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Dedicated to all the children, teachers and administrators who are back to school today - Have a wonderful day! Thanks for your visit:)

Dedicated rail replacement unit vehicle in South West Trains livery.

Dedicated to U S SEAL TEAM 6 for taking out Osama Bin Laden. Well done folks!

 

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13398281

 

The above BBC link is the thanks we get.

The Pashupatinath Temple (Nepali: पशुपतिनाथ मन्दिर) is a famous, sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Pashupatinath and is located on the banks of the Bagmati River 5 kilometres north-east of Kathmandu Valley in the eastern city of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. This temple is considered one of the sacred temples of Hindu faith. The temple serves as the seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath. This temple complex is on UNESCO World Heritage Sites's list Since 1979. This "extensive Hindu temple precinct" is a "sprawling collection of temples, ashrams, images and inscriptions raised over the centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati river" and is included as one of the seven monument groups in UNESCO's designation of Kathmandu Valley as a cultural heritage site. One of the major Festivals of the temple is Maha Shivaratri on which day over 700,000 devotees visit here.

 

The twelve Jyotirlinga (in India) are the body and the Jyotirlinga at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu (Nepal) is the head over this body.

 

The temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams (Holy Abodes of Shiva) on the continent. Kotirudra Samhita, Chapter 11 on the Shivalingas of the North, in Shiva Purana mentions this Shivalinga as the bestower of all wishes.

 

HISTORY

The temple was erected anew in the 15th century by Lichhavi King Shupuspa after the previous building had been consumed by termites. Countless further temples have been erected around this two -storied temple. These include the Vaishnav temple complex with a Ram temple from the 14th century and the Guhyeshwari Temple mentioned in an 11th-century manuscript.

 

LEGEND ABOUT THE TEMPLE ORIGIN

Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. It is not known for certain when Pashupatinath Temple was founded. But according to Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda, the deity here gained great fame there as Pashupati, the Lord of all Pashus, which are living as well as non-living beings. Pashupatinath Temple's existence dates back to 400 A.D. The richly-ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga or holy symbol of Lord Shiva. There are many legends describing as to how the temple of Lord Pashupatinath came to existence here. Some of them are narrated below:

 

THE COW LEGEND

Legend says that Lord Shiva once took the form of an antelope and sported unknown in the forest on Bagmati river's east bank. The gods later caught up with him, and grabbing him by the horn, forced him to resume his divine form. The broken horn was worshipped as a linga but overtime it was buried and lost. Centuries later an astonished herdsmen found one of his cows showering the earth with milk. Digging deep at the site, he discovered the divine linga of Pashupatinath.

 

THE LINCHCHAVI LEGEND

According to Gopalraj Vamsavali, the oldest ever chronicle in Nepal, this temple was built by Supuspa Deva, a Linchchhavi King, who according to the stone inscription erected by Jayadeva 11 in the courtyard of Pashupatinath in 753 AD, happened to be the ruler 39 generations before Manadeva (464-505 AD).

 

THE DEVALAYA LEGEND

Another chronicle states that Pashupatinath Temple was in the form of Linga shaped Devalaya before Supuspa Deva constructed a five storey temple of Pashupatinath in this place. As the time passed, the need for repairing and renovating this temple arose. It is learnt that this temple was reconstructed by a medieval King named Shivadeva (1099-1126 AD). It was renovated by Ananta Malla adding a roof to it. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to pay homage to this temple, that is also known as 'The Temple of Living Beings'.

 

OTHER BELIEFS

There are several complex stories involving the origins of Pashupatinath. One story goes, in brief, that Shiva and Parvati came to the Kathmandu Valley and rested by the Bagmati while on a journey. Shiva was so impressed by its beauty and the surrounding forest that he and Parvati changed themselves into deers and walked into the forest. Many spots in the Kathmandu Valley are identified as places where Shiva went during his time as a deer. After a while the people and gods began to search for Shiva. Finally, after various complications, they found him in the forest, but he refused to leave. More complications ensued, but ultimately Shiva announced that, since he had lived by the Bagmati in a deer's form, he would now be known as Pashupatinath, Lord of all animals. It is said that whoever came here and beheld the lingam that appeared there would not be reborn as an animal.

 

FINDING OF SHIVA LINGA AT PASHIPATINATH TEMPLE

It is said that the wish-fulfilling cow Kamadhenu took shelter in a cave on the Chandravan mountain. Everyday Kamadhenu went down to the place the lingam was sunken into the soil and poured her milk on top of the soil. After ten thousand years some people saw Kamadhenu pouring milk on that same spot everyday, and started to wonder what that would be. So they removed the soil and found the beautiful shining lingam and started worshiping it.

 

TEMPLE COMPLEX

The area of Pashupatinath encompasses 264 hectare of land including 518 temples and monuments. Main pagoda style temple is located in the fortified courtyard within the complex guarded by Nepal Police and has a police outpost post along with living quarter within. In front of the western door there is a huge statue Nandi bull, in bronze. Along with many temples and shrines of both Vaishnav and saiva tradition.

 

TEMPLES AND SHRINES IN THE INNER COURTYARD

Vasuki nath temple

Unmatta Bhairav temple

Surya narayan temple

Kirti mukh bhairav shrine

Budanil kantha shrine

Hanuman shrine

184 shivaling shrine

 

TEMPLES AND SHRINES IN THE OUTER COMPLEX

Ram mandir

Virat swaroop temple

12 jyotirlingha and Pandra Shivalaya

Guhyeshwari Temple

 

MAIN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

This main temple is built in the Nepalese pagoda style of architecture. All the features of pagoda style is founded here like cubic constructions, beautifully carved wooden rafters on which they rest (tundal). The two level roofs are of copper with gold covering. The temple resides on a square base platform with a height of 23m 7 cm from base to pinnacle. It has four main doors, all covered with silver sheets. This temple has a gold pinnacle (Gajur). Inside are two Garbhagrihas, outer and inner. The inner garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum is where the idol is placed and outer sanctum is an open corridor like space.

 

THE DEITY

The sacro sanctum, or the main idol is a stone Mukhalinga with a silver yoni base bound with silver serpent. The lingam is one metre high and has faces in four directions. These faces represents various ascepts of Shiva; Sadyojata (also known as Barun), Vamdeva (also known as Ardha nareshwor), Tatpurusha, Aghor & Ishana (imaginative). Facing West, North, East, South and Zenith respectively representing five primary elements namely earth, water, air, light and ether. Each face has tiny protruding hands holding rudraksha mala on right hand and a kamandalu on the other.Unlike other shiva lingams in India and Nepal this pashupati shiva lingam is always Dressed in its golden vastra except during abhishakam, so pouring milk and ganga jal is only possible during abhishakam through the main priests.

 

PRIESTS

Daily rituals of Pashupatinath are carried out by two sets of priests ;one being the Bhatt priests and other Bhandari. Bhatta or Bhatt are the one who performs the daily ritual and can touch the lingam, where as Bhadaris are the helper and temple care taker priests but are not qualified perform pooja rituals or to touch the deity.

 

Bhatta or Bhat are highly educated Vedic bhramin Scholars from Brahmin family from South Indian State Karnataka.Unlike other Hindu temples priesthood of Pashupatinath is not hereditary. Priests are selected from a group of scholars educated by Shri Shankaracharya Dakshinamnaya Peeth Sringeri on Rig Vedic Recitation, initiated in Pashupata Yoga by Kashi Math,Shiva Āgama and learned Recitation of Samaveda from Haridwar.After qualifying and fulfilling all those criteria they will be selected for Priesthood by Raj Guru of Pashupatinath Temple undergoing strict examination on Vedas and Shiva Agamas and then the qualifies are sent to Kathmandu for performing Puja and Daily Worship of Lord Shri Pashupatinath This tradition is reported to have started by the request of Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, who sought to unify the different states of Bharatam (Unified India) by encouraging cultural exchange. This procedure is also followed in other temples around Bharata-varsa which were sanctified by Adi Shankaracharya. The unique feature of this temple is that only 4 Bhatta priests can touch the deity.Current Bhatt priests of the temple are;

 

Ganesh Bhat (15th head priest of the Pashupatinath Temple aka Mool Bhat) from Udupi.

Ram Karanth Bhat from Mangaluru.

Girish Bhat from Sirsi.

Narayan Bhat(Recently appointed) from Bhatkal

Raghavendra Bhat (Priest for Vasuki Nath temple only)

 

Bhandaris or Rajbhandari are the treasurers, temple caretakers, and assistant priest of the temple.

 

These Bhandaris are the descendants of helper priests brought up by early Bhatts, but were allowed to settle in Kathmandu valley and later assimilated in existing Newar caste of Rajbhandari - a high-caste Chathariya/Kshatriya clan of Kashyapa gotra. Their main function is to help the Bhatta priest and perform maintenance of the inner Garbhagriha. They can have little or no Vedic knowledge but still qualify as assistant priests if they belong from the same family lineage and undergo some basic criteria like caste, gotra, lineage purity, educational qualification, etc. They work in set of four and change in every full moon day. There are a total of 108 Bhandaris.

 

ENTRY AND DARSHAN

Temple courtyard has 4 entrances in all directions.The western entrance is the main entrance to the temple courtyard and rest three entrances are only opened during big festival . Temple security (Armed Police Force Nepal) is selective regarding who is allowed entry into the inner courtyard . Practicing Hindus and buddhist of Indian and Tibetan descendent are only allowed into temple courtiyard . Practicing Hindus of western descent are not allowed into the temple complex along with other non Hindu Visitors. Sikh and Jain groups are allowed into the temple compound if they are of Indian ancestry. Others can look at the main temple from adjacent side of the river and has to pay a nominal fee of $10 (1000 Nepali rupee) for visiting hundreds of small temples in the external premises of the temple complex . The inner temple courtyard remains open from 4 am to 7 pm for the devotee but the Inner Pashupatinath Temple where the Lingam of lord Pashupatinath is established is open from 5am to 12 pm for the morning ritual and viewing and from 5pm to 7 pm for evening ritual. Unlike many other Saiva temples devotees are not allowed to enter in the inner-most Garbhagriha but are allowed to view from the exterior premises of the outer Garbhagriha.

 

FESTIVALS

There are many festivals throughout the year .Thousands of people attend these festival.The most important festival is the Maha Shiva Ratri .Bala chaturthi and Teej.

 

CONTROVERSY OF 2009

In January 2009, after the forced resignation by the chief priest of Pashupatinath temple, the Maoist-led government of Nepal "hand picked" Nepalese priests to lead the temple, thus bypassing the temple's long-standing requirements. This appointment was contested by the Bhandaris of the temple, stating that they were not against the appointment of Nepalese priests but against the appointment without proper procedure. After the appointment was challenged in a civil court, the appointment was overruled by Supreme Court of Nepal.However, the government did not heed the ruling and stood by its decision. This led to public outrage and protests over a lack of transparency. The paramilitary group of the CPN (Maoist), called YCL, attacked the protesters, leading to over a dozen injuries. Lawmakers and activists from opposition parties joined protests, declaring their support for the Bhatta and other pro-Bhatta protesters. After long dissatisfaction and protest by Hindus both in and outside Nepal, the government was forced to reverse its decision that had been declared illegal by the Supreme Court of Nepal and reinstate Bhatta priests.

 

2015 EARTHQUAKE

The main temple complex of Pashupatinath and the sanctum sanctorum was left untouched but some of the outer buildings in the World Heritage Site were damaged by the April 2015 Nepal earthquake.

 

WIKIPEDIA

ORLANDO, Fla. — Hundreds of service members and veterans accompanied by their friends and loved ones gathered at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando Dec. 16, 2017 to celebrate the 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)’s inaugural Maj. Gen. Francisco A. Espaillat Victory Ball.

 

Previously dubbed the Lt. Gen. (Retired) Jack C. Stultz Military Ball, Stultz and the 143d ESC command team agreed to rename the ball in honor of Espaillat, a former 143d ESC commanding general who passed away April 8 while assigned as general officer support for the Office of the Chief of the Army Reserve at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

 

“Espaillat was a friend, leader and inspiration to us all,” said Brig. Deborah L. Kotulich, commanding general, 143d ESC. “We are honored that his family accepted our invitation to join us as we dedicate this evening to a fine Soldier, model citizen and loving father who served his adopted nation with distinction for nearly 35 years.”

 

The Ball featured several distinguished guests to include Kotulich and Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Lopes, command sergeant major, 143d ESC. Seated next to them was Maj. Gen. Steven W. Ainsworth, commanding general, 377th Theater Sustainment Command.

 

The evening presented a unique opportunity for Soldiers and civilian employees assigned throughout the Command’s vast area of operations don their suits, gowns or dress uniforms and surround themselves with new and familiar faces in a fun and friendly atmosphere. The guests upheld American military tradition by conducting classic ceremonial functions such as the presentation of the colors, singing the national anthem, and offering toasts dedicated to the Soldiers, families and fallen heroes of the United States Army.

 

Pride and patriotism gave way to somber reflection when a spotlight pierced the dim ballroom to illuminate a small candlelight dinner table that epitomized all American prisoners of war as well as the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Lopes concluded the melancholy affair when he silently marched to the table of Margaret Good Espaillat, widow of the late Francisco Espaillat. Lopes led the Gold Star Mother to the POW and Fallen Soldier Table where together they lit the lone candle that would flicker brightly for the remainder of the evening.

 

Ainsworth and Kotulich took their turns at the podium to express their gratitude to the people who planned, organized, sponsored and supported the event. The commanding generals also commended their guests for their service, support and sacrifice as the 143d ESC prepares for next year’s deployment.

 

“All of us look up to someone, and someone always looks up to us,” said Ainsworth. “Your words and actions can very well change the course of another’s life. Demonstrate the qualities that you expect from your mentors, and take the time to ‘take a knee’ by spending quality time with your friends and family. Without their love and support, the Army Reserve would simply cease to exist.”

 

The Ball officially concluded with a hardy rendition of the Army Song and a rhythmic performance of the “Atropia Rap,” an original ballad penned by the command’s support operations team during an intense, three-week training exercise at Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pa. The departure of the official party did not deter many guests from remaining in the ballroom to take photos, show off their favorite dance moves, or share fond memories with old friends while sipping their favorite beverage.

 

“This event personifies the 143d ESC,” said Kotulich. “This command is more than a premiere logistics unit. It’s a community of caring individuals dedicated to the success of its Soldiers and their families.”

 

Story and photo by Sgt. John L. Carkeet IV, 143d ESC

 

Dedicated to Keichosaurus....

Dedicated macro lens. Studio shoot.

The sculpture is 20 feet high and sits on the median that leads to the Twentynine Palms entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. Michael loved the work of this artist, Simi Dabah, who graciously donated the piece. Michael started the "Art in Public Places" program, which has dedicated its first piece in his memory.

The city held a well-attended sunset dedication ceremony on March 20.

(more pictures or information you can receive by going to the end of page!)

House of the Teutonic Order

The House of the Teutonic Order was as a Viennese commandry of the in 1198 in Acre founded Teutonic Order under Duke Leopold VI in the early years of the 13th Century built. The German Order was next to the Hospitallers and the Templars the third major order of knights of the Middle Ages. Duke Leopold gave him the large area between Stephansplatz, Churhausgasse, Singerstraße and blood alley (Blutgasse). Documentarily proven is the existence of the house from 1222. Here resided the Landkomtur (province commanders) of the Bailiwick of Austria, to which the commandries Vienna, Wiener Neustadt, Graz, Friesach and Groß-Sonntag (Krain) belonged. In the great fire of 1258 all the religious buildings except the church tower burned down. In the Middle Ages the complex of the German monastic house was limited to the area along the Singerstraße and Blutgasse. 1309 exchanged the Order part of the land that was needed for the extension of Stephen's cemetery against a neighboring area. The sprawling building had in its, the Stephansplatz adjacent part a large farm yard, which was surrounded by stables. Since 1526 the Head of the Order bore the title "Grand and German master (Hoch- und Deutschmeister)". The famous Viennese house regiment of the same name by the way in 1696 emerged from those Truppenkontigenten (contigent of troops) which the Order for the Turkish war had provided. After the first Turkish siege of Vienna, numerous residents of the suburbs whose houses had been burned were housed here. From 1667 the already dilapidated buildings were torn down with the exception of the church under the Landkomtur (province commander) Gottfried Freiherr von Lambert and provided by Carlo Canevale with three-storey new buildings. As plasterers Jacob Schlag and Simon Alio were mentioned. 1679/82 increased Canevale and Johann Bernhard Ceresola the complex.

Sala terrena. In the years 1720-1725 the German religious house under the Landkomtur Guidobald Starhemberg by Anton Erhard Martinelli was further extended and baroquised. In 1785 it received under Landkomtur Alois Graf Harrach by placing a fourth storey its present shape. In the 18th Century several fires caused major damages. Especially those of 1735 raged for three days, because the urban fighting personnel the entry was denied by the German Order of Knights. Among the prominent residents of the German religious house, which in the 18th and 19th century first also as a guest house of the Order served and then was largely rented, included Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1781), Johannes Brahms (1863 - 1865) and the comedy writer Cornelius Hermann Paul von Ayrenhoff. At the beginning of the 19th Century on Stephansplatz the German Order Cellar (Deutschordenskeller) was opened. Was in its place in the second half of the 20th Century the Restaurant "Deutsches Haus". Since 1809 the German religious house is the residence of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order. Until then, this one resided in Mergentheim (Baden-Württemberg). From 1864 the Landkomtur Eugen Graf von Haugwitz the church by the cathedral architect from Gran, Josef Lippert, partially had re-gothicised. At that time at the gable above the church windows the already damaged pinnacles and figures were removed. Only the Grand Master coat of arms was left. 1929 the community of the German Teutonic Knights was transformed into a purely religious order. It is one of the very few religious institutions whose top management is not located in Rome. First Grand Master living in Vienna was Archduke Anton Viktor (1804 - 1835).

Church - interior. The House of the Teutonic Order is now a sprawling complex of buildings, grouped around two courtyards. The façade at the Blutgasse is the oldest. Those at the Singerstraße stems from the 17th Century. It represents today the face side of the building. The structuring of the façade by high Baroque inonic giant pilasters followed around 1720. The ground floor is grooved. The two early-Baroque round-arched portals are framed with Tuscan pilasters. The simple façades of the courtyards are held in the style of the 17th Century. On the west side of the pentagonal courtyard on the ground floor walled arched arcades as well as glazed Pawlatschen (access galleries) from the 19th Century on the first floor can be seen. In the courts were various, in 1903 discovered grave plates placed. The ground floor rooms are vaulted, early Baroque lunette barrels and groin vaults prevailing. Among them is the Sala terrene, a with a flat dome vaulted central room which is decorated with illusionistic wall paintings of the late 18th Century. The wall and ceiling frescoes depict mythological scenes and figural ornaments. The hall was once opened to the garden through a portal, but this was later reworked into a window. The tract between Stephansplatz and Blutgasse encloses two two-aisled halls. While the cross vault of the first ones is resting on sturdy pillars is those of the other ones supported by Tuscan columns. In the partially with Rococo and Neoclassical stucco ceilings provided rooms of the first floor are located the library and archives of the Order with documents and books dating back to the 12th Century. Some beautifully crafted wood cabinets were personally manufactured ​​by the Grand and Deutschmeister Archduke Eugen. In the treasure chamber on the second floor are in addition to religious insignias and paintings, inter alia, parts of the Kunstkammer (Art chamber) of the Grand Master Archduke Maximilian III of Austria from the time about 1600 exposed.

Church - Empore. Attention getter and center of the tract at the Singerstraße are the three tall lancet windows of the church of the Teutonic Order. The first chapel already in 1258 fell victim to a town fire. From 1326 it was replaced by Jörg von Schiffering by a new building yet today the core of the Church of the Teutonic Order forming. At that time this one was still but free on three sides. In 1375 it was dedicated to St. Elizabeth. Guidobald Starhemberg 1720/22 the Chapel had remodelled in the Baroque style and flanked at both longitudinal sides by newly built religious houses, by which the three stained glass windows became the central projection of the House of the Teutonic Order. Presumably Anton Erhard Martinelli also was involved in the planning. The quite gothical appearing church facade is a beautiful example of the baroque tinge of the time after the Gothic period of 18th Century, unique in Austria. In the neo-Gothic restoration of 1864/68 the Baroque dome of the narrow and high tower was replaced by a pointed Gothic helmet. After the church was severely damaged in 1945 by bomb hits, followed its restoration 1946/47. Its vaults possess Gothic stucco decorations. In the Baroque reconstruction in the corners eight galleries were built-in, which are accessible from the apartments situated behind. The Dutch polyptych (1520) comes from Mechelen, but was until 1864 in the St. Mary's Church of Danzig. The altarpiece was created in 1667 by Tobias Pock. In the four corners of the room Evangelists Statues by Johann Hutter (1864) replace the missing sculptures by Giovanni Giuliani from the year 1721. On the walls hang several grave slabs, including an epitaph of the scholar Johannes Cuspinian (1515) and the by Jacob Schletterer created grave monument of the Landkomtur Josef Philipp Graf Harrach. Most of the more than eighty coats of arms of German knights, covering the upper part of the walls were designed by Johann Andreas Frank 1722.

Location / Address : 1010 Vienna, Singerstraße 7

 

Viewing: with the exception of the church and the museum allowed only outside

www.burgen-austria.com/archive.php?id=1002

You could take away a couple of years from me

But I would still live my life to the fullest

You call me old an wrinkled

But I am not what I seem to be

 

I may look a thousand days ahead of you

The truth is I'm just getting a thousand days younger

And a thousand times more alive

Written by:me

 

Dedicated on September 7, 2011 by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Weekawken

 

Camera: NIKON D810

Lens: Zeiss Otus 1.4/55 ZF.2

Focal Length: 55 mm

Exposure: 8.0 sec at f/4.0

ISO: 64

Dedicated macro lens. No crop. No post processing.

 

www.catherinesienko.com

St Mary stands on a hill overlooking what was once the sea and sand spit of land that Sandwich still sits. The sea has receded, but St Mary is still there, its wooden cupola topped tower visible for those who look for it, or notice these things in the 21st Century.

 

This was my third visit to the Blessed Mary, first time I found it locked, second time wardens were preparing it for the Nativity service.

 

It was open, and even had a welcoming sign hanging near to the gate to the churchyard, always welcome.

 

Amazing how much I missed the first time; brasses, medieval tiles, good glass. Always worth returning.

 

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The tower makes this church one of the easiest in Kent to identify. It is capped by a little cupola and wooden balustrade of eighteenth-century date that replaced a medieval spire. During the Middle Ages the church was owned by Leeds Priory which invested heavily in the structure, and was no doubt responsible for the excellent sedilia built in about 1350. The canopy is supported by a quadripartite vault in turn supported by angry little heads. Above the sedilia is the cut-off end of a prickett beam. The east window, of Decorated style stonework, has a thirteenth-century hangover in the form of a shafted rere-arch. There are two excellent modern stained glass windows designed by F.W Cole, which show the Creation (1980) and St Francis (1992). The good altar rails are of Queen Anne's reign, as are the splendid Royal Arms.

 

www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Woodnesborough

 

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WOODNESBOROUGH,

¶OR Winsborough, as it is usually called, lies the next parish northward from Eastry, being written in the survey of Domesday, Wanesberge. It took its name according to Verstegan, from the Saxon idol Woden, (and it is spelt by some Wodensborough) whose place of worship was in it; however that may be, the termination of the word berge, or borough, shews it to be of high antiquity.

 

art of this parish, over which the manor of Boxley claims, is within the jurisdiction of the justices of the town and port of Sandwich, and liberty of the cinque ports; and the residue is in the hundred of Eastry, and jurisdiction of the county of Kent.

 

There are three boroughs in this parish, viz. Cold Friday, Hamwold, and Marshborough; the borsholders of which are chosen at the petty sessions of the justices, acting at Wingham, for the east division of the lath of St. Augustine.

 

THIS PARISH is large, being two miles and an half one way, and upwards of a mile and an half the other. The church stands nearly in the centre of it, on high ground. At a small distance from the church is Woodnesborough hill, both of which are sea marks. This hill is a very high mount, seemingly thrown up by art, and consisting of a sandy earth, it has been thought by some to have been the place on which the idol Woden from whom this place is supposed to have taken its name) was worshipped in the time of the Saxons; by others to be the burial place of Vortimer, the Saxon king, who died in 457, whilst others suppose this mount was raised over those who fell in the battle fought between Ceoldred, king of Mercia, and Ina, king of the West Saxons, in the year 715, at Woodnesbeorb, according to the Saxon chronicle, which name Dr. Plot supposes to be Woodnesborough. Vortimer, as our historians tell us, at his death, desired to be buried near the place where the Saxons used to land, being persuaded that his bones would deter them from any attempt in future. Though authors differ much on the place of his burial, yet this mount at Woodnesborough is as probable, or more so, perhaps, than any other, for it was near to, and was cast up so high as to be plainly seen from the Portus Rutupinus, which at that time was the general landing place of the Saxon fleets. Some years ago there were found upon the top of it sundry sepulchral remains, viz. a glass vessel (engraved by the Rev. Mr. Douglas, in his Nænia;) a fibula, (engraved by Mr. Eoys, in his collections for Sandwich;) the head of a spear, and some fragments of Roman vessels. Much of the earth of sand has been lately removed round the sides of it, but nothing further has been found.

 

At a small distance northward from hence, at the bottom of a short steep hill, lies the village called Woodnesborough-street, and sometimes Cold Fridaystreet, containing thirty four houses. The vicaragehouse is situated in the middle of it, being a new handsome building; almost contiguous to it is a handsome sashed house, belonging to the Jull family, now made use of as a poor-house; through this street the road leads to Sandwich. West ward of the street stands the parsonage-house, late the seat of Oliver Stephens, esq. deceased, and now of his window, as will be further noticed hereafter. Besides the manors and estates in this parish, particularly described, in the western parts of it there are several hamlets, as Somerfield, Barnsole, Coombe, with New-street, Great and Little Flemings, Ringlemere, and the farm of Christians Court.

 

In the north east part of the parish, the road from Eastry, by the parsonage of Woodnesborough northwestward, divides; one road, which in antient deeds is called Lovekys-street, going towards Ash-street; the other through the hamlet of Marshborough, formerly called Marshborough, alias Stipins, to Each End and Sandwich, the two windmills close to the entrance of which are with in the bounds of this parish. Each, Upper Each, called antiently Upriche, and Each End, antiently called Netheriche, were both formerly accounted manors, and are mentioned as such in the marriage settlement of Henry Whyte, esq. in the beginning of queen Elizabeth's reign. After the Whytes, these manors passed in like manner as Grove, in this parish, to the James's. Upper Each, or Upriche, has for many years belonged to the family of Abbot, of Ramsgate, and is now the property of John Abbot, esq. of Canterbury. Each End, or Netheriche, belongs, one moiety to the heirs or devisees of the late earl of Strafford, and the other moiety to John Matson, esq. of Sandwich.

 

¶It cannot but occur to the reader how much this parish abounds with Saxon names, besides the name of Wodens borough, the street of Cold Friday, mentioned before, is certainly derived from the Saxon words, Cola, and Friga, which latter was the name of a goddess, worshipped by the Saxons, and her day Frige-deag, from whence our day of Friday is derived; other places in this parish, mentioned before likewise, claim, surely, their original from the same language.

 

This parish contains about 3000 acres, the whole rents of it being about 3373l. yearly value. It is very bare of coppice wood; the Old Wood, so called, in Ringleton, being the only one in it. The soil of this parish is very rich and fertile, equal to those the most so in this neighbourhood, particularly as to the plantations of hops, which have much increased within these few years past. The middle of the parish is high ground, and is in general a flat open country of arable common fields. West and south-westward the lands are more inclosed with hedges. North and north-westward of the parsonage, towards Sandwich, they are low and wet, consisting of a large level of marsh land, the nearness of which makes the other parts of this parish rather unhealthy, which is not otherwise very pleasant in any part of it. There was a fair held here yearly, on Holy Thursday, but it has been for some time disused.

 

In Ringleton field, in this parish, there was found about the year 1514, a fine gold coin, weighing about twelve shillings, with a loop of the same metal to hang it by; on one side was the figure of a young man in armour, a helmet on his head, and a spear over his right shoulder; on the reverse, the figure of Victory, with a sword in her hand, the point downwards.

 

The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, consists of a nave, and two isles, having a square tower steeple at the west end, with a modern wooden turret and vane at the top of it, in which are five bells, made in 1676. It had a high spire on the tower, which was taken down some years ago. At the east end of the chancel is a marble tablet for John Cason, esq. of this place, justice of the peace, obt. 1718; John Cason, esq. his son, obt. 1755; arms,Argent, a chevron, sable, between three wolves heads, erased, gules, on an escutcheon of pretence, sable, a chevron, between three fleurs de lis, of the field; another for Thomas Blechenden, of the antient family of that name, of Aldington, in Kent, obt. 1661; arms, Azure, a fess nebulee, argent, between three lions heads erased, or, attired, gules, impalingBoys. On the south side, an antient altar monument with gothic pillars and arches, having had shields and arms, now obliterated. Against the wall, under the canopy, two brass plates, which have been removed to this place, from two grave-stones in the chancel; the first for Sir John Parcar, late vicar of this church, who died the v.day of May, a°o dni m° v° xiij° on the second are Latin verses to the memory of Nichs Spencer, esq. obt. 1593. In the middle of the chancel, a gravestone for William Docksey, esq. of Snellston, in Derbyshire, a justice of the peace, obt. 1760; Sarah his wife, youngest daughter of John Cason, esq. obt. 1774; arms,Or, a lion rampant, azure, surmounted of a bend, argent. On a gravestone on the north side of the chancel, on a brass plate, On a chevron, three quatersoils, between three annulets, quartering other coats, now obliterated, for Master Myghell Heyre, sumtyme vicar of this churche, who dyed the xxii day of July, m° v° xxviii. In the north isle are several memorials for the family of Gillow, arms, A lion rampant, in chief, three fleurs de lis. At the entrance into the chancel, on a grave-stone, on a brass plate, John Hill, gent. of the parish of Nassall, in Staffordshire, obt. 1605. A mural monument for William Gibbs, of this parish, obt. 1777; arms,Argent, three battle axes, in fess, sable. In the church-yard are altar tombs to the memory of the Julls, and for Sladden; one for John Verall, gent. sometime mayor of Sandwich, obt. 1610; and another for John Benchkin, of Pouton, obt. 1639.

 

There were formerly painted in the windows of this church,Or, a chief indented, azure, for John de Sandwich. Several coats of arms, among which were those of Valence and St. Leger,Argent, three leaves in sinster bend, their points downward, proper.— On a canton, azure, three crescents, or, for Grove.— Argent, three escallops in chief, or, in base a crescent, gules, for Helpestone, usually called Hilpurton, bailiff of Sandwich, in 1299. A shield, being Helpeston's badge, another On a fess engrailed, three cinquefoils, between three garbs, for John Hill, of Nasall, in Staffordshire, who lies buried in this church. —A fess engrailed, three lions rampant, in chief, on the fess, a crescent for difference, for Spencer, customer, of Sandwich. — Quarterly, four coats; first, On a chevron, three quaterfoils; second, Per pale, ermine and argent; third, A cross, between four pomegranates, slipped; sourth,Three bars, wavy, for Michael Heyre, vicar here in 1520.

 

The church of Woodnesborough was given, in the reign of king Henry I. by a religious woman, one Ascelina de Wodensberg, to the priory of Ledes, soon after the foundation of it; to which deed was witness Robert de Crevequer, founder of the priory, Elias his son, and others; which gift was confirmed by the said Robert, who by his charter, released to the priory all his right and title to it. It was likewise confirmed by archbishop Theobald, and several of his successors, and by king Henry III. by his charter of inspeximus in his 41st year.

 

Archbishop William Corboil, who came to the see of Canterbury, three years after the foundation of Ledes priory, at the instance and petition of Ascelina above mentioned, who resigned this church into his hands for this purpose, appropriated it to the prior and convent, for the finding of necessary cloaths, for the canons there; and a vicarage was accordingly endowed in it.

 

There was a controversy between the prior and convent, and Adam, vicar of this church, in 1627, anno 14 Henry II. concerning the great tithes arising from the crofts and curtilages within this parish, which was referred to the prior of Rochester, who was the pope's delegate for this purpose, who determined that the prior and convent of Ledes, as rectors of this church, should receive, without any exception, all the great tithes of wheat, barley, oats, beans, peas, and of every fort of corn arising, or to arise from all lands, crofts, curtilages, or other places whatever, situated within the bounds, of this parish; and that the prior and convent should yearly pay to the said vicar, and his successors, half a seam of barley, and half a seam of beans, at the nativity of our Lord. (fn. 10)

 

¶After which, this parsonage appropriate,(which appears to have been esteemed as a manor) together with the advowson of the vicarage, remained with the prior and convent of Ledes, till its dissolution in the 31st year of king Henry VIII. when it was, with all its lands and possessions, surrendered into the king's hands, who by his dotation charter, in his 33d year, settled both parsonage and advowson on his new-founded dean and chapter of Rochester, with whom they remain at this time. On the dissolution of deans and chapters, after the death of king Charles I. this parsonage was surveyed in 1649, when is appeared that the manor or parsonage of Woodnesborough, with the scite thereof, and all manner of tithes belonging to it, with a garden and orchard of one acre, was valued all together at 300l. that the lessee was to repair the premises, and the chancel of the church; that the vicarage was worth fifty pounds per annum. The then incumbent was under sequestration, and there was none to serve the cure; and that the church was then quite ruinated, and in great decay. (fn. 11)

 

www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-kent/vol10/pp121-144

This beautiful event is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Together with Sri Swami Vishwananda and devotees from around the world we celebrated the whole Shivaratri Night through.

 

It took place at Bhakti Marga's main Ashram Shree Peetha Nilaya in Heidenrod-Springen, Germany.

  

Find out more visit:

www.bhaktimarga.org

BEGINNINGS: 1866-1883

The beginnings of the Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family, known as the Sagrada Familia, go back to 1866 when Josep Maria Bocabella i Verdaguer founded the Spiritual Association of Devotees of Saint Joseph, which in 1874 began campaigning for the construction of an expiatory temple dedicated to the Holy Family. In 1881, enabled by various donations, the Association purchased a 12,800m² plot of land, located between the streets of Marina, Provença, Sardenya, and Mallorca, to build the temple on.

The first stone was laid on St Joseph’s day, 19 March, 1882, in a ceremony presided over by the Bishop of Barcelona, Josep Urquinaona. It signalled the start of construction, first in the crypt located under the apse, following the Neo-gothic design drawn up by the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano, the Sagrada Familia’s first architect. After a short while, due to disagreements with the promotors, he resigned from the post of chief architect and the job fell to Antoni Gaudí.

 

GAUDÍ: 1883-1926

After taking over the project in 1883, Gaudí continued work on the crypt, which was finished in 1889. Later he began work on the apse, while donations were received at a steady rate. After receiving a substantial anonymous donation, Gaudí proposed a new and grander design. He proposed abandoning the old Neo-gothic plan in favour of a design that was more monumental and innovative, both in regard to the form and structure as well as the construction. Gaudí’s design consisted of a large church with a floor plan based on a Latin cross and soaring towers. It was to be immensely symbolic, both architecturally and sculpturally, and convey the teachings of the Gospels and the Christian Church.

In 1892 the foundations for the Nativity facade were started. This facade was built first because, as Gaudí himself put it, “If, instead of building this decorated, richly ornamented facade, we had started with the hard, bare and skeletal Passion facade, people would have rejected it.” In 1894 the apse facade was finished, and the Rosary portal, one of the entrances to the cloister on the Nativity side, was finished in 1899.

In 1909 Gaudí built the Sagrada Familia provisional school buildings, for children of Sagrada Familia workers and local children, on the south-west corner of the site. In the following year, 1910, a model of the Nativity facade was displayed at the Grand Palais in Paris in an exhibition featuring Gaudí’s work organised by his friend and patron Eusebi Güell. The Pasion facade was designed in 1911.

In 1914 Gaudí decided to concentrate exclusively on the construction of the Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia, a fact which explains why he did not undertake any other major work in the later years of his life. He became so involved that he lived his final months close by his studio workshop; a space located next to the apse used for producing scale models, drawings and designs, sculptures and for taking photographs, amongst other activities.

In 1923 he produced the final design for the naves and roofs. Construction work however progressed slowly. The first bell tower on the Nativity facade, 100 metres high and dedicated to Saint Barnabus, was finished on 30 November 1925. This was the only tower Gaudí saw completed. On 10 June 1926 he died as a result of injuries sustained three days earlier when he was tragically knocked down by a tram. On 12 June he was buried in the Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the crypt of the Sagrada Familia, where his mortal remains rest to this day.

Over all these years a sizable group of architects, draughtsmen, sculptors and modellers collaborated with Gaudí on the construction.

 

HANDOVER: 1926-1938

After the death of Gaudí, his close collaborator Domènec Sugrañes took over the management of the works until 1938.

In 1930 the bell towers on the Nativity facade were finished, and in 1933 the Faith portal and central cypress tree were also completed.

In July 1936, after the military uprising and the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, revolutionaries set fire to the crypt, burnt down the provisional school of the Sagrada Familia and destroyed the studio workshop. Original plans, drawings and photographs were lost and many large-scale plaster models were broken. It should be pointed out that, from when Gaudí took the helm in 1883 and despite these acts of vandalism, work on the Sagrada Familia, although disrupted, never came to a complete stop, and has always gone ahead according to the architect’s original concept.

 

HERITAGE: 1938-1999

After the Spanish Civil War building resumed on the Sagrada Familia and it continued to slowly rise. Between 1939 and 1940 the architect Francesc de Paula Quintana i Vidal, who had started working with Gaudí in 1919, restored the fire-damaged crypt and repaired many of the broken models, which were then used to continue construction according to Gaudí’s original plan.

The next directors were also men who had known and collaborated with Gaudí, Isidre Puig-Boada and Lluís Bonet i Garí, who were in charge of works until 1983. They were succeeded by Francesc de Paula Cardoner i Blanch, Jordi Bonet i Armengol, and lastly Jordi Faulí i Oller, who has currently been in charge since 2012.

In 1952 the 35th International Eucharistic Congress was held in Barcelona and several events took place in the Sagrada Familia to mark the occasion. In the same year the steps to the Nativity facade were built and the facade was floodlit for the first time. This lighting became a permanent feature in 1964 thanks to the Barcelona City Council.

Work continued at a steady pace and in 1954 the foundations to support the Passion facade were started, based on several studies Gaudí had carried out between 1892 and 1917. After the foundations were laid the Passion facade crypt was built on them, and in 1961 a museum was opened in the crypt to provide visitors with information about the history and technical, artistic and symbolic aspects of the temple. The four bell towers on the Passion facade were completed in 1976.

1955 was a significant year for the Sagrada Familia; it was the year of the first fund-raising drive to raise money to pay for the building works. The initiative was so successful that it has been repeated every year since, and is a way of allowing society as a whole to participate in the construction of the temple.

Numerous sculptors have left their mark of the Nativity facade. On Saint Joseph’s day, 19 March, 1958 the group of statues by Jaume Busquets representing the Holy Family was put in place.

In 1986 the sculptor Josep Maria Subirachs was charged with producing the statues and sculpture for the Passion façade, which were executed in accordance with his very personal style for over 25 years.

 

21st CENTURY 2000 – 2015

In 2000 the vaulting in the central nave and the transepts was built, and the foundations of the Glory facade were started. In the same year, to mark the new millennium, a Mass was held inside the temple which showcased the grandeur of the building.

In 2001 the central window of the Passion facade was finished and stained glass by Joan Vila-Grau representing the Resurrection was installed. The four columns of the crossing were also finished.

Gaudí and his work were celebrated in 2002, with the Barcelona City Council sponsoring International Gaudí Year to mark the 150th anniversary of his birth. The Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia participated with various initiatives, including the restoration, relocating and opening of the Sagrada Familia schools building.

In 2002 the sculptor Josep Maria Subirachs completed the wall of the Patriarchs and Prophets which Gaudí had envisaged for the top of the porch on the Passion facade, and in 2005 the sculpture representing the Ascension was positioned between the towers of this same facade. In the same period the windows in the central nave were installed and the Eucharistic symbols for bread and wine were completed by the Japanese sculptor Etsuro Sotoo.

In 2006 the choir inside the Glory facade was constructed, based on models by Gaudí. The vaulting in the ambulatory around the apse was finished in 2008. The vaulting in the crossing and the apse was finished between 2008 and 2010.

2010 was a milestone in the history of the Sagrada Familia: the temple was consecrated as a place of worship by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

 

PRESENT

As of today, 70% of the work on the temple has been executed, and the goal is to complete all of the architectural work by 2026.

The following projects were completed in 2016:

Western sacristy: It was blessed in 2015 and is nearly finished now. Visitors enter the sacristy from inside the Basilica, via the Liturgical Path. Since mid-2016, visitors have been able to enter the cloister and get a close-up look inside.

Upper narthex on the Passion façade: The upper narthex, or cyma, on the Passion façade is nearly finished. Work is currently underway on the representation of the quarry and the garden where Jesus Christ was buried.

Interior of the Basilica: The choirs have been finished, with the benches covered in stone and the wrought-iron railings with the musical notes of the hymns sung throughout the year.

The upper stained-glass windows in the apse have been visible since December 2015 and those on the Nativity staircase, since July 2016.

The stained-glass windows on the staircases in the apse on the Passion side are also now in place, as of December 2016. The apse staircase completes the stained-glass windows inside the Basilica, except for those on the Glory façade.

The goal for 2020 is to finish all six central towers:

Tower of the Virgin Mary: Rising up from the apse. The centre of the star crowning this tower will be the same height as the towers of the evangelists (135 metres), so the tip of the star will be nearly 140 metres high.

Towers of the evangelists: These four towers currently stand at 76 of the 135 metres they will have by 2020.

Tower of Jesus Christ: This will be the tallest of them all, 172.5 metres high. The next big milestone, after the temple was consecrated in 2010, will be when this tower is finished with the cross that will top it. The harmonious ensemble of the eighteen towers will give the building great vertical strength.

Work on the temple will finish with the construction of the main façade, the Glory façade.

Dedicated to you all. Have a nice happy and shining day :))**

Nivelles

 

The Recollects Monastery of Nivelles is a former Franciscan convent in the Walloon Brabant city of Nivelles. From around 1232 to 1796, it was successively owned by Friars Minor, Observants and Recollects. The former monastery church was dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Nicholas in the 1960s to be used as a parish church. It has been a protected monument since 1936, unlike the other buildings, which nevertheless form the best preserved Franciscan monastery in Belgium.

 

The new buildings were completely finished in 1615 and the Recollects of Nivelles enjoyed prestige after all. They built a new library. In 1740-1750, a provincial house was added and the monastery was embellished with stucco and gardens with a fountain. As one of the few historical buildings, the monastery was spared by the bombings of 1940. The St. John and St. Nicholas Church was destroyed and was not rebuilt. This parish church was replaced by the Recollects Church, restored in 1960-1967, which also took its name. The restoration by the architects S. Brigode and W. Hanse then tackled the monastery, which was cleared of what had been added since the 19th century by 1972.

________________________________________________

 

"In the 7th century, the territory was part of the Austrasian Frankish kingdom, and the Mayor of the Palace, Pippin of Landen, rebuilt a villa there that covered more than 78 km². After Pippin's death in 640, the bishop of Maastricht, the future Saint Amand, urged Pippin's widow, Itta, to found an abbey in their villa. Itta's daughter, Gertrude, became the monastery's first abbess and was venerated as a saint upon her death. The growing influx of pilgrims necessitated the construction of ever-bigger churches, which culminated in the huge Romanesque structure that still stands today. The dedication of the church took place in 1046 in the presence of Wazo, Prince-Bishop of Liège, and Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor. This was the golden age of the Nivelles monastery, which now owned territories as far as Friesland, the Moselle and the Rhine.

 

In the 13th century, the city that grew around the church became part of the Duchy of Brabant. The population was mainly artisans and guild members, who did not hesitate to fight the abbesses and the dukes to obtain their rights. These rights were finally granted by Joanna, Duchess of Brabant in the 14th century. In 1647, an important uprising by the thread manufacturers resulted in many of the city's entrepreneurs leaving for France, leading to the city's economic decline. The wars of the 17th century between France and the Spanish Netherlands made the situation worse as Nivelles went through successive sieges and military occupations. The Austrian and French regimes of the 18th century brought religious and administrative reforms to the city.

 

In 1830, Nivelles was one of the first cities to send patriotic troops to Brussels to fight in the Belgian Revolution. The following years were marked by the growth of heavy industry, including metallurgy and railway construction. The bombing of the city during World War I brought some damage to buildings, but greater devastation occurred during World War II on 14 May 1940, when almost the entire city centre was destroyed, leaving only the walls of the collegiate church standing. The rebuilding of the church was completed in 1984, but remains can be seen of wall fragments on the south side of the collegiate."

 

Wikipedia

The world class boanical collections in Waimea Valley owe there existence to Mir. Keith Woolliams, a dedicated botanical horticulturist who was trained at the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, on the outskirts of London.

Keith led a rich life traveling around the globe studying botanical collections in England, Japan, Papua New Guinea and Bermuda. He brought to Hawaii his expertise and knowledge of uncommon horticultural treasures, and he acquired seeds, plants, and cuttings from remote places and botanical gardens all over the world. In pre-internet days dozens of letters and packages were dispatched and received daily.

His theme of "Conservation Through Cultivation" resulted in a balance of rare and useful native and Polynesian-introduced plants among exotic horticultural specimens.

What was once an ungroomed valley, filled with koa haole and ravaged by feral cattle was transformed into what you see today by Keith and the many dedicated people he inspired. They oversaw the design, landscaping and construction of the pathways, stone walls and stairs that frame the gardens. Keith's high standards for record keeping and signage persist to this day. He left us in 1998 with a library full of his propagation knowledge, cultivation practices and plant lore which survives to ensure that the precious life forms brought to this valley will thrive here long into the future.

Keith was an inspiring advocate for Hawatian plant conservation and he influenced many young people across the state. He connected Waimea with state, federal and international agencies such as the Center for Plant Conservation, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and the Botanical Gardens Conservation International - partnerships that Waimea Valley continues to uphold today.

Keith was instrumental in bringing in critically endangered plants from Japan's Ogasawara Islands, hibiscus relatives from all over the world, and with international colleagues he tried to assemble wild-source collections of every species of Erythrina in the world. In the periodical, "Notes from Waimea Arboretum and Botanical Garden" published twice a year until 1992 he stated "Waimea is a labeled and documented collection of plants for educational and scientific purposes, a living gene pool for future generations".

It is with great honor and gratitude that we remember Mr. Keith Woolliams and his dedication to Waimea Valley.

LEGOLAND Windsor a theme park dedicated to children aged 3-12 years old and of course big kid adults.

An inspirational land where the kids are the hero and adults relive their childhood.

The fun never stops and imagination knows no bounds, a family attraction like no other.

Set in 150 acres of beautiful parkland, LEGOLAND Windsor is a unique family theme park with over 55 interactive rides, live shows, building workshops, driving schools and attractions.

It's amazing what can be built with LEGO bricks - nearly 55 million of them!

From comical camels to fearsome fire-breathing dragons, world landmarks to musical pirates, young and old alike will be fascinated by the incredible LEGO models throughout the park.

Fun Facts about LEGOLAND Windsor

There are 34 LEGO pieces in an average Miniland figure.

The largest model in Miniland is the Canary Wharf Tower which is 5.2 metres tall and took 3 model makers 850 hours to complete using 200,000 LEGO Bricks!

The smallest models are the pigeons in Trafalgar Square which contain 5 LEGO bricks each

New in 2011 - Atlantis Submarine Voyage

Take a deep breath and submerge yourself in an underwater adventure.

Plunge into the depths with this world-first LEGO® submarine ride and immerse yourself in a magical underwater adventure.

So what’s New in 2012

STAR WARS MINILAND EXPERIENCE - The Force has arrived at LEGOLAND

Take a trip to a galaxy far, far away at the UK’s only indoor LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Experience at the LEGOLAND®Windsor Resort. Enjoy seven of the most famous scenes from the six live-action Star Wars movies, as well as a scene from the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars™ all made out of 1.5 million LEGO® bricks built in 1:20 scale. Follow the chronological path through the Star Wars timeline and retrace the major events of the beloved Saga featuring 2,000 LEGO® models, authentic sounds and lighting effects in the ultimate LEGO®Star Wars experience.

 

LEGOLAND WINDSOR RESORT HOTEL - Now open

 

An exciting LEGO adventure awaits you, as the amazing 150 room, fully themed LEGOLAND Hotel opens at LEGOLAND Windsor RESORT!

Staying overnight at the new LEGOLAND Windsor Resort Hotel is a must for all LEGO fans. From the spectacular dragon-guarded entrance and interactive LEGO features through to the brightly coloured pirate splash pool and fully themed bedrooms, the new hotel will inspire imaginations and create laugh-out loud memories. With dedicated indoor play areas, entertainment and a buffet-style restaurant serving child-friendly meals, it’s the perfect family treat.

A Peregrine Falcon I came across on Saturday while looking for Eagles to photograph. A friend of mine who is a falconer told me there was a nesting pair in the area but I had never seen one in its natural environment. Larry would take his birds and hunt them with his son. Tragically after taking this photo I was informed that his 19 year old son Mitchell had been killed early Sunday morning in an automobile accident. Please keep them in your prayers as I can't imagine what a difficult time it will be for them. The funeral will be tomorrow with the visitation later today.

but I don't know who she is ...

Dedicated to the Men and Women of Beverley who lost their lives in the Service of their Country since World War 2

 

1953 Korea

Private 22583514 Norman WilliamSHARP, 1st Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons Regiment. Killed in action 29th May 1953 aged 39. He is at rest in grave 3422, United Nations Memorial Cemetery, Pusan, Korea

 

1972 Northern Ireland

Warrant Officer Class 2, 22531241,Arthur McMillan. Aged 37 (HQ. Coy) Gordon Highlanders. From Ross-shire (Married). Killed along with two of his soldiers (Sgt Ian Mark MUTCH and L/Cpl Colin LESLIE) by a booby trap bomb while they searched a derelict house near Lurgan ,Co Down on the 18th June 1972 aged 37. He is at rest in grave 38, Section 492, Grave Row. lawn Section at Northern Cemetery, Hull, East Yorkshire

 

1982 Falklands

Lance Corporal 24347663 Gary David BINGLEY (Military Medal) 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment. Killed in Action at Goose Green on the 28th May 1982 aged 24. He is at rest in Grave 94 at Aldershot Military Cemetery, Aldershot. Hampshire.

Extract from the London Gazette dated 8th October 1982

24347663 Lance Corporal Gary David BINGLEY, The Parachute Regiment.

Throughout 28th May 1982, the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment were engaged in fierce fighting to take well entrenched enemy positions in 'the area of the Goose Green settlement on the Island of East Falkland. Lance Corporal Bingley was a Section Commander. During the battle his section came under fire at close quarters from two enemy machine-gun posts. To destroy the enemy positions

he led his section in the assault and whilst leading was fatally wounded. His heroic action enabled his company to continue their advance and was significantly instrumental in defeating the enemy.

The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Military Medal to the under mentioned in recognition of bravery during the operations in the South Atlantic:

  

2009 Afghanistan

Sergeant 25061301 Michael LOCKETT, (Military Cross) 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment died 21st September 2009 aged 29. At the time of his death on 21 September 2009, he was working with the Afghan National Army at Patrol Base Sandford. He had volunteered to stay at the base because new soldiers were due to arrive, and he wanted to ensure they knew as much about the local area as possible.] He was investigating an improvised explosive device, when it detonated, killing him, and injuring two nearby soldiers.

He is at rest in Grave 404 at Linn Cemetery, Lainshaw Drive, Glasgow, Scotland

Sgt Lockett received the MC last year from the Queen for his ‘outstanding bravery’.

He had repeatedly led his men forward under heavy enemy fire during a night-time battle with Taliban insurgents near the town of Garmsir in Helmand province in September 2007.

The father of three from Moni-fieth, near Dundee, rescued several wounded comrades and the bodies of fallen British soldiers from the battleground, while under heavy fire.

 

A-Ma Temple (Ma Kok Miu) situated on the southwest tip of the Macau Peninsula, is one of the oldest and most famous Taoist temples in Macau. Built in 1488, the temple is dedicated to Matsu, the goddess of seafarers and fishermen.

 

A-Ma Temple already existed before the city of Macao came into being

 

The name Macau is thought to be derived from the name of the temple. It is said that when the Portuguese sailors landed at the coast just outside the temple and asked the name of the place, the natives repy sounded like Macau. The Portuguese then named the peninsula "Macao". The temple was well described in ancient Chinese texts, as well as represented in paintings, related to Macao. It is also one of the first scenes photographed in Macao.

 

In 2005, the temple became one of the designated sites of the Historic Centre of Macau enlisted on UNESCO World Heritage List.

 

A-Ma Temple is situated halfway up the western slope of Barra Hill. It consists of the Gate Pavilion, the Memorial Arch, the Prayer Hall, the Hall of Benevolence, the Hall of Guanyin, and Zhengjiao Chanlin (a Buddhist pavilion),each forming a small part of the well-ordered complex which sits in perfect harmony with the natural environment. The variety of pavilions dedicated to the worship of different deities in a single complex make A-Ma Temple an exemplary representation of Chinese culture inspired by Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and multiple folk beliefs.

 

The pavilions of A-Ma Temple were built at different times, with its present scale acquired in 1828. The Hall of Benevolence is believed to be the earliest structure, dating back to 1488. The Prayer Hall or “The First Palace of the Holy Mountain” was built in 1605 and rebuilt in 1629; archaeological evidence of these dates was recovered on stone inscriptions at the pavilion. The date of construction for the Hall of Guanyin is unknown, but an inscription on a timber plaque at the entrance gives the date of a restoration conducted in the year 1828. Zhengjiao Chanlin was restored in the same year.

 

Guarded by a pair of stone lions, the Gate Pavilion is a granite structure measuring 4.5 metres wide. Ceramic animal decorations sit on exaggerated upturned roof ridges, forming a very distinctive profile. A succession of pavilions are aligned with the main gate, starting with the Memorial Arch (pilou), which leads to the Prayer Hall located in front of the Hall of Benevolence. The Prayer Hall dedicated to Tian Hou (Goddess of Seafarers) is a granite structure featuring lattice windows and upturned roof ridges. The Hall of Benevolence, also built in granite and brick, is much smaller in scale, incorporating the natural slope of the Barra Hill in its construction. Like the Prayer Hall, the roof is covered with green glazed tiles and decorative roof ridges. Further up on Barra Hill is the Hall of Guanyin, which is a plain brick structure, roofed in the yingshan (flush-gable) tradition. In comparison, the Zhengjiao Chanlin pavilion has more refined architectural details and is more impressive in scale. It consists of a shrine dedicated to Tian Hou and a retreat area with roof fashioned in the yingshan style. The shrine is a four-beam structure housed within high gabled walls that were used to protect against the risk of fire. The front façade features a moon gate, elaborately trimmed in granite and is richly decorated with colourful wall sculptures as well as delicate ornaments under the eaves.

 

Older than Portuguese colonization, "A Ma" temple was accepted by the Portuguese, and respected as a reference of Chinese culture and religion.

 

Several pavilions climbing a steep hill are dedicated to different deities, attracting lots of Chinese devotes to ceremonies hard to understand by westerns.

 

Upon entering the temple, notice the large tanks filled with slow-moving turtles. The turtles move so slowly that people drop money on their backs and it stays there for quite a while (it probably stays until someone from the temple collects it!). The temple complex is also full of beggars asking for money. If you make your way up the hillside to the top-most building you will have a good view to China over the intricate rooftops of the lower buildings.

 

The goddess A-Ma - also known as Tin Hau - is the protector of sailors. According to the legend, a poor girl wanted to sail to Macao, but she was refused by the rich junk owners. A storm came and only her vessel reached the shore safely, where she was engulfed in a ray of light and transformed into the goddess A-Ma. Today, the temple complex is a place of pilgrimage for Macao's fishermen

 

A Chinese inscription records that the temple was built under the Ming dynasty by the Emperor Wai Li (1573-1621). It seems at some stage to have been partly destroyed, for another inscription states that it was rebuilt in the reign of Tuo Keung (1824-56).

  

Canon EOS 5D, 24-70L

 

2013

 

Img_0407

Dedicated to fellow photographer ~ Sailor ~

Carl Sandburg College dedicated a collection of artifacts from former president Dr. William “Bill” Anderson on Tuesday, May 2 in the Sandburg Library. The Dr. William Anderson Collection includes personal pieces that were donated by Anderson, who served as Sandburg’s second president from 1977-1983, and will play an essential role in preserving the history of the College and its namesake. The extensive collection consists of photographs, newspaper clippings, autographed books, letters, postcards, memorabilia and more. Included among the items are handwritten letters from Helga Sandburg Crile, Carl Sandburg’s youngest daughter; a Commencement address from Helga with her handwritten notes; books signed by Carl Sandburg; documentation of Civil War re-enactments on College grounds that were started by Anderson; and correspondence with Burl Ives.

 

STORY: ow.ly/xKdI30bidoI

VIDEO: ow.ly/rAUb30brrsi

WGIL STORY: ow.ly/v8aO30brrSx

 

Dedicated to Barbara * busy bee (www.flickr.com/photos/barbaravalerie/) to thank her for her steady and continuous support

 

- Polymorphie de la Nature

Dedicated to ChocolatCake

dedicated to...

~ Ada Waktunya Sepi Menjadi Lebih Indah

 

.. Kerana Disaat Itu Kita Punya Ruang

 

.. Untuk Mengingati, Merindui ~

  

the only way to get Kessie in the sea!

Cropredy has ancient origins, a chapel in the church is dedicated to St Fremund, an anglo-saxon saint thought to be the son of King Offa. It's name combines the Old English croppe or hill and ridig, a small stream. The village is only a few miles from Banbury, in hilly country along the banks of the River Cherwell. Before the Dissolution of the Monasteries Cropredy belonged the Bishop of Lincoln. More recently Brasenose College, Oxford, has become a significant landlord giving it's name to the local pub.

 

Dramatic changes to centuries of agrarian life were heralded by the excavation of the Oxford canal which runs alongside the Cherwell south-east of the church. This busy waterway was superseded by the Great Western railway, the village even had it's own station until 1956.

 

Unusually Cropredy retains the ringing of the curfew bell, in Medieval times this was a signal to return home and 'cover their fires'. Roger Lupton local priest between 1487 and 1528 was so lost in dense fog that he could only find his way from nearby Chacombe by the ringing of Cropredy's bells. He founded a fund in gratitude which paid for the daily winding of the clock and tolling the bell morning, noon and night. The bell is still rung Tuesday and Thursday nights for five minutes after eight O'clock.

 

The village is best known for the Civil War 'Battle of Cropredy Bridge'. A rare Royalist victory at a time when the Parliamentary forces were in the ascendancy. In June 1644 the King slipped out of Oxford to avoid two Roundhead armies which were rapidly approaching. At this point the Earl of Essex chose to lead his army south and relieve the siege of Lyme Regis leaving Sir William Waller to pursue the King with half of the men. Waller shadowed the Royal army to Worcester only for the King to double back towards Banbury where the Parliamentary commander saw an opportunity to split the Royal forces which were strung out along the Daventry road. Waller's artillery crossed Cropredy bridge but were too far ahead of the infantry and were overrun. Fierce fighting followed but neither side achieved a significant advantage and a chance of capturing the King was lost. As children we were told stories of a phantom drummer boy.

 

Cropredy's most prominent claim to fame is their music festival founded when Fairport Convention played the village fete in 1976. Cropredy Music Festival grew from these modest beginnings and now attracts over 20,000 music fans every year.

 

St. Mary the Virgin is an impressive building constructed from the local rust-coloured ironstone. While part of the wall of the south aisle has been dated to c1050 the present church begins in the 13th century with significant 14th and 15th century additions. The south wall has two tomb recesses thought to be built for Simon de Cropredy and his son c1200. The church has an interesting 13th century parish chest and the chapel dedicated to the anglo-saxon saint Fremund has two 15th century screens, one of which has the initials AD which may stand for Alice Danvers. The nave arcading, tower and choir arches are Perpendicular in style with no capitals and continuous moulding from ground level. The tower is early 15th century with the belfry and parapets added 80 years later, There are eight bells, six from the late 17th century, two added in 2007 called Fairport and Villager. Fragments of a Doom survive above the chancel arch. The church has a 17th century pulpit and a rare pre-reformation eagle lectern which is said to have been hidden in the river before the Battle of Cropredy where it lost one of it's lion feet. The beak has a slot for collecting 'Peter's Pence'. There is a beautiful 15th century head of the Virgin Mary in stained glass which was found in the churchyard. There are two fonts, one Norman and one Victorian. In the tower is a magnificent clock by John Moore of Clerkenwell dated 1831.

 

Cropredy is just off the Daventry road a few miles from Banbury about an hour from Stratford-upon-Avon.

 

www.youtube.com/user/Cotswoldchurches

 

www.bwthornton.co.uk

"The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbert (Czech: metropolitní katedrála svatého Víta, Václava a Vojtěcha) is a Catholic metropolitan cathedral in Prague, and the seat of the Archbishop of Prague. Until 1997, the cathedral was dedicated only to Saint Vitus, and is still commonly named only as St. Vitus Cathedral (Czech: katedrála svatého Víta or svatovítská katedrála).

 

This cathedral is a prominent example of Gothic architecture, and is the largest and most important church in the country. Located within Prague Castle and containing the tombs of many Bohemian kings and Holy Roman Emperors, the cathedral is under the ownership of the Czech government as part of the Prague Castle complex. Cathedral dimensions are 124 m × 60 m (407 ft × 197 ft), the main tower is 102.8 m (337 ft) high, front towers 82 m (269 ft), arch height 33.2 m (109 ft).

 

Prague Castle (Czech: Pražský hrad; [ˈpraʃskiː ˈɦrat]) is a castle complex in Prague, Czech Republic serving as the official residence and workplace of the president of the Czech Republic. Built in the 9th century, the castle has long served as the seat of power for kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia. As such, the term "Prague Castle" or simply "Castle" are often used as metonymy for the president and his staff and advisors. The Bohemian Crown Jewels are kept within a hidden room inside it.

 

According to the Guinness Book of Records, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world, occupying an area of almost 70,000 square metres (750,000 square feet), at about 570 metres (1,870 feet) in length and an average of about 130 metres (430 feet) wide. The castle is among the most visited tourist attractions in Prague, attracting over 1.8 million visitors annually.

 

Hradčany (German: Hradschin) is an urban district and cadastral territory of Prague with an area of ​​1.5 km², divided between city districts and at the same time the city districts of Prague 1 and Prague 6. A significant part of the district is occupied by Prague Castle, one of the most famous castles in Europe and, according to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest castle complex in the world. Hradčany was an independent town until 1784, when it became part of the united royal capital of Prague.

 

Hradčany includes the area of ​​Prague Castle, the territory of the historic city around Hradčanské and Loretánské náměstí, Pohořelec, the area of ​​Strahov Monastery and Nový Svět, as well as the area of ​​the former Marian Walls forming an arc from the western edge of Letenská plain to the top of Petřín.

 

Prague 6 includes a strip of territory defined by tram lines in Dlabačov, Keplerova, Jelení, Mariánské hradby, Badeni, Milada Horáková, Patočkova and Myslbekova streets. The cadastral territory Hradčany is adjacent to Střešovice to the northwest, Dejvice to the north, Mala Strana to the east, Smíchov (a small strip of territory) to the south, and Břevnov to the southwest.

 

Prague (/ˈprɑːɡ/ PRAHG; Czech: Praha [ˈpraɦa]; German: Prag [pʁaːk]; Latin: Praga) is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic and the historical capital of Bohemia. On the Vltava river, Prague is home to about 1.3 million people. The city has a temperate oceanic climate, with relatively warm summers and chilly winters.

 

Prague is a political, cultural, and economic hub of central Europe, with a rich history and Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectures. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia and residence of several Holy Roman Emperors, most notably Charles IV (r. 1346–1378) and Rudolf II (r. 1575–1611).

 

It was an important city to the Habsburg monarchy and Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city played major roles in the Bohemian and the Protestant Reformations, the Thirty Years' War and in 20th-century history as the capital of Czechoslovakia between the World Wars and the post-war Communist era.

 

Prague is home to a number of well-known cultural attractions, many of which survived the violence and destruction of 20th-century Europe. Main attractions include Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square with the Prague astronomical clock, the Jewish Quarter, Petřín hill and Vyšehrad. Since 1992, the historic center of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

 

The city has more than ten major museums, along with numerous theatres, galleries, cinemas, and other historical exhibits. An extensive modern public transportation system connects the city. It is home to a wide range of public and private schools, including Charles University in Prague, the oldest university in Central Europe.

 

Prague is classified as a "Alpha-" global city according to GaWC studies. In 2019, the city was ranked as 69th most livable city in the world by Mercer. In the same year, the PICSA Index ranked the city as 13th most livable city in the world. Its rich history makes it a popular tourist destination and as of 2017, the city receives more than 8.5 million international visitors annually. In 2017, Prague was listed as the fifth most visited European city after London, Paris, Rome, and Istanbul.

 

Bohemia (Latin Bohemia, German Böhmen, Polish Czechy) is a region in the west of the Czech Republic. Previously, as a kingdom, they were the center of the Czech Crown. The root of the word Czech probably corresponds to the meaning of man. The Latin equivalent of Bohemia, originally Boiohaemum (literally "land of Battles"), which over time also influenced the names in other languages, is derived from the Celtic tribe of the Boios, who lived in this area from the 4th to the 1st century BC Bohemia on it borders Germany in the west, Austria in the south, Moravia in the east and Poland in the north. Geographically, they are bounded from the north, west and south by a chain of mountains, the highest of which are the Krkonoše Mountains, in which the highest mountain of Bohemia, Sněžka, is also located. The most important rivers are the Elbe and the Vltava, with the fertile Polabean Plain extending around the Elbe. The capital and largest city of Bohemia is Prague, other important cities include, for example, Pilsen, Karlovy Vary, Kladno, Ústí nad Labem, Liberec, Hradec Králové, Pardubice and České Budějovice, Jihlava also lies partly on the historical territory of Bohemia." - info from Wikipedia.

 

Summer 2019 I did a solo cycling tour across Europe through 12 countries over the course of 3 months. I began my adventure in Edinburgh, Scotland and finished in Florence, Italy cycling 8,816 km. During my trip I took 47,000 photos.

 

Now on Instagram.

 

Become a patron to my photography on Patreon or donate.

Hoysaleswara temple (Kannada: ಹೊಯ್ಸಳೇಶ್ವರ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ) (also spelt "Hoysaleshwara" or Hoysaleshvara") is a temple dedicated to Hindu god Shiva. It was built in Halebidu (in modern Karnataka state, India) during the rule of King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. The construction was started around 1120 CE and completed in 1150 CE. During the early 14th century, Halebidu was sacked and looted by Muslim invaders from northern India and the temple fell into a state of ruin and neglect. Previously known as Dorasamudra or Dwarasamudra, Halebidu is 16 km from Belur, 31 km from Hassan and 149 km from Mysore, in the state of Karnataka, India.

 

HISTORY

According to art critic and historian S. Settar, from contemporary inscriptions it is known that the temple derives its name from the Hoysala ruler at that time, King Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleswara, though interestingly, the construction of the temple was initiated and financed by wealthy Shaiva (a Hindu sect) citizens of the city, prominent among who were Ketamala and Kesarasetti. The temple building activity was taken up in competition to the construction of the Chennakesava Temple at Belur, a Vaishnava (a Hindu sect) temple. Surrounded by numerous tanks, ponds and mantapas, the temple is built in the vicinity of the large Dorasamudhra lake. The tank preceded the temple by nearly 75 years. It is one of the largest temples dedicated to the god Shiva in South India.

 

TEMPLE PLAN

The temple is a simple dvikuta vimana (plan with two shrines and two superstructures), one for "Hoysaleswara" (the king) and the other for "Shantaleswara" (named after Shantala Devi, queen of King Vishnuvardhana) and is built with chloritic chist (more commonly known as Soapstone or potstone). The temple complex as a whole is elevated on a jagati (platform), which according to historian Kamath, is a feature that became popular in contemporary Hoysala constructions. According to art historian Foekema, the two shrines which are adjoining, face east and each have a mantapa (hall) in front. The two mantapas are connected giving a large and imposing view of the hall. Individually, each shrine is smaller than the one at the Chennakesava Temple at Belur and contains a simple linga, the universal symbol of the god Shiva. The plan of the inside of the temple is simple but the exterior looks different because of the introduction of many projections and recesses in the walls. The towers of the shrines that are missing must have followed the star shape of the shrine, just as in many existing well-preserved towers in other Hoysala temples. The superstructure over the vestibule which connects the shrine to the mantapa, called sukanasi (a low tower that looks like an extension of the main tower), and the row of decorated miniature roofs above the eaves of the hall are all missing. The temple was built at a height that provided the architects sufficient horizontal and vertical space to depict large and small sculptures. According to the art critic James Fergusson, the overall effect of the vertical and horizontal lines, the play of the outline, the effect of light and shade and the plan of the projections and recesses all amounts to a "marvellous exhibition of human labor to be found even in the patient east and surpasses anything in Gothic art". The outer walls of these temples contain an intricate array of stone sculptures. The temple of Halebidu, has been described by art critics James Fergusson and Percy Brown as an "outstanding example of Hindu architecture" and as the "supreme climax of Indian architecture".

 

The temple has four porches for entry and the one normally used by visitors as main entry is actually a lateral entrance (north). There is one entry on the south side and two on the east side, facing two large detached open pavilions whose ceiling is supported by lathe turned pillars. All entry porches have miniature shrines as flanking. In addition there is a sanctuary for the Sun god Surya, whose image stands 2.1 m tall. The pavilions enshrine large images of Nandi, the bull, an attendant of Shiva. The pavilions share the same jagati as the main temple. As in the Chennakesava temple, this temple originally had an open mantapa to which outer walls with pierced window screens made with the same material were erected, making the mantapa a closed one. The window screens are devoid of any art work. The interior of the temple is quite plain except for the lathe turned pillars that run in rows between the north and south entrances. According to Settar, the four pillars in front of each shrine are the most ornate and the only ones that have the madanika (chaste maidens) sculptures in their pillar brackets. There are no other madanikas in the temple.

 

SCULPTURES

The Hoysaleswara temple is most well known for its sculptures that run all along the outer wall, starting with an dancing image of the god Ganesha on the left side of the south entrance and ending with another image of Ganesha on the right hand side of the north entrance. In all there are two hundred and forty such images. According to the art critic Gerard Foekema, perhaps no other Hoysala temple is as articulate in sculpture as this is and these sculptures are "second to none in all of India". The most intricate of all sculptures are found in the lintels over two of the doorways, one on the south side doorway and the other on one of the eastern doorways.

 

HORIZONTAL TREATMENT

In this temple the Hoysala architects have broken from the tradition of using five moldings with friezes (which is the "old stlye") at the base of the temple, below the large wall sculptures and the window screens. The outer walls have two eaves that run around the temple. The top eaves is at the roof of the temple where the superstructure meets the wall, and the second eaves is about a meter below. In between there are decorated miniature towers (aedicule). Below the lower eaves are the wall sculptures and below them, the eight moldings. Historian Kamath calls this type of relief work "horizontal treatment". Each of the eight friezes carries an array of decoration. Going from the bottom where the temple wall meets the platform, the lowest frieze depicts charging elephants which symbolize strength and stability, above which, in order, are friezes with lions which symbolize courage, floral scrolls as decoration, horses symbolizing speed, another band of floral scrolls, depictions from the Hindu epics, mythical beasts called makara and finally a frieze with hansas (swans). According to Foekema, no two animals are alike in a total frieze span of over 200 m. In the epic frieze, the epics are not continuous as they are mixed with other depictions. After the construction of this temple, Hoysala architects used this new kind of horizontal treatment only fifty years later, making it a standard style, though they reduced it to six molding friezes.

 

GARUDA PILLAR

Another interesting object in the temple complex is the rare Garuda Sthamba (Garuda pillar). According to Settar, these are different from virgals (Hero stone). Garudas were elite bodyguards of the kings and queens. They moved and lived with the royal family and their only purpose was to protect their master. Upon the death of their master, they committed suicide. The rare pillar on the south side depicts heroes brandishing knives and cutting their own heads. The inscription honors Kuruva Lakshma, a bodyguard of Veera Ballala II. A devoted officer, he took his life and that of his wife and other bodyguards after the death of his master. This event is narrated in an old Kannada inscription on the pillar. A 2.4 m tall sculpture of Ganesha including the platform rests at the South entrance

 

WIKIPEDIA

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Dedicated to all Mothers and those who fulfill the role of Mother. May you have abundance and know that you are loved and appreciated:)

 

We have a saying in T & T "If it is nice, you have to do it twice" so I am posting two cards in celebration of Mother's Day.

  

From the ilovelakemac.com site:

 

"As early as the 1880s, citizens of south-central Nebraska discussed the possibility of bringing irrigation to the area. Interest in irrigation grew with each successive drought cycle until the drought and economic depression of the 1930s helped convince state and federal officials and community leaders of the need for irrigation.

 

"The Public Works Administration approved funding for the hydro-irrigation project in 1935 and construction began in 1936. Kingsley Dam was closed and dedicated in 1941 and project operations began soon afterward.

 

"The dam and reservoir are named for George P. Kingsley, a Minden, Nebraska, banker, and C.W. McConaughy, a grain merchant and mayor of Holdrege, Nebraska, two of the leading promoters of the project. Although neither lived to see the completion of the project, their leadership and perseverance eventually culminated in a public power and irrigation project that helped Nebraska become one of the nation’s leading agricultural states."

 

Kingsley Dam

"Kingsley Dam, located 9 miles north of Ogallala, Nebraska, is the second-largest hydraulic-fill dam in the world. It is over 162 feet high, 3.1 miles long, has 26 million cubic yards of material, and holds Lake McConaughy, which is 22 miles long and 142 feet deep.

 

"Kingsley Dam was formed by the pumping of a mixture of loess soil and water into the ground, making a watertight core. Lake Ogallala was formed from the pumping of the soil into Kingsley Dam. It is 35 feet deep, 1.6 miles long, and .3 miles wide.

 

"Even though it is smaller than Lake McConaughy, Lake Ogallala in the middle class size of lakes in Nebraska. Sand from the riverbed below was pumped to form the sides of the dam. Then, to make sure that nothing would try to go under the dam, giant steel sheets were driven into the watertight core and into the ground below. The water facing side of the dam is layered with limestone rocks from Wyoming and 180,000 “jackstones.” (A jackstone is a 6-pointed stone that looks similar to a toy jack, weighing over 800 pounds each, for a combined weight of 144 million pounds.)

 

"A unique feature to the Kingsley Dam is the water release and flood control system. The system is located on the south side of the dam, partially in the water and is composed of two parts, the outlet tower and the morning glory spillway. The outlet tower is 185 feet tall, 42 feet wide, has one ring gate and 4 tractor gates that regulate normal water release functions like irrigation. The gates are located on the sides and middle of the structure. The structure is connected to a 20 foot wide, steel reinforced, concrete tube that runs underground to the power plant on the other side of the dam. When all the gates are open, it can release over 7,000 cubic feet per second, or over 3.1 million gallons a minute."

LEGOLAND Windsor a theme park dedicated to children aged 3-12 years old and of course big kid adults.

An inspirational land where the kids are the hero and adults relive their childhood.

The fun never stops and imagination knows no bounds, a family attraction like no other.

Set in 150 acres of beautiful parkland, LEGOLAND Windsor is a unique family theme park with over 55 interactive rides, live shows, building workshops, driving schools and attractions.

It's amazing what can be built with LEGO bricks - nearly 55 million of them!

From comical camels to fearsome fire-breathing dragons, world landmarks to musical pirates, young and old alike will be fascinated by the incredible LEGO models throughout the park.

Fun Facts about LEGOLAND Windsor

There are 34 LEGO pieces in an average Miniland figure.

The largest model in Miniland is the Canary Wharf Tower which is 5.2 metres tall and took 3 model makers 850 hours to complete using 200,000 LEGO Bricks!

The smallest models are the pigeons in Trafalgar Square which contain 5 LEGO bricks each

New in 2011 - Atlantis Submarine Voyage

Take a deep breath and submerge yourself in an underwater adventure.

Plunge into the depths with this world-first LEGO® submarine ride and immerse yourself in a magical underwater adventure.

So what’s New in 2012

STAR WARS MINILAND EXPERIENCE - The Force has arrived at LEGOLAND

Take a trip to a galaxy far, far away at the UK’s only indoor LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Experience at the LEGOLAND®Windsor Resort. Enjoy seven of the most famous scenes from the six live-action Star Wars movies, as well as a scene from the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars™ all made out of 1.5 million LEGO® bricks built in 1:20 scale. Follow the chronological path through the Star Wars timeline and retrace the major events of the beloved Saga featuring 2,000 LEGO® models, authentic sounds and lighting effects in the ultimate LEGO®Star Wars experience.

 

LEGOLAND WINDSOR RESORT HOTEL - Now open

 

An exciting LEGO adventure awaits you, as the amazing 150 room, fully themed LEGOLAND Hotel opens at LEGOLAND Windsor RESORT!

Staying overnight at the new LEGOLAND Windsor Resort Hotel is a must for all LEGO fans. From the spectacular dragon-guarded entrance and interactive LEGO features through to the brightly coloured pirate splash pool and fully themed bedrooms, the new hotel will inspire imaginations and create laugh-out loud memories. With dedicated indoor play areas, entertainment and a buffet-style restaurant serving child-friendly meals, it’s the perfect family treat.

Chaturbhuj temple (Devanagri: चतुर्भुज मंदिर) is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The name Chaturbhuj (Devanagri: चतुर्भुज) is a derived from Sanskrit words चतु: = four and भुजा = arms, which literally means One who has four arms; and refers to Lord Vishnu.

 

The temple is Date-able to CIRCA 1100 A.D. This temple is also known as Jatakari (Devanagri:जटकारी) Temple on the name of the village Jatakari (Devanagri:जटकारी), where it is located.

 

This temple is located near a village Jatakara at Khajuraho. This temple is also known as Jatakari Temple on the name of the village.

 

It is grouped under southern group of temples, due to is location in southern area of Khajuraho.

 

This is the only temple in Khajuraho which lacks erotic sculptures.

 

The temple consists of a sanctum without ambulatory, vestibule, mandapa and an entrance porch. The temple stands on a Modest (chabutara).

 

Around the wall, there are three bands of sculptures.

 

The main idol in the temple is of four-armed Lord Vishnu. It is 2.7 meters in height.

______________________________________________

 

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Khajuraho, a town in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, located in Chhatarpur District, about 620 kilometres southeast of New Delhi, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for their erotic sculptures.

 

Between 950 and 1150, the Chandela monarchs built these temples when the Tantric tradition may have been accepted. In the days before the Mughal conquests, when boys lived in hermitages, following brahmacharya until they became men, they could learn about the world and prepare themselves to become householders through examining these sculptures and the worldly desires they depicted.

 

The name Khajuraho, ancient "Kharjuravāhaka", is derived from the Sanskrit words kharjura = date palm and vāhaka = "one who carries". Locals living in the Khajuraho village always knew about and kept up the temples as best as they could. They were pointed out to the English in the late 19th century when the jungles had taken a toll on the monuments. In the 19th century, British engineer T.S. Burt arrived in the area, followed by General Alexander Cunningham. Cunningham put Khajuraho on the world map when he explored the site on behalf of the Archaeological Survey of India and described what he found in glowing terms. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is considered to be one of the "seven wonders" of India.

 

HISTORY

In the 27th Century of Kali Yuga the Mlechcha invaders started attacking Northern India, some Bargujar moved eastward to central India; they ruled over the Northeastern region of Rajasthan, called Dhundhar, and were referred to as Dhundhel or Dhundhela in ancient times, for the region they governed. Later on they called themselves Chandelas; those who were in the ruling class having gotra Kashyap were definitely all Bargujars; they were vassals of Gurjara – Pratihara empire of North India, which lasted from 500 CE to 1300 CE and at its peak the major monuments were built. The Bargujars also built the Kalinjar fort and Neelkanth Mahadev temple, similar to one at Sariska National Park, and Baroli, being Shiva

 

The city was the cultural capital of Chandel Rajputs, a Hindu dynasty that ruled this part of India from the 10 to 12th centuries. The political capital of the Chandelas was Kalinjar. The Khajuraho temples were built over a span of 200 years, from 950 to 1150. The Chandela capital was moved to Mahoba after this time, but Khajuraho continued to flourish for some time. Khajuraho has no forts because the Chandel Kings never lived in their cultural capital.

 

The whole area was enclosed by a wall with eight originates, each flanked by two golden palm trees. There were originally over 85 Hindu temples, of which only 25 now stand in a reasonable state of preservation, scattered over an area of about 20 square kilometres. The erotic sculptures were crafted by Chandella artisans. The temples, maintained by the locals, were pointed out to the English in the late 19th century when the jungles had taken a toll on the monuments. Today, the temples serve as fine examples of Indian architectural styles that have gained popularity due to their explicit depiction of sexual life during medieval times.You can see the erotic sculptures on Kandariya Mahadev Temple.

 

ARCHITECTURE

The temples are grouped into three geographical divisions: western, eastern and southern.

 

The Khajuraho temples are made of sandstone. The builders didn't use mortar: the stones were put together with mortise and tenon joints and they were held in place by gravity. This form of construction requires very precise joints. The columns and architraves were built with megaliths that weighed up to 20 tons.

 

The Saraswati temple on the campus of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani, India, is modeled after the Khajuraho temples.

 

STATUES AND CARVINGS

The Khajuraho temples contain sexual or erotic art outside the temple or near the deities. Some of the temples that have two layers of walls have small erotic carvings on the outside of the inner wall. It has been suggested that these suggest tantric sexual practices. Some 10% of the carvings contain sexual themes and those reportedly do not depict deities but rather sexual activities between people. The rest depict the everyday life. For example, those depictions show women putting on makeup, musicians, potters, farmers, and other folk. The mundane scenes are all at some distance from the temple deities. A common misconception is that, since the old structures with carvings in Khajuraho are temples, the carvings depict sex between deities.

 

Another perspective of these carvings is presented by James McConnachie. In his history of the Kamasutra, McConnachie describes the zesty 10% of the Khajuraho sculptures as "the apogee of erotic art":

 

"Twisting, broad-hipped and high breasted nymphs display their generously contoured and bejewelled bodies on exquisitely worked exterior wall panels. These fleshy apsaras run riot across the surface of the stone, putting on make-up, washing their hair, playing games, dancing, and endlessly knotting and unknotting their girdles....Beside the heavenly nymphs are serried ranks of griffins, guardian deities and, most notoriously, extravagantly interlocked maithunas, or lovemaking couples."

 

While the sexual nature of these carvings have caused the site to be referred to as the Kamasutra temple, they do not illustrate the meticulously described positions. Neither do they express the philosophy of Vatsyayana's famous sutra. As "a strange union of Tantrism and fertility motifs, with a heavy dose of magic" they belief a document which focuses on pleasure rather than procreation. That is, fertility is moot.

 

The strategically placed sculptures are "symbolical-magical diagrams, or yantras" designed to appease malevolent spirits. This alamkara (ornamentation) expresses sophisticated artistic transcendence over the natural; sexual images imply a virile, thus powerful, ruler.

 

Between 950 and 1150, the Chandela monarchs built these temples when the Tantric tradition may have been accepted. In the days before the Mughal conquests, when boys lived in hermitages, following brahmacharya until they became men, they could learn about the world and prepare themselves to become householders through examining these sculptures and the worldly desires they depicted.

 

While recording the television show Lost Worlds (History Channel) at Khajuraho, Alex Evans, a contemporary stonemason and sculptor gave his expert opinion and forensically examined the tool marks and construction techniques involved in creating the stunning stonework at the sites. He also recreated a stone sculpture under 4 feet that took about 60 days to carve in an attempt to develop a rough idea how much work must have been involved. Roger Hopkins and Mark Lehner also conducted experiments to quarry limestone which took 12 quarrymen 22 days to quarry about 400 tons of stone. These temples would have required hundreds of highly trained sculptors.

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Der Tempelbezirk von Khajuraho umfasst eine Gruppe von etwa 20 Tempeln im Zentrum und in der näheren Umgebung der Stadt Khajuraho im indischen Bundesstaat Madhya Pradesh. Sie zählen zum UNESCO-Welterbe.

 

GESCHICHTE

Nahezu alle Tempel Khajurahos wurde von den Herrschern der Chandella-Dynastie zwischen 950 und 1120 erbaut. Die Chandellas waren ein zwischen dem 10. und 16. Jahrhundert regierender Rajputen-Klan, welcher sich um 950 in Gwalior festsetzte. Im 10. und 11. Jahrhundert waren die Chandellas die führende Macht in Nordindien, wenngleich sie formell noch bis 1018 Vasallen der Pratihara waren.

 

Nach dem Niedergang der Dynastie im 12. Jahrhundert wurden die Tempel kaum noch oder gar nicht mehr benutzt und blieben dem Wuchs des Dschungels überlassen. Der politisch, militärisch und wirtschaftlich bedeutungslos gewordene Ort lag abseits aller Wege und blieb somit auch in der Zeit des islamischen Vordringens in Nordindien von Zerstörungen verschont. Im 18. und 19. Jahrhundert zählte die einstmals bedeutsame Stadt nur noch etwa 300 Einwohner. Im 19. Jahrhundert wurden die Tempel von den Briten 'wiederentdeckt'. Zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts begannen systematische Sicherungs- und Restaurierungsarbeiten, die schließlich zur Wiederherstellung dieses einzigartigen Architektur-Ensembles führten.

 

TEMPEL

Ursprünglich gab es in Khajuraho etwa 80 Tempelbauten verstreut auf einer Gesamtfläche von ca. 21 Quadratkilometer, heutzutage sind davon nur noch etwa 20 erhalten, von denen die meisten in zwei Gruppen stehen. Die Mehrzahl der Tempel ist den hinduistischen Hauptgöttern geweiht, einige den Jaina-Tirthankaras. Buddhistische Bauten gab es wohl nicht, jedenfalls wurden keine buddhistischen Skulpturen entdeckt.

 

Alle Tempel stehen auf 1,50 bis 3 Meter hohen Plattformen (jagatis), die das Bauwerk vor Witterungseinflüssen (Monsunregen) und freilaufenden Tieren schützten. Hinzu kommt eine Sockelzone, die bei den späteren Tempeln (ab ca. 950) mehrfach gestuft ist und durchaus nochmals 3 Meter hoch sein kann. Plattform und Sockel tragen natürlich auch zu einer 'Erhöhung' des aufstehenden Bauwerks im übertragenen Sinn bei.

 

Die Mehrzahl der Tempeleingänge sind nach Osten, also in Richtung der aufgehenden Sonne ausgerichtet, d. h. die Cella (garbhagriha) liegt im Westen. Bei zwei Tempeln ist es umgekehrt: sie orientieren sich nach Westen, d. h. in Richtung der untergehenden Sonne (Lalguan-Mahadeva-Tempel und Chaturbuja-Tempel). Beide Ausrichtungen sind bei indischen Tempeln seit Jahrhunderten möglich und üblich. Die vorderen zwei Begleitschreine des Lakshmana-Tempels liegen einander gegenüber und sind nach Süden bzw. Norden ausgerichtet.

 

WESTGRUPPE (Hindu-Tempel)

- Matangeshvara-Tempel (ca. 950)

- Varaha-Tempel (ca. 950)

- Lakshmana-Tempel (ca. 950)

- Devi-Tempel

- Vishvanatha-Tempel (ca. 1000)

- Nandi-Schrein

- Parvati-Schrein

- Jagadambi-Tempel

- Chitragupta-Tempel

- Kandariya-Mahadeva-Tempel (1. Hälfte 11. Jh.)

 

OSTGRUPPE (Jain-Tempel)

- Parsvanatha-Tempel (ca. 960)

- Adinatha-Tempel (ca. 1050)

- Shantinatha-Tempel

- Ghantai-Tempel (ca. 990)

 

EINZELTEMPEL (Hindu-Tempel)

- Chausath-Yogini-Tempel (ca. 875)

- Lalguan-Mahadeva-Tempel (ca. 920)

- Brahma-Tempel (ca. 930)

- Khakra-Math-Tempel (ca. 980)

- Vamana-Tempel (ca. 1050)

- Javari-Tempel (ca. 1100)

- Chaturbuja-Tempel (ca. 1120)

- Duladeo-Tempel (ca. 1120)

 

ARCHITEKTUR

Die Tempel von Khajuraho bieten die Möglichkeit, auf engstem Raum die Entwicklung der indischen Baukunst in einer Zeitspanne von etwa 200 Jahren zu verfolgen − von kleinen (wenig gegliederten, einräumigen und geschlossenen) Tempeln hin zu großen (stark gegliederten, mehrräumigen und offenen) Bauten. Auch die Höhe der Bauten erfährt während dieser Zeit eine enorme Steigerung. Gemeinsam ist nahezu allen Bauten (Ausnahme: Chausath-Yogini-Tempel), dass sie über Dachaufbauten (Shikhara-Türme oder Pyramidendächer) verfügen, die von gerippten amalaka-Steinen und kalasha-Krügen bekrönt werden.

 

FRÜHZEIT

Abgesehen vom Chausath-Yogini-Tempel, dem ältesten und vollkommen anderen baulichen Traditionen verpflichteten Tempelbau in Khajuraho, bestehen die frühen Tempel nur aus einer − von einem gestuften Pyramidendach bedeckten − Cella (garbhagriha), der im Fall des Brahma-Tempels noch ein Portalvorbau (antarala), im Fall des Varaha-Tempels und des Matangesvara-Tempels jeweils ein kleiner offener Vorraum (mandapa) vorgesetzt ist. Die Außenwände sind nur geringfügig gegliedert und überwiegend steinsichtig.

 

BLÜHTZEIT

Die Blütezeit der Tempelarchitektur in Khajuraho beginnt mit dem Lakshmana-Tempel (ca. 930−950), der wahrscheinlich vom Maladevi-Tempel in Gyaraspur und von früheren Tempelbauten in Rajasthan beeinflusst ist, die ihrerseits wiederum allesamt auf die beim Bau des Kalika-Mata-Tempels in Chittorgarh (ca. 700) erstmals entwickelten baulichen Innovationen zurückgeführt werden können. Diese sind im Wesentlichen: mehrere hintereinander liegende, aber harmonisch miteinander verbundenen Bauteile (mandapas, antarala und garbhagriha); gleiche Grundfläche von großer Vorhalle (mahamandapa) und Sanktumsbereich; Cella als eigenständiger Baukörper im Innern; Pfeiler − und nicht mehr Wände − als tragende Stützelemente für die Dachaufbauten − dadurch wurde es möglich, die Räume nach außen hin durch balkonähnliche Vorbauten zu öffnen; mehrfache Abstufung und Gliederung der verbliebenen Wandteile außen wie innen − dadurch treten sie gar nicht mehr als 'Wand' in Erscheinung; Fortsetzung der Außenwandgliederung im Dachaufbau.

 

Beim Lakshmana-Tempel ist die Cella als eigener, innenliegender Baukörper gestaltet und von einem Umgang (pradakshinapatha) umgeben. Der gesamte Sanktumsbereich sowie seine vier Nebenschreine werden − erstmals in Khajuraho − von steil und hoch aufragenden Shikhara-Türmen überhöht; die weniger wichtigen Vorhallen werden auch weiterhin von den insgesamt flacheren, pyramidenförmigen Dächern bedeckt, so dass eine architektonische Steigerung der Tempel − einem Gebirge durchaus vergleichbar − hin zur Cella erreicht wird.

 

Die wichtigsten Nachfolgebauten des Lakshmana-Tempels sind der Vishvanatha-Tempel (ca. 1000) und der Kandariya-Mahadeva-Tempel (ca. 1050), bei denen wegen der vielfältigen architektonischen Gliederungen und des dichten Skulpturenprogramms eine Stein- bzw. Wandsichtigkeit nicht mehr wahrzunehmen ist.

 

SKULPTUREN

Auch im Hinblick auf die Entwicklung der indischen Skulptur bieten die Tempel von Khajuraho einen Überblick über ca. 200 Jahre indischer Kunstgeschichte − von den in Architekturelemente eingebundenen und eher unbewegt und statisch erscheinenden Reliefdarstellungen der Frühzeit bis hin zu den beinahe freiplastisch gearbeiteten und durch ihre Posenvielfalt nahezu lebendig wirkenden Figuren.

 

FRÜHZEITLICHE SKULPTUREN

Die nur wenig gegliederten Außenwände der frühen Tempel von Khajuraho zeigen kaum figürlichen oder ornamentalen Schmuck. Dieser ist, noch stark reliefgebunden, auf die Portale (Lalguan-Mahadeva-Tempel, Brahma-Tempel) sowie auf einige Fensternischen (Matangeshvara-Tempel) beschränkt. Erotische Skulpturen sind in den frühen Tempeln noch nicht zu finden.

 

SKULPTUREN DER BLÜHTEZEIT

Auch hier ist es der Lakshmana-Tempel, der für Khajuraho neue Zeichen setzt: Während die Außenwände der Vorhallen nur wenig figürliche Reliefs zeigen, sind die Wände des Sanktums überreich mit Skulpturen geschmückt. Darunter finden sich Götterfiguren (devas oder devis), „schöne Mädchen“ (surasundaris) und Liebespaare (mithunas); auch die ersten erotischen Skulpturen sind in den unteren (erdnahen) Feldern der Mittelregister sowie im Figurenfries der Plattform zu sehen. Die mittleren Felder zeigen dagegen zärtliche Liebespaare mit kleineren Begleitfiguren, die oberen Götterfiguren. Eine Hierarchie der Figurenanordnung ist also deutlich wahrnehmbar. Bei den unmittelbaren Nachfolgebauten (Vishvanatha-Tempel, Jagadambi-Tempel und Kandariya-Mahadeva-Tempel) nimmt die Anzahl der Figuren und somit auch der erotischen Darstellungen zu.

 

Bei den Jain-Tempeln und den späteren Hindu-Tempeln sind kaum noch erotisch-sexuelle Darstellungen zu finden; hier überwiegt die Anzahl der Götterfiguren manchmal sogar die der „schönen Mädchen“.

 

ARCHÄOLOGISCHES MUSEUM

Zu den Sehenswürdigkeiten im Bereich des Tempelbezirks von Khajuraho gehört auch das im Ortskern gelegene Archäologische Museum (auch Rani Durgavati-Museum genannt). Es beherbergt einige sehr schöne Skulpturen, die im Rahmen der Ausgrabungs- und Restaurierungsarbeiten gefunden und hierher verbracht wurden, weil sie keinem der erhaltenen Tempelbauten direkt zuzuordnen waren.

  

WIKIPEDIA

This morning (2 September 2022), officers smashed through the doors of 17 properties in the north, south and centre of Manchester, as part of a dedicated day of action to target criminals linked to the supply of drugs across the region.

 

The warrants were carried out simultaneously in areas including Wythenshawe, Whalley Range, Gorton, Longsight and Moss Side.

 

Today’s day of action was undertaken as part of ‘Operation Safer Manchester’ which is a City of Manchester based partnership initiative to crack down on crime in key areas affecting local residents including drugs, burglary, robbery and vehicle related crime.

 

Chief Superintendent Rob Cousen, of GMPs City of Manchester district, said: “Drug related criminality can have a devastating impact, destroying the lives of vulnerable people and creating the funds for organised crime groups to grow and further infiltrate our communities.

 

“The fight to crack down on drug supply never stops and today’s day of action is just an example of the work we do on a daily basis across Greater Manchester to keep the public safe.

 

“As always, and especially with drug related crime, we rely heavily on information from the public to help us to identify offenders so we can take them off our streets. I’d like to appeal today to anyone who knows anything about drug dealing happening in their local area, or anyone who may have suspicions about it happening, to contact police. This can be done anonymously by calling Crimestoppers and really does make a difference”.

 

Anyone with information can contact police on 101, or via our Live Chat service at: www.gmp.police.uk. Call Crimestoppers on 08000 555 111.

  

Would you like to make a real difference to our communities and help us make Greater Manchester a safer place to live? We are recruiting police officers in a number of exciting and rewarding roles.

 

For more information and to apply, visit: via gmp.police.uk/recruitment.

  

I saw this taxi driver on gas station on Broadway and Irving Park Rd.

DAY 1 of the FINALE to the 2021 Motorsport Season and the end of the Season Brings us once again Back to Brands Hatch for a weekend Dedicated to the Enduro KA Series with Many Ford KA'S Ready to do Battle on the Track along with other Support Races such as Champion of Brands MSVT Track Day Trophy and MSV Super Cup Championship to name Just a Few.

 

With a Full Day of Motorsport on the Circuit Each Driver was Getting their Car Ready and making sure they had a Really Hardy Breakfast Before Getting into their Cars to Begin their Respective Qualifying Sessions for the Day.

 

Lets Get to it and See what The Last Event of the Motorsport Season Brings and who has Taken the First Pole of the Weekend.

 

Champion Of Brands-(Qualifying)

 

First Up onto the Circuit was The Champion of Brands and these Cars are Formula Ford Based and can be Very Quick in a Straight Line and through the Corner. With Cars such as the Van Diemen JL13 and the Ray GR16 Thease Cars and Drivers know how to Really Push Hard and Get Superb Results.

 

Lets Find Out who Took Pole and By How Much

 

In First Place Taking the First Pole Position of the Weekend was (Morgan Quinn) in his Formula Ford 1600 Kent with a Best Lap Time of 50.561 and a Top Speed of 86.00mph. Brilliant Work there Morgan Fantastic Lap to Start the Weekend of with a Bang.

 

In Second Place was (Lucas Romanek) in his Van Diemen JL13 with a Best Lap Time of 50.594 and a Top Speed of 85.95mph. Amazing Drive there Lucas Fantastic Work and a Very Good Spot on the Front Row for Race 1.

 

In Third Place was (Johnny Cochran) in his Formula Ford LA10 with a Best Lap Time of 51.250 and a Top Speed of 84.85mph. Great Drive there Johnny Fantastic Car Control and a Brilliant Lap to Complete The Top Three.

 

A Really Great First Qualifying Session of the Day with the Likes of Morgan Lucas and Johnny all taking the Top Three Spots in Qualifying but will anyone Else in the Field be able to Beat them off the Line into the First Corner at Paddock Hill Bend?

 

Lets Find Out

  

Champion Of Brands-(Race 1 Results)

 

After a Thrilling Qualifying Session which saw the likes of Morgan Quinn take Pole Position from Second Place Lucas Romanek with Johnny Cochran in Third Position in a Very Close Battle at the Top, it was Now Time to see which of thease Top Three Drivers could Defend their Positions thought the Race and who would be Brave Enough to make a Challenge for the Podium.

 

In First Place Taking the Victory was (Lucas Romanek) in his Van Diemen JL13 with a Best Lap Time of 50.711 and an Average Speed of 84.44mph. Congratulations Lucas a Really Well Deserved Win Under Immense Pressure Thought The Entire Race from Morgan Quinn. Brilliant Drive.

 

In Second Place was (Morgan Quinn) in his FF 1600 Kent with a Best Lap Time of 50.564 and an Average Speed of 84.42mph. Super Job out there Morgan Only 0.131 Seconds Behind Lucas and Some Really Good Defending and Battling From both of You Thought the Race. Fantastic Drive and Well Deserved.

 

In Third Place was (Benjamin Cochran) in his Formula Ford LA10 with a Best Lap Time of 51.095 and an Average Speed of 83.99mph. Great Work there Benjamin Keeping Hold of that P3 Position and Doing some Incredible work to Keep that Car on the Tarmac in Conditions that were Already Quite Dark.

 

A Really Thrilling Race to Open up the Weekend with the Likes of Lucas, Morgan and Benjamin all Taking Superb Victories in Race 1 as Well As Proving Thrilling Battles at The Top End of the Field.

 

Really Well Done to (Morgan Quinn) who also Took the Fastest Lap of the Race an Incredible (50.564) Second Lap Around The Famous Indy Circuit. Amazing Driving from Morgan.

 

A Big Congratulations to All of the other Drivers who also Took Part Your Passion and Dedication is Immense.

 

With One Last Race to Go will the likes of Lucas Romanek be able to Make it 2 out of 2 Wins for Champion of Brands or will the likes of both Benjamin and Morgan try to take that Last Victory Away from Him?

 

Lets Find Out

  

Champion Of Brands-(Race 2 Results FINAL)

 

In First Place taking the Last Victory for Champion of Brands Is (Lucas Romanek) in his Van Diemen JL13 with a Best Lap Time of 50.825 and an Average Speed of 83.45mph. Congratulations Once Again Lucas Two out of Two Wins and no Doubt a Very Happy Team and Family Awaiting You Before and After the Podium Fantastic Driving All Weekend.

 

In Second Place was (Morgan Quinn) in his FF 1600 Kent with a Best Lap Time of 50.754 and an Average Speed of 82.99mph. Very Well Driven there Morgan Great to See Such an Intense Battle Between you and Lucas for Victory in Conditions that were Almost Impossible to see anything in. Incredible Dedication and Drive.

 

In Third Place was (Benjamin Cochran) in his Formula Ford LA10 with a Best Lap Time of 51.862 and an Average Speed of 81.70mph. Nice Work there Benjamin Fantastic Driving in both Qualifying and The Two Races with a Brilliant P3 Finnish to Round off The Weekend for Champion of Brands.

 

What a Fantastic Day it has been for Champion of Brands seeing some Incredible Racing Action and a huge amount of Competitiveness from the Likes of Lucas Morgan and Benjamin who All Drove Fantastically and Put on One Hell of a Good Show.

 

A Huge Congratulations to both Lucas and Morgan as Well Who were in a Class of their Own at The Front of the Field Racing in Deteriorating Lighting Conditions with no Front Headlights on their Formula Fords to Light their Way around The Indy Circuit they Both Drove Insanely Well.

 

MSV Super Cup-(Qualifying)

 

Next Up onto the Circuit for the Day was the MSV Super Cup Championship and with a Wide Range and Variety of Racing Cars on Display it will be Very Interesting to see how many different Battles will Develop thought Both Qualifying and The Race.

 

From BMW E36's to Seat Super Copa's and even a Peugeot 205 GTI This Series has a Huge Amount of Variety Racing Within it.

 

Lets Take a Look at Qualifying and See Who Came Where

 

In First Place taking Pole Position was (Darren Goes) in his Seat Cup Racer with a Best Lap Time of 52.257 and a Top Speed of 82.21mph. Great Work there Darren Really Pushing the Car Hard and Having to Extract Everything from both Car and Driver to take P1. Super Job.

 

In Second Place was the Pairing of (A Bradley and D Bradley) in their BMW E36 with a Best Lap Time of 52.621 and a Top Speed of 82.64mph. Really Well Driven Gentlemen Very Close to Darren looking Forward to a Competitive First Race Between you All.

 

In Third Place was (Gary Hufford) in his BMW E46 M3 with a Best Lap Time of 52.723 and a Top Speed of 82.48mph. Nice Work there Gary Keeping that Fast and Capable BMW on the Track Looked to be no Easy Task but what a Fantastic Position to Start the First Race in.

 

Another Really Close Qualifying Session Between the likes of Darren Goes and the Pairing of A Brandley and D Bradley at the Top with Third Place Gary Hufford Following Closely Behind them.

 

With Their Only Race of the Day Coming Up Next will Daren Be able to Fend off the Charging Pair of A Bradley and D Bradley to take Home Victory or Will the Likes of Gary Hufford Surprise them All and Take the Victory for Himself?

 

Let's Find Out!

 

MSV Super Cup-(Race 1 Results FINAL)

 

In First Place Taking Victory was (Darren Goes) in his Seat Cup Racer with a Best Lap Time of 52.891 and an Average Speed of 77.05mph. Congratulations Darren A Well Deserved Victory Under Immense Pressure the Entire Time and No Doubt a Very Proud and Happy Family Waiting for Him Back in the Paddock.

 

In Second Place was the Pairing of (Brytchta/Smith) in their Seat Super Copa with a Best Lap Time of 52.594 and an Average Speed of 77.04mph. Great Drive from Both of You and Keeping Right on the Heels of Darren All The Time as well as Putting up a Huge Fight for First Place. Superb Drive and a Well Deserved P2 Finnish.

 

In Third Place was the Pairing of (A Bradley and D Bradley) in their BMW E36 with a Best Lap Time of 52.680 and an Average Speed of 76.93mph. Great Work to the Both of You Putting Pressure on Second Place Brytchta and Smith.

 

What an Intense Finnish to the Super Cup Championship with the Likes of Darren Goes Brytchta/Smith and A Bradley and D Bradley All Taking Superb Podium Finishes and no Doubt Going Back Home to a Very Happy and Proud Family of Great People.

 

Congratulations to All of the Other Drivers who were Also Out there Giving it their All You Guys are What Brings to Sprit of Every Racing Series to Life. Keep Working Hard and I'm Sure your Time Will Come.

 

MSVT Trackday Championship-(Qualifying)

 

Next Up was the Track Day Championship and with Another Massive Grid of 32 Cars from All Different Makes such as BMW Volkswagen Renault Ford and Caterham it was Going to be a Dynamic Qualifying Session with Many Different Cars and Drivers All Battling for Positions thought the Qualifying Session.

 

Lets Find Out who Came Out on Top and Who will be Starting on the Front Row for what Promises to be a Very Exciting and Close Race Later on.

 

In First Place taking the Victory and The Fastest Lap was (Scott Parkin) in his VW Golf TDI with a Best Lap Time of 54.419 and a Top Speed of 79.90mph. Congratulations Scott a Brilliant Pole Lap and Fantastic Car Control thought Every Corner.

 

In Second Place was (Chris Payne) in his Caterham Supersport with a Best Lap Time of 54.540 and an Average Speed of 79.73mph. Awesome Drive there from Chris Keeping up at The Front with Scott and Trading Fastest Laps thought the Qualifying Session. I Think both of them are going to put on a Brilliant Display of Racing Later.

 

In Third Place was The Pairing of (Keen and Roberts) in their Honda Civic Type R with a Best Lap Time of 55.231 and a Top Speed of 78.73mph. Amazing Drive from Thease Two Both Pushing Hard and Securing a Brilliant P3 Position for The Race. Great Job.

 

What a Qualifying Session with the Likes of Scott Parkin and Chris Payne Both Looking to be Very Competitive and Ready to Take Each other Head On Come the Race. But Will the Pairing of Keen and Roberts Come in and Also do Battle with Them?

 

Lets Find Out!

 

MSVT Trackday Championship-(Race 1 Results FINAL)

 

In First Place taking the Victory was (Scott Parkin) in his VW Golf TDI with a Best Lap Time of 54.706 and an Average Speed of 70.47mph. Congratulations Scott what a Performance and a Really Dominant Display of Driving to take Home a Wonderful Victory.

 

In Second Place was (Chris Payne) in his Caterham Supersport with a Best Lap Time of 54.397 and an Average Speed of 70.35mph. Amazing Drive there Chris Really Working Hard to Keep that 2nd Position while Also Fighting Hard to take 1st away from Scott at the front during some Laps.

 

In Third Place was (John Lyne) in his BMW E36 328i with a Best Lap Time of 55.309 and an Average Speed of 68.87mph. Congratulations John P3 with a Very Clean and Perfectly Controlled Drive thought, Its so Great to See a New Face on the Podium and Taking Victory. His Family and Close Friends Will be Very Proud of Him Indeed.

 

Another Incredible Race Today with the Likes of Scott Chris and John All Taking Home Superb Victories and no Doubt some Fantastic Memories from the Days Events too.

 

A Big Congratulations to both the Pairing of Keen and Roberts too who also put in a Monstrous Qualifying Lap to Land P3 on the Gird. Finishing the Race in 8th is not too Bad but I'm sure they have a lot of Work to-do Back at the Workshop and Will Come Back Next Year with an even more Competitive Honda Ready to Go.

 

Finally Congratulations to the Many other Drivers who also Took Part in this Race You All Put in a Tone of Hard Work and Dedication and I'm Sure that Over Time We Will See Some of You also on the Podium Just like John Lyne Today.

 

MSVT Trackday Trophy-(Qualifying)

 

Now it was Time for The Penultimate Qualifying and Race of the Day for the Track Day Trophy. Just like with the Previous Track Day Championship Many of the Same cars that Competed Before Also Entered This Race Giving Some Drivers a Second change to Show their Skills and Talents on the Race Track.

 

Lets take a Look at Qualifying and See Who will be on Pole This Time.

 

In First Place Taking Pole Position and The Fastest Lap was The Pairing of (R. Parkin and S. Parkin) in their VW Golf with a Best Lap Time of 53.795 and a Top Speed of 80.83mph. Incredible Work by both of the Parkin Pair as Scott Parkin Previously Won in Super Cup and Now he takes His Second Pole Position of the Day! Brilliant Driving.

 

In Second Place was (Chris Kirby) in his Caterham 1.6 Super Sport with a Best Lap Time of 53.863 and a Top Speed of 80.73mph. Brilliant Driving there Chris Keeping the Two Parkins on their Toes and Almost Taking Away Pole Position from them by Just 0.068 at The Checkered Flag.

 

In Third Place was the Pair of (Palk and Pottinger) in their Reno Clio with a Best Lap Time of 54.757 and a Top Speed of 79.41mph. Very Well Done both Palk and Pottinger on a Well Deserved and Defended P3 Finish by Less than a Second to Start on the Second Row for The Race.

 

A Super Fast and Really Exciting Qualifying Session Once Again with the Pairing of R. Parkin and S. Parkin Taking Pole Position Followed Closely by Chris Kirby in Second Place and Finally The Pairing of Palk and Pottinger in Third Place.

 

With The Race Just Around the Corner Will it be the Pairing of R Parkin and Scott Parkin Taking Victory Once More or Will a New Challenger Appear to take the Fight right to the Front of the Field?

  

MSVT Trackday Trophy-(Race 1 Results FINAL)

 

In First Place Taking the Victory is (R.Parkin and S.Parkin) in their VW Golf with a Best Lap Time of 54.046 and an Average Speed of 74.44mph. What a Dominant Display of Driving from thease Two Drivers in a Class of their Own they Have Managed to Win in Both Trackday Championship and Trackday Trophy. Brilliant Driving Well Deserved.

 

In Second Place was (John Lyne) in his BMW E36 328 with a Best Lap Time of 55.415 and an Average Speed of 73.09mph. Congratulations Once Again John P2 Finish and a Lot of Smiles and Congratulations from the Family I'm sure when you Return to the Paddock. Great Driving All Weekend.

 

In Third Place was (Stewart Donavan) in his Toyota Celica with a Best Lap Time of 55.083 and an Average Speed of 73.08mph. Congratulations Stewart P3 and Another New Face on the Podium and a Brilliant Looking Celica too. Fantastic Driving Great Job.

 

What a Brilliant Race from the Trackday Trophy with the Likes of Scott Parkin and R Parkin Taking the Spoils on P1 Followed Closely by John Lyne in P2 and Finally Stewart Donavan in P3.

 

A Big Congratulations Once Again to All of the other Drivers who took Part and Fought their way Through the Field to Finnish at The Checkered Flag. Keep Racing and Keep Pushing.

 

Enduro KA -(Qualifying)

 

After a Long Days Racing and with Night Falling Fast The Headlights of The Enduro KA'S Began to Illuminate the Indy Circuit.

 

Every Part of the Track was a Wash with Darkness and The Only Thing Illuminating the Way for Each Driver was The Bright Headlights and LED'S Fitted to Each Car with some Teams and Driver Trying their Luck on the KA'S Standard Headlights to Brighten their Way to Victory.

 

A Silent Hum Came From the Engines as they Raced Around the Indy Circuit with Each Driver Pushing Hard to Set the Fastest Time Possible.

 

The Tension in the Air was Electrifying as Drivers Danced their Cars Through Traffic and Had Small Battles with One Another Trying to see what their Opponents Tactics were and How Brave each of Them Dare Go in Terms of Pace.

 

It Wasn't Long before Each Driver Began to Put their Right Foot Hard Down and Push their

73BHP KA To its Limits Trying Desperately to Grab Hold of Pole Position Ahead of Sundays Intense 8 Hour 500 Minute Race.

 

After a Really Hectic Day of Both Qualifying and Racing Lets Find Out Who Took The Last Pole of Today and Who Will be Starting on The Front Row for Tomorrow's 8 Hour Endurance Race.

 

In First Place Taking the Victory and pole Position was Team (IP Racings) (Adam Blair / Scott Parkin / Oliver Wilmot / Mark Witherington) in their Ford KA with a Best Lap Time of 1:02.845 and a Top Speed of 69.19mph. Congratulations IP Racing Fantastic Work and a Super Start to the Endurance Race at The Very Front of The Grid.

 

In Second Place Following Closely Behind by Just 0.261 Seconds was Team (JTR) Elliot Mason / Nick Tandy / David Mason / James Rhodes in their Ford KA with a Best Lap Time of 1:03.106 and a Top Speed of 68.90mph. Superb Job there JTR Fantastic Effort and Really Good Pace to Gain P2 on the Grid for Tomorrow.

 

In Third Place was Team (Octane Junkies) (Adam Smith / Martyn Smith / Bazza Ward) in their Ford KA with a Best Lap Time of 1:03.110 and a Top Speed of 68.90mph. Great Work Octane Junkies Pushing Hard and Giving it Everything for P3.

 

After an Intense Qualifying Session the Likes of

 

Team IP Racings

 

(Adam Blair / Scott Parkin / Oliver Wilmot / Mark Witherington) Start the Endurance Race in First Place with

 

(JTR) Elliot Mason / Nick Tandy / David Mason / James Rhodes in Second Place Followed By

 

(Octane Junkies) (Adam Smith / Martyn Smith / Bazza Ward) in Third Place with the Top Three Very Closely Matched on Lap Times Thought Qualifying.

 

With Tomorrows Endurance Race being 8 Hours and The use of Driver Changes after 2 Hours in a Team with Four Drivers as Well as Pit Stops and a Whole Field of 45 Cars and Drivers Will the Likes of Team IP Racing Be able to Hold Out and Take Victory After 8 Gruelling Hours of Hard Racing.

 

Or Will JTR or Octane Junkies Try and Take that Thunder Away From Them? and Can Anyone Else Have a Go at Taking The Victory?

 

Only Time Will Tell!

 

See You All On Sunday.........!

 

Information On Race Results Found on TSL Timing Solutions

 

www.tsl-timing.com/Event/214651

                         

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