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First Minister Peter Robinson prepares to lay one of the 230 wooden crosses which were planted in the grounds beside Parliament Buildings to commemorate the 230 soldiers killed in Afghanistan so far.
Listen to Tek Support : www.myspace.com/theteksupport
I highly recommend listening to The Internets Song.
Really good music. I think you might become a fan.
The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, or ESGR, held a Boss Lift event at Fort Indiantown Gap on May 8-9. The Boss Lift program provides opportunities for employers to learn the benefits and challenges involved with employing National Guard and reserve members. Participants toured several training areas and witnessed demonstrations and exercises such as the Pre-mobilization Training Assistance Element, A-10 Warthog target firing, and an EC-130J air drop. Attendees also got some hands-on experience in vehicle and flight simulators. ESGR’s Boss Lift highlights the value and skills military personnel bring to their civilian jobs and expresses gratitude to employers for their continued support of the military and National Guard and reserve members in the work force.
160621-N-IL474-341 SOUDA BAY, Greece (June 21, 2016) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Apprentice Alaina M. Growney, left, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Sean R. Gallagher, center, and Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Marcus Toney handle lines as the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) arrives at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece for a port call. Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo Heather Judkins/Released)
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SummerFest 2018 which is a HUGE family festival at Himley Hall in support of families relying on care at The Mary Stevens Hospice. #SummerFest2018
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I'm sure there is a name for this helicopter.........anyone?
This was part of President Obama's escort from NYC following his participation in this years United Nations General Assembly. This was the President leaving from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport in lower Manhattan.
京都で毎年春に開催される国際写真祭、KYOTOGRAPHIEのKG+ 2017 特別展として、HOTEL ANTEROOM KYOTOを会場に、”JAPAN PHOTO AWARD EXHIBITION supported by LUMIX & YellowKorner”を開催いたしました。
本展では2016年度のジャパンフォトアワード受賞作品を始め、新しい才能をリーズナブルな価格帯で提供する”EINSTEIN STUDIO PRINTS”を同時開催いたしました。
また本展に併せてJPA受賞者の菅野 恒平と大野 真人がLUMIX一眼カメラを使用して撮り下ろした新作を展示いたしました。
開催期間は2017年4月14日-5月14日。
British Hajj Delegation 2012. Volunteer Doctors support pilgrims (Hajjis) during Hajj 2012 (1433H) providing support & medical aid. 18th October - 4th November 2012. Copyright R.Mogradia | www.cbhuk.org
IJmondhaven, IJmuiden, Holland on 13th December 2012.
IMO number :9583782
Name of ship :BRAVE TERN
Call Sign :9HA3020
MMSI :229044000
Gross tonnage :15328
DWT :9033
Type of ship :Offshore Support Vessel
Year of build :2012
Flag :Malta
mémoire2cité - Le 11 AVRIL 1964, le développement de la ville de Saint Etienne, et ses travaux ..La ville de Saint Etienne se développe tout comme l'ensemble du territoire... Pour accompagner cet accroissement de population, de nouveaux quartiers se construisent aux abords de la ville chaque jours. Et pour faire face aux problèmes de circulation, un boulevard périphérique a été aménagé. Réalisé à l'occasion de la construction de la déviation sud de l'autoroute de Saint Etienne, ce reportage témoigne de la visite du sénateur maire de la ville, Mr. Michel DURAFOUR, sur le chantier du tunnel de la déviation. Accueilli par Mr. Rocher, président de la société forêzienne de travaux publics, Michel DURAFOUR découvre avec les membres du conseil municipal l'avancée des travaux. (voir aussi le chantier de l A 47 avec la video du tunnel du rond-point içi : www.ina.fr/video/LXC9610041788 .
Un modèle de l'urbanisme des années 1950.
Beaulieu-Montchovet:La ville choisit de construire un immense quartier neuf de plus de 4.600 logements, prévu pour loger 30.000 habitants, sur les basses pentes du Pilat, à la sortie sud-est de Saint-Etienne.Entre les forêts, qui seront classées parc naturel quelques années plus tard, et les quartiers chics du cours Fauriel, c'est un des endroits les mieux situés de la ville.C'est aussi le seul grand emplacement proche du centre où il n'y aie pas eu de mines, parce que les couches de charbon s'arrêtent juste avant : le terrain est assez solide pour supporter de gros immeubles. Içi le chantier de construction de MONTCHOVET soit Beaulieu 3, la continuitée des constructions HLM de nos quartiers sud-est (les chantiers de l'OPAC) , la vidéo içi : www.ina.fr/video/LXF99004401 .
Retour sur son historique de 1962 à aujourd'hui e n 2018.
Un grand-Ensemble qui rappelle combien la politique d'urbanisme des années 1960 et suivantes a été conduite en dépit du bon sens la video içi www.google.fr/search?q=montchovet+ina&oq=montchovet+i... et là www.ina.fr/video/CAC00029801 , mais aussi içi www.ina.fr/video/CAC00029801 - avec Claude BARTOLONE içi avec la Visite à Saint Etienne du ministre délégué à la ville le jour de la démolition de la muraille de Chine. Rencontre avec des associations pr discuter du futur du quartier Montchovet. www.ina.fr/video/LY00001263573 - fresques.ina.fr/rhone-alpes/fiche-media/Rhonal00046/demol... - et les differentes videos de la demolition la encore : La démolition de la "muraille de Chine" de Saint Etienne www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq1uOc6Gtd0, www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB3z_Z6DTdc terrible :( ^^ l interview de Michel Thiolliere Le Grisou.fr a interviewé Michel Thiollière, ancien maire de Saint-Etienne et sénateur de la Loire, membre du Parti radical et actuel vice-président de la Commission de régulation de l'énergie. Il livre son analyse sur les prochaines échéances politiques, notamment la campagne des municipales en cours à Saint-Etienne, les alliances de la droite et du centre, mais aussi le mandat de Maurice Vincent. Michel Thiollière s'attarde également sur les besoins de l'agglomération stéphanoise et évoque les enjeux énergétiques en France.(Interview : Maxime Petit -- Réalisation : Studios Bouquet) www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJAylpe8G48,"François Mitterrand, après la visite de deux quartiers -l'un à Saint Etienne et l'autre à Vénissieux, inscrits sur la liste de ceux à réhabiliter -, parle du plan de réhabilitation pour de meilleures conditions de logement.Le Président > Grands travaux et grands projetsLe Président > 1er septennat 1981-1988 > 1981-1986
Politique intérieure > SociétéVoyages > Voyages en FranceÉclairageDepuis la fin des années 1970, la région lyonnaise apparaît comme l'épicentre des violences urbaines qui se déroulent en France. Durant l'été 1981, des violences urbaines ont conduit le gouvernement à engager le plus tôt possible une nouvelle politique en faveur des quartiers dégradés. Malgré les premières opérations de réhabilitation engagées par la Commission nationale pour le développement social des quartiers, la situation demeure extrêmement tendue dans un certain nombres de quartiers populaires. L'assassinat d'un jeune de la Cité des 4 000 par un habitant en juillet 1983 a ravivé les débats autour du thème du "mal des grands ensembles" selon l'expression de l'époque. D'autre part, le contexte politique conduit également le pouvoir à s'intéresser encore davantage à la question de la dégradation urbaine dans la mesure où de très nombreux quartiers populaires n'ont pas cette fois-ci apporté leurs suffrages aux candidats de la gauche.La visite de François Mitterrand dans deux quartiers dégradés de la région lyonnaise constitue donc un signal fort à l'égard des populations qui y vivent. Ce déplacement fait également écho à celui réalisé quelques jours plus tôt au sein de la Cité des 4 000 à La Courneuve en Seine Saint Denis (voir Visite de François Mitterrand à La Courneuve). Le principe est d'ailleurs le même et il est exprimé par le président de la République : voir par lui-même l'état réel de ses quartiers. Le fait qu'il soit mentionné dans le reportage que "ces visites surprises" se soient faites dans la "plus grande discrétion" (notamment sans les élus locaux concernés) marque effectivement la volonté du président de la République d'établir une sorte de lien direct avec les habitants qui vivent dans ces quartiers. Il ne s'agit pas de faire l'annonce de nouvelles mesures mais "de voir les choses par moi-même" selon l'expression utilisée par François Mitterrand lors de son allocution à la Préfecture à Lyon. Au moment où la Commission nationale pour le développement social des quartiers établit la liste définitive des 22 quartiers qui bénéficieront d'un programme de réhabilitation, la visite du président de la République sur le terrain suggère une forme de "présidentialisation" du thème de la réhabilitation des grands ensembles.La création au même moment de Banlieue 89 suscitée par deux architectes proches de François Mitterrand, Roland Castro et Michel Cantal-Duparc, suggère également l'intérêt du président de la République pour les questions urbaines (voir Inauguration de l'exposition organisée par Banlieue 89)."http://fresques.ina.fr/mitterrand/fiche-media/Mitter00106/visite-de-francois-mitterrand-a-saint-etienne-et-aux-minguettes.html Journaliste
Visites surprises qui se sont déroulées dans la plus grande discrétion, seule Madame Georgina Dufoix, Secrétaire d’Etat à la Famille et aux Immigrés, Monsieur Gilbert Trigano, le PDG du Club Méditerranée qui participe à la Commission Dubedout, et deux collaborateurs du Chef de l’État étaient présents. Ni à Saint-Étienne, ni à Vénissieux, les autorités locales n’y ont participés. Peu avant midi, le Président est arrivé à la Préfecture du Rhône à Lyon où s’est déroulée pendant 45 minutes une séance de travail avec les élus locaux et notamment Messieurs Dubanchet, Maire de Saint-Étienne et Houël, Maire de Vénissieux. Réunion qui a donné l’occasion d’aborder les problèmes de fond, devait souligner François Mitterrand.(Bruit)François Mitterrand
Les deux quartiers que je viens de visiter, celui de Montchovet à Saint-Étienne et celui de Monmousseau à l’intérieur des Minguettes sur la commune de Vénissieux, sont inscrits sur la liste des 22 quartiers à réhabiliter, retenus, proposés par la Commission Dubedout devenue la Commission Pesce, et retenus par le Gouvernement. Et je compte appliquer nos efforts pour qu’effectivement, ces quartiers soient réhabilités, c’est-à-dire, soient habitables. Qu’on y trouve, pour ceux qui y vivent, euh, suffisamment de convivialité, de capacité de développer une famille et, euh, revenant de son travail quand on en a, de pouvoir vivre avec les autres. Les conditions de logement, la construction de ces ensembles, les liaisons avec l’extérieur, l’école, le sport, les espaces verts, bref, l’espace tout court, contribuent, vous le comprenez bien à, au futur équilibre, ou contribueront au futur équilibre de ces quartiers. Alors, je préfère voir les choses par moi-même. Il faut bien se dire que à l’origine de nombreux désordres sociaux se trouvent ces fâcheuses, ces déplorables conditions de vie. Et moi, je veux lutter contre ces désordres et pour cela, il faut que je m’attaque avec le Gouvernement et ceux qui ont la charge auprès de moi, je veux absolument m’attaquer aux sources d’un malaise et d’un déséquilibre social qui sont d’une immense ampleur. Raison de plus pour commencer par un bout avec énergie et continuité. Et de ce point de vue, je compte bien, au cours des semaines et des mois à venir, persévérer dans cette enquête personnelle qui me permet ensuite de donner des instructions précises à ceux qui participent à la gestion de l’État.(Silence), à Saint-Étienne comme dans les communes de sa proche banlieue. Une sorte de grand monument à la gloire des HLM, comme si on avait fait exprès de la faire aussi énorme pour montrer comme les gens étaient fiers de ce quartier. Autour on construit tout ce qu'il faut pour les habitants : une école, Montchovet, qui donne sur le grand pré derrière, une MJC, une piscine, un centre commercial, avec la Poste, plus tard le bureau de police. En 1978, comme les enfants des habitants grandissent, on ouvre un deuxième collège dans la ZUP. Il prendra le nom de Jean Dasté, qui a créé la Comédie de Saint-Etienne, le plus grand théatre de province en France, et son école de comédiens. Après 1984 les loyers des HLM ont augmenté, beaucoup d'habitants sont partis. La population de Saint-Etienne diminue surtout dans les quartiers sud : beaucoup de gens déménagent vers la plaine du Forez, moins froide, où il y a la place de batir des maisons. On a rénové beaucoup d'appartements anciens en ville : la crise du logement est finie. On ne sait même plus qu'elle a existé. Les ZUP ont vieilli et la plupart des gens préfèrent se loger dans des appartements récents. Alors on ferme : le collège de Beaulieu, l'école de la Marandinière, la Poste. La Muraille coute très cher à entretenir : il n'y a plus asssez d'habitants pour payer les frais. Les HLM ont décidé de la détruire: c'est le plus gros projet de démolition jamais réalisé en Europe. Les familles qui restaient ont du déménager. On va faire exploser la Muraille de Chine au printemps de l'an 2000. Peut être qu'il fallait le faire, mais pour les gens du quartier c'est un gros morceau de notre Histoire qu'on nous détruit.
1954: les premiers travaux à Beaulieu : la campagne devient une ville à grands coups de bulldozer..
Le projet est de construire en grande quantité des logements de bonne qualité, avec tout le confort, des chambres pour les enfants, l'eau, le chauffage central, des sanitaires, des arbres et des pelouses, et surtout .... des loyers accessibles pour tous. Ce seront les Habitations à Loyers Modérés, les HLM.
Il faudra les construires en dehors des villes, pour en finir avec le mélange des industries et des logements, qui amène le bruit et la pollution. Y prévoir tous les équipements : commerces, écoles, collèges, lycées, transports, parcs, équipements sportifs, police, pompiers, Postes. Construire des villes entières où tout le monde aura accès à ce qui n'était encore que le luxe de quelques gens très riches.
Cinq villes sont choisies pour être prioritaires : Paris ( Pantin ) et Lyon ( Bron-Parilly) à cause de leur taille, Angers et Rouen détruites dans les bombardements de 1944, Saint-Etienne, la ville la plus sinistrée de France pour le logement. C'est là que naissent les cinq premières Zone à Urbaniser en Priorité, les ZUP, modèles de l'urbanisme pour toute une génération. Elles ne s'appellent pas encore comme ça : on les construites avant que l'expression de ZUP existe, c'est de leur réussite que naitra le modèle repris partout pour lequel on inventera le mot plus tard.Beaulieu I: le projet d'urbanisme
Maquette de 1953 - Projet des architectes Gouyon-Clément
Une architecture géométrique, de grands espaces, des arbres, des formes qui soulignent le relief.
La ZUP de Beaulieu est construite en quatre tranches:
- Beaulieu I ( Beaulieu ) de 1953 à 1955
- Beaulieu II ( La Marandinière ) en 1959
- Beaulieu III ( Montchovet ) en 1964, dont fait partie la Muraille de Chine, le grand immeuble le long du boulevard à gauche.
- Beaulieu IV ( La Palle ) en 1971Le quartier:
Au premier plan, en bas à droite Beaulieu, la Marandinière est à droite derrière l'autoroute, Montplaisir à gauche, Monchovet au milieu, le long du boulevard de la Palle.
A gauche des tennis, les batiments du collège de Beaulieu. C'était l'autre collège de la ZEP, le seul collège "sensible" de France a avoir été fermé, en 1995.
Nouvelles techniques, nouveaux matériaux :
Construire vite pour un prix raisonnable oblige à inventer de nouvelles techniques, d'autant que l'on manque de travailleurs qualifiés.
La construction s'industrialise: immeubles à structure porteuse ( des poteaux en béton armé tiennent les dalles, ce ne sont plus les murs qui soutiennent les immeubles ), murs rideaux ( les murs sont fait de morceaux préfabriqués accrochés aux dalles ), éléments standardisés ( les éléments: murs, tuyauterie, portes et fenêtres, sanitaires, etc... sont tous identiques, fabriqués en usine en grande série, installés de la même façon dans tous les immeubles ), nouveaux matériaux ( matières plastiques, béton armé, acier ) qui ne s'utilisaient pas dans la construction traditionnelle.
Cela permet de diminuer les prix, en automatisant les fabrications, mais aussi parce qu'on peut utiliser des ouvriers beaucoup moins qualifiés, qui ne font que du montage et que l'on paye moins cher.
Bien après les gens se plaindront de ces appartements tous identiques, de ces matériaux peu agréables, de la taille inhumaine des batiments.
Mais à l'époque il faut compter deux à trois ans d'attente pour obtenir un appartement dans le quartier. Les familles sont si contentes de leur quartier tout neuf que les collègiens qui prennent le bus emportent une paire de bottes en plus de leur chaussures pour aller des immeubles à l'arrêt de bus : pas question de ramener de la boue dans les bus ou dans les escaliers.La crise du logement:
1950 : la France connait la pire crise du logement de son Histoire. La crise économique de 1929 puis la guerre de 1939-1945 ont arrêté la construction de logements, déja insuffisante avant 1930, pendant plus de vingt ans.
La France est au maximum du "baby-boom" ( période de très forte natalité qui commence à la fin de la guerre ) : les 40 millions de français de 1950 font deux fois plus de bébés que les 60 millions d'aujourd'hui. La très forte croissance économique relance l'immigration. Plus de la moitié des familles sont mal logées alors que la France commence la plus forte croissance démographique de son Histoire.
La IV° République, héritière du programme de la Résistance donne la priorité aux besoins sociaux : école, santé, logement, sur la rentabilité financière. L'Etat, les villes, sont décidés à investir dans le logement, qui est déclaré prioritaire dans le Plan d'organisation de l'économie.
Entre les années 50 et 60, et suite à la seconde guerre mondiale, la municipalité stéphanoise a vu sa population passée d’un peu moins de 180 000 habitants en 1950 à plus de 200 000 habitants dix ans plus tard en 1960. Cette forte augmentation de la population pouvait s’expliquer par le fort taux de natalité de cette époque (baby-boom), mais aussi par l’afflux de travailleurs de la classe ouvrière venus dans la grande cité stéphanoise pour trouver un travail. De ce fait, la construction d’un logement sain pour chaque ouvrier était devenue une priorité absolue pour les élus qui considéraient à raison que cela était une condition vitale dans le cadre de ce grand développement. Pour ce faire, la ville a lancé dans les années 50 une vaste opération de construction de barres d’habitation dans la zone de Beaulieu, destinée à fournir un logement à une population grandissante.
Une barre d’habitation innovante
A l’époque, avec une majorité d’architectes, les appartements modernes construits possédaient des cloisons lourdes empêchant toute modification interne ainsi que des espaces de renvoi sombres et non ventilés ressemblant à des alcôves.
Mais à l’inverse, pour certains architectes précurseurs de la région à l’image d’Yves et Henri Gouyon, la modernité reflétait le gout de la clarté, de l’air, et du soleil, avec de larges horizons. Ainsi, ces derniers donnaient la priorité non pas aux façades qu’ils considéraient comme de simples élévations du plan, mais aux cellules d’habitations et à leur orientation. Dans cette optique, le bâtiment proposé par Henri Gouyon, qui était donc un partisan de l’espace ouvert moderne, supprimait les circulations et profitait de ce gain de place pour aménager de nouveaux espaces de vie communes. De plus, dans ces cellules d’habitations, les architectes ont tirés profit au maximum de la double orientation des appartements (ces derniers étaient traversant) avec par exemple l’accolement de balcons.
Conception et réalisation d’un quartier entier
Pour le projet de Beaulieu, l’on confia la conception ainsi que la réalisation des interventions aux agences Henri et Yves Gouyon puis Yves Gouyon et associés. Ainsi, dés le milieu des années 50, des études concernant Beaulieu II – La Marandinière furent conduites, suivis de la construction du bâtiment entre 1957 et 1959. S’en suivit Beaulieu III – Montchovet entre 1962 et 1964, surnommé la « Muraille de Chine », qui comprenait entre autres, une barre de type HLM haute de 10 à 17 mètres et longue de 270 mètres, avec 560 logements. Suites à ces constructions, l’urbanisation des vallées et collines du sud-est de Saint-Etienne continua jusque dans les années 70 avec les séries de la Métare I, II, et III. Au total, ce sont plus de 8 000 logements, pour l’essentiel de type HLM, qui ont été construits durant cette période.
Ces constructions ont également contribué à la création du parc de l’Europe et d’un boulevard circulaire qui servait de jonction entre les différents édifices et le centre-ville de la cité stéphanoise.
Un projet pharaonique
Le centre commercial fut un projet d’une dimension sans précédent pour la ville, plus grand centre commercial intra-urbain de la région Loire-Auvergne, avec 100 magasins, 1500 places de stationnement, 90 000 m² de surface, et sur 3 niveaux (4 niveaux avec la terrasse). Le 2 octobre 1979, CENTRE DEUX ouvre ses portes pour la première fois, et constitue une renaissance et un véritable tournant pour la ville.L’avis de l’architecte
De toutes les constructions de cette époque, Beaulieu est un des ensembles construits qui se porte le mieux si l’on en croit les nombreuses enquêtes menées auprès de la population de ces logements, dont certains l’occupe pratiquement depuis le début. Les arbres atteignent désormais le haut des immeubles, et la rue Le Corbusier adjacente a pris les allures « d’une banlieue des années 30 » avec un niveau d’urbanisme parfaitement acceptable. En conclusion, on peut parler pour cette construction d’un véritable savoir faire architectural et en quelques sortes d’art urbain. Ce projet a été récompensé par un prix d’urbanisme, mettant en valeur le travail en amont du projet. St-Etienne Cimaise Architectes -
- Entretien avec François Tomas, géographe, spécialiste de l'aménagement urbain, et enseignant à l'université et à l'école d'architecture de Saint-Etienne. Il est notamment l'auteur des Grands Ensembles, une histoire qui continue (Publications de l'université de Saint-Etienne, 2003). Cet intellectuel a également mis la main à la pâte. Entre 1977 et 1983, il fut adjoint à l'urbanisme du maire communiste de l'époque, Joseph Sanguedolce. Engagé au PC de 1974 à 1985, il a, depuis, rejoint le Parti socialiste «comme militant de base»Quelle est l'ampleur des destructions provoquées par la Seconde Guerre mondiale à Saint-Etienne?
La ville subit un important bombardement des Alliés le 26 mai 1944. Celui-ci vise les usines qu'utilisaient les Allemands dans la région pour leur effort de guerre et les noeuds de communication ferroviaire. Comme prévu, la gare de Châteaucreux, les usines de Marais et le tunnel de Tardy sont touchés. Mais les bombes, larguées trop rapidement, atteignent aussi les quartiers du Soleil et de Tardy - notamment les écoles - ainsi que l'église Saint-François, emplie de fidèles. Au total, le bilan est lourd: un millier de morts, 1 500 blessés, 22 000 sinistrés; 800 immeubles ont été plus ou moins détruits.Que prévoit-on pour la reconstruction?Pas grand-chose. A la différence de la refonte spectaculaire du Havre, par exemple, on se contente ici de bâtir de petits immeubles, plus modernes bien sûr, mais sans réelle innovation architecturale ou urbanistique.Est-il vrai que Saint-Etienne, après guerre, traîne une réputation de «capitale des taudis»?C'est exact, et celle-ci n'est pas usurpée. En 1946, 7% seulement des logements sont jugés «confortables», et 17%, «acceptables»; 56% sont médiocres, et 20% peuvent véritablement être qualifiés de taudis: 1 logement sur 5 n'a pas d'eau à l'évier, les deux tiers ne disposent pas de WC, et 95%, de salle d'eau. Mais le problème n'a pas été créé par la guerre. Depuis la fin du XIXe siècle, Saint-Etienne a beaucoup grandi, mais très peu construit. Résultat: la ville a vieilli sur elle-même et se trouve après guerre dans une situation désastreuse, que les bombardements ont simplement aggravée.C'est alors qu'Alexandre de Fraissinette, maire élu en 1947, fixe le logement comme l'une de ses priorités.
Oui. Et ce ne sera pas un vain mot. Rendez-vous compte: on passe de 114 logements construits en 1948 à 531 en 1951, 1 085 en 1954, 1 694 en 1957 et même 2 932 en 1959! L'effort est gigantesque. Mais le changement est aussi qualitatif. A la fin des années 1940 et au début des années 1950, la France va connaître une rupture architecturale avec l'apparition des premiers grands ensembles. Saint-Etienne sera l'une des villes symboles de cette rupture.
Comment cette nouvelle architecture est-elle accueillie?
Très favorablement par les classes moyennes, beaucoup moins par les classes populaires.
Cela paraît paradoxal, pour du logement social!
Le paradoxe n'est qu'apparent. On l'a oublié aujourd'hui, mais les premiers grands ensembles sont réservés aux familles de moins de trois enfants ayant des revenus corrects, autrement dit aux classes moyennes. Alors que, depuis la guerre, celles-ci devaient se contenter d'une ou de deux pièces mal équipées, elles se voient soudain proposer des logements spacieux, avec de la verdure, de la lumière, une salle d'eau, des WC, le chauffage central. Cela leur paraît merveilleux! Les pauvres, eux, continuent de s'entasser dans de petits appartements sans confort, quand ce ne sont pas des taudis, en particulier à Tarentaize et à Beaubrun, ou des bidonvilles, du côté de Méons, près des puits de mine et des usines sidérurgiques. Ce n'est que plus tard, à partir des années 1970, que les grands ensembles seront prioritairement réservés aux pauvres et aux familles immigrées. Mais, dans les années 1950, les grands ensembles sont encore synonymes de progrès social. Et même au-delà. On est persuadé que ce nouvel habitat va entraîner le recul de la maladie, de la délinquance, voire de la mésentente entre les époux! Il existe ainsi une «commission du bonheur ou des grands ensembles»!On croit rêver...
C'était l'ambiance de l'époque, avec ses utopies et ses excès. Pour les architectes, si l'un des repoussoirs est le taudis de centre-ville, l'autre est le petit pavillon de banlieue, symbole à leurs yeux de l'individualisme petit-bourgeois, avec ses gaspillages de terrain, son absence d'horizon et son coût pour la communauté...
Quels sont les quartiers typiques de cette période, à Saint-Etienne?
Le premier est constitué par le très bel ensemble de la place du Maréchal-Foch. Il s'agit d'une étape intermédiaire entre l'îlot traditionnel (des immeubles accolés, formant un pâté de maisons) et sa suppression totale. Du côté de la Grand-Rue, plusieurs immeubles constituent encore des semi-îlots. Mais, à l'ouest, deux immeubles sont déjà totalement indépendants: ils sont construits au milieu de la verdure. Et cela, c'est très nouveau. Jusqu'à présent, tous les immeubles érigés à Saint-Etienne, y compris les plus hauts, étaient accolés à d'autres édifices. Cela reste encore, cinquante ans plus tard, l'un des quartiers chics de Saint-Etienne.
L'autre grande opération de l'époque, c'est Beaulieu I.
Evidemment. On est, cette fois, face à un grand ensemble «pur». Le chantier commence en 1953 - il y a juste cinquante ans - et s'achève en 1955. Ce nouveau quartier de 1 264 logements est remarquablement conçu. Non seulement il respecte la topographie des lieux, mais aussi il joue avec elle: les bâtiments sont implantés soit parallèlement, soit perpendiculairement aux courbes de niveau, ce qui met en valeur la colline tout en préservant son sommet. Pour rompre l'anonymat, les entrées, les façades et les balcons sont individualisés. Les logements sont de qualité, et les espaces verts, confiés aux services de la ville, tout simplement magnifiques. Beaulieu produit d'ailleurs un effet prodigieux sur ses premiers habitants.
Son implantation n'est pas non plus le fait du hasard...
En effet. Compte tenu des préoccupations hygiénistes de l'époque, le conseil municipal a choisi ce site «loin des zones minières et industrielles, à l'abri des poussières et des fumées, au climat salubre». Il souligne qu'il ne sera «jamais exploité par les houillères, car son sous-sol est stérile» et qu'il est également «bien relié à Saint-Etienne par le cours Fauriel, la seule avenue large de la ville». C'est véritablement le contre-modèle du taudis. Il a d'ailleurs, lui également, remarquablement bien vieilli.
Etes-vous aussi enthousiaste pour les projets qui ont suivi Beaulieu I?
Hélas!... Beaulieu II-La Marandinière (1957-1959), Beaulieu III-Montchovet (1962-1964), avec la fameuse «muraille de Chine», Beaulieu IV-la Palle (1967-1970) et la Métare (1962-1974), représentant à eux tous quelque 6 000 logements, constituent - à l'exception de la Métare, qui ne comprend que des appartements en copropriété - des échecs complets. Et tragiques.
Pourquoi cette différence?
Beaulieu I a bénéficié d'une accumulation de partis pris judicieux qui n'ont pas été appliqués par la suite. Outre la qualité de son architecture et de ses espaces verts, on a évité le zonage bête et méchant, qui allait s'imposer plus tard: les zones commerciales, d'un côté; les tours et les barres d'habitation, d'un deuxième; les emplois, d'un troisième. Enfin, Beaulieu I, réservé presque exclusivement aux classes moyennes, n'a pas connu le processus de dégradation que l'on constatera ailleurs, et dont la destruction de la «muraille de Chine» constituera le symbole.
Qui ont été les grands aménageurs de cette époque?
Parmi les politiques: le maire, Alexandre de Fraissinette (modéré), et son premier adjoint, qui lui succédera à sa mort, le radical Michel Durafour. Parmi les architectes: Edouard Hur et Henri Gouyon, concepteurs de Beaulieu I. Et, bien sûr, l'Etat, qui reste très présent. C'est lui qui, de manière générale, garde la haute main sur l'urbanisme. Beaulieu constitue une opération nationale, décidée de Paris. Cependant, ce qui est remarquable, c'est que, pour Beaulieu I, l'Etat va accepter de composer.
Dans quels domaines?
Le ministère de la Reconstruction souhaitait, ici comme ailleurs, que l'opération fût entièrement industrialisée. Autrement dit, que l'on adaptât au bâtiment les méthodes de l'automobile. Les constructions devaient se faire en préfabriqué, et l'on devait se contenter de les monter sur place. Mais, à Saint-Etienne, les architectes, soutenus par le maire, s'opposent à cette directive. Parce qu'ils sont expérimentés, et reconnus, ils vont obtenir gain de cause. Et heureusement.
Y a-t-il eu des projets, conçus à cette époque, qui n'ont pas vu le jour? A la fin des années 1950, l'Etat fait appel à de grands architectes pour remodeler les villes. A Saint-Etienne, c'est Dufau, distingué par le prix de Rome, qui est choisi. Il présente un projet radical: raser les 70 îlots qui se trouvent à l'est de la Grand-Rue, entre la place du Peuple et Bellevue, et les remplacer par autant de tours et de barres! Son projet, finalement, ne sera appliqué qu'en partie. Au sud, jusqu'à Bellevue, presque tout est démoli, beaucoup de tours et de barres sont construites. Au nord, les démolitions sont également presque systématiques, mais, cette fois, les nouveaux immeubles reproduisent la forme traditionnelle de l'îlot. On détruit également une partie du quartier derrière la grande poste, ainsi que l'ancienne caserne de Tréfilerie et la prison de Bizillon.
Le futur Centre-Deux...
C'est cela. Au départ, l'opération se nomme «prison-Tréfilerie», mais les promoteurs, qui ont le sens du commerce, préfèrent la rebaptiser. Ce quartier est conçu comme un centre d'affaires à l'américaine, type la Défense, à Paris, ou la Part-Dieu, à Lyon. On explique aux élus que, s'ils veulent que Saint-Etienne devienne une grande ville, ils doivent la doter d'un centre d'affaires, avec des immeubles atteignant 100 ou 150 mètres de hauteur, comme aux Etats-Unis! Le projet est lancé (en 1969), mais il sera peu à peu amendé, pour tenir compte de la réalité économique, de la montée des oppositions et de l'évolution des mentalités.
Comment l'économie stéphanoise se porte-t-elle alors?
La ville croit encore à l'avenir de la mine et des industries traditionnelles. Cela se comprend: le plan Monnet pour la relance de l'économie française s'appuie sur l'énergie, les transports, les industries lourdes... Bref, tous les points forts de Saint-Etienne, mais ce sera un cadeau empoisonné, car, bercée par cette illusion, la cité s'endort. Quand elle se décidera à moderniser ses structures industrielles, ce sera toujours avec quelques années de retard. Au fond, c'est dans les années 1950 que l'on commet les erreurs qui conduiront, plus tard, au démantèlement des industries locales.
Le secteur tertiaire a-t-il déjà commencé son essor?
Pas encore. Dans les années 1950, Saint-Etienne reste une ville très fortement industrielle. La tertiarisation, avec l'enseignement supérieur, la transformation de l'hôpital en centre hospitalier régional et universitaire et l'essor de Casino, avec les supermarchés et les hypermarchés, ne commencera véritablement que dans les années 1960.
Culturellement, la ville est aussi très active...
Elle est même, à ce moment-là, l'un des hauts lieux de la création culturelle en France, notamment dans les domaines théâtral et artistique. Maurice Allemand fait du musée de Saint-Etienne l'un des plus grands musées d'art moderne en France. Et Jean Dasté propose au public le théâtre moderne. Ce bouillonnement est dû, notamment, à Alexandre de Fraissinette. Comme, après lui, Michel Durafour, il est persuadé que l'avenir de la cité est dans la modernité. Il considère donc qu'elle doit être déclinée dans tous ses aspects: économique, urbanistique et culturel.
La population comprend-elle cette volonté?
Oui et non. Dans les années 1950, il existe un certain consensus, car tout le monde partage la vision d'un avenir meilleur. Mais, en réalité, Fraissinette, et surtout Durafour, sont très décalés. Dans leur obsession d'une ville «blanche», ils refusent en bloc le passé, dont on a heureusement découvert depuis lors les richesses. Ils rêvent d'une ville qui n'existe pas, peuplée d'habitants qui ne ressemblent pas aux Stéphanois réels... C'est d'ailleurs ce qui, plus tard, provoquera la chute de Michel Durafour.
Le chantier de l'autoroute de Saint Etienne 01 nov. 1965, la video içi www.ina.fr/video/LXC9610041788 -
Ronald E. Bogle, at podium, vice chair, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve National Board of Directors, addresses the audience during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) presentation prior to the farewell ceremony for more than 180 New Jersey Army National Guard Soldiers from Alpha and Charlie Companies, 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Regiment, at the Prudential Center, Newark, N.J., Feb. 4, 2019. ESGR develops and promotes supportive work environments for Guard and Reserve service members through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws, as well as resolves employer conflicts between service members and their employers. (New Jersey National Guard photo by Mark C. Olsen)
Maj. Gen. Patricia E. McQuistion visited May 4-6. While in Afghanistan she met with Soldiers and Civilians serving the warfighters. She traveled all over Afghanistan meeting with the logisticians who sustain the war effort here. Her tour included visits to responsible property assistant team yards, maintenance facilities, program managers and other service providers.
About the 401st:
The 401st Army field Support Brigade provides Soldiers, Sailors, Airman, and Marines, the tools and resources necessary to complete the mission. If they shoot, drive it, fly it, wear it, eat it or communicate with it, the 401st helps provide it. The brigade assists coalition partners with many of their logistical and sustainment needs. The brigade also handles the responsible disposition of equipment in Afghanistan to support evolving missions. We are the single link between Warfighters in the field, and working through Army Sustainment Command, we leverage Army Materiel Command’s worldwide Materiel Enterprise to develop, deliver, and sustain materiel to ensure a dominant joint force for the U.S. and our Allies.
For More information please visit us online:
Each year my friends and I do a car boot sale to raise funds for an animal charity. We are all friends through walking our dogs which is why we choose animal charities. We also try to support the lesser known charities, the ones that need all the help and funding they can get.
This year we have chosen to support a fairly new charity called Nowzad Dogs. The founder, Pen Farthing was a Marine posted in Now Zad, the Helman Province in Afghanistan. There he came across a dog fight where the dogs had had their ears and tails cut off with a knife so they could fight for longer as there would be no 'superficial' wounds. Pen broke up the fight and rescued, what would be his first dog who he named Nowzad. Little did he know where this would lead him in the future. Pen has written 2 books about his dogs and the charity, both sad but inspiring.
We have had so many donations we had a 'pre car boot' sale at my house where we raised £173. 27. We will be doing the real car boot at Peacock Meadow in Plympton on Sunday May 29th. If you can make it come along it would be great to see anyone from flickr.
Here is a bit more information about the charity, copied from the charity web site, for anyone interested.x
The lads of 5 Troop, Kilo Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines arrived in the war torn town of Now Zad in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in November 2006. Their mission was to provide stability for the local people during a period of ever decreasing security.
And as one of the Royal Marines – Sergeant “Pen Farthing” was soon to realise, it wasn’t only the local people that needed their help. For some of the many stray dogs of Now Zad they now had a guardian for the first time in their lives.
Pen takes up the story….“When we first arrived in the town of Now Zad I broke up a dog fight that was taking place right outside our remote compound. What I didn’t know was that one of those fighting dogs would then befriend me! I couldn’t say no to those big sad eyes, the now very former fighting dog, became my buddy and found himself a name – Nowzad”.
Soon the first ever dog warden of Now Zad, was looking after two more dogs “RPG” and “Jena”, strays that were very under nourished and didn’t look like they would survive the onslaught of the approaching Afghan winter.
Unbelievably they then gained “Tali” who crept in under the gate carrying 6 little puppies followed by an injured “AK” bringing up the rear. And then to complicate matters “Jena” had 8 puppies as well – life was just a little busy at the best of times in the compound that the Marines called home for nearly three months in the heart of the Taliban tribal belt.
In a quiet corner of the base Pen and two fellow Marines Dave & John built the dogs a modest dog run of sorts and for the dogs added safety they added on a mortar shelter to hide in, which luckily also provided some warmth during the extreme cold of the long winter nights.
The dogs went from scavenging food one day to eating two decent meals a day courtesy of the left over military rations that the Royal Marines didn’t eat!
Pen had already decided that he was going to try and get the dogs to a better life. But being stuck in the small town of Now Zad he had very limited communications with the outside world. With the help of his wife back in the UK they managed to track down an animal rescue centre in the far north of the country.
The only problem was that the Royal Marines had to get the dogs to the safety of the rescue but they couldn’t use military transport as it was against regulations.
As Pen explains “So the difficult task of persuading a local Afghanistan driver to take the dogs all the way to the rescue in the north – a journey of several days – began. Eventually we found a taxi that would take the dogs some of the way to Lashkar Gar and then they would be exchanged with another driver for the journey to Kandahar and then swapped yet again into another vehicle for the drive to the rescue. We had a few issues with this as we knew that the vehicles would be stopped by the Taliban at road blocks and for that reason the driver wouldn’t let us put the dogs in cages, (a very British thing to do – definitely not an Afghan method of transporting dogs), so we had to tie the dogs up with rope and put the puppies into small crates, (Jena’s puppies went into an old bird cage!), not something we were entirely comfortable with – but what else we were to do?
I knew if the vehicle doors were opened without the driver paying attention then there was a chance one or two of the dogs would escape…”
When the vehicle left for the epic journey carrying the dogs of Now Zad that had been, for the last three months, a source of comfort for some of the lads and had given them a sense of achieving something positive, the feeling of whether they had done the right thing was at the front of their minds. Not knowing what would happen to the dogs next was only slightly comforted by the fact that if they had left the dogs in Now Zad death would probably come sooner rather than later from starvation or cold. They might even have succumbed to one of the frequent attacks by the Taliban.
Travelling to the rescue had at least given the dogs a shot at a safe and cared for life. It was something the Royal Marines were willing to risk. Living in Now Zad was no life for the dogs.
Finally via a phone call from back home the lads found out the fate of the dogs; Tali, Jena and Nowzad and 13 of the 14 puppies had made the animal rescue. RPG and AK had escaped when the car door was left open. One of the puppies had been stolen.
The Royal Marines’ celebrations were tainted with sadness. They had no idea where RPG and AK had escaped and there was no way they could go looking for them.
May 2007
Dog owners the world over heard of the determination and compassion that Pen, Dave and John has shown in their attempts to rescue the dogs and so the charity Nowzad Dogs was formed during May 2007. The charity is registered in the UK – number 1119185.
The charity is mostly run by volunteers with the sole aim of improving the welfare of the animals of Afghanistan; especially the dog population. This aim is to be achieved through education of the local people of Afghanistan. Without their support and understanding then we have no hope. Afghanistan is a country full of potential. The Mayhew Animal Home in London supports a vets training scheme for participants from developing countries and the Nowzad Dogs charity fully supports it. Through the fantastic support of donors to Nowzad Dogs we are continually striving to support the many cries for help we receive from servicemen and women that have against orders taken in a stray puppy or rescued a dog or cat from cruelty.
December 2007
The charity supported the funding of Jena during her journey to the US to be re-homed within a loving family and for Nowzad and Tali to join Pen with his wife in the UK. What nobody expected was the overnight celebrity that Nowzad and Tali would become.
As Pen explains.. “It seems so unreal that just a few months ago in one of the most dangerous places on earth, I would find Nowzad hiding under a camp bed while the Taliban mortared us or be surprised as he plunked himself down next to me while I was cleaning my rifle. At times I had no idea how I would facilitate transporting the dogs to the safety of the rescue, to be honest I thought it was just an out of reach fantasy.
Not for one minute did I ever expect or think that one day I would be sat in an old store in the depths of Battersea cats and dogs home, having make up applied (tell anybody and I’ll find you!), waiting to be interviewed by Celina Scott about how we managed to orchestrate the rescue of Nowzad, Tali and Jena to loving homes on live television as guests on the Animal Rescue Live show along with Joy from the Mayhew Animal Home and after the fantastic video introduction put together by the BBC camera team we were invited onto the bench to be interviewed by Celina.
The video had been shot a few weeks before at the quarantine centre and Nowzad played his part well – not eating any of the camera crew and looking all sweet and innocent – if only they knew!
Although we only had a few minutes of airtime it went really well and I hope we managed to get the message across!”
The news of the two four legged Afghan refugees spread and to cap it all during March 2008 Nowzad & Tali were selected for the “Friends for Life” award as finalists along with their adopted owners Pen & Lisa. So a trip to the NEC in Birmingham to appear along with the other finalists at Crufts in the main arena was booked for the 9th March 2008. Pen and Lisa were not sure that Nowzad & Tali would cope well with the pressure and noise of the main arena at Crufts so training sessions were the order of the day, which with the help of a local dog training group went extremely well to everybody’s surprise. Queuing up for the main arena was a bit nerve racking but Nowzad & Tali were as good as gold, (as long as they were kept occupied with small smelly treats!).
Then the time came to stroll out looking calm and collected into the main arena with all the noise and lights. Were Nowzad and Tali worried?
Not in the slightest.
The two former Afghan strays were brilliant and took it all in their stride. Lisa along with Tali accepted a finalist’s trophy from the Crufts representative under the spotlight. Just a shame the BBC only put about 2 minutes of the actual “Friends for Life” final on the TV – Nowzad and Tali were in the ring for over 15 minutes! A big thank you to all who voted for us, rumour has it that that Nowzad & Tali almost won!
Lisa sums it all up… “No way did I ever think that Nowzad & Tali would one day go from the war torn town of Now Zad to staying in a posh hotel room at the Hilton so they could appear at Crufts, the biggest dog show in the world. Just how mad is this world of ours?”
The present
The charity is growing at a steady rate, our mailing list of supporters is increasing daily and the charity has had fantastic assistance from dog owners the world over who have offered their time in promoting the charity and its aims. We have also seen a steady increase in the demand for information from Service men and woman that need help with a stray dog or cat that has found its way into their lives. Nowzad and Tali have also now been immortalised in writing in the inspiring book of their story that has been described as a cross between ‘Marley and Me’ and ‘Bravo Two Zero’. ONE DOG AT A TIME describes the epic challenge of attempting to rescue two Afghan strays to their new forever homes thousands of miles away. Published by Ebury Press it can be brought here.
Help us to support these programs as well as the rescues by buying a copy of Pen’s book’s ‘One Dog at a Time’ and ‘No Place like Home’.
Order your signed paperback of ‘One Dog at a Time’ and ‘No Place Like Home’ here.
In late 2009 Nowzad Dogs took over the role of the Baghdad Animal Rescue organisation that was operating in Iraq, gaining the experience of its founder Louise. Serving as a contractor deep in northern Iraq in 2005 Louise could not bear to ignore the plight of the feral cats around her. The urge to give a decent life to a dying kitten thrust into her arms inside a bin bag was too much and Simba Al Tikriti the kitten, after being treated with human antibiotics, became the first of many cats and dogs to be saved by the self-confessed animal rescue machine.
Today the charity is operating at full capacity – assisting with the rescues of companion animals is still our core work but now the charity is also looking at methods of promoting animal welfare including humane options for dealing with the out of control stray dog population.
Please look around the Nowzad website for details of all our projects and for ways you can make a difference for the strays of Afghanistan.
For up to date information on all that is happening within the charity please click on our news page and remember to check out Pen’s video of his visit to the shelter here.
If you have an idea to promote the charity or want to help (even if just to display a poster for us) then please let us know!
We couldn’t walk away – we hope you won’t either!
(January 17, 2009) — Elements of Aberdeen Proving Ground played a crucial role in supporting the historic Whistle-Stop train ride of President-elect Barack Obama as it passed through Harford County and areas bordering the installation including the Edgewood Train Station.
Along with surrounding law enforcement entities, the APG Directorate of Emergency Services was peripherally involved in security and safety operations in accordance with requests for support from the Secret Service, according to Robert Krauer, DES director. Read more...
British Hajj Delegation 2012. Volunteer Doctors support pilgrims (Hajjis) during Hajj 2012 (1433H) providing support & medical aid. 18th October - 4th November 2012. Copyright R.Mogradia | www.cbhuk.org
The 157th Operations Support Squadron conducts a change of command ceremony, June 10, 2022 at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, in which out-going commander, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Corrigan relinquishes his command to Lt. Col. Sean Renbarger. U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Ferrario, 169th Operations Group commander, officiates the passing of the unit colors to signify to the Airmen of the squadron the significance of this formal event. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)
Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders (SMYAL) was formed to meet the needs of LGBTQ youth in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area - smyal.org
Photo: Graham Gilbert
Bird's eye view from the roof of Adnams Brewery. The Women's Tour, Southwold, June 15th 2016
The Annual British Truck Racing Championship Made its way Back to The Brands Hatch Circuit for its Season Finale Marking the End of Motorsport for the Season.
With a Massive Firework Display on the Sunday and Plenty of on and Off Track Action The Weekend was Shaping up to be One to Remember.
Many Drivers and Support Races were also Present from the small Yet Nimble Legends Cars to the Much Bigger and more Powerful 1000 Break Horse Power Racing Trucks that will be doing Battle on the circuit Saturday was Looking like a Really Good Start to a Weekend of Speed Madness and Awesome Racing.
Speaking of which Lets take a Look and See what Qualifying will Hold for Each Support and Main Race and Find out who Will be Taking Pole for The First Races of The Weekend.
Legends Cars Championship (Qualifying)
First Up is the Famous and Fan Favourite Legends Cars Championship, Thease Little Tiny Machines Run Yamaha Motorbike Engines within them that run up to 1200/1250cc Depending on the Spec of Engine. They also are 120 Break Horse Power and with how Light Weight they are (1,325lbs Including The Driver) Thease Cars are Very Quick and Very Nimble.
Lets Find Out who came where in Qualifying and Who Will be Starting on the Front Row.
In First Place Taking Pole and The Fastest Lap was (Chris Needham) in his Legend Coupe 1250 with a Best Lap Time of 55.691 and a Top Speed of 78.08mph. Amazing Work there Chris Well Deserved and Super Job for Pole Position.
In Second Place was (Will Gibson) in his Legend 34 Ford Coupe 1250 with a Best Lap Time of 55.721 and a Top Speed of 78.04mph. Superb Job there Will Fighting Hard and Very Nearly Taking Pole from Chris.
In Third Place was (John Mickel) in his Legend 34 Ford Coupe 1250 with a Best Lap Time of 55.740 and a Top Speed of 78.01mph. Amazing Work John Pushing that Legend Hard and Securing P3 on the Gird for the Race Super Job.
Three Very Fast and Capable Drivers in Chris Will and John All Fighting it out with their Fellow Competitors for The Victory Come the First Race but who will be Brave enough to Take on the Top 3 Fastest Drivers out there? We will Have to Wait and See.
Junior Saloon Car Championship (Qualifying Part 1)
Next Up we Have The Junior Saloon Car Championship a Racing Series Designed for Much Younger Drivers (Between 14 and 17 Years of Age) who want to try their Hand in Motorsport from a Young Age.
Thease Drivers are Mostly Fearless and always Provide some Very Intense and Incredible Racing Due to their Competitive Nature and Determination to Win and Succeed.
The Cars Used for This Series are Citroen Saxo VTR'S that are 1600cc In Terms of Power Meaning that Every Driver is on a Level Playing Field when the Racing Starts making for some Close Wheel to Wheel Action and Really showing who the Most Skilled and Quickest Drivers out there are.
Speaking of Which Lets Get straight to Qualifying and see who was the Most Fearless and Managed to Clock an Incredible Lap During Qualifying.
In First Place Taking Pole Position and The Fastest Lap was (Charlie Hand) in his Citroen Saxo VTR 1600 with a Best Lap Time of 58.554 and a Top Speed of 74.26mph. In credible Driving there Charlie Very Precise and Controlled Thought the Entire Lap to Secure P1 on the Gird Amazing Job.
In Second Place was (Jamie Petters) in his Citroen Saxo VTR 1600 with a Best Lap Time of 58.661 and a Top Speed of 74.13mph. Great Work there Jamie Pushing Hard and Securing that P2 Spot on the Front Row of the Gird Superb Job.
In Third Place was (Harvey Caton) in his Citroen Saxo VTR 1600 with a Best Lap Time of 58.685 and a Top Speed of 74.10mph. Incredible Drive there Harvey Pushing The Car and Fighting All the While to Defend that P3 on the Gird.
What an Incredibly Talented array of Drivers in Charlie Jamie and Harvey All Battling it out with their Fellow Competitors to try and Win the Championship and get those All Important Points they Need which could make up the Difference. Qualifying Second Fastest is up Next so lets take a look and see Who will come out on Top.
Junior Saloon Car Championship (Qualifying Second Fastest)
Following the Results from The First Qualifying Session the Second Qualifying Session Will see all the Drivers Go out again to Better their Lap Times and Maybe even Allow some New Competitors to Move up the Order into the Podium Places.
Lets Take a Look and See if Charlie Hand has managed to Hold onto His P1 Position on the Grid.
In First Place Taking Pole Position and The Fastest Lap was (Charlie Hand) in his Citroen Saxo VTR 1600 with a Best Lap Time of 58.639 and a Top Speed of 74.15mph. Another Incredible Lap from Charlie Hand Putting Himself Once Again on Pole for The First Race for The Junior Saloon Car Championship. Congratulations Charlie.
In Second Place was (Will Redford) in his Citroen Saxo VTR 1600 with a Best Lap Time of 58.851 and a Top Speed of 73.89mph. Great Drive there from Will Securing P2 and Adding a New Driver to the Top of the Standings. Great Work.
In Third Place was (Jamie Petters) in his Citroen Saxo VTR 1600 with a Best Lap Time of 58.861 and a Top Speed of 73.87mph. Fantastic Work there Jamie Really Pushing the Car Hard and Taking that Third Position Away from Harvey on the Gird. Nice Job.
Another Really Intense Qualifying Session which has seen the Likes of Charlie Will and Jamie all Emerge Victoriously on the Front Row but out of All Three of Thease Very Talented Drivers only one of them Can take The Race Win but who is it going to be?
CTCRC Racing For Marshals (Qualifying)
Next Up was The CTCRC Racing For Marshals Race a Very Special Support Race added to the Weekend at the Last Moments to Congratulate and Commemorate the Important Safety and Work each and Every Marshal of the Circuit does where ever they go and What Ever the Circuit.
The Orange Army as they are Known as take out their Time on Weekends to Volunteer at Race Meets Marshalling the Races to ensure Driver Safety is a Top Priority in the Sport and that Rules are being Adhered to.
From Volunteers who Clean the Track after Each Race to Flag Wavers to Incident Respondents and even Vehicle Recovery The Orange Army is always on Standby For When Anything goes Wrong. They Have a Passion for Motorsport that Cannot be Matched and a Community that is still Going Strong to this Day all over the Country.
The Race itself Features a Wide Variety of Cars from Honda Civic EG2000 to Ford Escort MK1 Mexico's to even Aston Martin V8 Vantages. Each and Every Car has its Strengths and Weaknesses when it comes to Power and Control.
Lets take a Look at Qualifying and see who Managed to Taim their Beast and take that All Important P1 Spot on the Gird for Race 1.
In First Place taking Pole Position and the Fastest Lap was (Samuel Wilson) in his Aston Martin V8 Vantage with a Best Lap Time of 52.087 and a Top Speed of 83.48mph. Phenomenal Drive there Samuel Really Working Hard to Keep the Car on the Track and Utilise all that Important Horse Power.
In Second Place was (Gary Prebble) in his Honda Civic EG2000 with a Best Lap Time of 52.672 and a Top Speed of 82.56mph. Great Work there Gary Pushing Hard and Ensuring that P2 is Secure on the Gird. Great Driving.
In Third Place was (Mike Saunders) in his Ford MK1 Escort Mexico with a Best Lap Time of 52.837 and a Top Speed of 82.30mph. Fantastic Work there Mike Great Job and Well Done for Securing P3 on the Grid.
A Really Fantastic Trio of Drivers in P1 P2 And P3 in the Likes of Samuel Gary and Mike all Pushing Hard and Making their Mark Amongst their Fellow Drivers but will anyone Else be able to challenge them and Potentially take that All Important P1 Spot Right Out from Underneath them? Stay Tuned to Find Out.
Pickup Truck Championship (Qualifying Part 1)
Pickup Trucks made their way out onto the Circuit Next and With some Very Fast and Capable Machinery in each of thease Cars Expect to see Very Fast Lap Times and a Lot of High Speed Action.
The Pickup Trucks themselves are Made out of a Space Frame with the Bodies on all the Trucks Just being either Plastic or Fibreglass which Helps to Reduce Weight and Allows for some Very Quick Lap Times around the Circuit.
Engine Specifications for the Pickup Trucks Includes a 2.0 Litre Engine Capable of 220 Break Horse Power and Much like The Legends Cars they are Still Very Nimble at High Speeds Resulting in Full concentration and Skill to ensure Victory on the Race Track.
Lets Look to Qualifying and see what Happened and who will be On Pole for the First of Two Qualifying Sessions This is Part 1.
In First Place taking Pole and the Fastest Lap was (Matt Wills) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 52.358 and a Top Speed of 83.05mph. Great Drive there Matt Pushing Hard and Keeping the Truck Pointing in the Right Direction at All Times. Great Work.
In Second Place was (Matt Simpson) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 52.529 and a Top Speed of 82.78mph. Well Done Matt P2 and a Super Drive from you as well.
In Third Place was (Dean Tompkins) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 52.593 and a Top Speed of 82.68mph. Well Done Dean A Really Good Drive and Fending off David O' Regan to take that All Important P3 on the Grid.
Another Incredible Display of Car Control and High Speed Action from the Two Matt's and Dean for what I'm Sure will be a Fantastic First Race when the Lights Go Out but for Now its onto Qualifying Part 2 to see if Any of the Fastest Drivers Can Improve or Move their Positions on the Gird to a Better Starting Spot.
Pickup Truck Championship (Qualifying Part 2)
For Part 2 of This Qualifying Session the Top 20 Fastest Drivers Battle it out for Another Chance to either Improve or Defend their Position from the First Qualifying Session.
Lets take a Look and see How Dean and the Two Matt's go on Did they Stay where they Were or Have they Moved About a bit and Allowed a New Driver to take Pole for the Race?
In First Place taking Pole and The Fastest Lap was (Mark Willis) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 52.358 and a Top Speed of 83.05mph. Congratulations Mark P1 and a Front Row Start on the Gird for Race 1. Incredible Lap.
In Second Place was (Matt Simpson) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 52.529 and a Top Speed of 82.78mph. Another Fantastic Lap there Matt Hanging onto P2 on the Grid and Matching Your Previous Fastest Time. Great Stuff.
In Third Place was (Dean Thomas) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 52.593 and a Top Speed of 82.68mph. Fantastic Work there Dean Keep Hold of that P3 on the Grid and Defending Well from P4's David O' Regan.
What a Superb Bit of Driving from Each of the Top Three in Mark Matt and Dean Thease Three Really Know How to Push their Pickup Trucks to the Limit and Race them Right on the Edge of what is Possible Around this Circuit. Looking Forward to the First Race and to see who can make their Mark on the Weekend First.
British Truck Racing Championship (Qualifying)
Finally it was Time for The Heavy Weights to make their way out onto the Circuit and with 1000 Break Horse Power under each of the Drivers Right Foot This will Surely be a Qualifying Session of who is Brave Enough to Push their Truck to the Limit and Take Pole Position for Race 1 of the Weekend.
In First Place taking Pole Position and The Fastest Lap was (Ryan Smith) in his Mercedes Actros 12000 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.232 and a Top Speed of 72.19mph. Brilliant Driving from Ryan Really Pushing on and Getting the Job Done to Secure the First Pole Position for Truck Racing this Weekend. Fantastic Drive.
In Second Place was (Stuart Oliver) in his Volvo VNL 13000 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.949 and a Top Speed of 71.34mph. Well Driven there Stuart Keeping the Volvo Out of Trouble and Taking a Well Deserved P2 Spot on the Grid.
In Third Place was (David Jenkins) in his Man TGX 12000 with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.146 and a Top Speed of 71.11mph. Great Drive there David Really Well Done that's P3 on the Grid.
Three Incredible Drivers in Ryan Stuart and David all Pushing themselves Hard and Getting Ready for what Will be a Super First Race for the Trucks. To All the Other Truck Racers and Support Racers taking Part Good Luck and May the Best Man Win.
Legends Cars Championship (Race 1 Results)
After a Very Hectic Qualifying Session which saw Chris Needham Will Gibson and John Mickel in First Second and Third Place it was Time for Race 1 and to see out of the Top 3 Drivers as well as the Rest of the Drivers who could take that All Important Race Victory.
In First Place Taking the Win was (Sean Smith) in his Legend 34 Ford Coupe 1250 with a Best Lap Time of 56.515 and an Average Speed of 50.17mph. Congratulations Sean Really Well Driven and Held together for that Impressive Victory.
In Second Place was (Stephen Whitelegg) in his Legend Coupe 1250 with a Best Lap Time of 56.352 and an Average Speed of 50.17 mph. Superb Driving from Stephen and a Fantastic P2 Finish on the Podium.
In Third Place was (John Mickel) in his Legend 34 Ford Coupe with a Best Lap Time of 56.160 and an Average Speed of 50.16mph. Great Driving There John P3 and The Final Step on the Podium.
What an Amazing First Race that was for The Legends Cars Championship with the Likes of Sean Stephen and John all Taking Superb Victories and Battle Through the Field. Good Luck to all other Drivers and Lets see what Race 2 Brings.
Legends Cars Championship (Race 2 Results)
After a Really Intense Battle at the Top End of the Field it was Time once again for the Legends Cars and their Drivers to Head out onto the Circuit for Race 2.
In First Place Taking the Win was (Will Gibson) in his Legend 34 Ford Coupe with a Best Lap Time of 55.548 and an Average Speed of 77.28mph. Phenomenal Drive there Will Pushing Hard through the Field to take a Very Well Deserved Race Win. Congratulations.
In Second Place was (Miles Rudman) in his Legend 34 Ford Coupe with a Best Lap Time of 55.541 and an Average Speed of 77.25mph. Great Drive there Miles Pushing Yourself and The Car Thought the entire Race and Securing P2.
In Third Place was (Mike Schlup) in his Legend 34 Coupe with a Best Lap Time of 55.638 and an Average Speed of 77.07mph. Great Driving there Mike Nicely Done and P3 on the Podium Super Job.
Another Amazing Race which saw the Likes of Will Miles and Mike all Taking Victories with a Superb Display of Driving from Each of them and some Very Competitive Action thought the Race from other Drivers too. Race 3 is Up Next and who will take the Final Race Victory of the Day for The Legends Championship?
Legends Cars Championship (Race 3 Results)
The Final Legends Race of Saturday and with so Many Different Drivers Winning such as Will Gibson Sean Smith would anybody else be able to take on thease Top Level Drivers and Bring Home Glory to their Team?
Lets Find Out
In First Place taking the Victory was (John Mickel) in his Legend 34 Ford Coupe with a Best Lap Time of 56.016 and an Average Speed of 63.83mph. Amazing Job John Really Pushing the Car to its Limits in this Last Race and Taking Home the Spoils and The Glory. A Really Nice way to End The First Days Racing Congratulations.
In Second Place was (Paul Simmons) in his Legend 34 Ford Coupe with a Best Lap Time of 55.801 and an Average Speed of 63.81mph. Nice Work Paul A Really Solid Race and a Great Finish for a First Days Racing at Brands Hatch.
In Third Place was (Jack Parker) in his Legend 34 Ford Coupe with a Best Lap Time of 55.682 and an Average Speed of 63.54mph. Really Great Drive Jack 3rd Place and Fantastic to see a New Winner on the Podium for Legends Racing Really Well Deserved.
What an Incredible First Day of Racing it has been for the Legends Championship and with another Three Races to come on Sunday the Action will continue to Intensify. A Big Congratulations to all of the Race Winners in John Paul Jack Stephen Mike Miles and Sean who all Drove Insanely Well and Well Done to all of the other Drivers out there. Keep Pushing and Never Give Up.
Junior Saloon Car Championship (Race 1 Results)
The First Race for the Junior Saloon Cars Championship is Up Next and After seeing Charlie Hand Dominate the Field in Qualifying Will any other Driver be able to Stop Him.
Lets Find Out
In First Place taking the Victory was (Charlie Hand) in his Citroen Saxo VTR 1600 with a Best Lap Time of 58.995 and an Average Speed of 61.36mph. Phenomenal Job Once Again Charlie Putting on a Super Display of Driving Skill and Speed to Dominate Your way to Victory from Lights to Flag. Amazing Drive.
In Second Place was (Will Redford) in his Citroen Saxo VTR 1600 with a Best Lap Time of 58.981 and an Average Speed of 61.33mph. Really Well Driven there Will Chasing Down Charlie Right till the End and Still Finishing an Incredible Second Place. Congratulations.
In Third Place was (Jamie Petters) in his Citroen Saxo VTR 1600 with a Best Lap Time of 59.392 and an Average Speed of 60.74mph. Great Drive there Jamie A Lot of Hard work and Dedication to achieve that Third Position Fighting off Ruben Hage in a Thrilling Battling Side by Side. Well Done.
A Fantastic Opening Race for the Junior Saloon Car Championship with the likes of Charlie Hand coming out Victorious Once Again with Will Redford in Second Place and Jamie Petters in Third.
A Quick Mention of that Incredible Battle Between Jamie and Ruben for 3rd Place What a Phenomenal Bit of Driving from thease Two Young Drivers as they went Side by Side Continuously for Three Straight Laps before Jamie took that All Important P3 with a Move at Paddock Hill Bend. Great work to Ruben too a Phenomenal Drive for P4.
Looking Forward to some More Intense Racing Action from thease Two as Well as all the other Drivers in This Series on Sunday Until Then Good Luck and Keep Racing!
CTCRC Racing For Marshals (Race 1 Results)
After a Brilliant Qualifying Session which saw Samuel Wilson in his Aston Martin V8 Vantage take Victory Over Gary Prebble and Mike Saunders it was Time to see what the CRTC Drivers could get up to and who could take their First Victory in Race 1.
In First Place Taking Victory was (Scott Kirwan) in his Reno Clio 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 58.832 and an Average Speed of 72.98mph. Amazing Drive there Scott A Well Deserved Victory to take First Place.
In Second Place was (Keith Evans) in his Alpha Romeo Alpfasud with a Best Lap Time of 1:03.789 and an Average Speed of 67.70mph. Great Work there Keith Really Pushing Hard and Taking a Well Deserved P2 in the Race. Fantastic Work.
In Third Place was (Nathan Berrisford) in his BMW 1800ti with a Best Lap Time of 1:03.752 and an Average Speed of 67.53mph. Great Work from Nathan To Achieve Third Place and take that Final Step on the Podium Congratulations.
A Really Great First Race for the CTCRC Showcasing some Impressive Machinery and some Really Amazing Drivers in Scott Keith and Nathan All Taking Superb Victories on DAY 1. Good Luck to all of the other Drivers out their your Time Will Come, Keep Racing and Pushing your Team and Yourself to Go Further.
Pickup Truck Championship (Race 1 Results)
Next Up The Pickup Trucks Made their way out onto the Circuit and after Seeing what thease Drivers could do in Qualifying it was Mark Willis who took Pole Position in the Second Fastest Qualifying Category with Matt Simpson in Second Place and Dean Thomas in Third. Who Will be Able to Challenge each of the Top Three?
Lets Find Out
In First Place taking the Race Win and the Fastest Lap was (Dean Thompkins) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 52.051 and an Average Speed of 81.70mph. Congratulations Dean Really Well Done and a Fantastic Drive thought the entire Race.
In Second Place was (Paul Thompkins) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 52.402 and an Average Speed of 81.68mph. Superb Job there Paul Working Really Hard and Trying to Stay Close to Dean Most of The Time as Well.
In Third Place was (Matt Simpson) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 52.519 and an Average Speed of 81.65mph. Really Well Done Matt Fantastic Drive with a Few Sideways Moments and Securing P3 on the Podium.
A Really Exciting First Race for the Pickup Trucks as they Battled it out to see who could take that All Important Victory and become a Race Winner. Huge Congratulations to Dean Paul and Matt for putting on One Hell of a Great Race and to All the other Pickup Truck Drivers who showed their Skills and Racing Passion while Competing. Looking Forward to Sunday and More Track Action from This Lot.
British Truck Racing Championship (Race 1 Results)
Lastly for the Saturday was The British Truck Racing Championship and after a Really Aggressive Qualifying Session it was Time for each Driver to put their Skills to the Test and Battle it out for a Victory.
With Ryan Smith in Pole Position Stuart Oliver in Second and David Jenkins in Third This Race is Going to be One Hell of a Good Race to Witness.
In First Place taking the Victory was (Ryan Smith) in his Mercedes Actros 12000 with a Best Lap Time of 58.945 and an Average Speed of 72.21mph. Congratulations Ryan Really Well Deserved and a Fantastic Victory for Race 1.
In Second Place was (David Jenkins) in his Man TGX 12000 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.159 and an Average Speed of 71.48mph. Amazing Job there David Taking your P3 Position in Qualifying and Turning it into a P2 Finish at the End of the Race Great Drive.
In Third Place was (John Newell) in his Man TGS 12000 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.718 and an Average Speed of 70.64mph. Nice Work John Pushing the Truck Hard and Fending off Martin Gibson to take a Well Deserved Third Place.
Super Racing From the British Truck Racing Championship with Many Side by Side Battles Taking Place thought the Race and Lots of Sideways Action to Round off the Saturday Here at Brands Hatch.
A Big Congratulations to Ryan Smith David Jenkins and John Newell who all Drove Very Well and Showed what a True Championship Like Drive is in one of thease Monstrous Trucks. Well Done to all of the other Truck Racers who also Took Part Hoping to see some New Faces on the Top Step of the Podium Come Sunday.
For Now See You ALL Then!
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Tea-Bear, under the bed...sleeping the 60 minutes away in support for the campaign against Global Warming.
Long lost from pubic view there are dozens of these caryatids that once supported the Victorian roof of teh Exchange in Bristol. After war damage a new roof was inserted and teh fine quality carvings dissipeared behind an open roof. They are still in remarkably good condition having survived teh elements since then.
The Bayon is a well-known and richly decorated Khmer temple at Angkor in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th century or early 13th century as the official state temple of the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII, the Bayon stands at the centre of Jayavarman's capital, Angkor Thom.
Operational Contract Support Joint Exercise 2016 participants go through combat medical training lanes March 23, 2016 at Fort Bliss, Texas. This exercise provides training across the spectrum of OCS readiness from requirements and development of warfighter staff integration and synchronization through contract execution supporting the joint force commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder/Released)