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Safe burial teams deploy as quickly as possible after being alerted to a ‘suspect death’. Sierra Leone, 2014.
© EC / ECHO / Anouk Delafortrie - partner: IFRC.
WSDOT contractor crews from URETEK USA work with WSDOT maintenance to level areas of southbound I-5 in South Skagit County. Using a precise amount of polymer, they pump the it into pre-drilled holes to stabilize the area and level the concrete roadway.
A portion of Desert View Watchtower Level 4 mural, before the start of conservation work, July 23, 2015. NPS Photo by Michael Quinn
Grand Canyon National Park is working with area tribes and art experts to restore the Fred Kabotie murals and The rock art images, painted by Fred Geary, which have been damaged by water. The first phase of the project is being funded through a grant from American Express obtained by Grand Canyon Association.This grant will help with the evaluation, documentation and testing process that is a critical component of all historic preservation projects. The park intends to preserve the murals while remaining true to Mary Colter’s design. Over the next year, a conservation specialist will analyze and restore the murals with the help of students participating in an intern training program.
On January 1, 2015, the Watchtower was purchased from the concessionaire managing it and designated a National Park Service building. NPS plans to return the Watchtower to its intended purpose, as a tribute to the Native American tribes who have cultural ties to Grand Canyon. The park is moving forward with plans to restore the tower to reflect Mary Colter’s original vision for the building.Visitors first enter through the large, open Kiva Room. Until recently, this room was filled to capacity with a large gift shop. The gift shop has since been removed from the rotunda and reduced to a much smaller footprint. The new Grand Canyon Association Park Store fits into the original space Colter envisioned for a gift shop: a corner off to the side of the rotunda. All the proceeds support the park.
Originally the Watchtower was designed as a space where visitors could see Native American craft demonstrations by weavers and basket makers. The park will bring Native American artists back into the space to share tribal traditions, dances, songs, skills, art and oral histories with the public. The park is also considering turning the old Desert View visitor center into a Native American cultural center.The transformation of the Watchtower back to its original intent is already proving to be a dramatic experience for visitors and park staff.
The level crossing at Forsinard where the A897 crosses the Far North Line, after the upgrade of half-barriers.
In the exhibition area stands an old leveling instrument to show the surveying in 1872. The tunnel can be visited from May to October for free. Sighting tunnel for direction determination during the construction of the old Gotthard railway tunnel in Göschenen, Switzerland, Aug 4, 2014.
Achterneed Level Crossing as it was as an automatic open crossing (AOCL) in September 2013, shortly before it was upgraded with the addition of half barriers.
The LED wig-wag traffic signals were an earlier upgrade within the last three years.
This series of photos was made for the Level magazine of Paraguay. For the winter edition 2007.
By gihamandelik photographic studio.
XH - Talon - 8th Gen VTOL Hypersonic UCAV (IT1 This is not a graphics design)
2022 - New level of technology developed, XH Talon 8th VTOL Hypersonic UCAV
49' Length, 25' Span, Wings Folded: 16' Span
Link to Engines/Propulsion www.ioaircraft.com/hypersonic/utbcc.php
Extreme capabilities, unseen by the humans including black programs. H2 fueled (kero based scramjet engines are not able to operate long above M6) with a kero reserve for ferry flights, subsonic, etc. It can adapt in flight from 100% kero through 100% H2 making it an advanced hybrid.
Summary technologies of the below (real, not academics) 49' length, less then 6' height, 25' span
-6000+F thermal resistance (3rd gen, normalizing high hypersonic flight and orbital re-entry making ablatives and ceramics obsolete entirely)
-graphene airframe (33X tensile strength of titanium but 1/100th the weight of styrofoam)
-VTOL (advanced vtol capabilities, which every aspect is composites)
-u-tbcc propulsion (thru m15 in atmosphere, unified turbine based combined cycle dual mode ramjet/scramjet)
-graphene based super conducting motors for the lift fans (no antiquated shaft driven lift fans)
-H2 Compressed, 1,600 gallons 16,000 PSI (already flown, and patented, publicly, 2nd gen is 16,000 PSI)
-400 gallon kero reserve (hybrid capable)
-Internal bay 154" length to accommodate 1 2,000 JDAM or 3 500 LBS and anything else in between
-3,000+NM RANGE from subsonic through hypersonic, ie Mach 9-14. Super Cruise is an estimated Mach 3. Is able to operate in ramjet mode as well, not just scramjet mode.
-The payload bay can also house a range extender tank conforming internally adding an additional 1,000+ nm range under power for longer range flights used for ferrying and also during intelligence gathering operations, mainly over russia and china.
-Folding wings (16' span folded) for naval operations + Internal tail hook
-Overall weight, at max payload of 3,000 LBS, Kero, and H2, apx 12,300 LBS (Less then the empty weight of an F-35. This is because H2 but also graphene airframe, and graphene/carbide hybrid surfacing)
-USAF version, just remove the lift fans and add more fuel capacity, give an additional 1,000+nm range internally
VTOL, ngad, ucav, arrw, hawc, glidebreaker, hypersonic, hypersonics, ksc, capecanaveral, spacecoast, spaceforce, hydrogen, graphene, darpa, airforceresearchlab, afwerx, defwerx, nasa, aviation, airbus, engineering, defense, icao, aiaa, nro, nrl, navsea, onr, afwerx, hsvtol, tbcc, darkstar, aerothermaldynamics, fighterjet, hypersonicfighter, innovation, aerospace, airplane
Virgin Orbit
Virgin Galactic
Sierra Nevada Corporation
Aevum Inc
NASA
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
AFOSR, Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
AFWERX
United States Air Force
Air Force Research Laboratory
Firefly Aerospace
ESA - European Space Agency
SpaceX
Axiom Space
Airbus
Airbus Defence
BAE Systems
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Lockheed Martin
Raytheon Technologies
Rolls-Royce plc
National Reconnaissance Office
The Aerospace Corporation
Collins Aerospace
BlackSky
United Launch Alliance
TÉLÉSAT
ONE.Web
ICAO - International Civil Aviation Organization
Dassault Aviation
United States Space Force
Blue Origin
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Arianespace
Mid Levels: View from what is supposedly the world's longest escalator. It's a series, not just one enormous people mover. Asia is obsessed with escalators. You barely have to walk if you don't feel like it. In Singapore you can go blocks and blocks without ever setting foot outside (and for some reason their escalators are faster than in other countries). I think it partly has to do with the heat and wanting to stay air conditioned. We tried to spend as little time as possible actually using our feet on outdoor sidewalks, and were quite successful.
A portion of Desert View Watchtower Level 4 mural, before the start of conservation work, July 23, 2015. NPS Photo by Michael Quinn
Grand Canyon National Park is working with area tribes and art experts to restore the Fred Kabotie murals and The rock art images, painted by Fred Geary, which have been damaged by water. The first phase of the project is being funded through a grant from American Express obtained by Grand Canyon Association.This grant will help with the evaluation, documentation and testing process that is a critical component of all historic preservation projects. The park intends to preserve the murals while remaining true to Mary Colter’s design. Over the next year, a conservation specialist will analyze and restore the murals with the help of students participating in an intern training program.
On January 1, 2015, the Watchtower was purchased from the concessionaire managing it and designated a National Park Service building. NPS plans to return the Watchtower to its intended purpose, as a tribute to the Native American tribes who have cultural ties to Grand Canyon. The park is moving forward with plans to restore the tower to reflect Mary Colter’s original vision for the building.Visitors first enter through the large, open Kiva Room. Until recently, this room was filled to capacity with a large gift shop. The gift shop has since been removed from the rotunda and reduced to a much smaller footprint. The new Grand Canyon Association Park Store fits into the original space Colter envisioned for a gift shop: a corner off to the side of the rotunda. All the proceeds support the park.
Originally the Watchtower was designed as a space where visitors could see Native American craft demonstrations by weavers and basket makers. The park will bring Native American artists back into the space to share tribal traditions, dances, songs, skills, art and oral histories with the public. The park is also considering turning the old Desert View visitor center into a Native American cultural center.The transformation of the Watchtower back to its original intent is already proving to be a dramatic experience for visitors and park staff.
A portion of Desert View Watchtower Level 4 mural, before the start of conservation work, July 23, 2015. NPS Photo by Michael Quinn
Grand Canyon National Park is working with area tribes and art experts to restore the Fred Kabotie murals and The rock art images, painted by Fred Geary, which have been damaged by water. The first phase of the project is being funded through a grant from American Express obtained by Grand Canyon Association.This grant will help with the evaluation, documentation and testing process that is a critical component of all historic preservation projects. The park intends to preserve the murals while remaining true to Mary Colter’s design. Over the next year, a conservation specialist will analyze and restore the murals with the help of students participating in an intern training program.
On January 1, 2015, the Watchtower was purchased from the concessionaire managing it and designated a National Park Service building. NPS plans to return the Watchtower to its intended purpose, as a tribute to the Native American tribes who have cultural ties to Grand Canyon. The park is moving forward with plans to restore the tower to reflect Mary Colter’s original vision for the building.Visitors first enter through the large, open Kiva Room. Until recently, this room was filled to capacity with a large gift shop. The gift shop has since been removed from the rotunda and reduced to a much smaller footprint. The new Grand Canyon Association Park Store fits into the original space Colter envisioned for a gift shop: a corner off to the side of the rotunda. All the proceeds support the park.
Originally the Watchtower was designed as a space where visitors could see Native American craft demonstrations by weavers and basket makers. The park will bring Native American artists back into the space to share tribal traditions, dances, songs, skills, art and oral histories with the public. The park is also considering turning the old Desert View visitor center into a Native American cultural center.The transformation of the Watchtower back to its original intent is already proving to be a dramatic experience for visitors and park staff.
Limerick to Athenry Railway Line - MP Limerick 38 1/4.
Level Crossing (XE106) at Cregboy, Galway 23rd January 2012, looking to Limerick.
Limerick to Athenry Railway Line - MP Limerick 44 1/4.
Level Crossing (XE131) at Castletown, Galway 23rd January 2012.
The level crossing at Awre Junction, and disused signal box. Beware the CCTV!! The FoD Central Railway opened as a freight-only line on 25.5.1868 and ran to the left of the box. Behind the camera was Awre station, open 1851-1959, to serve the South Wales line only. The Central Line was built to exploit previously untouched mineral wealth in the heart of the Forest – and had it run, as proposed, through to Ledbury, via Mitcheldean Road, the history of the Forests' railways would've been markedly different. In the event, the line as built was effectively killed off by the opening of the Severn and Wye's Mineral Loop in 1872 – north of Blakeney, the line shut around 1926, and south of there remained open until 1962 but for nothing more glamorous than wagon storage. A sad story, 'a railway that should never have been built', and one which so lumbered its shareholders that allegedly none of them dared show their face at one of the lines' AGM's!!! The section of railway behind the camera was retained as a goods yard until 11.9.1961, though precise dates for anything relating to the Central Line vary! The line cost £47,500, and was built by E.W. Morris. A station also existed behind the camera, though only for use by the South Wales Railway. The station opened as 'Awre for Blakeney' on 19.9.1851, and closed 10.8.1959. No trace remains today, other than the skeleton of a signal post, and overgrown coal depot on the Central Line side. With the Central being a freight-only line, this station had nothing to do with that concern, goods being dealt with at the dedicated goods station further up the branch at Blakeney. A disused house in the woods close by (seen on my 'Disused Gloucestershire' photoset, might have been the station masters house?
Dublin to Cork Railway Line - MP Dublin 113 1/2.
Level Crossing (XC164) at Emly Station, Tipperary 5th March 2012.
The illuminated track diagram suspended from the ceiling in Smithy Bridge signal box, Rochdale. Thursday 15th September 2011
Smithy Bridge signal box was located by the Up L&Y line alongside Smithy Bridge Road level crossing that opened in 1874 as an E.S. Yardley & Company type 1 design for the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Company named Smithy Bridge East fitted with a 17 lever E.S. Yardley & Company frame. The current Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway standard design top was fitted in 1903 along with a replacement 24 lever Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Company Tappet frame, and it was renamed Smithy Bridge in 1934 when Smithy Bridge West signal box was closed and replaced by a ground frame released from this signal box. The lever frame along with the level crossing gates were replaced by a British Railways London Midland Region individual function switch console and a level crossing control pedestal controlling lifting barriers on 14th April 1981. The signal box was reduced to a non block post controlling the adjacent level crossing only on 28th August 2011 when signalling passed to the newly commissioned Rochdale West signal box, and was closed at 00:51 on 19th January 2014. The level crossing was commissioned at 23:55 on 26th January 2014 as a MCB-OD type level crossing supervised by Rochdale West signal box, and the signal box was demolished over a few days commencing on 7th October 2014
The diagram was installed on 28th August 2011 in connection with the commissioning of Rochdale West signal box. Click here to see the previous diagram
Ref no IMG_1703
Garve Level Crossing on the Kyle of Lochalsh Line and A835 trunk road, with red light enforcement cameras, before the crossing was upgraded with the addition of half-barriers.
Another from the Model World archives. Wish that was still around, but hey, things happen, but I'm really happy that I met the people I did, and got to produce some great photos of some fantastic models.
THE food industry is being squeezed from all sides. Last year prices for milk, eggs, corn, wheat, oils and almost all other edible commodities climbed to unprecedented levels. They are still rising, although at a slower pace. The prices of electricity and fuel are also on the increase, which makes processing and distribution more expensive. And passing on higher costs is not easy when customers too are feeling the pinch, as unemployment rises, the value of their homes falls, and inflation erodes their purchasing power.
In one sense, food is recession-proof, since people have to eat in good times and bad. What is more, over the past 30 years the share of food in American and European household spending has fallen from an average of 30% to less than 10%, so consumers do not care about price hikes as much as they did in the past. Even so, they are responding to the economic gloom by changing what they eat, where they eat and where they buy their groceries.
Martin Deboo, an analyst at Investec Securities, a stockbroker, uses the well-worn but apt analogy of the “perfect storm” to describe the industry's predicament. Those best positioned to weather it include multinational companies with diversified customer bases, such as Nestlé, Unilever and Danone, as well as retailers that focus on low prices, such as America's Wal-Mart. Among the losers are posh grocers such as Whole Foods Market, a firm based in Texas which specialises in fancy, often organic food (see chart). The downturn also hurts smaller companies that do not have the benefits of scale, depend too much on customers in a single country or region, and do not add much value to the commodities they process.
Nestlé, the world's biggest food firm, has so far coped well with the rise in commodity prices. Its sales around the world grew 7% last year compared with an average of 1.8% for the industry. Like most of its rivals, the firm has passed some of the price increases on to its clients. But it was better prepared for inflation than most. “We saw this coming, so we hedged by forward-buying raw materials,” says François-Xavier Perroud, Nestlé's spokesman.
Far-sighted and nimble sourcing, needless to say, has become more important than ever. Nestlé, which uses lots of milk making baby formula and chocolate bars, buys it under contract directly from farmers, rather than on the open market, where prices jumped by as much as 50% last year. It has also changed the recipe of some of its goodies to reduce their milk content.
But even clever purchasing is not enough to help makers of lightly processed or generic products, which tend to have slender margins. So Nestlé is getting out of the business of making basic wholesale products such as tomato purée and cocoa paste. It is also putting a huge pasta factory at Sansepolcro in Italy up for sale, though it will continue to use much of its output, and to sell fresh pasta dishes, sauces and other more profitable Italian products under the Buitoni brand.
Hold the soya oil
Kraft, one of America's biggest food firms, is struggling with the soaring prices of its ingredients. The cost of these jumped by 9% or $1.3 billion last year, taking a bite out of profits. The Illinois-based company says it is working hard to defray the extra expense by saving money elsewhere. But it believes its best defence against rising costs is to go on the attack, with products and marketing that are better suited to leaner times. For example, the company has changed the recipe and packaging of Miracle Whip, a salad dressing and sandwich spread that is advertised as having the taste of mayonnaise with half the fat. It now comes in a plastic jar instead of a glass one, and has a wider opening that allows buyers to scrape out the very last glob. It now contains less soya oil, which is both fattening and expensive, and more water, which is slimming and cheap.
Kraft has launched a new pizza called DiGiorno Ultimate, in an effort to lift its DiGiorno brand of frozen pizzas into what it calls the “super premium” category. The idea is to offer consumers a cheaper alternative to eating in pizzerias, which rack up $35 billion in sales each year in America. Customers seem to like it: the DiGiorno Ultimate accounted for a third of all sales of new sorts of frozen pizza last year. To keep the pizzas flying from the freezers this year, Kraft plans to offer individual servings of both its DiGiorno and California Pizza Kitchen brands, aimed at single people who might not enjoy a lonely meal at a pizzeria anyway.
American restaurants are also feeling the effects of the slowing economy, according to a spokeswoman for the National Restaurant Association. The industry is still growing: sales are still forecast to reach $558 billion in 2008. But the rate of growth, at 4.4%, is lower than in previous years. So far restaurant-goers are not cutting back too much on their restaurant visits, but they are spending less each time. Restaurateurs are trying to avoid passing the higher cost of ingredients on to customers by increasing productivity—by training waiters to double as kitchen hands, for example.
Cheap restaurants are becoming more popular. McDonald's, the biggest fast-food chain, did much better last year than the year before, though the firm says it is not sure whether to attribute this to higher food prices, revised menus or a redesign of many of its outlets. Its customers do not (yet) seem to be trading down to “value-priced” food, but then all the items on its menu cost less than $10.
Just to be on the safe side, McDonald's has come up with a whole menu of items that cost just $1. It has started an advertising campaign aimed at “Dollar Menunaires”. Its rivals have followed suit: Wendy's and Burger King are both selling double cheeseburgers for $1. Even Starbucks has plans for a $1 coffee.
Another firm that is thriving in the stormy environment is Wal-Mart, the world's biggest supermarket chain. It argues that its obsessive focus on low prices is in keeping with the straitened times. The firm is working with food producers to come up with ever-cheaper offers. “We aim to be, wherever possible, the first to lower prices and the last to raise them,” says a spokeswoman.
Food prices are likely to remain high for some time. The trends that are feeding the inflation, including increased demand from developing countries and the growing diversion of crops to make biofuels, show little sign of slowing. But necessity is the mother of invention; and the food industry seems to have no shortage of fresh recipes.
Mallow to Tralee Railway Line - MP Killarney Junction 32 1/2.
Level Crossing (XT095) at Headford Junction, Kerry 4th April 2013.
Namchi (Nepali : नाम्ची) or Namtse is the capital of the South Sikkim district in the Indian state of Sikkim. The appellation Namchi means Sky (Nam) High (Chi) in Sikkimese.
GEOGRAPHY
Namchi is located at 27.17°N 88.35°E. It has an average elevation of 1,315 metres.
Namchi is situated at an altitude of 1,675 m above sea level. It is situated at a distance of 78 kilometres from the state capital Gangtok and 100 kilometres from the town of Siliguri, the nearest railhead and airport. Namchi lies off the road between Melli and Jorethang. Namchi is well connected to other towns in Sikkim and West Bengal. Jeeps and buses regularly ply between Namchi to Gangtok, Pelling, Jorethang, Kalimpong and Siliguri.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of 2011 India census, Namchi has a population of 12194. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Namchi has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 73%. In Namchi, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age. Most of the people of Namchi are Hindus and Buddhists. Languages spoken are Nepali, English and Hindi.
EDUCATION
Namchi has more than half a dozen private schools with quality education (Mt. Carmel School, Namchi Public School, Tendong Educational Institute, Victory Educational Institute, New Light Academy etc.) and government Higher Secondary Schools for Boys and Girls and world valid computer institute (MULTIMEDIA COMPUTER INSTITUTE) an authorized study center of Manipal Group. Just few kilometers away from the town is a reputed Government College for Arts and Education. People give a lot of importance and focus on education with a reverence. Namchi Public School run by catholic missionaries is one of the respected educational institute in the State and one of the best in the south district of Sikkim.
TOURISM
Namchi is fast becoming a major tourist spot and pilgrimage centre. The Namchi monastery, Ralong monastery and Tendong Hill are important Buddhist pilgrimage centres. The world's largest statue (36 m) of the Buddhist Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim, is on the Samdruptse hill (The Wish Fulfilling well) opposite Namchi. It was completed in February 2004. It is also said that the Samdruptse hill is actually a Dormant Volcano. Myths say that the buddhist monks have been going on top of the hill and offering prayers to the volcano to keep it calm. There is also a Rock Garden just few kilometers up from the town on the way to Samdruptse.Sikkim Best Home Stay Dong Busty Home Stay just 8km away from Namchi Bazar. The Rock Garden displays a wide variety of Flora and is a local recreation and picnic spot. It offers a magnificent view of Mt. Kanchendzonga (aka Mt. Kangchenjunga, the world's third highest peak). Recently inaugurated (November 2011) Siddhesvara Dhaam is a unique pilgrimage tourism venture of the Sikkim Government developed as “Pilgrim cum Cultural Centre” having a 26,52 m statue of Lord Shiva and replicas of four Dhams of the country at one place at Solophok hilltop in Namchi. The four most revered Dhams of the Hindus Jagannath, Dwarika, Rameshawaram, Badrinath have been replicated in this fantastic complex to benefit the devotees and tourists. The dream project of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling which was conceived by him and started in the year 2005 stands promisingly amidst the breadth taking surrounding of Solophok hill, befitting the mythological setting behind the establishment of the original Dhams. For the consecration of the Dham Shri Jagadguru Sankaryacharya Swami Swarupananda Saraswati in the presence of the Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling and his wife Smt Tika Maya Chamling did the “Pran Prastisha” of the Dham. There are replicas of the “Dwadash Jyotirlingas” (the twelve jyothirlinga) of Somnath, Mallikarjuna, Mahakaleswar, Omkareshwar, Kedarnath, Bhimashankar, Viswanath, Triambakeshwar, Vaidyanath, Nageswar, Rameshwar at Rameswaram and Grishneshwar surrounding the statue of Lord Shiva and the Char Dhams. There is a grand statue of Kirateshvar Mahadev and a temple of Shirdi Sai Baba too. One can have a view of the Mt Kanchenjunga, Statue of Guru Padmasambhava at Samdruptse, Darjeeling and other such locations from here. The Dham has stay facility for the devotees at “Yatri Niwas” which can accommodate more than 90 people at a time. The Dham has won the National Tourism Awards 2010–11 under the category of “Most Innovative/Unique Tourism Project” by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. A helipad is located 5 km away from town at an altitude of around 1524 m. From here one can get the most panoramic view of Mt. Kanchanzonga with the surrounding mountain a part of Darjeeling Kalimgpong and the rolling plains of Bengal. The visitors can savour the view of temi tea garden the one and the only tea estate in the state which produces top quality tea in the international market.
Near the town, Sikkim's sole tea estate — the Temi Tea Garden is situated. The tea carries a premium the world over and costs around Rs. 800/- a kg. The tea is marked by its exotic odour and flavour.
In the month of February, the Namchi garden hosts it annual flower show. The flower show is the largest in Sikkim with flowers in a riot of colours. The prime attraction of this show is the display of exotic and rare orchids.
One of the highlights of the town is the football stadium – the Baichung Stadium built by the Sikkimese government in honour of its most famous citizen, footballer Baichung Bhutia. "The Gold Cup" football tournament is held in Bhaichung Stadium almost every year. Football teams from all over India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan vie for the honour which draws lot of crowds from all over Sikkim. Namchi is also the base of the chief minister of Sikkim, Pawan Kumar Chamling.
Historically, Namchi was the place where Pende Ongmoo, the trecherous princess who poisoned one of the Chogyals of Sikkim, was caught and killed for her deed. Legend says her spirit still haunts the foothills of Ghurpisey.
WIKIPEDIA
Athenry to Claremorris Railway Line - MP Limerick 76 1/4.
Level Crossing (XE221) on Galway Road (N17), Tuam, Galway 23rd August 2012.
10-14-2015
600-blk US 70 Hwy E
Single vehicle
1 PI, trapped, extricated by Pine Level FD and transported to WakeMed.
Pine Level FD, Selma EMS, Medic1, EMS 104, JCSO, SHP
Centro Commerciale "Porta di Roma", Roma. Gennaio 2008.
"No signora mia, oggi non siamo venuti per comprare! Siamo venuti per guardare, solo per guardare, la mia famiglia ed io... abbiamo già preparato le tende del campeggio, sa?
E' già! domani sera ci piazziamo con le tende e il fornelletto a gas (perché comunque fa freddo) proprio davanti alle porte del centro commerciale... Così all'indomani, appena si apriranno le porte, saremo i primi ad entrare; ed allora si che gliela faremo vedere noi ! Pensi cara signora, saremo i primi a scegliere, e coglieremo le occasioni migliori, noi... si perchè... non lo dica a nessuno: dopodomani... dopodomani cominciano i saldi!"
The church is tucked away in a quiet part of town surrounded by cottages of Mere stone. The 15th century tower looks down on a churchyard with 12 yew trees clipped in the shape of skittles and known as the 12 Apostles. Entry is through the 14th century north porch door, over which in a niche is a statue of St Michael defeating the serpent, dating from about 1160, with faint traces of colour.
There is a record of a church in Mere in 1091. It is possible that the rough masonry wall of the tower facing into the nave and pierced now by an arch of about 1450 dates from this 11th century building. South of the arch at a high level is a piece of charred timber protected by glass. This is thought to be a part of the original wall plate and so marks the width of the Saxon church.
In the middle of the 15th century, the nave was rebuilt and a clerestory added. On the north side, the clerestory windows are ‘blind’ but otherwise matching those on the south side. The nave ceiling panels were put in in 1998. The eastern ones, painted red and green, were part of an 1895 roof restoration. All the roof bosses are late 19th century, but the angels on the wall plates, bearing emblems of the passion and rising out of stylised clouds, date from the 15th century, though much restored.
The pews date from 1640, being the work of William Walter of Maiden Bradley. They house a colourful collection of hassocks made by parishioners between 1974 and 2000.
An intricately-carved 15th century wooden rood screen dominates the eastern end of the nave, and above it, an 1898 rood beam supporting a Christ figure in the centre and St John and Our Lady on each side.
The chancel was built in the 13th century and has choir stalls with 15th century panels on their fronts. The back stalls have seats with carved misericords: those on the south side are 15th century originals, those on the north are 20th century copies.
The south aisle was widened in the late 14th century to align with the South Chantry Chapel which had been founded in 1325. The line of the earlier roof can be seen in the eastern wall of this aisle. In 1712 the wall between the nave and south aisle had become unsafe and was rebuilt. The aisle roof dates from restoration work done to various parts of the church in 1856.
The 15th century font on a 19th century base was formerly under the tower but now stands in the south aisle. This is quite appropriate as well into the 19th century there was a pew here for the “Churching of Women” service. This supports the theory based on early churchwardens’ accounts that here also was an altar dedicated to “Our Lady in Childbirth”. The figure in the upper niche is of “Our Lady great with child” by the sculptress Grete Berlin.
The piscina in the south wall as well as the sad remnant of a fine 13th century niche was uncovered in the early years of the 20th century. Behind the font is an engraved window of 1983 by John Finnie depicting the induction of the Revd. Ben Elliot to the parish in 1981.
St Matthew’s Chapel (south aisle, to the right of the chancel)
The fine oak screen is contemporary with the 15th century chancel screen. Known variously as the Bettesthorne, Berkeley or Grove chapel, it was founded in 1325 by John of Mere that Mass might be said for the soul of Queen Margaret, the second wife of Edward I and for the souls of John of Mere and his wife. In the floor is a brass of Sir John Bettesthorne.
Its patronage passed from John of Mere to Roger Bettesthorne and, by marriage of his great granddaughter, to the Berkeleys with whom it remained until the Reformation when it passed to the Chafyn and Grove families.
During 2004, the Church of St Matthew to the South side of Mere was closed, and the congregation was invited to join worship at St Michael’s. Several items of furniture were brought to this church and placed in the South Chapel, which was rededicated to St Matthew.
Our Level 35 section gets underway at the race start. Only the eight boats in the foreground with jib and main up are in our section. Boats in other sections still waiting to start can be seen milling in the background.
The Level 35 section was formed locally by skippers who have boats built in a similar era (80's-90's) with similar dimensions and performance characteristics. The section includes J/35's, Thomas 35's, and Schock 35's. All skippers agree to race under a unified handicap rating so that corrected times do not factor into section finishing positions.