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Next Tuesday UK ITV channel is to test the theory of Guy Fawkes gunpowder plot..
The Gunpowder Plot: Exploding the Legend
Richard Hammond introduces an investigation into Guy Fawkes' treasonous scheme, which was attempted 400 years ago. To discover the repercussions had the plot been successful, an exact replica of the House of Lords is built, 17th-century gunpowder is sourced, and the fuse is lit. A dramatic reconstruction follows events as King James I and his government are assassinated, and Fawkes and his cohorts make their escape
the test if carried out would have changed the course of history
..and then the BBC Timewatch Programme did this research..
Transhumance is the seasonal movement of people with their livestock between fixed summer and winter pastures. In the montane regions of northern Spain movement is between the lower valleys in winter and the high pastures in summer. The system of transhumance has existed since at least the Middle Ages and is very much alive and well in the Picos de Europa.
The first flocks of sheep appeared last Saturday evening, whilst a few stragglers went through as late as Monday morning. However the main movement around Carmeleno commenced before dawn last Sunday, herd after herd of cows going steadily upwards until late morning, all finally converging on the high pasture of Aliva.
This was no tourist show. This was a way of life that has existed for centuries.
(PS : If you are running the flickr hack or the Spanish version of flickr, you'll be able to clearly see three additional photos associated with this story. If you are running the new version of flickr, you'll have to search through the right-hand side bar and click on the photos to see them at a sensible size!)
Fancy staying in Ranters' Lodge, Chiswell, isle of Portland? You can as it is a holiday let.
I'm not sure that I really understand the history of division between different 'Methodist' sects. However, given that there are two other ex-chapels within less than a five minute walk, it seems that division was indeed very much the name of the game in the 19th century. One of the other buildings was a Primitive Methodist Chapel from 1838 and the other a Congregational Church inspired by Methodist preaching. Coming back to this building, it was used by The Ranters who followed one version of the Wesleyan tradition, apparently so named because of their rowdy preaching and singing.
You don't fancy Ranters' Lodge? Perhaps you fancy the Dead House? Not usually available for rent, it is the smaller building behind. Probably used for boat storage in later years, I've read somewhere (not sure where) that it was used for temporarily storing the bodies of sailors and fishermen who perished and washed up on Chesil Beach. Wiki describes "Dead House" as follows "A dead house, deadhouse or mort house, is a structure used for the temporary storage of a human corpse before burial or transportation, usually located within or near a cemetery"
But wait...there is more (see below).
This weekend's post is a combined historical Saturday Timewatch and Sunday Landscape, showing the view to west Dorset from a height of approximately 800' or 250 metres.
Although less well known than nearby Maiden Castle, this Iron Age hill fort is just as well preserved. The people on the slope give scale to the photo. Apparently Eggardon has never been seriously excavated by archaeologists. However it is thought to be defended settlement dating from around 300 BC. According to Wiki the name derives from an Old English place name, meaning "the hill belonging to Eohhere".
By the way, the flat hill on the horizon (just left of centre) is another hill fort known as Pilsdon Pen.
This week's Saturday Flashback dates from sometime between 1910 and 1936, when George V was on the throne. This rather rare post box is known as a "Ludlow Wall Box", made by the now-defunct James Ludlow and son, Birmingham.
Now that the Royal Mail has been privatised, how long will it be before such post boxes go the way of so many red telephone boxes?
It is not so easy for people to find where a photo has been taken on the flippin' new flickr. This was taken in Moreton, Dorset, England.
What a delight it was to listen to astronaut Buzz Aldrin on Series 5 of BBC's "Stargazing Live" last night. He really opened up with stories that I had not heard before, although I will readily admit what he said is included in Wikipedia's account of Apollo 11's mission to land the first human ever onto the Moon. One tale that stood out for me was the moment when he discovered the circuit breaker that would arm the main engine for lift off from the Moon was on the floor by the hatch and broken. Fortunately a felt-tip pen was sufficient to activate the switch. "So you had a spare felt-tip pen on board?" "No, we had A felt-tip pen!" Another moment was when the scientist from Jodrell Bank Observatory, which hosts "Stargazing Live", produced a sheet of paper showing how they had tracked the lander down to the Moon's surface, clearly showing the moment when Neil Armstrong had taken manual control and several subsequent manoeuvres as he attempted to successfully find a safe landing place. Apparently this information was only released in 2009, on the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11. Buzz Aldrin was clearly fascinated to see something about the historic mission that he had never seen before.
The photo above was taken in 2010 at NASA'a Space Centre in Houston showing the badge of Apollo 11 (the Eagle has landed) and the staff in Mission Control.
This is the entrance to local woodland
taken in the thick of winter.
The former mining town of Cardenden lies on the South bank of the River Ore in the parish of Auchterderran, Fife, Scotland. It is approximately 4 miles North-West of Kirkcaldy. It was given its name in 1848 by the Edinburgh and Northern Railway for its new railway station.It was home to the poet Joe Corrie (1894 - 1968) who gives his name to the Corrie Centre. Bowhill by Cardenden was the home to Celtic goalkeeper John Thomson (1909 - 1931) who died aged 22 as a result of injuries sustained in a match against Rangers. He lies buried at Bowhill.
Cardenden is also the birthplace in 1960 of award-winning crime writer Ian Rankin.Carden Tower was built in the 16th Century by the Mertyne family of Medhope.The last duel in Scotland was fought on 2nd August 1826 in a field at Cardenbarns to the south of Cardenden. David Landale, a Kirkcaldy merchant fought George Morgan, a Kirkcaldy banker and retired professional soldier. Morgan retired as a Lieutenant from the 77th Regiment of Foot. Morgan was killed by wounds received from a pistol ball. Landale was tried and susequently cleared of his murder at Perth Sherrif Court.
The original pistols that David Landale used in the duel are housed in the Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery. The duel itself was the subject of an episode of Timewatch on BBC television, broadcast on 9th February 2007 entitled "The Last Duel". The site is now the location of the Fife Community Off Road Motorcycle Club. The BBC News 24 chief political correspondent, James Lansdale, is a direct descendent of David Landale.
An open air museum operated by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, built on the former industrial complex located in the Madeley area of Telford
On my return trip to Ironbridge - found out that this was made in 2002 for BBC Timewatch - recreating the Iron Bridge scaffolding as seen in a painting from the time the Iron Bridge was being built. (info at the Toll House at the Iron Bridge)
Oooooops......someone left the door open!
So it was a quick sneak inside and a couple of photos before security invited me to leave.
Today's Saturday Flashback is taken inside the large bottle kiln at Price and Kensington National Teapot Works, Longport, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. It was originally the Top Bridge Pottery. I am unsure of the oven's date of construction. However Top Bridge Works, with 7 bottle ovens, shows on the 1851 Ordnance Survey map. This bottle oven has been a Grade 2 Listed Building since 1979. Although presumably sufficiently protected by English Heritage, the surrounding site was sold in September 2012 though what its future usage will be remains unclear.
In this photo the 'hovel' (outer skin) can clearly be seen as well as the inner kiln (oven). The hovel acts as a chimney, taking away the smoke, creating air flow and protecting the kiln from the weather and uneven draughts. The iron bands are known as 'bonts' and go round the kiln to strengthen it as it expands and contracts during the firing.
Purely by coincidence, yesterday involved my one and only visit to Dallas on the 50th Anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination. I was on a very long drive so there was no time to stop, merely gaze out across a dull and rainy downtown whilst driving by on the freeway.
JFK's assassination was one of those moments in history when the world stopped turning. Like most people of my age I remember where I was, in the living room with my parents, tea finished, watching BBC which was just about the only channel on the old b+w tele when the news broke.
Dating from the early 16th century, this is an example doorway (to a private house) in a well-known row of cottages at Cerne Abbas, Dorset. Farmers staked out their 'pitch' to sell bags of corn etc at the local market.
This week's Saturday Flashback juxtaposes the new and the old of American railroads.
On the left, unit 107 of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express fleet pulls into Santa Fe County / NM599 station whilst on the 97 mile run south from Santa Fe to Belen via Albuquerque. The commuter line has been fully operational since 2008. Here is a short video that nicely illustrates both the double decker carriages and the company logo. The head of a road runner features on the engine whilst the body stretches back along the carriage www.youtube.com/watch?v=c329GE_5gGE&list=FLkgDTkBXJqh...
On the right, 488 stands outside the engine shed of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad at Chama, New Mexico. Unfortunately their operating season didn't start until this weekend. It is a very high altitude route that has snow well into May. However, it was interesting to be able to wander around their yard. Here is a short video of the locomotive in full steam www.youtube.com/watch?v=iileDUnUTKY&list=FLkgDTkBXJqh...
During the latest Artsreach event, I learned more about the twists and turns of life and death in the reign of Henry V111 then I ever did in school history lessons!
Bob Whitley (right) wrote songs in chronological order to document the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn. On stage he was ably accompanied by Lee MacKenzie playing a Baroque cello....note the lack of a floor spike!
What struck me most were the shenanigans, power plays, backstabbing and intrigues within today's political parties are highly reminiscent of what went on in the court of Henry V111. The song below illustrates it very well.
bithbox # 235
Bob Whitley and Lee MacKenzie "Lady Rochford listens"
The above was recorded and produced by Jon Whitley, he of Ninebarrow. Bob is his father! Lee has also played on numerous Ninebarrow tracks and appeared with them on live internet shows.
It is often said "if you remember the sixties you weren't there". Well I have absolutely no recollection of ever seeing one of my all-time favourite bands.....but i did get the poster!
More than 40 years on, much of their music still sounds as if it could have been recorded yesterday.
BITH'S JUKEBOX # 220
THE VELVET UNDERGROUND "I'M WAITING FOR THE MAN"
Drop a coin in the slot :
Today's "Saturday Flashback" rewinds to the summer of 1972 and my first ever visit to America. I had hair.
(Scanned from an old 35mm slide)
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.
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.
This week's Saturday Flashback is a rather intriguing photo taken during World War 2 by the father of a friend.
It shows General Patton leaving a mansion for his transport. When I first saw it, I thought "that is Tatton Hall!" in Cheshire. Before the D-Day invasion Patton spent some time in the area where his Third Army were training. He stayed at Peover Hall, about 5 miles from Tatton. Indeed Eisenhower visited him there to plan the invasion.....and have lunch at the adjacent Bells Of Peover pub! However, having looked again at photos I don't think it is Tatton Hall in the photo, nor indeed Peover Hall.
The conundrum is that my friend thinks the photo was taken in Germany and that may well be the case. However, for all the world, that building looks like a Cheshire stately home. So, do any Cheshire locals recognise it?????
Huw Edwards presenting a BBC 'Timewatch' at Caernarfon Castle on the 40th anniversary of the Prince of Wales' Investiture (2009).
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!
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 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/