leading us on a walk over the fields through clouds of Gatekeepers where we found, as today, the church open.

I took a few shots then, but am back now to complete the task.

First highlight was the 17th century graffiti in the porch.

In truth it is a small and simple church, mostly clear what looks like modern glass, though a single panel of ancient glass is in one of the north have windows and a single panel of wall painting on the side of the north chancel arch.

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KINGSNOTH,

THE next parish south-eastward is Kingsnoth, sometimes called Kingsnode, and by Leland written Kinges-snode.

THIS PARISH is so obscurely situated as to be but little known, the soil in it is throughout a deep miry clay; it is much interspersed with woodlands, especially in the south-east part of it, the whole face of the country here is unpleasant and dreary, the hedge rows wide, with spreading oaks among them; and the roads, which are very broad, with a wide space of green swerd on each side, execrably bad; insomuch, that they are dangerous to pass except in the driest time of summer; the whole of it is much the same as the parishes adjoining to it in the Weald, of which the church, which stands on the hill nearly in the middle of the parish, is the northern boundary, consequently all that part of it southward is within that district. There is no village, the houses standing single, and interspersed throughout it At no great distance eastward from the church is the manor house of Kingsnoth, still called the Park-house, the antient mansion, which stood upon a rise, at some distance from the present house, seems from the scite of it, which is moated round, to have been large, remains of Mosaic pavement, and large quantities of stone have been at times dug up from it. South-eastward from the church is Mumfords, which seems formerly to have been very large, but the greatest part of it has been pulled down and the present small farm-house built out of it; westward from the church stands the court-lodge, now so called, of East Kingsnoth manor, it is moated round, and seems likewise to have been much larger than it is at present, and close to the western boundary of the parish is the manor-house of West Halks, which has been a large antient building, most probably of some consequence in former times, as there appears to have been a causeway once from it, wide enough for a carriage, which led through the courtlodge farm towards Shadoxhurst, Woodchurch, and son on to Halden, remains of which are often turned up in ploughing the grounds. In the low grounds, near the meadows, is the scite of the manor of Moorhouse, moated round. The above mansions seem to have been moated round not only for defence, but to drain off the water from the miry soil on which they were built, which was no doubt the principal reason why so many of the antient ones, in this and the like situations were likewise moated round. There is a streamlet, which rises in the woods near Bromley green, and slows along the eastern par to this parish northward, and joining the Postling branch of the Stour near Sevington, runs with it by Hockwood barn and under Alsop green, towards Ashford. Leland in his Itinerary says, vol. vii. p. 145, "The river of Cantorbury now cawled Sture springeth at Kinges Snode the which standeth sowthe and a lytle by west fro Cantorbury and ys distant of Cant. a xiiii or xv myles."

THE ROYAL MANOR OF WYE claims paramount over this parish. The lord of that manor, George Finch Hatton, esq. of Eastwell, holds a court leet here for the borough of East Kingsnoth, which claims over this parish, at which a borsholder is yearly appointed; subordinate to which is THE MANOR OF KINGSNOTH, which in early times was the residence of a family to which it gave name, who bore for their coat armour, as appeared by seals appendant to their antient deeds, Ermine, upon a bend, five chevronels; and John de Kingsnoth, who lived here about the latter end of king Edward I. sealed with that coat of arms; yet I find that Bartholomew de Badlesmere, who was attainted about the 17th year of king Edward II had some interest in this manor, which upon his conviction escheated to the crown, and remained there until Richard II. granted it to Sir Robert Belknap, the judge, who had, not long before, purchased that proportion of this manor which belonged to the family of Kingsnoth, by which he became possessed of the whole of it; but he being attainted and banished in the 11th year of that reign, that part which had belonged to Badlesmere, and was granted by the king to Sir Robert Belknap, returned again to the crown, a further account of which may be seen hereafter. (fn. 1) But the other part of this estate, which belonged to the family of Kingsnoth likewise, henceforward called the manor of Kingsnoth, which seems to have been the greatest part of it, on the petition of Hamon Belknap his son to parliament, to be enabled in blood and lands to his father, notwithstanding the judgement against him, was restored to him, and he was found by inquisition to die possessed of it in the 7th year of king Henry VI. Soon after which I find Sir Thomas Browne, of Beechworth castle, treasurer of the king's houshold, to have become possessed of it; for in the 27th year of that reign, he obtained licence for a fair in this parish, on the feast of St. Michael, and that same year he had another to embattle his mansion here and to inclose a park, and for freewarren in all his demesne lands within this manor; and in a younger branch of his descendants this manor continued down to Richard Browne, esq. of Shingleton, in Great Chart, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Andrews, of Lathbury, in Buckinghamshire, and dying soon after the death of king Charles I. Elizabeth, their only daughter and heir, carried it in marriage to Thomas, lord Leigh, of Stoneleigh, who afterwards alienated it again to Andrews, in which name it continued till Alexander Andrews, executor and devisee of William Andrews, in 1690, conveyed this manor, with the farm called the Park, the manor of Morehouse, and other lands in this parish, being enabled so to do by act of parliament, to the company of haberdashers of London, as trustees, for the support of the hospital at Hoxton, commonly called Aske's hospital, in whom they are now vested. There is not any court held for this manor.

THE OTHER PART of the above-mentioned estate, which had formerly belonged to the family of Badlesmere, and had escheated to the crown on the attainder of Bartholomew de Badlesmere in the 17th year of king Edward II. remained there until Richard II. granted it to Sir Robert Belknap, on whose attainder and banishment in the 11th year of that reign it returned again to the crown, whence it seems, but at what time I have not found, to have been granted to the abbot and convent of Battel, in Sussex, by the name of THE MANOR OF EAST KINGSNOTH, together with the manors of West Kingenoth, in Pluckley; Morehouse, in this parish; and Wathenden, in Biddenden, lately belonging to that monastery, in as ample a manner as the late abbot, or any of his predecessors had possessed them, (fn. 2) and they continued part of the possessions of it till its dissolution in the 30th year of Henry VIII. when they came into the hands of the crown, where they staid but a short time; for the king that year granted these manors to Sir Edw. Ringsley for his life, without any rent or account whatsoever; and four years afterwards the king sold the reversion of them to Sir John Baker, one of his council, and chancellor of the first fruits and tenths, to hold in capite by knight's service. He died in 1558, possessed of this manor, with the advowson of the church of Kingsnoth, and the manors of West Kingsnoth and Morehouse, held in capite, in whose descendants the manor of East Kingsnoth, with the advowson of the church, descended down to Sir John Baker, bart. who, in the reign of king Charles I. passed it away by sale to Mr. Nathaniel Powell, of Ewehurst, in Sussex, and afterwards of Wiarton, in this county, who was in 1661 created a baronet; and in his descendants it continued down to Sir Christopher Powell, bart. who died possessed of it in 1742, s.p. leaving his widow surviving, whose trustees sold this manor and advowson, after her death, to Mrs. Fuller, widow of Mr. David Fuller, of Maidstone, attorney-at-law, who in 1775 devised them by will to her relation William Stacy Coast, esq. now of Sevenoke, the present owner of them. There is not any court held for this manor.

MUMFORDS, as it is now called, though its proper and more antient name is Montfort's, is a manor in this parish, which was once the residence of the family of Clerc, written in antient deeds le Clerc, and afterwards both Clerke and Clarke, in which it continued till about the latter end of the reign of king Edward I. when Henry le Clerc leaving no issue male, Susan his daughter and heir carried it, with much other inheritance, in marriage to Sir Simon de Woodchurch, whose descendants, out of gratitude for such increase of fortune, altered their paternal name from Woodchurch to Clerke, and in several of their deeds subsequent to this marriage, were written Clerke, alias Woodchurch. They resided at Woodchurch till Humphry Clerke, esq. removed hither in Henry VIII.'s reign. (fn. 3) His son Humphry Clerke, about the end of queen Elizabeth's reign, sold this manor to John Taylor, son of John Taylor, of Willesborough, who afterwards resided here. His son John Taylor, gent. of Winchelsea, alienated it, about the beginning of king Charles I.'s reign, to Edward Wightwick, gent. descended of a family originally of Staffordshire, who bore for their arms, Argent, on a chevron, argent, between three pheons, or, as many crosses patee, gules, granted in 1613. He afterwards resided here, as did his descendants, till at length Humphry Wightwick, gent. about the beginning of king George II.'s reign removed to New Romney, of which town and port he was jurat, in whose descendants this manor became afterwards vested in several undivided shares. At length Mr. William Whitwick, the only surviving son of Humphry, having purchased his mother's life estate in it, as well as the shares of his brother Martin's children, lately sold the whole property of it to Mr. Swaffer, the present possessor and occupier of it.

WEST HALKS, usually called West Hawks, is a manor, situated near the western bounds of this parish, being held of the manor of Kenardington; it formerly was the residence of a family of the name of Halk, who bore on their seals a fess, between three bawks, and sometimes only one, and were of no contemptible account, as appears by old pedigrees and writings, in which they are represented as gentlemen for above three hundred years. Sampson de Halk, gent. died possessed of this manor about the year 1360, and held besides much other land at Petham and the adjoining parishes; but about the latter end of king Henry VI.'s reign, this manor had passed from this family into that of Taylor, in which name it continued till the latter end of king Henry VII. when it was alienated to Clerc, whose descendant Humphry Clerke, esq. about the end of queen Elizabeth's reign, passed it away to Robert Honywood, esq, of Charing, who settled it on his fourth son by his second marriage Colonel Honywood. How long it continued in his descendants, I cannot learn; but it has been for some length of time in the name of Eaton, of. Essex, Mr. Henry Eaton being the present owner of it.

Charities.

HUMPHRY CLARKE, gent. of this parish, left by will in 1637, a parcel of land, called Pightland, containing about three acres, in the eastern part of this parish, for the benefit of the poor of it.

MRS. ELIZABETH MAY, in 1721, gave by will 9l. every third year, chargeable on Bilham farm, to be paid, clear of all deductions, to this parish in turn, during a term of years therein mentioned, to be applied yearly towards the binding out a child an apprentice, of the poorest people in three parishes in turn, as has been already mentioned more at large under Sevington. One girl only has as yet been put out apprentice from this charity, by this parish.

The number of poor constanly relieved are about twentyfive, casually twelve.

KINGSNOTH is within the ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION of the diocese of Canterbury, and deanry of Limne.

The church, which is dedicated to St. Michael, is small, consisting only of one isle and one chancel, having a square tower steeple at the west end, in which are five bells. In the isle is an antient gravestone, coffin-shaped, with old French capitals round it, now illegible. In the chancel is a stone, with an inscription on it in brass, for Thomas Umfrey, rector, no date; and a monument for Thomas Reader, A. M. son of Thomas Reader, gent. of Bower, in Maidstone, obt. 1740. Against the north wall is the tomb of Humphry Clarke, esq. made of Bethersden marble, having the figures of him and his wife remaining in brass on it, and underneath four sons and five daughters. Over the tomb, in an arch in the wall, is an inscription to his memory, set up by his daughter's son Sir Martin Culpeper, over it are the arms of Clarke, Two pales wavy, ermine, impaling Mayney. In the glass of the south window of the isle are several heads remaining, and in the north-west window the figure of St. Michael with the dragon. The north chancel fell down about thirty years ago. It belonged to the manor of Mumfords, and in it were interred the Wightwicks, owners of that manor; the gravestones of them, nine in number, yet remain in the church-yard, shut out from the church; and on one next to theirs, formerly within this chancel, is the figure of a knight in armour, with a lion under his feet, and an inscription in brass, for Sir William Parker, son of William Parker, esq. citizen and mercer of London, obt. 1421; arms, On a fess, three balls.

The advowson of the rectory of this church was formerly parcel of the possessions of the priory of Christ-church, and at the dissolution of it in the 31st year of Henry VIII. came into the king's hands, where it remained till that king in his 34th year, granted it in exchange, among other premises, to archbp. Cranmer, (fn. 4) who did not keep it long; for four years afterwards, he reconveyed it, with the consent of his chapter, back again to the king, (fn. 5) who soon afterwards granted it to Sir John Baker, one of his council, and chancellor of his first-fruits and tenths, who died possessed of the manor of East Kingsnoth, together with the advowson of this church, in the year 1558, in whose descendants it continued down to Sir John Baker, bart. who in the reign of king Charles I. alienated it, with that manor, to Mr. Nathaniel Powell. Since which this advowson has continued in the like succession of ownership with that manor, as may be seen more fully in the account of it before, to the present patron of it, William Stacy Coast, esq. now of Sevenoke.

There was formerly a pension of forty shillings payable from this church to the abbot of Battel.

¶This rectory is valued in the king's books at 11l. 9s. 9½d. and the yearly tenths at 1l. 2s. 11¼d. In 1578 it was valued at sixty pounds, communicants one hundred. In 1640 it was valued at fifty pounds only, and there were the like number of communicants. It is now worth about one hundred and forty pounds per annum. The rector takes no tithes of wood below the hill southward. There are about seventeen acres of glebe land.

www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-kent/vol7/pp583-592

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There has been a Church in Kingsnorth from Saxon Times but the present building probably dates from the 11thC. There are examples of 13thC and 14thC stained glass remaining in some of the windows. The chancel was rebuilt in the 18thC following a storm and the two side chapels were demolished at this time. Major restoration was carried out in the 19thC at which time the stained glass in the East Window was installed. At this time and again in the 1920s work was carried out to try and cure the problem of rising damp due to the high water table. In 2006 major restoration was once again required and in addition to repairs to the tower and external stonework it was decided that an extension would be built on the site of the old chantry chapel on the north side of the building and that the interior of the church would be re-ordered. This involved digging out the interior of the church and laying a new suspended floor to try and cure the problem of the rising damp (This has been largely successful). The old pews and choir stalls were replaced with modern stackable pews to enable a more flexible use of the space, new lighting and a new heating system was installed. This has resulted in a light airy user friendly building. At the back of the church a glass screen was erected forming a separate area. This provides a space where parents can take their children if they become restless during the services. The ground floor of the extension consists of a large meeting room with kitchenette plus toilet. On the first floor there is a choir vestry and church office. There are currently plans to install a second toilet on this floor. On the second floor there is a further small meeting room and a store room.

www.kandschurches.org.uk/

Bird of prey - Golden eagle - Tonka

The Golden Eagle is one of the largest, fastest, nimblest raptors in North America. Lustrous gold feathers gleam on the back of its head and neck; a powerful beak and talons advertise its hunting prowess. The golden eagle is one of the best-known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the most widely distributed species of eagle.

Sometimes seen attacking large mammals, or fighting off coyotes or bears in defense of its prey and young, the Golden Eagle has long inspired both reverence and fear.

The golden eagle is a very large, dark brown raptor with broad wings, ranging from 26 to 40 inches in length and from 6 to over 7ft wingspan!

The voice of the golden eagle is considered weak, high and shrill, even being emphatically described as “quite pathetic” and “puppy-like”, considering the formidable size and nature of the species, "Silent but deadly"

The golden eagle is not threatened at the species level but efforts need to be taken to prevent extinctions . Within the United States, the golden eagle is legally protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. (see below for additional info)*

Hope you enjoyed my pics!

All rights reserved ©Pix.by.PegiSue

www.flickr.com/photos/pix-by-pegisue/

~Protect animals and wild life habitat around the World‎! ~

Taken @ San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido, CA

*The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act:

The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668c), enacted in 1940, and amended several times since then, prohibits anyone, without a permit issued by the Secretary of the Interior, from "taking" bald eagles, including their parts, nests, or eggs. The Act provides criminal penalties for persons who "take, possess, sell, purchase, barter, offer to sell, purchase or barter, transport, export or import, at any time or any manner, any bald eagle ... [or any golden eagle], alive or dead, or any part, nest, or egg thereof." The Act defines "take" as "pursue, shoot, shoot at, poison, wound, kill, capture, trap, collect, molest or disturb."

-USFWS: Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act

Here is a distant, hazy look at a United Airlines Boeing 737 classic that will not be taking to the skies ever again.

United acquired a large fleet of Boeing 737-300 aircraft in the late 1980s, to replace its fleet of early Boeing 727-100s; this particular example was delivered new in December 1989. United also started acquiring the Boeing 737-500 from 1991, as replacements for the aging 737-200s. In the mid-1990s, this aircraft, alongside many other 737-300s and 737-500s, became part of the Shuttle by United low-cost division, until the Shuttle was disbanded in 2001.

United continued to operate this aircraft until 2009, when the entire 737 fleet was retired for cost savings and capacity adjustment; this particular aircraft was decommissioned at San Francisco then ferried to Victorville on 26 October 2009. That ended United's continuous 41-year operation of the 737, dating back to being the launch customer of the 737-200 back in 1968, and United operated the Airbus A320 family instead.

United is now a major 737 operator again, but its current fleet is all inherited from Continental Airlines and its outstanding orders. None of Continental's 737-300s ever entered United service, and Continental's 737-500 fleet exited the United fleet by May 2013; all Boeing 737s remaining in United service today are of the newer -NG variety (-700, -800, -900, -900ER), with postmerger United ordering additional -900ERs and MAX 9s.

In the distance can be seen a few other aircraft in various stages of dismantling/decay, including a 737-200 formerly of Air Caribbean.

N375UA, Boeing 737-300

Well, that is what I call it :-) Maybe its a cave down to the center of the earth, or a pathway to China even :-) But really, this very interesting feature in some of Deep Creek's beautiful granite is the remnant of where an ancient waterfall once cascaded down to carve out this deep hole. In the dark water you can see the remains of an unfortunate Squirrel that fell in, and somebody's empty water bottle, not mine. I did want to fish out both items so they wouldn't be in this photo but I didn't want to end up in that dark abyss, stuck there forever myself :-)

From Wikipedia:

"The Vesper is a cocktail that was originally made of gin, vodka, and Kina Lillet. Since that form of Lillet is no longer produced, modern bartenders need to modify the recipe to mimic the original taste, with Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano as a typical substitute.

The drink was popularised by author Ian Fleming (1908–1964) in his 1953 novel Casino Royale, in which the character James Bond invents the recipe and names the cocktail. Fleming's Bond calls it a "special martini", and though it lacks the vermouth that defined a martini in Fleming's day, it is sometimes called a Vesper martini."

IMG_0675

For those of you that know the story behind my dolls. You know that these two are not really meant to be a couple. Leah is Sonnie's stalker, and every chance she gets she tries to steal Sonnie away from her real girlfriend Ellie. In my story Ellie leaves on a trip and comes back to see that her worst nightmare has become true, Sonnie has chosen Leah. BUT WHY? Sonnie would have never wanted to be with Leah. So what is now making her change her mind? Or is someone forcing her to change it.............?

Various Artists

Wednesday 6 - Friday 8 November, Check listing for times

Various Locations

Various Locations

Street Talks is a series of quickfire public talks, part of the Re@ct: Social Change Art Technology Symposium. Rather than your typical poster session, these talks will take place on the streets of Dundee in various locations. Free speech is essential to political and social change – these artists are quite literally taking it to the streets to share their creative practices.

Luisa Charles & Elke Reinhuber –Wednesday 6th November, 2pm, Slessor Gardens

Luisa Charles – discusses the intersections of disability and design, and how novel bespoke design practices could offer a solution to designing for all needs, where universal design could not. These design ideologies, that include co-design, individual centred design, mass customisation, and mass personalisation, are exemplified by case studies from pop culture design media, such as the Fixperts and BBC’s Big Life Fix. She analyses the social, technological, and economical shifts that are required for these practices to become mainstream, and the capability of bespoke design to cause enough disruption within the design economy to create a shift in capitalism.

Elke Reinhuber – The Urban Beautician moved recently from the speckless city state of Singapore, where she already developed her retirement plans, across the South China Sea, to protest-ridden Hong Kong. There, she observed how much effort the cleaners put up to keep these megapolises scrubbed and tidy. As they are frequently overlooked, the Urban Beautician captured some of them during their relentless daily routine. While they have adapted themselves to their particular duties, their skills are hardly ever honoured or even acknowledged. Paying homage to their Sisyphean challenge, they can be positioned now anywhere through Augmented Reality and venerated as perpetualised sculptures of our everyday heroes.The Urban Beautician tries to improve neglected details in our urban environment with interventions in public space and performances to camera. Since more than a decade she cares for things most people are oblivious to.

Ibarieze Abani and Daisy Abbott & Anders Zanichkowsky – Thursday 7th November, 1:30pm, Albert Square, by McManus Gallery Steps

Ibarieze Abani and Daisy Abbott – Transmedia storytelling uses multiple delivery channels to convey a narrative in order to provide a more immersive entertainment experience (Jenkins, 2009). Transmedia activism can be very broadly defined as using storytelling to “effect social change by engaging multiple stakeholders on multiple platforms to collaborate toward appropriate, community-led social action” (Srivastava, 2009). Activism depends on participation and collaboration within a community to avoid unsustainable or inappropriate top-down interventions. A similar concept, transmedia mobilization, uses transmedia storytelling to engage “the social base of a movement in participatory media making practices across multiple platforms” (Constanza-Chock, 2013) and also requires interaction from diverse voices from within the community.

Anders Zanichkowsky –“I Am in Your Hands: Smartphones and the erotics of the future”Social media artist and queer anarchist Anders Zanichkowsky will present excerpts and reflections from his current Grindr project, “Queen of Hearts,” as well as other recent projects reading Tarot cards on hookup apps and go-go dancing for a remote audience on Instagram. During this talk, Anders will use the same social media platforms that are the subject of his presentation, inviting you into the theory behind the work, and into the work itself. Equal parts cultural criticism, performance art, and experimental public speaking, this street talk will level the hierarchy of physical presence over virtual appearance, and scandalously suggest how thirst traps and sexting with strangers can indeed point us towards a radical future of queer intimacy and counterculture.

Mohammad Namazi & Matteo Preabianca – Friday 8th November, 1:30pm, Wellgate Centre, Victoria Road entrance

Mohammad Namazi – An Archive of Audio Disobedience, intervenes into the public realm, and collaborates with individuals, to construct a live-event. The event manifests through utilising a net-based sound archive, capable of involving participants in a collective form of sound-action, -publication, -demonstration, -performance, and -play.

The archive comprises various audio effects, sound segments, words, and computer-generated speeches – to stage a critical symphony, rooted in and derived from, socio-political concerns.

Matteo Preabianca – Mantra Marx is the eighth album for the NonMiPiaceIlCirco! Project. NonMiPiaceIlCirco! is a musical project that has been on since 2004, the year of the first album. Since then, the line-up has been in a constant change, with Matteo Preabianca the only member from the beginning. So they took The Capital from the shelf to read again. But who remembers it, especially young people? Let’s get rid of guitars and songs to give a didactic approach to the music. 25 tracks, one for each of the First Book’s 25 chapters. They use the lyrics as Hinduist mantras, where repetition is the key for a deep understanding of our life, and Marx as well. Its music, besides being lo-fi and badly made, is just an excuse. The lyrics are a summarized version of the aforementioned book, spoken by 25 different Mandarin native voices, completely unaware of the reason behind the recording. Still time to die as a Marxist(?). Developed and recorded in China.

About the Artists

Daisy Abbott is an interdisciplinary researcher and research developer based in the School of Simulation and Visualisation at The Glasgow School of Art. Daisy’s current research focusses on game-based learning, 3D visualisation, and issues surrounding digital interaction, documentation, preservation, and interpretation in the arts and humanities. She also collaborates with artists on works aiming to explore the nature of digital interactivity and digital art.

Luisa Charles is an interaction designer, multidisciplinary artist, and filmmaker. Having been exhibited in the Science Museum, Science Gallery London, London Design Festival, and various film festivals, amongst others, her work spans many themes across science and technology, social politics, and personal narratives. She specialises in installation design and physical computing, experience design, fabrication, and videography, and her work often comes under the umbrella of speculative and critical design. Her work focuses heavily on research processes, and forms itself organically through investigation and experimentation.

Ibarieze Abani is a recent Masters graduate in Serious Games and Virtual Reality at the Glasgow School of Art, where she has carried out projects about cultural heritage, gender inequality, transmedia storytelling and climate policy. She is an advocate of the capabilities of interactive digital media as a tool for opening up dialogues surrounding large scale themes such as climate justice, social justice and intersectionality. She has a keen interest in working with people using digital media to make meaningful and tangible differences on a societal scale.

Mohammad Namazi (b. 1981. Tehran) is an artist, educator and researcher based in London. Mohammad works through means of de-construction, collaboration, process, unlearning, and telematics systems within social and cultural realms. The studio operates as a research-lab for inter-disciplinary projects that can span video, sound, liveevents, graphics, photography, sculptural structures, and internet-based projects. He received his doctorate from UAL research in 2019, and currently teaches as visiting lecturer at Wimbledon, and Chelsea College of Arts. Mohammad is a member of research cluster Critical Practice.

Matteo Preabianca- Music and Languages…Music and Languages? How come? Matteo starts playing violin when he was a child, but he did not like it, especially when he tried to beat it on the table. It did not make any good sound. So, better drumming, right? Meanwhile playing and spending a lot his mum’s money to buy records he realised even speaking other languages was not so bad. Especially when he invented his own. Step by step, he turned into a music and languages teacher.

Elke Reinhuber is not your average artist, because she became a specialist on choice, decision making and counterfactual thoughts in media arts. Currently, Reinhuber teaches and researches at the School of Creative Media, CityU Hing Kong and is affiliated with the School of Art, Design and Media at NTU in Singapore. In her artistic practice, she investigates on the correlation between decisions and emotions and explores different strategies of visualisation and presentation, working with immersive environments, mixed reality, imaging technologies and performance. In addition, her alter ego, the ‘Urban Beautician’ is pursuing a life which Elke didn’t follow.

Anders Zanickowsky is an American artist and activist who uses platforms like Grindr and Instagram as actual sites for performances about desire, uncertainty, and vulnerability. He is committed to José Esteban Muñoz’s concept of queer futurity in which artists refuse the oppressive confines of the present and reach instead towards what can only be imagined. He has an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2019) and was a resident with The Arctic Circle program in Svalbard (2016). Since 2008 he has worked in movements for housing justice, prison abolition, and HIV/AIDS.

Photography Kathryn Rattray

Daryl Davis is an African American virtuoso blues pianist, author, actor and lecturer. He is on a mission. Throughout the last 30 years he has befriended members of the KKK and persuaded them to leave their racist beliefs and organizations. Daryl does it through dialogue and music.

The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv brought Daryl to Israel to promote conversation between diverse parts of multi-cultural Israeli society through music and through his personal example. The program was dedicated to the memory of Daniel Pearl, the US journalist and musician that was murdered by terrorists in Pakistan. His legacy- “Harmony for Humanity”- is celebrated through annual musical events across the globe.

In course of four intensive days in Israel Daryl shared his unbelievable story and performed for Jewish and Arab high school and college students, secular and religious audiences of all ages in Jerusalem, Taibeh, Beer Sheva, Hura and Kfar Batya. He inspired hundreds of people from all sectors to seek solutions through an honest and intelligent dialogue. The universal language of music served as the perfect platform to start the conversation, which included collaborations with local musicians, such as the “Ground Heights” band and the Israeli blues man Itay Pearl.

Daryl message is clear: "When two enemies are talking, they are not fighting… It’s when the talking ceases, that the ground becomes fertile for violence. Keep the conversation going.”

Voronezh is a city and the administrative centre of Voronezh Oblast in southwestern Russia straddling the Voronezh River, located 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) from where it flows into the Don River. The city sits on the Southeastern Railway, which connects western Russia with the Urals and Siberia, the Caucasus and Ukraine, and the M4 highway (Moscow–Voronezh–Rostov-on-Don–Novorossiysk). In recent years the city has experienced rapid population growth, rising in 2021 to 1,057,681, up from 889,680 recorded in the 2010 Census, making it the 14th-most populous city in the country.

For many years, the hypothesis of the Soviet historian Vladimir Zagorovsky dominated: he produced the toponym "Voronezh" from the hypothetical Slavic personal name Voroneg. This man allegedly gave the name of a small town in the Chernigov Principality (now the village of Voronizh in Ukraine). Later, in the 11th or 12th century, the settlers were able to "transfer" this name to the Don region, where they named the second city Voronezh, and the river got its name from the city. However, now many researchers criticize the hypothesis, since in reality neither the name of Voroneg nor the second city was revealed, and usually the names of Russian cities repeated the names of the rivers, but not vice versa.

A comprehensive scientific analysis was conducted in 2015–2016 by the historian Pavel Popov. His conclusion: "Voronezh" is a probable Slavic macrotoponym associated with outstanding signs of nature, has a root voron- (from the proto-Slavic vorn) in the meaning of "black, dark" and the suffix -ezh (-azh, -ozh). It was not “transferred” and in the 8th - 9th centuries it marked a vast territory covered with black forests (oak forests) - from the mouth of the Voronezh river to the Voronozhsky annalistic forests in the middle and upper reaches of the river, and in the west to the Don (many forests were cut down). The historian believes that the main "city" of the early town-planning complex could repeat the name of the region – Voronezh. Now the hillfort is located in the administrative part of the modern city, in the Voronezh upland oak forest. This is one of Europe's largest ancient Slavic hillforts, the area of which – more than 9 hectares – 13 times the area of the main settlement in Kyiv before the baptism of Rus.

In it is assumed that the word "Voronezh" means bluing - a technique to increase the corrosion resistance of iron products. This explanation fits well with the proximity to the ancient city of Voronezh of a large iron deposit and the city of Stary Oskol. As well as the name of Voroneț Monastery known for its blue shade.

Folk etymology claims the name comes from combining the Russian words for raven (ворон) and hedgehog (еж) into Воронеж. According to this explanation two Slavic tribes named after the animals used this combination to name the river which later in turn provided the name for a settlement. There is not believed to be any scientific support for this explanation.

In the 16th century, the Middle Don basin, including the Voronezh river, was gradually conquered by Muscovy from the Nogai Horde (a successor state of the Golden Horde), and the current city of Voronezh was established in 1585 by Feodor I as a fort protecting the Muravsky Trail trade route against the slave raids of the Nogai and Crimean Tatars. The city was named after the river.

17th to 19th centuries

In the 17th century, Voronezh gradually evolved into a sizable town. Weronecz is shown on the Worona river in Resania in Joan Blaeu's map of 1645. Peter the Great built a dockyard in Voronezh where the Azov Flotilla was constructed for the Azov campaigns in 1695 and 1696. This fleet, the first ever built in Russia, included the first Russian ship of the line, Goto Predestinatsia. The Orthodox diocese of Voronezh was instituted in 1682 and its first bishop, Mitrofan of Voronezh, was later proclaimed the town's patron saint.

Owing to the Voronezh Admiralty Wharf, for a short time, Voronezh became the largest city of South Russia and the economic center of a large and fertile region. In 1711, it was made the seat of the Azov Governorate, which eventually morphed into the Voronezh Governorate.

In the 19th century, Voronezh was a center of the Central Black Earth Region. Manufacturing industry (mills, tallow-melting, butter-making, soap, leather, and other works) as well as bread, cattle, suet, and the hair trade developed in the town. A railway connected Voronezh with Moscow in 1868 and Rostov-on-Don in 1871.