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Another lost pub! Five Bells, 85 South Street, Bridport, is one of thousands of English pubs to have closed over the decades, a trend that has accelerated recently. Five have closed in Bridport this century.
It probably opened in 1852 but it is not known when it actually called "last orders". Apparently the area in and immediately around Bridport had a maximum of c80 licenced public houses of which about 20 remain today. This tile panel is all that remains of the Five Bells which is now a private house.
Courtesy of The National Park Service, this photo shows the steamboat Charles H. Spencer tied up at Lee's Ferry, Arizona, on the Colorado River. The backdrop shows the cliff walls of the river canyon. The photo was taken just over 100 years ago.
According to Wiki, the parts of the vessel were manufactured in San Francisco, shipped by rail to Marysvale, Utah, and then conveyed by ox-cart to the mouth of Warm Creek, where the boat was assembled during 1912. Once complete, the boat carried 5-6 tons of coal 21 miles downriver from Warm Creek on each trip, the fuel being used to power gold-refining machinery. However, its operations lasted a mere 2 years as little gold was found. The Charles H. Spencer was moored on site but sank less than ten years into her life during a flood in 1921.
Not an old photo for today's "Saturday Flashback". However, this same scene could have been taken many years, decades, even centuries ago.
This week's Saturday Flashback features yet another fascinating old photo that I came across. Taken over a century ago, it shows fishermen with their catch of two humungous salmon. I had no idea salmon could grow that big! Apparently the word "tyee" comes from the coastal Indian language and means “The Chief” or “Great Leader.” The term is used to describe Chinook or Spring salmon that weigh 30 lbs. or more.
You can see loads more "Saturday Flashbacks" here www.flickr.com/photos/99303089@N00/sets/72157628862484523/
Born Jessie Margaret Matthews to a huge, poor family in Soho in London's West End. Jessie became a big stage star in the late 1920s and 1930s, enjoying some cross over success in musical films. Her career never quite relaunched after the war though, but she staged a comeback replacing the lead actress in radio soap "Mrs Dale's Diary" in 1963 until it's closure in 1969. Her life was blighted by breakdowns of relationships and her own struggles against ill-health and insecurity, and ended, amazingly, buried in an unmarked grave (only rectified after a TV documentary in the late 80s brought this to light - beg, steal or borrow a copy of the BBC's Timewatch documentary "Catch A Fallen Star"). An amazing life.
It isn't my original photograph of course, but I was fascinated by this old image (exact date unknown) of Alkmaar's cheese market. The earliest known date for a cheese weighing house in Alkmaar is 1365. Obviously this is from a much more recent time. In the photo, cheese is being delivered from local farms for a certain amount of quality control, bargaining, weighing and onward sale. Such events live on during the summer season as tourist attractions. However, the commercial reality is that consolidation and buy-outs mean that there are just two enormous industrial cheese companies left in Holland, Beemster and Campina.
The square is certainly recognisable today, although it is now surrounded by cafes and restaurants. Also, you now see a vastly different populace from all cultures and ethnic groups, not to mention as many women as men!
Huw Edwards presenting a BBC 'Timewatch' at Caernarfon Castle on the 40th anniversary of the Prince of Wales' Investiture (2009).
This week, Saturday's Flashback features a classic old tea room, known in 1955 as "Bosherton Tea Gardens", near Pembroke in Wales. Although the name has sadly changed to "Ye Olde Worlde Cafe" the photo below shows that it looks much the same in 2012. The business is still owned by the same family. Wall's Ice Cream remains for sale and even now you still ring the door bell for service! If their Egg On Toast, Welsh Cakes and Pot of Tea are anything to go by, I'm not surprised this fine old tea room is still open and thriving.
I found this posting on the internet :
"I am the lady at the door with my husband Don Weston. The date is about 1959 because that is the year we had electricity in the village and started to sell ice cream. Hence the Walls sign. My parents Mr and Mrs Caesar Evans started the tearooms here in 1922 and after my mother died in 1952 my husband and I ran this little business together very happily for fifty two years until his sudden death three years ago. But I have managed to keep the business going with the help of many good friends. I am now nearly eighty five and affectionately known by many customers as Auntie Vi."
This week's "Saturday Flashback" goes back to a classic age of Dutch architecture. These two buildings face Hoorn harbour and were built in 1616 and 1618. The wonkly verticals can clearly be seen. From what information I could find, the stone panel showing a ship indicates much trade from here involved carrying grain from Poland and Baltic countries, through the Strait of Gibraltar to the countries around the Eastern Mediterranean. Apparently there was a massive shortage there during this time in history. Often salt was transported on the reverse journey.
The building below is the Carpenter's House and Workshop in Leiden, built just a few years earlier in 1612.
Paddle Steamer Waverley is the last ocean-going paddle-steamer in the world. On this occasion, although the wheels were turning and she was ready to set sail, she never left harbour due to a mechanical breakdown.
Nevertheless, you can see below that a week later everything went according to plan.
There is much more information here
This Friday (February 9) on BBC2 at 9 o'clock, you will be able to see me, briefly, begowned and bewigged, discussing weighty matters in the old Parliament hall in a documentary about duelling.
My friend, who works for the company that produced the film, says that it's the best thing they've done. That means, hopefully, it'll be worth watching even if, in a moment of foolish distraction, you miss the split second during which I make my appearance.
Here's the Radio Times review:
The Last Duel - Timewatch
9:00pm - 9:50pm
BBC2 London & South East
It's curious to think that a bank manager's letter about a loan could result in a duel, but that's precisely what happened in Kirkcaldy, Fife, nearly 200 years ago. The pistol duel between respectable linen merchant David Landale and Bank of Scotland agent George Morgan was famously the last one to be held in Scotland. The subject's perhaps a bit esoteric, even for a history series, but as the story unfolds, led by BBC News 24's chief political correspondent James Landale, who's also the descendant of one of the duellists, and the minutiae of duel etiquette is explained, it becomes quite engrossing. That there was a hefty book called The Code to Duels, detailing how to go about blasting your opponent to kingdom come in a proper and honourable way, seems extraordinary. And possibly quite useful to consult, should you ever be refused an overdraft.
The documentary is based on The Last Duel, by James Landale.
Ordnance Survey Revised 1938, published 1947.
Upwey Wishing Well Halt is towards the top right. The wishing well is towards the top left.
Huw Edwards presenting a BBC 'Timewatch' at Caernarfon Castle on the 40th anniversary of the Prince of Wales' Investiture (2009).
(This is the first of an occasional series of flashback photos. I apologise in advance for the inevitable poor quality. These ones are actually 'new' photographs of old prints. Others will be scanned from rather faded 35mm slides)
I have no idea what the official name of the 'sport' is but to me it is "Cow Tipping". This series was taken during Feria de Caballo (Horse Fair) at Jerez de la Frontera, Spain in May 2004. Most events take place in town. However whilst driving through the nearby countryside, I stumbled on this unpublicised event and was sufficiently intrigued to stop and see what was going on. At first I feared it might be some sort of bull-fighting, something I abhor. It was not. As far as I could see no cruelty was involved to either horse or cow. The 'sport' seemed rather like sheep-dog trials, in that it was basically a 'sporting' demonstration of a traditional way of catching cows on the range.
The main photo is from the parade before the event started for real. The photographs below illustrate what then went on.
1.- ♥ _Operación Gladio 1 - Los Jefes De Los Anillos_♥ Con subtítulos en español. Producción original de la BBC sobre esta estructura criminal nazi de la OTAN
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2.- ♥ _Timewatch, Operación Gladio: Segunda Parte_♥ Con subtítulos en español.
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3.- ♥ _Timewatch, Operación Gladio: Tercera Parte_♥ Con subtítulos en español.
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Producciones de periodismo de investigación que contradice todas las actividades de propaganda vertidas en todos los medios de comunicación desde 1947 hasta nuestros días por los servicios de inteligencia de la alianza militar de la OTAN que ha infiltrado TODAS las instituciones judiciales, estatales de comunicación y de funcionamiento estatal con la organización político militar nazi World Anticommunist League, WACL. Organización terrorista militar nazi controlada por el último Secretario General conocido John K.- Singlaub, CIA operativo y Críminal de Guerra aún con vida jamás INVESTIGADO residente en Colorado, Estados Unidos de América.
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Video documental relacionado a CRIMENES DE GUERRA SIN AJUSTICIAR. Crímenes de guerra de la alianza militar de la OTAN con sus esbirros nazis en guerra.
VIDEO: LO QUE NO SABÍAS DE LA GUERRA SIONISTA...CLICK ON...CLICK ON
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK12q9Nvci4
CLICK ON...CLICK ON....
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Este es el verdadero TERRORISMO!!. Este es el terrorismo de la OTAN nazificadora de las relaciones mundiales
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Tal como fuere practicado por las Tropas de las calaveras de Adolf Hitler son hoy las tropas militares nazificadas de Noruega, Reino Unido, Estados Unidos de América aplaudidas por la socialdemocracia internacional las que nazifican las relaciones sociales mundiales.
Colectividad política transnacional CRIMINAL y nazificadora de las relaciones sociales humanas. Organización política colaboradora de los Proyectos Nazis Internacionales del Pentágono MK ULTRA, MK NAOMI, MK SEARCH, MK DELTA y organización que ha dedicado TODOS SUS ESFUERZOS EN ESCAPAR DE LA JUSTICIA ORDINARIA.
La socialdemocracia está conformada por falsificadores profesionales que utilizan el sistema de Naciones Unidas en función de actividad de corrupción y prestigios privados y personales. Toda la política de la socialdemocracia internacional está conformada por actividad planificada militar de IMPUNIDAD.
La socialdemocracia internacional se mofa de Naciones Unidas y se rie del sistema de justicia mundial a gritos.
Organización y colectividad política comprometida en actividades de planificación de genocidios humanos, colaborado de las actividades nazis de la OTAN, organización colaboradora de los Proyectos de destrrucción humanas y que controla el cartel del petróleo.
Best viewed large:
The Arch of Septimius Severus (Arcus Septimii Severi) is a triumphal arch, erected in 203 AD to celebrate the victories of emperor Septimius Severus and his sons Caracalla and Geta in the wars against the Parthians and the Osroeni in 195 AD and 197 AD. It is located in the Forum Romanum between the Curia and the Rostra. It spans the Via Sacra on the route of the triumphal processions just before the ascent of the Capitoline Hill towards the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus.
For more information on the monument see here
I have provided a translation for the formal inscription on the face of the monument.
See site map here
For those Yorkshire folk obsessed with the emperor Constantine's links with the city of York. This emperor, Septimius Severus, campaigned from York for over two years, adopted the title "Britanicus" to commemorate his victories here and finally died in York in 211 AD and was succeeded by his two sons Caracalla and Geta; the latter was soon murdered by the former and the bodies of at least 30 of Geta's supporters have recently been found, beheaded, in graves on the Mount in the city.
For more information from the BBC see here
This week's Saturday Flashback is a photo of a photo taken in 1972 as The Sultan Of Selangor welcomes Queenie, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Anne on an official visit to Britain's ex-colony.
I wonder what Phil the Greek was thinking??
(For non-UK readers, he has a very well known reputation for gaffes, put-downs and speaking his mind. For example, this is what he apparently said about his daughter, Princess Anne ""If it doesn't fart or eat hay, she isn't interested." On tour "You managed not to get eaten then?" To a British student who had trekked in Papua New Guinea, during an official visit in 1998)
TV Times
Apr 28 1984
'Robin of Sherwood'
Michael Praed starred in 11 episodes as Robin Hood then left to go to America and joined ‘Dynasty’ as Prince Michael of Moldavia. Recently he has been heard as the narrator of the ‘Timewatch’ documentary series.
(This is the second of a weekly series of flashback photos. I apologise in advance for the inevitable poor quality. This one is scanned from a rather faded 35mm slide).
I love Ireland and the friendly Irish people, especially their ability to laugh at themselves when needs be. The people we were with certainly thought this head-to-head between two school buses on a single-track road somewhere in the west of Eire in 1983 was hilarious.
Just a few years after the construction of the bridge, cracks appeared in the masonry abutments, partly caused by ground movement. Some of the present-day cracks in the cast iron may date from this time, although others are probably casting cracks from defects such as blow holes. Some cracks were pinned with wrought iron straps, but others have been left free. By 1802, the southern stone abutment had to be demolished and replaced with temporary wooden arches before eventually being replaced by iron arches. However, many of the cracks visible in the bridge today have been left untouched. The bridge was over-designed and subsequent bridges, such as those built by Thomas Telford, used much less cast iron. For example, his cast iron arch bridge at Buildwas, upstream from Ironbridge, used less than half the weight for a greater span (130 foot span, 170 tons of cast iron). However, it suffered similar problems of abutment movement and was replaced in 1902.
In 1972, a programme of major repairs took place on the foundations of the bridge. It involved creating a ferro-concrete counter-arch under the river. Inward movement of the bridge abutments had compressed the bridge and caused the centre of the arch to rise by a few feet.[4] This counter-arch resists this compressive force from the abutments.
In 1999-2000, the bridge was renovated again, with replacement of the cast iron road plates with steel plates, and a lightweight top surface.
These renovations, together with recent research, revealed more about the building process and the manufacture of the cast iron parts. While the smaller parts were cast using wooden patterns, the large ribs were cast into excavated moulds in the casting sand. It is now known that 70 per cent of the components were made individually to fit, and as a result each is slightly different from the others. Darby’s workers employed woodworking joints – mortises and tenons, dovetails and wedges – and adapted them to the different properties of cast iron. English Heritage, together with the Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust, carried out a full archaeological survey, record and analysis of the bridge in 1999–2000. A half-size replica of the main section of the bridge was built in 2001 as part of the research for the BBC Timewatch programme which was shown in 2002.
"Saturday Flashback" this week is again a recent photo, but going way, way back in time.
I found this hand tool lying on the ground in the orchard of the Moroccan hotel I stayed in last week. For days afterwards, I kept an eye open for anything similar and never saw anything else like it. It fitted my hand to perfection as a cutting tool, with a knapped and sharpened edge, just like flints that are sometimes found in the UK.
I have had a good rummage around the internet and Manchester Museum has also been consulted. However, there is far less knowledge about ancient African tools and finds than there is about European. It seems likely that the material is actually quartzite, a hard rock that was originally sandstone. Dating is an entirely other matter.
It could conceivably be "acheulean" taking it back hundreds of thousands of years to Neanderthal times. Or it could be "mousterian", roughly between 300,000 and 30,000 years back. THE FACT IS WITHOUT REAL EXPERT SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE I JUST DON'T KNOW AND PROBABLY NEVER WILL.
I'll just call it "very old" and wonder whose hand held it before mine??
How could I resist, especially with that slightly 'arabic' opening!!!
BITH'S JUKEBOX #210
ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN "THE CUTTER"
Drop a coin in the slot :
I can't find any information about this week's "Saturday Flashback". However, this diptych shows an original gas station clock found in a small-town America garage. The clock was no longer working, but was in-situ and revolved to show it's two faces as the breeze caught it. My guess is maybe from the 1930's???
(Any further information would be appreciated!)
Maisy Battery was featured in the recent BBC Timewatch documentary “Bloody Omaha” hosted by Richard Hammond.
Maisy Battery is a previously forgotten German gun battery - part of Hitler's Atlantic Wall in Normandy near Omaha Beach. The buried site was discovered by military enthusiast Gary Sterne after studying a wartime officer's map of the area marked 'Area of High Resistance'.
The Maisy Battery was a headquarters complex for the coastal defence of Omaha Beach and its guns included four 10.5 cm cannons – three in casements and one in a field, it had six 155mm howitzers in open emplacements, a British 25pdr cannon captured at Dunkirk, two 50mm KwK anti-tank cannons, two Renault Tank turret tops mounted into casements – not to mention many machineguns, mortars and rifles.
On D-Day and for two days afterwards, the Maisy Battery fired on American soldiers landing on Omaha Beach - 'Bloody Omaha' - as it has been ever afterwards known. On the morning of the 9th of June 1944 Maisy Battery was captured by the 5th Rangers.
Find out more about the discovery of this historic site at:
Photograph from the Smithsonian Channel & BBC Timewatch filming of the first excavation of Stonehenge in almost 50 years.
To read blog posts and see video live from the excavation from David Royle, Executive Vice President of the Smithsonian Channel, view his Smithsonian Channel Community profile here.
To learn a great deal more information about the excavation, including videos, visit the Smithsonian Channel Stonehenge
here.
(US users only).
Another legacy of the British Empire was the construction of railway systems and a typically palatial railway station at the hub of the system. KL Railway Station, an intriguing mix of western and eastern architectural styles, was completed in 1910. I don't have an exact date, but this photograph must have been taken shortly afterwards.
Today the building is still in use. However, it has been downgraded to a relatively minor station, one stop and a few hundred yards down the line from KL's main transportation hub of Sentral Station (sic). To be truthful, it doesn't look that special from inside as your train breifly stops there and few passengers get off or on. However, from the outside it still looks rather marvellous (see below).