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Managed to dig out my Flickr account! Some photos of Warwickshire Fire & Rescue's IVECO Magirus M32 Turntable Ladder conducting a drill at Leamington Spa Fire Station. Thanks go to the crew for letting me get some snaps.
Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva is participates in a panel titled “Natural Disasters and Climate Change: Building Resilience Through Adaptation” with IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, and Minister of Economy and Finance of Madagascar Richard Randriamandrato moderated by Bloomberg’s Haslinda Amin from the International Monetary Fund.
IMF Photo/Cory Hancock
16 June 2021
Washington, DC, United States
Photo ref: CH210616115.arw
Managed to get a shot without the many people that were there on the day. First attempt at any kind of long exposure.
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde holds her press conference October 8, 2015 during the 2015 IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Lima, Peru. IMF Staff Photo/Stephen Jaffe
This is a view from St Catherine's Hill overlooking the Itchen Valley.
St. Catherine's Hill is a small but dramatic chalk hill to the south east of Winchester. Rising steeply some 67 metres (220 ft) from the water meadows of the River Itchen, the summit of the hill at 97 metres (318 ft) provides a fine view over Winchester.
The hill is owned by Winchester College, and largely managed as a nature reserve by the Hampshire Wildlife Trust. St. Catherine's Hill is at the westernmost extremity of the South Downs National Park, having previously been designated as part of the East Hampshire AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). In addition, much of the hill and adjoining Plague Pits dry valley is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its chalk downland flora, including 'practically the full range of downland orchids', with chalkhill blue and other butterflies.
The South Downs National Park uniquely combines a biodiverse landscape with bustling towns and villages, and covers an area of over 1,600 km2 and is home to more than 108,000 people. Recognised as an area of outstanding beauty, the South Downs is also home to a multitude of vibrant working communities steeped in history and traditional English culture, from the ancient cathedral city of Winchester in the west to the bustling market town of Lewes in the east.
The ancient building in the valley is the Hospital of St Cross. Set in open meadow land to the south of Winchester, the Hospital of St Cross was founded in the 1130´s by Bishop Henry of Blois for `thirteen poor men, feeble and so reduced in strength that they can scarcely or not at all support themselves without other aid´. The hospital was placed under the care of the Knights of St John, and the thirteen Brothers of this foundation still wear black gowns and a badge depicting the Jerusalem Cross.
The Chapel (which shows up brightly in this picture) was started in the 1160´s and retains much of its late Norman purity, despite being somewhat altered in the 14th and early 15th centuries. The number of Brethren was enlarged in the 15th century by Cardinal Beaufort, who provided for a second order of almsmen, the `Noble Order of Poverty´. Brethren of this order wear magenta gowns.
Apart from providing for the Brethren, Almsgiving is still practised in the form of the `Wayfarers Dole´. A piece of white bread and a cup of good beer or Ale may be obtained by knocking at the door of the Porters Lodge, and requesting the Dole.
Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the World Bank, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, visits projects in Brazil. She watched a dance presentation at Complexo do Alemao slum, which struggled with drug trafficking violence for 30 years. Residents now enjoy better schools, health facilities, and transport services. Photo: Marco Antonio Teixeira / World Bank
Images kindly provided by Andrew Mather, Managing Director of Mather Brothers Printers (Preston) and courtesy of Paul Swarbrick and Gillian Lawson of the Preston Historical Society. www.prestonhistoricalsociety.org.uk/
I managed to adapt 3 eminent lenses from old fixed-lens rangefinder cameras on my Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 using a M42 helicoid and M42/C-M4/3 adapter.
The first one is from a Beauty Lightomatic. A Biokor-S 1.9/45. The aperture mechanism is intact . Very contrasty. Colour rendition is perfect wide open. Stopping it down makes shows what great lens the Biokor is. It is perfect for both videos and stills.
The other one is the famed Xenon 2/50 lens from Kodak Retina II Type 011. I fixed the shutter at bulb mode by stretching a rubber to the lever. The stepless and loudless aperture mechanism is operable. My example's coating is worn off and it has a grey tint. The image is kinda cinematic and foggy. Sharpness is very good if stopped down. Can't say that i liked it.
Lastly the well known Rokkor 1.7/45 lens from Hi-Matic 11 - Super Circuit. The Hi-Matic series have all great lenses. But being the first lens of the tear-down, dismantle, learn process victimized it a little. The aperture mechanism was remowed. Despite that i can say that i liked it. Definitely usable in low-light videos. The contrast is low but it is sharp enough. Though, still not better than the Biokor.
For the test video:
Managed to get a picture of the lunar eclipse last night, not too sharp as there was a lot of moisture in the air and I only have a 200mm lens
Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, Minister of Finance of Indonesia Sri Mulyani, and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley participate in the Debate on the Global Economy during the 2022 Spring Meetings at the International Monetary Fund.
IMF Photo/Cory Hancock
21 April 2022
Washington, DC, United States
Photo ref: CH220421098.arw
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde speaks at George Washington University in Washington, DC October 3, 2013. Countries will need to adopt strong national policies and work together even more closely to manage new transitions under way in the global economy said in her speech at George Washington University ahead of the 2013 World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings.IMF Staff Photograph/Stephen Jaffe
We had a trip to Prague in January – for Jayne’s birthday - we don’t buy Christmas or birthday presents, we travel instead. We left snowy England for a very, very dull and grey Czech Republic. Yet again I was on a photographic downer looking at the weather forecast, grey is the colour that haunts me. Fortunately it was dull grey and not burnt highlight inducing bright grey.With the grey sky acting like a big diffuser I was going to have deep shadow and contrast to deal with. We had three very short spells of broken cloud which gave us a bit of sun and colour, which I managed to more or less anticipate so we managed to be in decent locations every time – generally somewhere high.
We had been upgraded to a five star hotel, apparently our original choice was flooded. We got compensation and five star hotel upgrade– a first for me. The Art Nouveau Palace has a beautiful interior, with beautiful rooms, the breakfast room was fantastic, as was the breakfast it has to be said. We were able to have an early breakfast so were out on foot just after eight. It was very cold – and dull! We spent the whole week well wrapped up. It drizzled for a day, but never really wet us, it snowed for a day, again we didn’t get wet and the snow didn’t settle. We walked 65 mile, spending plenty of time checking buildings and their interiors out – and coffee shop and bar interiors it has to be said. Although it was dull and sometimes wet I decided that the Camera was staying in my hands for the whole trip. Whenever I put it in my backpack for one reason or another I regret it.
Again, I didn’t look at any photographs of Prague before we got there, I like to just walk and discover, with the DK guidebook in my pocket (which is full of photos it has to be said). We like to get off the beaten track and see the grittier side of the places we visit – within reason! Prague has an incredible tram network, over 1000 trams – with many of them Tatra Eastern Bloc machines. The system seems chaotic but in reality it is incredible with one of the largest networks and highest usages in the world. The trams and cars frequently share the same road space with very little in the way of drama, none of the inexplicable and pathetic constant horn blowing one finds in many countries. Once it became apparent that buildings with a grey blanket as a background were going to be a bit un-inspirational I decided that the trams would be a good focal point instead. Where I have photographed one of the older trams against a background without clues it is easy to imagine that the photos were taken fifty years ago.
The train network also provided photo opportunities. The rolling stock ranges from old Eastern Bloc to very modern double decker’s and pendolinos. There are three stations although we visited the main station and Smichov. The main station interior is art deco and has been renovated by a private company. The exterior and the platforms are very rundown with a grim eastern bloc 1950’s feel –but it works! We discovered to our amusement that we could just walk across multiple lines, no health and safety, just keep your eyes open and don’t walk under a train – you’ll make a mess. Smichov station was grim, it didn’t help that it snowed all day and was grey and bitter. We felt like we were in a 50’s film set in Russia, broken concrete platforms and dereliction. With both stations there was another world underneath them. The underground Metro is running seamlessly and efficiently away beneath your feet. I didn’t have any problems taking photos anywhere but I was very open and obviously a tourist, I didn’t act covertly or suspiciously. There was only one occasion I was stopped and that was in a shopping centre – full of CCTV cameras filming everyone else!
We discovered old and beautiful- and very large- shopping centres hidden away in quite a few places. Brass framed windows and doors, shops thriving, there was a massive camera shop with thousands of second hand cameras, too much to look at. Many of the landmark buildings prevent photography, some make a small charge, some encourage it, the DK guide book gives a good indication regarding camera use. Nothing stops many people though, they just shoot away regardless, usually wanting a picture that includes their self. Prague is surrounded by low hills and has a fair few towers that you can pay a few pounds to go up, so viewpoints are plentiful. I think we visited most of them. I read about the Zizkov Tower, which looks like a Soviet rocket on the horizon and we headed straight for it - after crossing the rail lines! Set in a quiet residential area, there wasn’t a soul about. Two beautiful girls on reception and we parted with a few pounds, into the lift and were on the observation deck with no one else up there. There are fantastic views over the city, but! It is through two layers of not very clean glass so you go for the view rather than sharp panoramas. Still a fascinating place, with a nice café bar and very clean toilets – there are toilets everywhere, usually manned with a fee. Places are well staffed compared with home were three students are supposed to run a 20 screen multiplex cinema.
Graffiti was prominent, no matter how grand the monument, some moron would have daubed it. How do they get away with it in a 24 hour city centre with a strong police presence? The place is very clean, constantly being swept. What did surprise me, was that many buildings, that looked grand and built of stone, from a distance, were actually rendered with very low quality brickwork concealed. When restored the building look very impressive, others are missing the outer render from ground level to a fair height.
I need to cut this short really, I like to put a background story to the photos and although it would be better to individualise it to a specific photo or group of photos I don’t have the time to do that. I do try to give specific detail in the title bar after I have uploaded, this is time consuming enough although I’m pretty proficient at it by now. There are many things I would like to write that should be of interest to anyone thinking of going to Prague but I’ll have to let the pictures do the talking. As usual I am unlikely to be selective enough with my uploads, I’m not very good at leaving photos out so I just upload and be damned.
The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, will today begin her three day visit to Rwanda, her first since she came to the helm of the institution in 2011. In an e-mail correspondence with The New Times’ Kenneth Agutamba, Lagarde sheds light on her institution’s current relationship with Rwanda and commends the country’s transformative and inclusive policies that have seen a significant decline in poverty levels.
You come here 20 years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. In your view, what has been the trigger for Rwanda’s rapid economic renaissance?
My main message to Rwanda is that “Good policies pay off.” Let me set this in a broader context by saying that I am very happy to have the opportunity to visit Rwanda at such a pivotal moment in its history. The horrific events that occurred 20 years ago tore the social and economic fabric of the country, and it is uplifting to see the progress in rebuilding, in peace efforts, and in improving the welfare of all Rwandans.
This truly is an example in terms of social and economic transformation. It proves that effective policies and inclusive growth can be transformational.
The economic performance has been remarkable, with strong annual growth for the past 15 years. This has helped Rwanda make progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The poorest have benefited from a focus on inclusive growth, with the poverty rate falling to 45 per cent of the population in 2011 from 60 per cent in 2000.
Of course, this rate is still high, but it is definite progress and we see the trend continuing. So, while there has not been a magic bullet or a single trigger, a holistic approach, that also included a focus on the agricultural sector, employment, and gender equality, has been instrumental in sharing the fruits of high growth more widely.
What is the status of IMF relations in Rwanda at present?
We have a very close economic policy dialogue and the IMF is currently supporting the government with a Policy Support Instrument (PSI) – designed for low-income countries that have graduated from financial support but still seek to maintain a close policy dialogue.
The PSI signals the strength of a country’s policies to donors, multilateral development banks, and markets. We also provide technical assistance as part of the Fund’s efforts to increase local capacity and know-how. We have an office in Kigali, where a resident representative, currently Mitra Farahbaksh, ensures our presence in the field.
Rwanda’s PSI, which is in its second year, supports Rwanda’s own policy priorities for strong and inclusive growth, with an emphasis on domestic resource mobilization, private sector development, export diversification, regional integration, and financial sector development.
We recently reviewed this programme and welcomed the country’s continued strong performance. We also agreed with the government that more work needs to be done to further reduce Rwanda’s reliance on aid and increase its resilience to external shocks.
What is your economic outlook for the country between now and 2020?
Our outlook for Rwanda is positive. The economy is recovering from a weak performance in agriculture and delays in related project implementation in recent years. Growth rebounded last year and inflation remains well contained. We expect GDP growth rates to rise gradually towards 7-7.5 per cent in the medium term, while inflation remains within the medium-term target of 5 per cent.
I am particularly impressed with the government’s continued commitment to poverty reduction.
As part of my stay here, I will be visiting the Agaseke Handicraft Cooperative and the ICT hub (knowledge Lab) in Kigali to see firsthand how the government has managed to improve the welfare of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups such as women and youth.
As your readers are aware, the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy for 2013–18 focuses on economic transformation, rural development, and youth employment. The strategy is rightly aimed at further reducing poverty.
I think that the continued rollout of planned measures and the successful inclusion of the private sector in leading economic development will help make sizeable inroads in making growth even more inclusive and in reducing inequality.
In a recent advisory by the IMF Board, they encouraged Rwanda to widen its tax base and put emphasis on domestic revenue sourcing. What is your advice on this?
We are devoting a significant portion of our technical assistance to support Rwanda’s efforts to reduce its dependence on foreign aid. The focus is appropriately on widening the tax base – not higher taxes, but all paying a fair share.
The government has already made significant progress in the areas of revenue administration.
The push to increase the number of registered VAT payers through the introduction of electronic billing machines, and the switch in the collection of local taxes and fees from the local governments to the revenue authority, should be useful in bringing more businesses under the tax system.
The introduction of tax regimes for agriculture and mining, and improvements in property taxation, should also help achieve the goal of providing budgetary resources for key expenditures, particularly those aimed at scaling up social spending and infrastructure in a context where donor resources are likely to be limited.
Lately, Rwanda has taken to raising money through bonds, do you think this is viable?
Rwanda’s successful Euro-bond issuance in 2013 demonstrated that market financing can play a complementary role in financing investment plans. Several other African countries have followed suit over the past year.
The key is to ensure that Rwanda’s debt remains sustainable. I welcome the government’s commitment to fully explore concessional financing options and private sector participation before considering the use of non-concessional resources.
At the same time, the government’s decision to begin issuing domestic currency bonds in 2014 was an important step in the process of developing and deepening local capital markets.
www.newtimes.co.rw/section/article/2015-01-26/185319/
Creating jobs remains a high priority for this country, but as you know the private sector is also still young. What should Rwanda do to address these two issues?
On private sector development, Rwanda’s potential depends critically on full implementation of ongoing reforms to attract foreign investment and boost exports. These include reducing the cost of doing business; improving infrastructure; supporting skills development; and tapping into regional markets.
The increased provision of lower-cost electricity and improved transportation should help facilitate diversification and business development.
On creating jobs, the government has identified three key priorities: skills development, the fostering of entrepreneurship for small- and medium-sized enterprises, and supporting household enterprises. We at the Fund share this emphasis on building the capacity of Africa’s greatest resource–its people. Increased investment in infrastructure can help put people to work.
The IMF’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa projects regional GDP growth to pick up from about 5 per cent in 2013/14 to 5.75 per cent in 2015. That isn’t a big leap, is it? Can you elaborate on this?
Sub-Saharan Africa has made impressive progress over the past two decades, with growth averaging around 5 per cent. We expect that to continue in 2015, despite the impact of lower oil prices on some of Africa’s major oil exporting economies.
So there has been real progress, as growth has allowed for reducing poverty and improving living conditions.
For example, the number of people living on less than $1.25 a day in Africa has fallen significantly since 1990. But extreme poverty remains unacceptably high and not all countries are making progress. Some countries are still facing internal conflict and/or fragility.
Looking ahead, there are a number of longer-term demographic, technological and environmental challenges that need to be addressed in order to realise the ‘big leap’ that you refer to.
For instance, how can we tap into the productive capacity of Africa’s youth? How can Africa take advantage of technological innovation?
And how can we address the implications of climate change? Three broad policy priorities are crucial: building infrastructure, building institutions, and building people. Africa must also strengthen its institutional and governance frameworks to better manage its vast resources.
But the focus must be on people—with programmes aimed at boosting health and education and other essential social services. In fact, Rwanda is one of the countries that are effectively implementing policies in many of these areas.
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has dealt a major blow to several African economies in the region. Can the effects of this blow spread to other parts of the continent?
The Ebola outbreak is a severe human, social and economic crisis that requires a resolute response. And the focus must be on isolating the virus, not the countries.
Strong efforts are underway in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, but it is unlikely to be brought under control before the second half of 2015.
The economic outlook for these countries has already worsened since September, when the IMF disbursed $130 million to the (three) countries to boost their response to the outbreak.
If the outbreak remains limited to the three countries, the economic outlook for the rest of sub-Saharan Africa remains favourable. Some neighbouring countries like The Gambia have seen an impact on tourism.
We are working with the governments of the three affected countries to provide additional interest-free financing of about $160 million, and expect our Board to make a decision in the next few days.
Following the endorsement by the G-20 leaders in Australia, we are also looking at further options to provide additional support to the Ebola-hit countries, including through the provision of donor-supported debt relief.
International oil prices have been tumbling, is this good for Rwanda and the other members of the EAC?
Indeed, oil prices have fallen recently, affecting both oil producers and consumers. Overall, we see the price decline as positive for the global economy. As an oil importer, Rwanda and indeed the East Africa region should benefit given that lower prices will most likely have a positive impact on growth whilst also easing inflation.
Countries can make use of this window of opportunity to reduce universal energy subsidies and use the savings toward more targeted transfers that benefit the poor.
Recently, the East African Community, a regional bloc to which Rwanda subscribes, reached a landmark Economic Partnership agreement (Epa) with Europe. Do you think that these countries need such agreements?
The EPA is designed to enhance commercial and economic relations, supporting a new trading dynamic in the region and deepening cooperation in trade and investment. It can serve as an important instrument of development in many respects.
It can promote sustained growth, increase the productive capacity of EAC economies, foster diversification and competitiveness, and, of course, boost trade, investment and employment. Rwanda is a key member of the EAC that has worked hard to create a conducive and transparent business environment. So it should benefit from this agreement.
**************************
About Lagarde
Christine Lagarde assumed the mantle of the International Monetary Fund in July 2011. A Frenchwoman, she was previously French finance minister from June 2007, and had also served for two years as France’s minister for foreign trade.
Lagarde also has had an extensive and noteworthy career as an anti-trust and labour lawyer, serving as a partner with the international law firm of Baker & McKenzie, where the partnership elected her as chairman in October 1999.
The IMF is an organisation of 188 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.
Photos : Jack Yakubu (Jack Nkinzingabo)
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks with Melinda Gates, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, on CNN, during the 2020 Annual Meetings at the International Monetary Fund.
IMF Photo/Cliff Owen
14 October 2020
Washington, D.C., United States of America
Photo Ref: CO2010140740
I managed to golf this morning! It started off chilly and of course it rained. Eventually, the weather retuned to be pretty nice and then this afternoon, this happened!!
Dull and dreary and quite horrible .... oh, weather!!!
B&W No.7 ~ 365 (Again!) ~ ... Dull and Dreary! ...
Thanks to everyone who views this photo, adds a note, leaves a comment and of course BIG thanks to anyone who chooses to favourite my photo .... Thanks to you all.
Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the World Bank, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, visits projects and takes part of high level meetings in Brazil. She met with Wagner Bittencourt, vice-president of Brazil's National Development Bank (BNDES).
In the current article, we will review how to enforce an E-mail attachment policy by using Exchange Online transport rule.The example that we will review in the current article is – an E-mail attachment policy that stops E-mail messages that have an executable content (executable...
o365info.com/manage-e-mail-attachment-policy-in-office-36...
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Facebook www.facebook.com/LyndaHPhotography
Apologies to all my wonderful contacts for lack of comments and visits on my part, but real life is constantly intruding and posting and running is all I'm able to manage these past few months. I do try to visit your photostreams regularly, but I'm afraid that a "fave" is all I'm managing of late - so sorry!
Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva meets with Administrator of USAID Samantha Power.
IMF Photo/KIM HAUGHTON
24 June 2021
Washington, DC, United States
Photo ref: KH210624012.jpg
Businessman on a ladder managing the growth of a money as a dollar sign on stacked books, concept
License at www.paya.com/photos/1110983
Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva participates in a zoom call on Mobilizing with Africa during the 2020 Annual Meetings at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, DC, on October 9, 2020. IMF Photo/ Cory Hancock
(L-R) International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde is welcomed to IMF Headquarters by First Deputy Managing Director John Lipsky on her first day in office July 5, 2011, Washington, DC.
International Monetary Fund Photograph
Images accepted by my representing agency Arcangel. www.arcangel.com Available for use through Rights Managed licenses. See more of my work at Arcangel:
Managed to steer clear of the fishermen 45 feet above long enough to grow to this ripe old size. Ironically, I got tangled in someone's fishing line for the first time this dive.
31st May 2016 -
Discussion Cafe: Uneven Careers
Facilitator:
- Stéphanie Nervegna, Director Organisation & HR Consulting, Ylios Transeetive
- Annick de Vanssay, Managing Director, JUMP
Speakers
- Janet Awad, Region Chair of Latin America & Country President, Sodexo Chile
- Jaap Buis, Public Affairs Manager, Randstad
- Yoon-Sun Cho, former Minister of Gender Equality and Family, Korea; former Senior Secretary for Political Affairs,
Office of the President, Korea
- Paolo Falco, Labour Market Economist, Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, OECD
- Ronnie L. Goldberg, Executive Vice President and Senior Policy Officer, United States Council for International
Business (USCIB)
- Linda Lanzillotta, Vice President, Italian Senate; Ambassador, Women in Parliaments
- Shiv Malik, Journalist & Author, The Guardian
- Farah Mohamed, Founder & CEO, G(irls)20
- Allan Päll, Secretary General, European Youth Forum
- Theresa Rah, Co-CEO, Oratio
- Alejandra Sepúlveda, Executive Director, Comunidad Mujer, Chile
- Laura Schweiger, Recipient, OECD Challenge
- Sigita Strumskyte, Coordinator, OECD Women's Network
- Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, Director, Center for Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Policy (3CSEP), Central
European University, Hungary
OECD, Paris, France.
Photo: OECD/Michael Dean
IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde is having a panel discussion on “European Economic Integration: Taking Stock of Challenges and Opportunities” at Vilnius University, July 18, 2013.
Photo by Vygintas Skaraitis (BFL)
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde (C) listens to United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron (L) in a meeting at the IMF Headquarters January 15, 2015 in Washington. IMF Staff Photograph/Stephen Jaffe
Managed to make it to London Pride again, with my pal sisyphus007. This time I hired a Canon 85mm f/1.2L II lens, an absolute brick that was in itself a workout to carry round. Was perhaps a bit too ambitious in my determination to shoot with as wide an aperture as possible. When I hit the right focus point it was sharp, but I did find the focussing to be a little cumbersome.
As ever, the day was characterised by fun, happiness and laughter. The participants were, without fail, delighted to be photographed. Hopefully they all enjoyed the day !!
ReACT Sofia, organized by EP Information Office in Bulgaria: Rossitza Wartonik, managing director of the Financial Literacy Initiative foundation
More information: www.europarl.bg/reactsofia
Quality of life: from safe food to data protection
What does quality of life mean for you? Safe food? Accessible medical care? Breathable air and clean environment? Strong consumers’ rights? Or knowing that your data and privacy are safe? European Parliament holds improving of the quality of life in the EU high on its agenda. Read more here and follow 4th ReACT conference on quality of life on 23 January in Rome live!
In the past few years, European parliament worked on wide range of rules to improve the quality of life in Europe: ensuring safe and accessible medicines and medical treatments, strengthening passenger rights, enabling consumers to buy clearly and correctly labelled food, cutting CO2 emissions and preventing other environmental pollution, but also making sure that privacy of European citizens is protected and their data safe. Read more in our Top Story.
Three of those topics: environment, health and food and the “European way” to protect them are to be debated during fourth ReACT conference “Cutting Quality of life: past, present and future” that takes place on 23 January in Rome. Chef Carlo Cracco, climatologist Riccardo Valentini and Professor Michele Mirabella present their points of view and debate them with the audience. Conference is moderated by geologist Mario Tozzi. Follow live and comment #Reactroma via links on the right.
ReAct Roma is the fourth in a series of five interactive conferences on subjects vital to the EU, ahead of the European elections in May 2014. They take place in different European cities where opinion leaders will share their ideas about today's issues. Previous events were dedicated to jobs and employment (15/10 Paris), EU in world (14/11 Warszawa), EU and finances (5/12 Frankfurt). The fifth event will be about EU and economy and will take place on 20/2 in Madrid.
Streaming ReACT Rome, 23 January 19:00
www.europarl.it/view/it/react.html
ReACT Rome: web site in IT
This photo is free to use under Creative Commons license (CC) and must be credited: "© European Union 2014 - European Parliament" (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs Creative Commons license). For HR files please contact: webcom-flickr(AT)europarl.europa.eu
I managed to acquire 5 of one of my most sought after Bratz dolls ever...Feelin' Pretty Dana! Words cannot express how lucky I feel!
I had first became obsessed with this doll back in 2011 when I realized how gorgeous she was. I didn't get my hands on her until the Fall of 2014. I found her in a random lot on eBay. She didn't come with any of her original outfits or accessories, but her face and hair were in very good condition. And I was content to just have her and dress her in whatever I had.
Then, in August of last year, I came across her on eBay, brand new in the box. I hadn't seen her in such great condition in quite awhile. I figured I wouldn't see her again for another two years if I let her pass me by, so I bade with (almost) everything I had. I won her for $99 exactly. Pricey, but for me, it was absolutely worth it.
And again, I felt content to have her (but dare not open her)...at least until I saw another one of her listed. This was around November. This particular one was loose, wearing only part of her second top with the skirt and her black heels. At the time, I was certain I was never gong to open my boxed FP Dana, so I bade on this loose doll and won her. I was over the moon, because it was a joy getting to see her in her second outifit (most of it anyway).
From that point on, I decided I really wanted the rest of her things, so I began to spend hours on eBay looking at as many random lots as possible. In December, I did manage to find one lot that had FP Dana in it. She was in very bad shape, but I didn't care because she came with both layers of her second top, her first pair of pants and her flip-flops! I felt that was a major score.
Then, again, in mid January. I found her again, this time new in box...again. I figured I was already past the point of doll gluttony, so I bade in the auction for her...and won, no contest.
And that's that's the story behind this particular group of Danas which have become the pride and joy of my entire doll collection.
Heh, if you bothered to read all this, you deserve a medal and my deepest thanks. Thank you very much!
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde pictured arriving in Dublin Castle prior to her key note speech in Dublin Castle during her visit to Dublin, Ireland on March 08. Photo by Justin Mac Innes/Mac Innes Photography
Managed to get a simple eyeglass retainer strap onto the Google Glass. Rubber loop clasp was just flexible enough to stretch around the rear housing. This makes Glass roller-coaster and headbang ready.
Managed to get some of my photo's featured in What Digital Camera Magazine,
It's quite a thrill.... though I haven’t done a very good job of scanning the pages........ And I’m not really sure how I stand on copy write law :-).....
I managed a whole hour's ride without any near death experiences. Definitely one for the diary.
I've been a cyclist for many years but in the last six months have been getting in far more rides than usual. And it seems that on virtually every ride I will have a close brush with death when some moronic motorist, who can't bear to slow down or wait a few seconds before passing safely, will go past me far too close or far too fast or, as happened two days ago, both.
Friday's NDE (near death experience) was the worst by far. I was cycling along a left hand bend when I suddenly heard a vehicle approaching at speed. Great speed. Then this van went past me doing around 60-70MPH, missing me by a matter of inches and also missing the van coming the other way by inches. At the time I mostly felt annoyance, but the following day I think the shock of it had kicked in and I felt really quite depressed and grumpy. After one of these NDEs happens it leaves me feeling like it's a matter of when - not if - I will be killed on a ride.
So today it was a pleasant surprise and a relief to get a ride in without a NDE.
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I am sitting inside a hire car at the end of a dead end lane, a church to the right of me, waiting for a man to bring me a key.
Since beginning the church project in 2009, some local churches have become something of a challenge to get into. Betteshanger I managed to get into last September and now it was the turn of Preston, leaving just Whitfield of the East Kent parish churches to have evaded my lens.
Having all but given up with the church being open during the Heritage Weekend or Ride and Stride, I resorted to e mail via the CofE website, a "A Church Near You" and much to my surprise I got a rely, and after a couple of days of mails going back and forward, the time of midday on Thursday was agreed. I just had to hope that Nigel would remember to come. As it was, the Lady of the Manor house, opposite, was eyeing me with suspicion, and clearly the harder I tried to act like I should be there, the more suspicious I became.
The day had begun with Jools getting ready for work, and me faffing around, but in time also getting ready to pick up the hire car at ten. I had hoped that the guys would arrive to work early so they could drop me off down the docks, a few minutes drive away, but by half nine they had not arrived, leaving me no option but to call for a taxi. Needless to say once the cab was on its way, they turned up demanding tea.
The taxi came and took me down the hill to the docks. I signed so many pieces of paperwork, but in the process booked the car not just for the weekend but for the trip over to Belgium next week too.
I drive myself back home, load the car and say goodbye to the boys and the cats.
But before heading north to the past, I had that date in Preston. So, back over the marshes and then down the dead end lane to Preston Manor, and a wait. In order to make sure I did get the key, I was early. Very early. But there was the radio to listen to, and me just hope that Nigel would come.
He arrived at quarter to midday, and after exchanging some pleasantries, he gave me the key, and I was free to go inside. Was it worth the wait? Probably not, but it has enough unusual features to keep me interested and to take 70 or so shots.
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The church stands in a delightful setting on a small rise opposite the 'big house' with its two large lakes. The path leads up to the north door from which we can see that the church was much altered in the nineteenth century, the most notable features of that period being the dormer windows. Inside they are rather strange and when viewed from the west end resemble a flight of Concordes! When they were added the windows in the two aisles were blocked, which makes the church decidedly dark. In the nave is the most unusual feature - Dr Bray's parochial library, one of eighty or so bookcases given to poor churches by the founder of the SPCK. It has iron handles on either side, but the heavy leather books it originally contained would not have made transportation easy!
www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Preston+2
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PRESTON
IS the next parish westward from Elmstone. It is written in Domesday, Prestetune, and is usually called Preston near Wingham, and in several deeds is stiled East Preston, to distinguish it from another parish of the same name near Faversham. There are three boroughs in this parish, viz. Inborough, Blackinborough, and Santonborough.
THIS PARISH is but is small. It is for the most part situated on high ground. The fields are very large and even, level land, and the greatest part of them very sertile. The village, called Preston-street, is nearly in the middle of the upland part of it, and is not unpleasantly situated, on each side of the road, which is here very broad from Grove-ferry to Wingham. The church stands about a quarter of a mile from it, and near it the court lodge, which is well watered by a fine spring rising just above it, which supplies several ponds, one of which is a very large one, and afterwards runs through the marshes towards the river. Just below the court-lodge the hill descends to the marshes, near two hundred acres of which are in this parish. The other, or eastern part, in which the house stands, which is now the residence of the vicar, is separated from Elmstone by a stream of water, which rises there in a pond, and directs its course towards the river. In this part of the parish is Santon, belonging to Mr. Thomas and John Denne, of Chistlet. There is no fair held in it.
THE MANOR OF PRESTON was part of the antient possessions of the abbot and convent of St.Augustine, to the chamberlain of which monastery it was, together with the hundred, allotted by them, and it is thus entered, under the general title of the lands of that abbey, in the survey of Domesday:
In Prestetun hundred, the abbot himself holds Prestetune. It was taxed at five sulings. The arable land is eight carucates. In demesne there are two carucates, and twenty five villeins, with seventeen borderers having nine carucates. There is a very small wood. Of this manor Vitalis holds one suling and half a yoke, and there he has in demesne two carucates, and seventeen borderers with half a carucate. The whole manor in the time of king Edward the Consessor was worth ten pounds, when be received it six pounds. What the abbot has is worth fourteen pounds. What Vitalis has is worth one hundred shillings.
Some time after which it appears to have been demised by the abbot and convent in see farm, at an annual rent, to the family of Capel, but at what period it was first so is not known. By which tenure it was, together with the hundred, held by John Capel, to whom Roger, abbot of that monastery, confirmed it in the 8th year of king John. (fn. 1) In which grant the patronage of the church was excepted and reserved. But he seems very soon after this to have passed away his interest in this manor to William, son of Sir Roger de Leyborne, as appears by the register of the abbey in 1272, the same year in which king Henry III. died. In the 35th year of king Edward I. he procured the grant of a market weekly here on a Monday, and a fair yearly on the feast of the Holy Cross, and the two following days, and died anno 3 Edward II. leaving his grand daughter Juliana, usually stiled the Infanta of Kent, his next heir. She was then the wife of John de Hastings, after whose death she married Thomas le Blount, and lastly Sir William de Clinton, created afterwards Earl of Huntingdon, who all three in her right became successively possessed of this manor. She died a widow in the 41st year of king Edward III. S.p.by either of her husbands, and indeed without any heirs, who could make claim to her estates, even by collateral alliance, this manor, among the rest of her possessions, escheated to the crown, where it lay till king Richard II. granted it to Sir Simon de Burley, lord warden, who in the 9th year of that reign, had a new grant of a market here on a Friday, and a fair yearly on the feast of St. Mildred, and two days afterwards, but he being in the next year attainted, and afterwards beheaded, this manor became again vested in the crown, and the king, in his 11th and 22d years, settled it on the priory of Canons, alias Chiltern Langley, in Hertfordshire, where it remained till the dissolution of that house anno 30 Henry VIII. when it came into the king's hands, and was the next year granted, with the scite of the priory and other lands and estates belonging to it, to Richard, bishop suffragan of Dover, to hold for his life, or until he should be promoted to some ecclesiastical benefice of the yearly value of one hundred pounds, which happened before the 36th year of that reign, in which it was granted by the king to Sir Thomas Moyle, to hold in capite, whose youngest daughter and coheir Anne, or Amy, as she is sometimes called, afterwards carried it in marriage to Sir Thomas Kempe, of Ollantigh, and he died possessed of it in 1607, leaving his four daughters his coheirs, of whom Anne, the second, entitled her husband Sir Thomas Chicheley, of Wimple, in Cambridgeshire, to this manor, as part of her inheritance. His son, of the same name, alienated it, at the latter end of king Charles I.'s reign, to Mr. Spence, of Bauckham, in Sussex, in whose descendants it continued down to Mr. Robert Spence, of London, whose sister Elizabeth afterwards died possessed of it, and her heirs sold it in 1769 to Nathaniel Elgar, gent. of Sandwich, who died in 1796, bequeathing various estates to his two nieces, and a partition of them taking place, this manor came to S. Toomor, esq. who married one of them, and he is the present owner of it. A court leet and court baron is held for the hundred and manor of Preston.
Charities.
MR. ROBERT WYBORNE, by his will in 1711, gave a tenement, with garden and orchard, for the benefit of the poor, which is now vested in the churchwardens and overseers, and is of the annual produce of 4l.
The poor constantly relieved are about twenty-five, casually forty.
THIS PARISH is within the ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION of the diocese of Canterbury, and deanry or Bridge.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Mildred, is but small. It consists of three isles, a high chancel, and a north chancel, having at the west end a low pointed steeple, in which hang five bells. It is kept exceedingly neat and handsome, and the whole of it ceiled. In the south isle is a tomb for Anne Hougham, obt. 1677. A stone, with a memorial for Michael Hougham, obt. 1679. In the high chancel a monument for Henry Waddell, vicar of Preston, obt. July 16, 1729. A monument for Peter Valavine, A. M. vicar of Preston, obt. Jan. 11, 1767. In the windows of the north chancel are some small remains of good painted glass. In this chancel was lately a school for teaching poor children to read and write; but it has been some time discontinued, through the parsimony of the parish officers and other principal inhabitants.
This church was antiently appendant to the manor of Preston, and continued so till the year 1206, when, as has been already mentioned before, the manor was confirmed in see farm, by the abbot of St. Augustine's, to John Capel, to hold in inheritance to him and his heirs, out of which grant, the patronage of this church was excepted to the abbot and his successors.
About the middle of king Henry III.'s reign, anno 1258, this church was appropriated to the abovementioned abbey, with a proviso that a competent portion should be assigned to the vicar out of the profits of it, and this was confirmed by the archbishop's official. After which archbishop Peckham endowed the perpetual vicarage of it, decreeing, that the vicar and his successors should have the usual mansion of the vicarage, with one acre and an half of land adjoining; and that he should have in the name of his vicarage all manner, of oblations, and likewise all tithes of wool, lambs, calves, cheese, flax, hemp, ducks, pigs, eggs, pigeons, fruits of gardens, and of other things increasing in orchards, milk-meats, pasture, merchandizes, mills, tithes, and also all legacies whatsoever, which the rectors or vicars of it might take by right or custom, and that the vicars should take, in the name of the said vicarage, from the reli gious at Preston, by quarterly payments yearly, the sum of four marcs, and one seam of corn, or otherwise a pension for the same in current money, according to the value of it, under pain of sequestration of the first fruits and profits of the church. But that the vicar should serve by himself, or some other fit priest, the church in divine offices, the burthen also of one clerk serving in the same, and the administration of bread and wine, candles, and other things which were necessary for the celebration of divine service; but the repair and rebuilding of the chancel, both within and without, and also the finding of books, vestments, surplices, and ornaments of the said church, which ought or were wont to be found and repaired by the rectors of churches, either of right or custom; and other burthens, ordinary and extraordinary, incumbent on it, the religious should always undergo and acknowledge. In which state the rectory appropriate, with the advowson of the vicarage, remained till the dissolution of the abbey of St. Augustine, anno 30 king Henry VIII, when it came into the king's hands, and he settled it in his 33d year on his new-created dean and chapter of Canterbury, with whom the inheritance of the appropriation or parsonage remains, and they are the present patrons of the advowson of the vicarage, of which they reserve the presentation to themselves. The present lessees of the parsonage are Mess. Teale and Culmer.
The vicarage is valued in the king's books at 9l. 15s. It is now a discharged living, of the clear yearly certified value of twenty-eight pounds. In 1588 here were communicants one hundred and sixty-six. In 1640 it was valued at forty pounds, communicants one hundred and ninety-six.
The vicarage-house having been burnt down, Robert Wyborne, gent. of this parish, to supply the place of it, gave by his will in 1711, his dwellinghouse, with thirty-two acres of land adjoining to it, then worth about forty pounds per annum, to the vicar and his successors, on condition of their residing in it, and performing divine service twice every lord's day in this church, by which means this vicarage is now worth upwards of one hundred pounds per annum. There are two acres of glebe land belonging to it, besides the above, of the antient endowment of the church. A stipend of three pounds per annum is paid yearly to the vicar, out of the exchequer, by the receiver-general of the land-tax.
¶In 1507, Thomas Watts, vicar, gave by his will a tenement in it, with five acres and an half of land, to the churchwardens, for an obit in this church. After the reformation, this house, &c. was vested in seoffees, and the rents and profits of it directed to be applied to the repairs of the church. They are now of the annual value of ten pounds.
Finally managed to get a picture of my "Bogy" bird this morning. Jay's are very quick to spot you & are usually gone before I raise my camera. This one came down on a post while I was in a hide but did not stay long
IMFC Chairman and Singapore's Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam (2nd R), International Monetary Fund First Managing Director David Lipton (L), Managing Director Christine Lagarde (2nd L) and Secretary Jinhai Lin (R) opens the IMFC meeting at the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings April 12, 2014 at the IMF Headquarters in Washington, DC. IMF Staff Photograph/Stephen Jaffe
Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva participates in the CF40 Workshop, "Digital Money and the International Monetary System: Efficiency, Equity, and Stability" with Former PBOC Governor Zhou Xiaochuan from the International Monetary Fund.
IMF Photo/Cory Hancock
24 June 2021
Washington, DC, United States
Photo ref: CH210624015.arw