(Previous KOM League Flash Reports are available on request)

 

Ausust 19, 2013

 

No Flash Report updates have transpired in the last four days. I'm not planning any Flash Reports for the foreseeable future. No one is corresponding with me about what is on their mind and fortunately I don't have any deaths to report. I do know a couple of guys have had a rough time lately do to surgery and other age related problems but they don't come under the heading of "Urgent Messages." When those arrive I'll report on them. The two people I'm tracking right now, due to health problems, are; Don Keeter and Leonard Van de Hey. Keeter is in a Kansas City rehabilitation facility and Van de Hey is in a Wisconsin hospital following surgery. Word received today was that there will be more of the same for the former Carthage Cub from 1950-51.

 

This note was posted August 12, 2013. There won't be another Flash Report for a few days. If you have anything to submit for the next report feel free to do so by contacting me at j03.john@gmail.com Thanks for checking out this site. The traffic on this site has picked up significantly since the Flash Reports have become a feature.

For the latest interview with former KOM Leaguer, Bill Virdon, go to this site: Celebrate West Plains: Bill Virdon reflects on his career - KY3 News

m.ky3.com

m.ky3.com/display/6497/story/458e4da0908d50238e442ec6fee3...

The next report will have an update on what happened with regard to the guy offering to give me a Mickey Mantle baseball card and also more information on the late Roger Vander Weide's baseball career. His older brother Robert was "top dog" in the operation of the Orlando Magic when they entered the National Basketball Association.

August 15, 2013. The photos are viewed by a number of former KOM league ballplayers and their families. I learned, by posting these photos that Leonard Van de Hey, a member of the 1950-51 Carthage Cubs had surgery yesterday in Wisconsin. Also, a nice note was received from the daughter of the late Johnny LaPorta, Carthage Cubs 1949-50 that she enjoys the photos. Her mother, Angie, the greatest scorekeeper in the history of Carthage baseball, is residing in a nursing home in the Chicago area and still retains the memories of many of the KOM era.

In the next Flash Report an article will address the subject of radio stations that broadcast KOM League games. If you heard a game or games over KGLC in Miami, OK, KSEK Pittsburg, KS, KDMO Carthage, MO, KIND Independence, KS, KWON Bartlesville, OK or WBBZ in Ponca City and wish to share a memory I'd love to include it in the article. There were no games aired of Iola, Blackwell or Chanute home games since those towns didn't have a radio station until nearly a decade after the KOM League folded.

The voice of Miami baseball was Russ Martin. He pastored the First Christian in Miami and was well known for the dramatic phrases and embellishment of games when they became a bit drab. For a while, Joe Pollock, former KOM spedster with three different clubs was his play by play color man.

Pittsburg Browns games were carried on KSEK radio. That station was on the Liberty network and carried a game of the day with Gordon McLendon and Lindsey Nelson doing most of the games. If you got bored you go up to the top of the radio dial and get the Mutual Broadcasting Company game with Al Helfer doing the announcing on radio station WMBH in Joplin. In the evening that station carried the Joplin Miner games with Bill Grigsby doing the play by play. As a point of trivia the last KOM game broadcast was in 1998 with Grigsby doing most of the play by play and not so ably assisted by Yours truly. That was about as much fun as I ever had. By the way one of the announcers for Pittsburg was Thad Sandstrom who later headed up the WIBW radio and TV empire. If you want to know the fate of Mr. Sandstrom check that out on the Internet. The story is too long and gory to place here.

Bill Platt, James DeStefano (aka Jim King), Fred Pralle and Keith Upson broadcast for Ponca City, Carthage, Bartlesville and Independence, respectively. The story of Upson is contained under the last photo on this site. He is shown with the 1948 Independence Yankees. There are some great tales about the last four guys mentioned but I'll hold off writing anything about them to see if anyone has read the material to this point.

I'm under pressure to keep this site moving along since g-mail loves me at about the same level socialism admires free enterprise.

 

By the way readers are encouraged to use the "Add a comment" in the space provided by Flickr.

The KOM League

Flash Report

for

August 5, 2013

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The back-up site for Flash Reports and photos is:

Flickr: komleague's Photostream

www.flickr.com/photos/60428361@N07/‎

______________________________________________________________________ ________

Likes this stuff:

Just to let you know that I thoroughly Love the letters and the photos. To me it’s like getting a package from home. So I definitely do NOT want to become a member of the "Infrequent Flyer Club." You can send those letters and pictures my way any time you want to. Sue - KCMO

Ed comment:

It is most likely that Sue is referring to the photos that one of my readers has sent her way. But, I can always hope someone likes the Flash Report. Last week a nice summary was sent to me by Bill O’Donnell. I was going to use it to justify why I still prepare these reports but it got lost somewhere in the innards of the e-mail file. So, Bill, after reading this and you still feel the same way you might want to re-send me a copy of that.

But, on the other hand, if you receive these reports and think they have outlived their usefulness you can let me know. The beneficial aspect of these reports for me, according to what I read in the literature, is that keeping the mind occupied might help stave off old age memory and mental problems. And, it may help folks as old as you to read this material and see if you can make sense of it. That way we are either both crazy or dually sane.

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Message from Dave Vander Weide

John, you posted in my dad's guest book. Thank You. His funeral is tomorrow August 6. Would you happen to be able to e-mail me any stats on my dad? I know his family would love it. I remember as a kid going through a trunk with all his baseball gear and seeing him in a uniform with the Carthage name on it.

This is the obituary for Roger Vander Weide

obits.mlive.com/obituaries/grandrapids/obituary.aspx?n=ro...

If you click on the foregoing URL you’ll see his photo along with the obituary. For those of you who can’t or won’t do so here is the obituary.

VANDER WEIDE, ROGER Aged 85, was peacefully called home to his Lord and Savior on August 1, 2013. He was preceded in death by two sisters and five brothers. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Thelma. He loved his children, David (Jean), Steven (Yvonne), and Robert; his grandchildren, Susan (Mike) Meeuwsen, Jenny (Mike) O'Neill, Ryan (Jenna) Vander Weide, Lisa (Joel) Terpstra, Chad, Josh, Hannah, Katie, Ben, Jessa, and Addie Vander Weide; and his great- grandchildren, Devin, Alexia, Breckton, Bellary Meeuwsen, Katelyn, Kylie, Kelsey O'Neill, Emma Vander Weide, Lillian, Natalie Terpstra were his pride and joy. Roger is also survived by his brother, Russell and Barbara Vander Weide. Roger owned Vander Weide Plumbing. He was a pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, and was an elder and Sunday school teacher at Hope Reformed Church. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, 11:00 AM at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton St. SE, with Rev. Peter TeWinkle and Rev. Dr. Robert Eckard officiating. Interment Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will greet relatives and friends at the funeral chapel Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Breton Manor Rehab. - See more at: obits.mlive.com/obituaries/grandrapids/obituary.aspx?n=ro...

Ed note:

Vander Weide pitched for the Carthage Cubs in late 1947 and early 1948 but not enough to make it into the official records that were reported in the Baseball Guides. However, due to his late arrival, in 1947, he got into the team photo that included manager Al Kluttz. By that time Woody Fair was back in the Carolina league and Al, brother of big league catcher, Clyde Kluttz was in charge of the Carthage club. Also on that team was Ray Diering the younger brother of Chuck who was with the St. Louis Cardinals, Eddie Vargo who became a long time National league umpire, Wayne Boyer one of the famous baseball family from Alba, Mo. and Bob Mahoney who made it to the major leagues with the other St. Louis team, the Browns and also the Chicago “Pale Hose.” A lot of scribes used to call the White Sox by that name.

It was mentioned that Vander Weide is in the 1947 Carthage team photo. For those of you with the book “The KOM League Remembered” published by Arcadia, that photo is on page 27. Even if you don’t have that book the photo is still there. In that photo are 20 faces which include the batboy, Frederick “Pee Wee” Smith. Of that group only four are still alive. Even Harry Smith’s older brother, Pee Wee, has passed away. Harry is mentioned since he was the Carthage batboy in 1949 and on page 65 of the book mentioned previously struck the most casual photo of any batboy ever did for a team photo. For you who don’t have the book now nor ever will he is laying down in front of the Carthage team that had a few guys who turned in long baseball careers including the best known member, Bob Speake. Since Hal Brown is in that photo and receives these Flash Reports I’m mentioning him to let him know he isn’t forgotten. Of the 18 fellows in the 1949 Carthage Cub team photo only five are still living. Harry Smith suffered the same fate of his older brother Pee Wee and passed away a number of years ago at Carthage, MO. Pee Wee died in Kansas City.

Since it wasn’t mentioned in the obituary I’ll mention it here since I’ll get questions about the date of his birth. It was June 16, 1928 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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Still remembering the short term players:

Over the years I've discussed whether Carroll Lloyd "Biff" Jones ever played a game in the KOM. I found a column this morning where the Omaha, Nebr. native played shortstop one night for Ponca City at Bartlesville and had two singles in four at bats. He was born 6/17/1929 in Omaha and died 12/28/2008 while living with his son in Tonopah, NV.

Biff was with Ponca City for a very short time and upon his release he went to Chanute, KS on the way home to Omaha, and tried to get a shot with them. Dick McCoy verified that Biff did go to Nevada and died there for he and his wife Mollie attended the funeral. I happened to get interested in Biff in recent days as I had found his name on the roster of an Omaha team that played in the National Baseball Congress Tournament at Wichita in 1960.

Also on that 1947 team was George E. Seely (sometimes spelled Seeley). He was born either 1/1/1924 or 1/3/1924 according to the records I've uncovered. George pitched in two games for Ponca City before being sent to Zanesville, Ohio. If I have the right George Seely and I think that I do, he graduated from high school in 1943, went to the Univ. of Colorado until being inducted into the US Army, also in 1943. After his final year in baseball, which I think was 1948 he got a degree in education and wound up teaching school for many years in Pueblo.

Note from a baseball researcher

Hi: I have Carroll Jones playing ten games for Ponca City in 1947. Was he a first baseman?

He played in 2 games at first for Sheboygan in 1947. Ray Nemec

Ed reply:

The Ponca City News showed him playing shortstop upon his arrival. He wasn't going to play that position too long for Boyd Bartley and Jim Baxes were going to play the position for the lions share of the time.

Nemec’s reply:

Hi John: Is there any way to check a few more games to see if Jones did play another position? Since Boudreau played in 122 games at 1B, I doubt that Jones played 1B. If he did it may have been only one game

He doesn’t show in the SS fielding of players in ten games or more

Ed reply:

Jones didn't play any first base for Ponca City that I found. And, he didn't have that many at shortstop either. I found what I reported earlier in a scrapbook kept by a female fan of those teams for 2-3 years. I imagine Jones did a little pinch hitting after he got two hits in his first game. I'll look at that scrapbook again and see if anything else appears. I think he played for Ponca City prior to the arrival of Baxes from Santa Barbara. After Baxes got there nobody but Bartley was going even get a shot at playing short.

When Jones went back to Omaha and took up amateur ball he was basically an outfielder. In 1960 when the Omaha Thomases went to the NBC tourney in Wichita he was their left fielder.

The Omaha team was sponsored by the Thomas Plumbing Company. They had their share of ex-Joplin Miners, Independence Yankees, Iola Indians and Ponca City Dodgers on the1960 team. Don Hunter and Biff Jones had played at Ponca City, Robert "Bugs" Redden at Iola, Bill Holderness played for Independence in '49 with Mantle and later committed suicide, and Dave Benedict another of Mantle's teammates at Joplin was also on the team. You probably know that Dave Benedict's son was Bruce.

If any reader would like to chime in on additional information regarding Biff Jones, join the crowd that might not be large enough to fill a pay telephone booth. That is, if there are still any remaining in the era of cell phones.

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I wasn’t kidding

In a recent Flash Report I mentioned that my first book “Majoring in The Minors” was like a pretty girl, hard to get. Here is a note from “back east.” “Hi John, I thought I would see if I could hunt up your book. There is one on Ebay listed at $160, supposedly a discount from the original price of $200. Well, I decided to see how flexible the dealer is and sent in a $35 offer. She countered at $125. I then sent in another offer with a note stating that I really didn't want to pay more than $50, but since the book also has several autographs, the highest I could pay would be $60 She declined the offer with a note saying the lowest she would go was $100. I have a hunch that she might consider splitting the difference, but I was really stretching my budget to offer the $60. Maybe you have someone else that might continue the haggling and reach agreement. I will still keep my eyes open during my tag sale and flea market hunting. Enjoy the summer!!!!!!! John, I believe there are 28 players that signed the book plus yourself. Book was 111 of 300. Bob

Ed note:

I looked at that signature page once again. Only 26 guys signed it. Stokes Dodson and Nick Najjar signed twice. We had a book signing and those were being passed back and forth and guys didn't know if they had signed before or not. I could write pretty good size book just telling the stories I know about those 26 guys. Of course, it wouldn't be read. Bob Saban who signed that was the cousin of Lou Saban who coached the Boston Patriots and he was also kin to the current coach of the Alabama football team.

I looked closely at the top of one of those pages. I believe that is the hard cover edition. That book is worth more than the soft cover that came out four years prior to that. If that's the hardcover then it was signed by all those guys at Chanute, Kansas in 2000. That book was purchased by a public library. That is why it's in mint condition. I could buy that for $100 and still make a buck on it due to the autographs. But I'm not going to do it.

A tip from the old batboy

I believe that book is still listed on E-bay and if you don’t have the hard copy edition it would be worth the money if for no other reason than 26 autographs that you could never assemble.

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Recent honors bestowed on former KOM leaguers.

By Anvil Welch Globe Sports Writer

INDEPENDENCE, Kan. — Bill Virdon broke into professional baseball in 1950 with the Independence Yankees of the Class D KOM League.

Virdon, who’s lived in Springfield (Mo.) for more than 50 years, returned to southeast Kansas last Saturday for only the second time since 1950. The previous visit came in 1996 during a KOM League reunion engineered by league historian John G. Hall of Columbia.

Virdon, who was accompanied by wife Shirley, was inducted into the Independence Baseball Hall of Fame to highlight a Baseball Game Luncheon at the Independence Historical Museum & Art Center, 8th and Myrtle.

Virdon never played for the Yankees. He was traded to the Cardinals and was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1955. He was dealt to the Pirates early in the 1956 season. The left-handed batting, right-handed throwing Virdon patrolled center field for the Pirates most of the time through the 1965 campaign.

Guests last week, in addition to the Virdons, included longtime University of Kansas sports voice Bob Davis and Ban Johnson players Charles Stepp and Merle Blair. Also, seated up front for the meal of hot dogs, peanuts and cracker jacks were researchers Jan Johnson and Mike Webber.

Virdon, who answered several questions from the audience, had at least one very pleasant surprise in the crowd.

Bill Robinson, who lives in Wichita, and his late wife Virginia housed Virdon and another player in Independence.

“I don’t know anything negative about Bill Virdon,” Robinson said. “I never played baseball. We had a pleasant time.

“I’m 94. I do my own driving. I’m going to break Social Security,” Robinson quipped.

“We lived on North 11th St.,” Robinson said. “Our family ran Robinson Supply. I’ve been living in Wichita six years. We make it to Independence every three or four months.”

Virdon, naturally happy to see Robinson, said he couldn’t recall the name of the roommate.

“I don’t have a clue,” Virdon, 82, said with a laugh.

Virdon, who played Ban Johnson baseball for two summers at Clay Center (Kan.) before signing with Tom Greenwade and New York for $1,800, had no problem with Independence’s role in his development as a player.

“I found a position,” Virdon said. “I wanted to be a shortstop. Bunny (player/manager Bunny Mick) put me in center field.”

Just three players on the 1950 Independence Yankees reached the major leagues — Virdon, Don Taussig, another outfielder, and pitcher John Gabler.

The Independence roster was sprinkled liberally with southwest Missouri youths (a testament to Greenwade).

Bill Drake, a 1948 Joplin High School graduate, was a right-handed pitcher on the club. Drake, who played American Legion baseball in the summer, starred in football for the Eagles for Russ Kaminsky and in track for K.E. “Doc” Baker.

“Bill’s strength, first, was as a defensive player,” Drake said of Virdon. “He was a good overall player, of course. The thing I remember as much as anything about him was simply he was a good man. He was a gentleman. I respected him.”

Drake, also a Baxter Springs Whiz Kid, continued playing baseball after his professional stint as a third baseman/pitcher with such semi-pro teams as the Miami-based Tri-State Miners and Home Street Garage of Kansas City to supplement his income.

Drake, 83, said he once hit four consecutive home runs in a game for Home Street Garage. He lives in Raytown.

Virdon was Virdon last week, indicated museum coordinator Sylvia Augustine, with his accommodating manner.

“He always has been that way, I understand,” she said. “He signed everything that was brought to him.”

Virdon, a manager of the year in both the American League (Yankees) and National League (Astros), joined individuals Mickey Mantle, Ralph Terry, Glenn Wright, Bill Walker, Cy Blanton and Eugene Packard in the Independence shrine: The Independence Producers of 1921 and 1930 also have been honored.

The Western Association Producers of 1930 claim the first night game in organized baseball on April 28 at Shulthis Stadium in Riverside Park.

Lloyd Lee Dodson enshrined

cjonline.com/sports/2013-07-17/kevin-haskin-rich-baseball...

Kevin Haskin: Rich baseball history shared at induction ceremony

Inaugural class enshrined into Shawnee County hall

There was mention of Connie Mack on Wednesday at the Bettis Family Sports Complex.

That was a reflection of just how much history was shared at the induction ceremony for the inaugural class of the Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame.

Lee Dodson, known simply as Mr. Baseball in Topeka, referenced Mack as one of his heroes.

“I like guys who lived to be 100, or close to it, since I’m closing in on it,’’ said Dodson, who at 89 shared some witty insight into a sport he loved ever since he attended his first game.

That happened to be at Chandler Field in Topeka. Dodson, who would go on to play professionally before coaching and organizing scores of teams and leagues, watched that day as his father managed a club.

“I couldn’t figure out,’’ said Dodson, “how the person who invented this game I was watching could make it so a ball hit to the shortstop could result in a play that was so close involving the batter who was running to first base. It was such a close race. That, and a lot of other things, absolutely hooked me.’’

Over time, Dodson figured quite a bit regarding baseball. So too did the other inductees in the inaugural class — Ken Berry, Beany Conwell, Bingo DeMoss, Marion McDonald, Mike Torrez, Fred White and Gene Wilson. The wide-ranging group represented players, builders, coaches, media and umpires.

The hall does not yet have a permanent display, though information on the inductees and history of baseball in Shawnee County can be found at www.sncobaseballhof.org.

When addressing the audience Wednesday, Berry told how he agreed to have his name affixed to a complex that would eventually be home to numerous youth teams.

“They called me up in 1969 and asked if they could put my name up,’’ recalled Berry, “and I said, ‘Sure, but you guys should know I’m only hitting .230.’ ’’

That recollection came from his 14-year career in the major leagues, in which Berry was an All-Star outfielder and two-time Gold Glove winner. Berry credited Conwell for leading the innovators who started the Ken Berry League. Conwell became the league’s first chairman of the board and was a fixture at the facility. He engaged in every task imaginable while also helping organize several teams.

In accepting the glass obelisk presented to each of the inductees, Conwell’s son, Kent, said: “As I know my dad would like to say, ‘Thank you. Now let’s go build something.’ ’’

For McDonald, his most enduring project was at Washburn.

It was in 1957 that he reinstituted a baseball program for the Ichabods as their coach.

His son, Bill, recently moved back to Topeka after spending 42 years in Michigan. He remains impressed by all the people who recall his father, who also served as a professional scout.

“I hear so many wonderful stories about my dad connecting people with baseball,’’ McDonald said.

One favorite that McDonald shared was the origin of the uniforms Washburn once wore that read “Topeka’’ across the chest.

Turns out, Marion McDonald got the Topeka Reds to donate them to WU after the minor-league team left town following the 1961 season. Bill McDonald said he heard that Pete Rose’s name tag was stitched into one of the uniforms, a story he still needs to research.

One inductee into the Shawnee County baseball hall who pitched to Rose was Torrez, who won 185 games and posted a 3.96 earned run average over 18 big-league seasons.

Another inductee, Fred White, called many of the games Torrez worked. The longtime anchor for both WIBW television and radio went on to become a broadcaster for the Kansas City Royals.

Although a family commitment prevented Torrez from attending, Berry was a contemporary who shared his respect for White, who passed away earlier this summer after battling cancer.

“I was very lucky to have someone like Fred and also Bob Hentzen of The Capital-Journal cover my games,’’ Berry said. “You couldn’t have asked for two greater guys to interview you after you played your heart out. I was very appreciative of Fred and all he did for me.’’

The inductee who was as responsible as anyone keeping games rolling smoothly was Wilson, a longtime umpire who first came to the state as a hot-shot recruit who played basketball for Kansas State. Wilson went on to umpire through four different decades. The manual he wrote for local American Legion umpires was incorporated at the national level.

“I had fun with the game,’’ said Wilson, “but I was serious too. Sometimes, though, you had to lighten up.’’

Like the time Wilson was working a Gopher League game at the very spot where he spoke Wednesday, the former SCABA diamonds.

“I crouched down and my pants ripped,’’ he recalled. “Before long, I had three mothers come down from the stands offering me safety pins.’’

Stories. Many were shared Wednesday reflecting the impressive history of baseball in Shawnee County.

DeMoss, an inductee who began playing for Negro League teams while in high school and went on to become the standout second baseman of his time, gave the class a feel that dates to almost the beginning of the 20th century.

Yet here we are in 2013 and baseball remains vibrant.

“I thank the inventors and the people that improved on it,’’ Dodson said. “Baseball has been total enjoyment for me.’’

Ed note:

Lee Dodson of the 1946 Chanute, KS Owls and Bill Virdon of the 1950 Independence Yankees are both very special individuals. I have got to know each of these fellows over the years and it was especially difficult to miss their induction ceremonies into halls of fame in two Kansas cities. It was very tough to ignore them at a high point in their lives when both of those guys came to Carthage when they hung my mug on the entrance to the Carthage ballpark in 1999. But, although I wasn’t in attendance of either of those events I’m especially proud of both those guys and want them to know it.

______________________________________________________________________ _____

Predictions

Back in 2004 there was a KOM league reunion held at Carthage, MO and when a group of old ballplayers arrived on the scene at the baseball field there was a large number of young ballplayers who were touring the nation as the representatives of the American National team. Sam Dixon struck up a conversation with one of the leaders of that group and the gentleman told him to keep an eye on one player in particular. He was a lad from San Diego and Dixon promised to look out for his eventual rise to major league stardom. After that reunion concluded Dixon handed me the sheet of paper the coach of the team had given him and told me that I should keep it. Well, I looked at it again after nine years and started down the list. I got as far as “S” and recalled the guy with that initial for his last name and he never made it. I figured with just a few names left on the list that none of those guys made it. And, then I saw two fellows with the same last name... Upton. Quickly, it came to me that Melvin Emmanuel and Justin are the same guys who play for the Atlanta Braves. Most people recognize Melvin as “B. J.”

What struck me that morning, nine years ago in Carthage, was an exodus from the ball field when it was announced that a team of random drug testers were there to check the young American team. Those guys who exited the field came out on the sidewalk slamming down their equipment and crying like babies with the full knowledge that they hadn’t played by the rules and their time on the team was over. Now roll the clock forward just nine years and word came down today that some guys who didn’t play by the rules will get to sit it out for a while. Isn’t it great that “Time wounds all heels?” These guys are getting what they deserve but maybe they aren’t getting enough of what they deserve. When the rules set forth permanent banishment from the game for rule breaking then fairness will have a new meaning.

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Conclusion:

In the last exciting edition of this newsletter it was mentioned that although all the copies of “Majoring in The Minors” were in the hands of others I still was able to share a copy that the late Tom Tarascio handed back prior to his death. I sent it along to a new friend in Pennsylvania who was coached by Jim McHugh former KOM leaguer for parts of four years.

Within days of sending along the big green book and a Mickey Mantle-Before The Glory copy I received this note. “Thank your for the book ‘Majoring in The Minors’ and ‘Mickey Mantle-Before the Glory’ and the Mantle pin. The books will be part of my summer reading. Maria McHugh donated the Jim McHugh-Jimmy Foxx letters to the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society in Hatboro, PA. The Athletics Historical Society closed this past spring and re-located to Spikes’ Trophies, 2702 Grant Ave. Philadelphia. Thanks again John--your book made my summer.” Sincerely, Bob. G.

Ed comment:

Many years ago Jim Mc Hugh sent along a letter he had written to Jimmy Foxx when the Philadelphia A’s great Hall of Famer was ill. Foxx sent him a letter in return promising to get better in order to make his young fan happy. McHugh gave me that material a number of years ago. One day I took both of the letters and added a photo of Foxx and McHugh and sent it back to him with the explanation that it was such a great item he should share it with the family. I was pleased to learn it was now in the Philadelphia A’s Historical Society.

______________________________________________________________________ ____________________

Well, that’s it for this time

If you have anything to share with regard to the Flash Reports, let me know.

P. S.

Oh, I’m not done. Last week I received a CD from Nick DeMaio of the 1952 Miami Eagles and a teammate of the late Jim McHugh. Nick is the “big guy” with Gunsmoke. That is a country-western band out of Darien, CT. In recent weeks his group appeared on the “Shot Gun Red” show on the cable channel, RFD. Sine I couldn’t that channel through my cable service Nick was kind enough to send me a CD. The music of Gunsmoke is of the genre and era when music was still be made and the lyrics weren’t “x” rated. Gosh, I love the past for a lot of reasons and one of the biggest was the music. Thanks again Nick for your kindness.

Another P. S. or P. S. S.

As I was finishing up this report a telephone call was received from a gentleman who remembered me from my last fling at theater. A few years back I was the voice of Lou Gehrig in a performance attended by few and appreciated by even fewer at a local playhouse. A group from that playhouse performed at one of our KOM league reunions and they were top flight in every aspect and may well have been the top group ever at any of the dozen or so reunions conducted. Anyway, a fellow who attended that performance was the most recent caller and told me he wanted to meet me for coffee. He said that he had recently picked up a baseball card of a former KOM leaguer and wanted to give it to me. So, a coffee date has been set for Thursday morning at a local grocery store. Oh, the baseball card he has of a former KOM leaguer is that of a guy he called “Mickey Mantle.” Has anyone ever heard of that name? I’ll let you know next time about the card and a little more about the guy who is purportedly on it.

 

iMac flickering and dark screen problems

Bazıları problem sever

porta potties smell bad

Cambridge England

[14:49] Amara turned the corner, walking into the restaurant and passing Leigh and Ayr as she moved to the counter. "Afternoon you two. Nick, I'd like a medium pie with broccoli, ham, olives, and extra cheese. To go."

 

[14:50] Leigh Parx (Kayleigh Jigsaw) just cracked up laughing. "That ain't a man. An' if you're bein' nice 'nuff ta listen, don't see why I can't do somethin' nice in return. Do you?" Leigh wasn't counting on Ayr fixing her problems, but she did know he usually managed to at least make things seem better. "Aight." Her attention shifted to the NPC waiter for a moment. "One pie with whatever meats ya'll got and a water. Plus whatever he wants despite what he says." She'd jerk her head slightly in Ayr's direction at the words. Amara got a nod. "Hey, boss. Lost your tail?"

 

[14:52] Ayr Bosatsu looks over to Amara when she walks in, chewing on the thoughts Leigh had given him. "I wanted to pick a Better time to do this, and it seems a bit abrupt to do it here and now. But," he'd clear his throat, "Amara I'd like you to Be Beta for a while. Since gage has surrendered her position we've been in need of a new one and few have stepped forward to offer their names. More than a few people have mentioned -your- name though. I'd like you to give it a try for a month and a bit, see how you feel with it." Looking down at his boots he'd huff slightly, "I'm getting too old for these lil heart-string moments."

 

[14:58] Amara was caught between blushing and crying at the announcement. She really had her heart set on just being the lead medic, but she felt rather humbled that others though her a capable Beta. "I'd be honored, Ayr, and I'll do my best. Count on it." She leaned against the counter for support as she smiled at Leigh. "My tails are fine thanks. Are you alright though after what happened yesterday?"

 

[15:07] Leigh Parx (Kayleigh Jigsaw) nodded. "Whatcha mean what happened? Only thing that rankled me any was when it seemed like you were undermining my doing my job." She'd shrug a bit. "Might wanna buy that lady a strap-on and some therapy though? She was compensatin' pretty hard for somethin'. You're welcome to join us." She'd think for a moment before pulling a business card from her pocket and holding it out to Amara.

 

[15:09] Ayr Bosatsu looks at Amara a long moment, even as Leigh speaks to her. His head nodded somewhat, mind scratching back like a broken record to his younger years. Lolling his head forward he'd plant his chin on the desk, stifling proud tears as his heart strings got plucked and played - so much so he could only manage a nod in return to her comment. Quickly standing up to try and shake himself out of it he'd make for the counter and order himself a drink with a lump in his throat, "Cola."

 

[15:14] Amara took the business card and read it over, taking a seat at the table while she waited for her pie to be made. "I do apologize for Lana; Ashagi's been going through some difficult times. Several employees have been attacked or mauled, and we have no idea who's behind them." She sighed, putting the card away knowing it would be useful later. "Her lover was attacked. Arwen was shot...and Adagio..." Amara bit her lip, stopping the sentence short. "She just didn't want someone else to be hurt on her watch. Nothing more."

 

[15:17] Mitka Dover walks in quietly stopping at the table nodding to the pack and leigh"you all been served?"

 

[15:21] Leigh Parx (Kayleigh Jigsaw) shrugged as the NPC put her water on the table. She'd keep her attention mostly focused on those she was with, for now. "Still, yer my boss. I'd rather see ya have someone competent if ya need someone. The way she was actin' ain't gonna do nothin' but end up gettin the people she's tryin' ta protect hurt." Her attention would then shift back to Ayr as she watched him. "So first thing I wanna ask ya is this. Am I a lady?" Yup, true Leigh fashion had the question seeming like it came out of nowhere.

 

[15:24] Ayr Bosatsu nods when Mitka comes in, pulling out his phone quietly. "Well," he scratched behind his ear. "Sometimes I wonder. You seem to be pretty much immune to any guy coming onto you," his eyes drifted to the left and the child outside. The one who gave him birthday cake, "...!" Scrabbling up quickly he'd look at Mitka then point at the child, screaming at the top of his lungs - "Get that child -whatever- she wants to eat, 'cause I'm frontin' the bill!" As his finger pointed at her it wiggled, so much tension and sincerity in his tone that it could not be misunderstood for a sudden paroxysm of drug-fuelled insanity. "...Yes, though, I think you fall under the class of things known as 'woman'." Sinking back down to the table he'd look about bashfully. "..She bought me cake...and i blew her off, sorta..So i feel hella bad."

 

[15:27] Amara nods. "Just waiting on my pizza to be made, Mitka. I'd like a glass of water though." She folded her arms just above her stomach and sighed. "I will look into a personal bodyguard, don't worry. Can't exactly afford injuries right now, but I need to stay close to the city more often than at ho-" She jumped back when Ayr suddenly proclaimed free food for a random child outside, eyes widened in surprise. "Woah...Ayr, don't scare me like that...please."

 

[15:29] Sally-Jean almost jumped when she heard someone yell at the top of their lungs.. OOhhh it was Mister Ayr! She'd look around to see if there was any other child he could be talking about.. didn't look like it so she'd sheepishly walk into the resturant, giving the adults a shy smile and a wave before going to the counter, smiling at Nick. " can I try some spaghetti and meatballs?" she'd ask quietly before glancing at the adults once more and taking her seat in one of the booths.

 

[15:29] Leigh Parx (Kayleigh Jigsaw) tilted her head curiously considering the words. "So you'd say I'm a woman, but not a lady? Explain, please." She glanced over her shoulder to see the child he'd indicated.

 

[15:31] Ayr Bosatsu nods profusely when the child wanders in, "AHHH! You can have it all! Will make sure I pay you back for the cake i didn't give you on your birthday!" Standing up again he'd knock over his chair, pointing at the NPC dude to chop chop to it. "...Food..Whatever she wants, all of it paid by me." Thumbing his chest he'd nod sharply and pick up his chair, "I mean. Women generally tend to respond to sexual advances. You don't from what I've seen. You got boobs and probably a ...you know," he made finger gestures akin to scissors, "..but uhm...You don' got the personality of a lady. You're a tom-boy, unashamedly so." Torn between Leigh, Amara and the kid he'd nod and point a techno viking-esque finger at Nick.

 

[15:33] Mitka Dover reaches into her top to grab her vibrating phone o ut , reads the message, and sets the phone down.She would grab a peice of paper and chucks it at Ayr's head mumbling

 

[15:35] Mitka Dover would also grab Amara the glass of water and walsk over setting it downi nfront of her.She sees the pizza done and brings it too over at the same time"there ya go, eat up Mara...your eating for two."

 

[15:37] Amara didn't know which to laugh at first - Ayr's eccentric manner as far as feeding a child, his definition of what it means to be a lady, or his inability to proper refer to female genitalia. "A lot of things define a lady, Ayr, not just her physical attributes or her response to sexual advances. It's how she carries herself." She smiled at the food and drink being delivered and handed Mitka payment. "Oh don't remind me - I don't even like olives, but that's all I've been craving for three days straight."

 

[15:39] Mitka Dover swats Ayr upside the head mumnbling something under her breath"told you i'd swat you for that ayr..."she closes her phone after sending a text back.She loosk at amara"it's been red meat for me.....and skittles"

 

[15:39] Sally-Jean blinked widely at the highly animated Ayr. She'd tilt her head even, blinking a few more times before speaking up. " Are.. are you okay Mister Ayr?" she'd tap her fingers against her bottom lip. " Maybe there was too much sugar in the cake.." She'd say softly before covering her mouth in a giggle when paper is thrown at him. She'd then widen her eyes as he dashed off like the flash.. she'd look to the adults and shrug her shoulders. " Maybe he needs a nap.. they used to make the younger kids take naps when they got all sugar crazy." she'd nod her head once before staring at her table.

 

[15:40] Leigh Parx (Kayleigh Jigsaw) just blinked. "So that makes me not a lady?" She'd consider this for a few moments before leaning back in her chair and putting her boots up on the edge of the table in Ayr's direction. If he looked, he'd get a nice view of the silky black panties barely covering her. "Alright, so where would you say I rank in the food chain? And feel free to contribute any of your thoughts to this, Amara. It would be welcomed." Her ankles crossed after a moment as an NPC brought out the pie she'd ordered right behind Mitka bringing Amara's. She fished her credits from her pocket and passed them to the guy delivering her meal.

  

[15:45] Amara shook her head at the young girl. "No dear, in all honestly, he's like that naturally sometimes. No sugar required." She nibbled on a slice of the cheesy pizza before gesturing for Leigh to help herself if she wanted a bite. "I think you're one of the more honest with yourself females on this island. It doesn't seem like you care what others think of you as long as you're at peace with yourself. You aren't walking around in heels or anything, but I'm not sure tomboy is the right term."

 

[15:45] Nikolay Fedoseev had turned around deciding he needed a slice and a moments break before heading back out on patrol.. he was in a significantly better mood since fighting with eli last night.. Heading in he just hears leighs comments glancing in her direction to see her sitting with ehr legs up and not crossed in a skirt half her ass hanging out... though he missed the panty shot... Trying to keep his face straight he cant help a small smirk... thank god she's not his daughter.

 

[15:47] Sally-Jean nodded slowly. " Ohhhh.." She'd say before smiling. She'd sit quietly as she waiting for Sam to cook up her spaghetti and meat balls. kind of listening to the grown ups, but at the same time trying to hide it.. as to not get into trouble for eavesdropping.

 

[15:52] Leigh Parx (Kayleigh Jigsaw) dropped her right hand to her lap lightly playing with the edge of her skirt as she continued to leave her feet on the table. "But lady isn't either?" Her left hand snagged a slice of pizza and she took a bite. She'd chew before studying Amara curiously. "But lady isn't the right term, either?" Her tongue ran over her teeth in thought before she took a second bite curiously waiting to see what the response would be.

  

[15:59] Amara nodded to Nik as he strolled in, giving him an acknowledging nod while she ate. "How's the leg fairing, Mr Fedoseev?" Moving on to her second slice, she thought about how to answer. "There are too many definitions for lady, Leigh. It could be a female of high society. To some it's just a proper woman. To others it's any female that looks like she bathes and uses makeup. Feminine is not a term I'd use in your case, but I see you are a lady purely due to your confidence. You don't help to get your shit done." She took one more bite of the pizza. "Not sure a 'lady' would flash her knickers though..." she winked.

 

[16:03] Ayr Bosatsu Clatters back into the restauraunt with a crash. "I needed my hat," he muttered and looked to LEigh and Amara, leaving them to talk as he sunk down into the booth next to lil Sally. "You eating properly?"

 

[16:05] Nikolay Fedoseev turned away form nick after ordering a coffee to glance at amara and then to ayr wondering what the man will do after the shit al stired up last night.. Watching him walk back in tosit with another girl he looks to amara.. "its doing good... this is the second one i've had put on... " he'd glance to leigh arching a brow as he is now in the right position to see her flicking her skirt up with ehr fingers.. giving a half amused snort he shakes his head.. "I'm not even going to touch that one... "

 

[16:06] Sally-Jean looked up. she was about to tell him she was still waiting for her food when Nick brought a medium sized plate of spaghetti and meatballs. Her eyes would widen and she'd smile " I'm about to!" she'd smile at N ick and give him thanks before leaning towards Ayr. " never had Meatballs and Spaghetti before.. so Imma try it." she'd stab a meatball with her fork, about to take a bite before asking. " Did you like your cake? I didn't know what kind you liked.. so I got cheesecake.. because everyone likes cheesecake.. I think.. and the toy fox and toy leopard where new, all clean and stuff."

 

[16:11] Leigh Parx (Kayleigh Jigsaw) just flashed the Judge a sweet smile. "Touch what?" She'd tilt her head back and look at Ayr upside down. "You gonna help me eat this pizza and finish our talk?" Her head was righted as she finished the slice in her hand. "So where would you say I rank on the food chain, all things considered?" Leigh wasn't sure who would know how much about her, even her boss. Well, she knew Ayr would know, but he seemed occupied with the other kid. A smirk crossed her features as she considered Amara's comment on the panty flashing. "I'm wearing knickers?"

 

[16:19] Ayr Bosatsu ((posts since it's been 8 mins and he fig's P.O don't matter here. )) leans over when she does to listen attentively. "Mm..I like meatballs and spaghetti, though I don't make a very good one." His head tilted towards Leigh, realizing he'd almost seen her underwear before scrabbling off. "..Battle Axe is calling," he muttered to Sally and pressed his hands onto the table. "Sáte do.." Dusting off his hands he'd bow to the child, "I really appreciate the Cake. Thank you for thinking of me and giving me it. I'll set up a tab here for you so you can get free nomz whenever you need it. Feel I owe you that much, 'N here's my number if you get a phone and you need some help cha," and thus he did meander back to his chair with a thunk, leaving behind his calling card. A piece of paper with a goofy looking Fox and his number.

 

[16:20] Amara giggled at Ayr. "All that commotion for a hat?" She knew she probably should not sound so surprised; it's Ayr after all. "It's your second leg? Maybe you should see Imrie or the folks at Straylight for a stronger limb, Nik." She glanced back to Leigh, leaned over to check, then asked, "Black...silk or satin I think. Are my eyes mistaken then?" Amara had seen Leigh in less so this hardly bugged her. "You're closer to the tomboy side of the scale than the overly girl side, Leigh. Still wearing skirts and other feminine attire, so calling you a tomboy outright isn't correct, but you aren't walking about half nude."

Left-hand one is misbehaving. Right-hand one is better.

 

So that's annoying. New machine, set up with Marlin on RAMPS, the z-axis was always on (so the motors weren't released between layers). I thought that wasn't a bad idea, but it turns out that driving two motors (the z motors) continuously makes the stepper drivers go up to 110C, and they do a thermal cutout. Or at least, that's what it seems like. It manifests as the motors just not moving. When doing a "move 10mm" on the z-axis, it'll move, then just pause for a couple of seconds, before coming back on.

 

I have changed the row #define DISABLE_Z false in Marlin (Configuration) to true, and so it goes off between layers. I don't really trust microsteps to pickup where they left off, but at least it can print now. Also am going to add a fan to the electronics.

Milano, Corso di Porta Ticinese.

Oh, so' proprio avanti eh.

I have some problems on my MacBook Pro. So I can't visit your photostream. I'll come back a few days later.

問題が発生したため、解決のため少し留守にします。

 

OSを10.6（Snow Leopard)にアップグレード→ユーティリティ関係など、いくつか動かないソフトがあることが判明（確認不足でした）→Time Machineを使って10.5にダウングレード→音楽ファイル、ビデオファイル、オンラインソフトをため込んだフォルダは容量が多いからバックアップの対象から外していたことを寝床に入ってから思い出す（ビデオだけは直前に別にバックアップしていた）→オンラインソフトのフォルダを以前に環境移行したPowerBookから移そうとするが、マシン自体が起動せず（泣）→内蔵ハードディスクを取り出して手元にあったHDケースに入れて外付け化することでフォルダを取り出すことに成功→音楽ファイルはiPodから吸い出そうとするが、初めに使ったフリーウェアは不安定なため、途中で断念→シェアウェアを購入してようやく取り出すことに成功→しかしiTunesにファイルが二重で登録されてしまったため、現在一方を取り除く作業をしているところ

 

以上、自分のミスとマシン等のトラブルのため、今週一杯ぐらいFlickrはお休みします。

 

なお、10.6とソフトとの互換性一覧のあるサイトを見つけたので、載せておきます。

10.6 Compatibility

英語版と日本語版とでは違う可能性もありますが、ご参考のため。

 

For great photographs and the low down on the G20 Summit, Protests and Demonstrations visit www.ravishlondon.com/g20

 

The world faces a problem: recession and a spiraling fall in trade. The Economist puts it like this, “Trade is contracting again, at a rate unmatched in the post-war period. This week the World Trade Organisation (WTO) predicted that the volume of global merchandise trade would shrink by 9% this year. This will be the first fall in trade flows since 1982. Between 1990 and 2006 trade volumes grew by more than 6% a year, easily outstripping the growth rate of world output, which was about 3% (see chart 1). Now the global economic machine has gone into reverse: output is declining and trade is tumbling at a faster pace. The turmoil has shaken commerce in goods of all sorts, bought and sold by rich and poor countries alike.” According to the Economist, “The immediate cause of shrinking trade is plain: global recession means a collapse in demand. The credit crunch adds an additional squeeze, thanks to an estimated shortfall of $100 billion in trade finance, which lubricates 90% of world trade.”

According to the Guardian, “On Thursday 2 April Gordon Brown is going to host the G20 summit in London. Leaders from 22 countries will be at the summit. The G20 is an organisation for finance ministers and central bankers, who in the past met once a year to discuss international cooperation in finance. There are 19 countries who are members: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. The 20th member is the European Union, which is represented by whichever country holds the EU presidency (currently, it's the Czech Republic). These countries represent 90% of global GDP, 80% of world trade and two thirds of the world's population. The IMF and the World Bank also attend G20 meetings, although technically the London event isn't a normal G20 meeting.”

This G20 meeting will be for the leaders of all G20 countries. According to the Guardian the policy agenda developed by the last G20 meeting “did not in fact go much beyond pre-existing international initiatives that had recently been developed in more technocratic international bodies.” According to the Guardian, “On the London summit website, the British government has explained what it hopes to achieve. At the summit, countries need to come together to enhance global coordination in order to help restore global economic growth. World leaders must make three commitments:

• First, to take whatever action is necessary to stabilise financial markets and enable families and businesses to get through the recession.

• Second, to reform and strengthen the global financial and economic system to restore confidence and trust.

• Third, to put the global economy on track for sustainable growth.

Gordon Brown has argued that the world must avoid protectionism. According to the Economist, “The World Bank says that, since the G20 leaders last met in November in Washington, DC, 17 of their countries have restricted trade. Some have raised tariffs, as Russia did on second-hand cars and India did on steel. Citing safety, China has banned imports of Irish pork and Italian brandy. Across the world, there has been a surge in actions against “dumping”—the sale of exports, supposedly at a loss, in order to undermine the competition. Governments everywhere are favouring locally made goods.” The Economist also says, “Kei-Mu Yi, an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, argues that trade has fallen so fast and so uniformly around the world largely because of the rise of “vertical specialisation”, or global supply chains. This contributed to trade’s rapid expansion in recent decades. Now it is adding to the rate of shrinkage. When David Ricardo argued in the early 19th century that comparative advantage was the basis of trade, he conceived of countries specialising in products, like wine or cloth. But Mr Yi points out that countries now specialise not so much in final products as in steps in the process of production.”

Protectionism in itself sounds bad – but it is a policy option available and used in all political economies – including the most liberal. Protectionism can also lead to a more self-sustainable economy, and can lead to the internal development of an economy, which means the economy is less reliant and dependent on external sources of finance. Development will be slower, but it can be more secure and sustainable. It is likely that if countries do operate protectionist policies it will be a short-term opportunist and populist response to workers and unions, but it could be seen as an alternative economic model of development. It worked in Brazil and Argentina during the 1960s and 1970s for a while, until a more neo-liberal and external finance model was preferred.

The Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was reported on Channel 4 News to have told Mr Brown the crisis was caused by "white blue eyed people". This overtly racist remark has been noted, but there has been no visible backlash. It is interesting how the whole agenda about racism never applies to the dominant one, i.e. you can racially slur white people, and white people with blue eyes without anyone batting an eye lid, whereas if you racially slur other ethnic groups you can find yourself battered. I find this state of affairs deeply offensive to the human race in general, and very patronizing to those groups who don’t come from the dominant ethnic group (i.e. its almost to say the whole anti-racist thing is a way of patting you on the head and saying there, there – because when it comes to racism we don’t really give a shit – see the way we couldn’t give a f*** if you slur our own dominant white ethnic group).

The reality is that the summit will represent a reshuffling of position, support and dependencies between the world’s twenty richest countries. Spectators are expecting China to come out feeling puffed up and proud, given that China has faired relatively in recent years, or so we are led to believe. Meanwhile national demonstrations seem to be focusing our attention to the fact that a different way of working is needed. In fact it will be work as usual – the question is who will come out on top.

In anticipation of the G20 summit a demonstration was held in London. 10,000 were predicted to attend the demonstrations. The police reported 35,000. I was there at the demonstration and I don’t believe I saw 35,000 people walk past Big Ben – and I saw it from start to finish. As one commentator, on the Guardian observed, “Apart from the small contingent of student SWP calling 'One solution, Revolution' and about 20 anarchists making noise the spirit was generally depressed and lacking any anger or sense of direction.” Cognitator joked, “Perhaps the police were adding their number to the protesters. As opposed to taking them away as per usual.”

According to the Guardian, “The Put People First march yesterday was organised by a collaboration of more than 100 trade unions, church groups and charities including ActionAid, Save the Children and Friends of the Earth. The theme was "jobs, justice and climate" and the message was aimed at the world leaders who will be gathering for the G20 summit here this week.”

The march started on the Embankment. When I arrived there I walked around desperately finding somewhere where I could have a piss for free. I tried Starbucks and Costa Cofee, but they seemed to have no toilets, I even tried the stamp collectors fayre a subterranean culture of badly dressed old people, with poor eyesight and even worse posture, which was momentary distraction from my full bladder, but which did not provide the answer to my pressing problem as the toilet door was locked and for staff only. Stephen Moss writing for the Guardian said, “Westminster is not a great place for someone like me, who has a weak bladder, to go on a march. The public loos there cost an outrageous 50p a go. The Socialist Worker magazine-seller next to Embankment tube station is on to this in a flash. "50p to have a piss – a lesson in capitalism," he is soon shouting. Later, I'm pleased to see someone has punched a hole in the wooden sign advertising the price.” In the end I walked all the way to the National Portrait Gallery where you can always be assured a good quality toilet seat.

The Guardian continued, “The marchers, estimated at 35,000 by police, accompanied by brass bands and drummers and a colourful assortment of banners and flags, walked the four miles from Embankment to Hyde Park, where speeches from comedian Mark Thomas and environmental campaigner Tony Juniper, and music from the Kooks, made for a party-like atmosphere.”

The Guardian reported, “A group of fewer than 200 anarchists joined the march and were kept isolated and surrounded by police. Chants of "Burn the bankers!" were the closest anyone came to any show of aggression.’ Yes I witnessed this, it was clear that the anarchists, dressed in black, some of them with scarves covering their faces, generally looked cool as fuck, like some post-nuclear vigilante gang, their black signifying the dark depressing reality from which humanity starts, and the point from which they wish to depart. Whether the police presence was heavy is debatable but they certainly had a line of police accompanying them, whereas no other group were honored with such a presence. Of the anarchists Stephen Moss says, “I fall in with some anarchists halfway through the march – a delightful young Greek called Alex and an Italian, who is happy to talk about Bakunin, but is, I sense, a little suspicious of me. The anarchists march together – with the police flanking them in a way they don't with the rest of the march – and I am intrigued that they never shout slogans or bang drums. Their mission is a serious one.” Moss goes on, “Alex tells me a reporter from the Sunday Times has already approached him to ask why anarchists wear masks. "Work it out for yourself – you're a journalist," he'd told him. "People always ask why we wear masks; they never ask about our ideology," he complains. In essence, that ideology is: power corrupts; all elites will be corrupt; so government should be by the people, for the people – a mass movement of the type they claim is emerging in South America. Hezbollah is also mentioned favourably, a movement they see as developing organically. "Organic" is a key word for anarchists, and it would save a lot of aggro and bad press if they were called organicists rather than anarchists.” Good point. But who wants to be called an organicist? And in any case everything is organic really – its just that some organisms develop in a way we or anarchists done like and some do. To call anarchists, organic is to miss the point, anarachists are like Christian, they dream of a reality which transcends human nature as it is and known. Structure, corruption, self-interest and greed underpin all human activity – the question is not how we can do away with it, but how can we manage it in a fair way.

Stephen Moss wrote about the variety of organizations on the march. He said, “Socialist Worker has a three-point strategy: "Seize their wealth," "Stamp out poverty," "End all wars." Sounds good, but I can't work out exactly who "their" refers to. The Socialist party is hot on slogans, colder on the mechanism by which they are put into practice. The likely outcome to the current crisis still appears to be government by Etonians.” Most of these movements are nothing to do with instituting political change. The people involved in them do not want to genuinely change things. Instead what these groups function as is self-help groups for people, for whatever reason, feel that they have been wronged in life, probably at a personal level, and feeling quite hopeless about their personal wrongs, they want to transpose their personal woe on to a faceless, unintelligible other – the government, the state, the capitalist, the rich and the greedy. Its not so much that socialist workers and anarchists want to change things, they know they are completely ineffectual, and too screwed up and traumatized, too aggressive, unintelligent and incapable of engaging people into a different way of organizing; they just want to shout out to people ‘we hurt’. Fair enough.

The TUC don’t seem to be turning up to do anything more than saying ‘there there’ to threatened workers, and stating the downright bloody obvious to the government. Their message is “The importance of this summit cannot be underestimated. Unemployment and deprivation will grow massively over the next two years unless governments work together. People need to know that there is an international solution to this crisis. If the summit suggests that there is not, many will turn to nationalist and protectionist politics with all that implies for the global economy and world peace.” Mind you they do go on to say that, “But while the immediate response to the crisis will be at the forefront of the leaders' minds, the unprecedented Put People First coalition shows there is a huge appetite for a new economic direction. Thirty years of the increasing dominance of the neo-liberal agenda has got us into this mess. The summit must show that the next 30 years need to be about a renewed era of economic growth based on a much fairer share of the proceeds. One that is environmentally sustainable and one that does not end in the burst of yet another financial bubble.” But what are they really saying? Nothing much.

There is of course something about how all of this is just about having a laugh, getting a kick, getting an emotional fix. There’s something very similar to the way that some of the more violent groups get ready for a rumble with the police and football hooliganism. Football hooligans are much more honest about the emotional kick they get from fighting. The protestors pretend that they are doing it for the people. Whatever the so called reasons, it is clear that a lot of protestors enjoy confrontation. They are much more focused on the enemy and combating the enemy than they are on creating peaceful societies. So Stephen Moss makes the interesting observation, “When the march eventually gets to Hyde Park, the anarchists refuse to join the "TUC bureaucrats" for the official rally and hold their own open-platform meeting at Speakers' Corner, dominated by elderly men in hats who talk less about Bakunin than about beating up the BNP and confronting the police on the streets of Whitechapel. It's all a bit depressing (and expletive-filled – I take serious exception to the denunciation of "Oxbridge cunts"), though I like the fact that the elderly men refuse even to use a megaphone – only the ordinary human voice is organic enough.” The media and police have both hyped the April 2009 marches as like the possible end of the British way of life, of democracy, of capitalism. Nothing could be further from the truth, but its like we all want to will it to happen – we all are looking for excitement – war may be bad but peace is fucking boring – I once read.

The Guardian also reported, “Thomas told the Observer he believed the protest marked "the start of a grassroots movement". He added: "This is a moment. This is the first time people have had a chance to come out on to the streets in a big way." But this is nonsense. This was just an opportunity for a plethora of groups, amongst whom there are more differences, and the only thing that can unite them is a general concern for jobs, justice and climate, which incidentally are three themes that unite most of the country, and all the main political parties, to catch the government at a weak moment, and hope to build up support for whatever cause they have, on the back of the anger and desperation amongst people at this time.

The protest ended up in Hyde Park. I didn’t go, it was too cold and rainy, and although I did aim to walk there via a short-cut through Victoria, I ended up taking refuge in Westminster Cathedral, where I saw another procession, of Catholic priests and altar boys, who were holding a service for the Union of Catholic Mothers. I listened to the Catholic priests, they sounded much more happy and at peace with themselves and their surroundings, than the rankerous socialist bile spitting leaders.

People are blaming the bankers, but there is in actual fact no-one to blame for this. The this needs to be qualified too. The ‘this’ is the fact that people are loosing their jobs, consumption will have to be reduced. It is ironic that it is precisely that people are facing the prospect of lower consumption that they are out on the streets protesting against greedy bankers, it is not so much the greed of the bankers that people resent, so much as the increased consuming power of the bankers that they are envious of. The bankers are not to blame for working within a system, which promoted risky investments, a system which was encouraged and deregulated by politicians who realized that whilst the bubble was growing there were huge financial gains to be made from encouraging bankers to reap the rewards both for themselves but through the state through taxation, and politicians who were encouraged by the people who voted them in, who probably formed the majority of people marching in demonstration and protest today, who voted in the governments believing the deregulation of banks not to be a serious enough issue to vote against a government for, and realizing that even if it was a risk, whilst the bubble was growing, they were happy enough to see their elected government ensuring that the country got a share of the pie. We all contributed to this fucking mess – if you can call it a mess – its only a mess for those who no longer have jobs and cannot consume so much – by voting in the government, who deregulated the banks and encouraged the lending of our money several times over to riskier and riskier ventures which in actual fact were not producing anything of material benefit, but were instead relying on house prices going up and up, as more people poured their money into it. Now we are in deep shit, because Gordon Brown has poured what little remaining money we have, and we have on credit into the black hole – it has simply disappeared.

There are some people who are saying the bankers should pay for the crisis they created. It doesn’t work like that – it works by people putting their money into a bank – and entrusting the bank to invest it wisely. Where the bank looses the money – the original investor looses the money. This creates a motivation on behalf of the investor to invest wisely, e.g. on the basis of what we know right now investing in Barclays rather than Lloyds TSB or the Royal Bank of Scotland. However reality begins to change once one’s livelihood is threatened – now it is solely the banker’s responsibility to have invested the money wisely, the public who invest their money into the banks are seen to be helpless, powerless twits, whose securities should have been looked after by a paternalistic and caring banking sector. So for example, according to Fox New, “Berlin police estimated that around 10,000 people gathered in front of the capital's city hall and more than 1,000 in Frankfurt, Germany's banking capital, for similar demonstrations under the slogan: "We won't pay for your crisis." Its not a crisis – its just that there are now lots of personal crises – the public didn’t bother to check whether their banks were investing their money properly or wisely and now they are paying for it. But the banks aren’t responsible for this – they really aren’t.

We have two problems. The first was created by the fact that banks lent out our money several times over – so we thought the country was several times as wealthy as it actually was. This led to inflationary pressures especially in the housing market – where the same money was lent to several different people – all investing in housing leading to unrealistic housing prices. We now realize we have a fraction of the wealth we thought we had. This creates deflationary pressures – i.e. where everyone has less money prices are reduced. This problem can be solved by creating a soft deflationary landing to a level where the price of labor and goods reflects the value of the money we have not the value of the money we have and we loaned. This means everyone has to accept lower wages – we can either do this peacefully based around a consensus and agreement between corporations, banks, trade unions or governments – or we can do it aggressively – letting perfectly good companies whose workers refuse to take pay cuts go to the wall – and then watch as millions of unemployed people try to reform and reorganize new companies and enterprises.

 

The second problem is that banks are no longer making such risky investments – so they are not looking to lend their money on to others – which means there is less money to be lent to people – which means less activity and less economy. We have to get used to less activity – but at least the activity will be invested in activities which are genuinely producing material benefit for people – not leading to an apparent generation of wealth – which is the artificial effect of lending x amount of money to people ten times, making it seem that we are ten times as rich as previously – when actual fact we are equally as wealthy – but with prices ten times as high. We should have also let the banks go to the wall – and started again with a heavily regulated banking sector – which was not allowed to lend out peoples’ money irresponsibly. No-one wants to have to feel the pain from this – i.e. the rich bankers who keep their pensions and bonuses, the people who have banked with them who want to keep their savings, and the businesses who are funded by the banks who want to hang on to their business and jobs. So what Gordon Brown is doing, is in the name of the people, funneling money into the banking system, paying for the debts, and thus, keeping the bankers sweet, keeping the investors sweet, keeping the businesses sweet. Who looses out? All of us – the poor! They never really had anything to loose in the first place, however whilst Gordon Brown borrows money to give to the banks so they can lend to businesses and pay bankers bonuses and salaries, we move a step closer to becoming bankrupt – i.e. not being able to borrow any more money because no-one believes we can pay it back. Once we become bankrupt, social services and welfare will be cut.

According to Gaby Hinsliff, “Many economists believe a recovery now requires bursting that artificial bubble and rebalancing the economy so that Chinese consumers are encouraged spend a little more - reducing America's trade deficit - and Americans a little less. Malloch Brown suggests Britons, too, will need to relearn the art of saving.”

According to the Guardian, “But Scotland Yard is expecting a greater challenge on Wednesday 1 April, dubbed "Financial Fools Day", with a series of protests aiming to cause disruption in the Square Mile and elsewhere.” The Guardian says, “On 1 April an alliance of anti-capitalist groups called G20 Meltdown is organising a carnival headed by "Four Horsefolk of the Apocalypse", which will converge in front of the Bank of England. Anarchists are planning to target the second day of the summit at ExCel. Other groups mounting demonstrations include Climate Camp, the Stop the War Coalition, and Government of the Dead. An alternative summit will be held a few hundred yards from the ExCel centre at the University of East London.”

The alternative G20 summit website provides the following manifesto: Can we oust the bankers from power? Can we get rid of the corrupt politicians in their pay? Can we guarantee everyone a job, a home, a future? Can we establish government by the people, for the people, of the people? Can we abolish all borders and be patriots for our planet? Can we all live sustainably and stop climate chaos? Can we make capitalism history? YES WE CAN!

According to the Daily Telegraph, “The G20 conference will lead to a London "lockdown" next week, with parks, roads and businesses closed to keep world leaders safe, Government officials are warning.” The media are really building this up, as an attempt to build readership and sell advertising. Its interesting how a force created by the desire to advertise and promote consumption causes papers to distort and promote a threat and confrontation to the very system upon which it is built. The Daily Telegraph article continues, “Protesters with armed with buckets and spades are among several thousand people who are planning to bring chaos to the heart of central London.Last night it emerged that City workers were being advised to "dress down" next week to avoid drawing attention to themselves.”

To anyone really wanting revolution bear in mind these words from Stephen Moss, “Changing society is hard, and usually starts with a split in the elite. The English civil war and the French revolution both began with a fissure in the governing classes; their falling-out created the space for populist movements to develop. For a grassroots movement to effect change is enormously difficult. It was only possible in Russia in 1917 because of the devastation wrought by war.”

The reality of the demo was perhaps best summer up by ‘one789’ who said, “My experience of the demo, in talking to people and observing, is that no one had any real clue of why they were there. They recognise 'blame the bankers' to be futile and a distraction, think capitalism 'is rubbish' and 'want change', but say nothing beyond that.I at least expected a high degree of frustration and anger, but more than anything what came across was disillusionment and confusion. But then, that's what you get I suppose from such a middle-class yummy-mummy bleeding-heart rally.”

As rabbit95 said, “Be glad we live in a society free enough to protest and where, apart from the police possibly taping your presence at such a demo, there will be no comeback.”

www.g20.org/

www.londonsummit.gov.uk/en/summit-aims/summit-progress/

www.altg20.org.uk/

www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13362...

www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13362027

www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/29/g20-protests-london

www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2009/mar/28/g20-protest-...

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/video/2009/mar/28/g20-su...

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/mar/28/g20-protest

www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/29/g20-summit-globalisa...

www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/mar/25/g20-q-a

news.google.co.uk/news?q=G20+summit+London+2009&oe=ut...

www.londonsummit.gov.uk/en/

www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/g20-summit/5050...

www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/29/g20-summit

www.londonsummit.gov.uk/en/global-update/cp-china/active-...

www.londonsummit.gov.uk/en/summit-aims/summit-progress/qu...

www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/domestic_politics...

www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_pol...

  

For great photographs and the low down on the G20 Summit, Protests and Demonstrations visit www.ravishlondon.com/g20

  

New Agent, New Problems (122)

This photo shot with my 1960's vintage Zenza Bronica S2A on Ilford film. Photo taken at Fish Lake in the mountains above Whitehorse, Southern Yukon.

 

Unfortunately, unbenownst to me, the old Bronica camera was suffering from a shutter problem. This is one of only two unaffected shots from the roll of 12. Each succeeding image had more and more of the frame cut off at the top. The following roll was even worse, and then the camera locked up completely.

 

If anyone out there has experience with this sort of issue on the S2/S2A, perhaps you could offer some suggestions in the comments, below? It really is a shame because, as you can see, this camera is capable of taking some striking images, and other than the shutter issue, it's a beautiful unit in mint condition.

One of two ex-Witchway Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Gemini's which are based over at this end of the Transdev Blazefield network and wearing Pride of the North livery is PJ05 ZWL which is at York station on the summer-only X43 to Leeds. This and 2764 are usually based at York but can swap between here and malton as and when required.

 

The start of July saw the peak season Coastliner timetable come into effect, however unlike in previous years the additional vehicle requirement fell not on Malton but on York. This is in order to run the limited stop journeys X40 and X43 which have been branded as Coastliner Express - but in another change is that the routes have been changed on both counts. Between Leeds and York the services are very similar to Cityzap in that aside from Seacroft they run non-stop not calling at Tadcaster or Copmanthorpe; then the route through and out of York is the same as before along Malton Road and not serving Stockton on the Forest. The next key change is that neither service calls at Malton, running around the town on the bypass instead - which for anybody who has travelled through the town on a morning will know that bypassing it saves a significant amount of time.

 

The X40 comes off the A64 at the Eden Camp junction whereby it then serves the attraction as well as close to Flamingoland before going on to Pickering where the next new change is, as the new X40 does not serve Thornton le Dale or Goathland and inatsead goes straight up the A169 - which means the X40 serves a different stop to the 840 which stops on the A170; unlike what the timetable states which once again is a misprint (an amazing misprint) the X40 stops close to pickering NYMR station. Once at Whitby the bus parks up for a few hours and the driver has a day at the beach before bringing everybody back again, almost like a coach operators' daytrip..... meanwhile further back the X43 carries on as usual along the A64 to Scarborough rail station, but then carries on to Filey and Bridlington taking the place of the discontinued 845 service which in recent months has been the sacrificial lamb of the Coastliner network when there haven't been enough buses available due to the 845 having been cut back to little more than a shuttle from Malton anyway - now there is only one Coastliner bus per day to Bridlington and it doesn't even wear Coastliner livery normally. This can all be traced back to the decision to purchase Volvo B5TL's for Coastliner after little more than a week with a demonstrator vehicle, and even that was just one of two vehicles tried after the company weren't interested in trialling the ADL product at the time on the Coastliner network. Trials on the 36 route had included products from ADL, Wright and Volvo and generally showed the ADL gained the best passenger feedback including for its ability to climb Harewood bank, whilst the Volvo B5TL was deemed to struggle the most up the hill - yet the decision (out of the hands of the individual depots) was made to purchase the Volvo product; meanwhile the super-light Optare product didn't even get a look in despite the company being a big buyer of other products from he manufacturer. Right from the get-go the B5TL's have had problems with Coastliner from leaking sunshine roofs, then starter motors have failed, and more recently there have been total engine failures as pistons have broken through their casing. This has meant vehicles suddenly being out of use for a significant period of time, and there have been cases where the same 845 journey hasn't run for a week because there simply weren't enough vehicles. The CEO of the company won't even venture to malton depot to discuss these problems, though a further 3 B5TL's are due for delivery in September; and following similar problems with the vehicles of the same type at Harrogate Volvo have now decided to undertake full engine replacements under warranty of most of the batch both at Harrogate and Malton. Obviously this means that vehicles will be taken away from Malton in order to undertake this work, so obviously nobody would then make a decision to further reduce how many vehicles are allocated to the depot because that would be crazy..... meanwhile this extra work means York currently has 4 non-zap double deckers with both 2763 and 2764 being joined by 421 from Burnley (originally a Coastliner) and a vehicle from Harrogate which would initially be 404 (ex-Coastliner) then an ex-Midlands President, then also being joined by 440 (also ex-Coastliner)

The problem with painting a car gold is that when it begins to fade or in the wrong weather conditions it does start to look a bit off, I've seen one's before now which almost look Olive Green!

 

The second and final generation of the Silver Shadow, the Shadow II was built primarily to abide by the stringent American road safety legislation that was enacted in the 1970's. Chrome bumpers were replaced by composite, the ditch lights had to be positioned at a certain height (in this case underneath the bumper) and there were various other modifications made internally to make the car acceptable for the US market.

 

Many of these developments however were done as part of testbed schemes in the design of the newer Silver Spirit range that was being worked on throughout the late 1970's, added to with many design features found in the Camargue and in 1980 this combination came together to form the replacement for the 15 year old Shadow range.

Slept hard. No bug problems to speak of. Fan room was actually quite nice temp wise. Sometimes the AC around Thailand can get pretty damn cold.

 

Showered, Packed, and made it downstairs for eggs and toast and coffee for breakfast (included with room).

 

Talked with the staff about all the best places to visit. They offer bike rentals, but I didn't want to worry about having a bike.

 

Walked from hotel to Wat Ratchaburana where I was accosted by a TukTuk driving trying to take me on a tour. He was a little seedy, so I politely declined slash walked away while he was still talking because they don't take no for an answer.

 

After I got my ticket (20 Baht) I met a nice guy who spoke good english. He told me about all the best temples and showed me by pointing at some post cards. Turned out he was also a TukTuk driver looking to take me on a tour. I said I would think about it and if he was still there when I got back we'd talk more.

 

Inside was pretty fucking epic. Super old ruins. Not an active temple. No railing. No guards. You could go anywhere and just be, and look around. I loved how they would put the Buddha pieces back together since they'd been destroyed.

 

Climbed to the top and found a staircase that led down inside.... CREEPY dark cave deep inside the temple. Don't go in if you are claustrophobic ! It was very interesting though. There were frescos on the walls in the TINY room at the base of the STEEP stairs.

 

As I left I met up with the TukTuk guy again, and we agreed on a tour and route. We were off. I paid 300 Baht an hour, which is higher than average, but I read some good advice somewhere in my travel research: Bargaining is about paying the right price for you, not the cheapest, or "local" price.

 

First up was Wat Kudidao which was free, and super cool. Parts were flooded, and there was elephant poo everywhere because part of one of the elephant ride tours goes though this temple.

 

Then my driver convinced me to see the elephants. I wasn't super keen on it, but he said it was close and just walk in a take a photo and leave, you don't have to pay, or ride. So I agreed. It was both awesome and depressing. Saw elephants, and a tiger. But they didn't have the best conditions so I was very uncomfortable. Snapped a photo and left.

 

Next to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon. A big temple with a huge reclining Buddha. An active working temple - so there were a TON more people. I wasn't as trilled by the temple, the highlight was a group of Thai students learning English.

 

They had an interview sheet, and as part of some assignment had to introduce themselves to foreigners and conduct a conversation in English. It was hilarious to see some of their instructs and questions were written with horrid grammar.

 

It was super fun, and they were all nice. Afterwards they asked for a photo with me, and then gave me a souvenir (little elephant and tuktuk magnet) as a thank you.

 

Next was Wat Phanan Choeng with a 19m giant Gold Buddha. Then to Wat na Phra Men which has the only original Buddha statue that wasn't destroyed. Then Wat Phu Khao Thong which is a HUGE while monolith, and lastly my TukTuk driver dropped me at Wat Lokayasutharam which is a large reclining Buddha in ruin.

 

I overpaid for some nice little trinkets from a very sweet crazy Thai lady selling them from her pockets.

 

Afterwards I was to walk to the final Wats... but I was a little disoriented.

 

I cut though a Wat (name unknown) to get over to a main road. It had rained and rained the last few days, so there was lots of mud. Thankfully my day was pretty rain free.

 

I had to meander to avoid the mud, and there were lots of packs of dogs. Not nice dogs. Abused, neglected, street dogs. I'm pretty confident around dogs, so they didn't frighten me. I had noticed someone was also cutting though the same area as me - it was pretty abandoned otherwise. After I passed a nasty looking dog pack I heard barking from behind me.

 

The dogs were zeroing in and surrounding the guy that was behind me. He was freaking out, and going deeper into a wet area. I whipped my bandana at them and yelled "No!" (which I later realized they would have no idea what that meant) and scared them off. But not before one of the dogs made a lunge at the guy and he slipped, fell ass first, and skidded across the mud. Splat.

 

I helped him up, and helped to clean some of the mud off. His name was Ko, a Japanese student on vacation alone, backpacking across Thailand for 2 weeks.

 

We became buddies. He had walked the entire island (it's not really an island, they just call it that) and needed to get back to the train station. He only had one other pair of clothes, poor guy.

 

I was trying to help him find a TukTuk, but none in sight. Asked a guy and he pointed us towards a market. Ko and I had Pad Thai and talked over lunch. I asked a British girl where we were -- she wasn't sure. lol. More Thai girls practicing their English, another interview, photo, and souvenir. This time Ko got to participate, even if his English wasn't that good - I thought it was, but he was self conscious.

 

I found a TukTuk and Ko and I shared it. I got dropped off at another Wat, and he went on to the Train station.

 

Wandered Wat Maha That, took more photos, and then started walking toward the train station. Got turned around and had to ask some Thais from direction. Yay for sign language ;)

 

Bought a coke. Wandered streets. Scared half to death by a Creepy Teddy Bear alone in a Phone Booth. Tuk Tuk drove by - hopped in! He said a Bus was better... and why not.

 

Got to the Bus Station... I hadn't completely zipped up my backpack when I swung it over my shoulder as I climbed out of a Tuk Tuk. Out flew my DSLR camera and landed (50mm f/1.8) lens down in the street. Thankfully the camera body seems to be in working order - just need to find some way to tape the memory card door closed. A spring broke and it won't stay connected. Apparently the door needs to be closed in order for the camera to be turned on.

 

After my camera went flying and some kind people helped me to pick up the pieces, all I could do was smile and shrug. There isn't anything to be done. Live and learn and be happy. Thankfully I have my kit lens for my DSLR and my point and shoot (which I prefer anyway because it's smaller). All is well.(the final photo)

 

The bus was 60 Baht... and an adventure. The driver was CRAZY! Fucking mad-man. Weaving and speeding and cutting off and driving on the median and the shoulder and crossing though the wrong way on connectors. At one point he got pulled over. Slipped the cop some cash, and then speed off again weaving and speeding and cutting off. Crazy.

 

Made it to Victory Monument BTS station (Bus station in Bangkok) and got on the BTS Skytrain... going the wrong direction. Transferred to MRT and took Subway to Silom. I could have gone back to hotel, but thought that if I did, I wouldn’t leave again tonight. Got a 2 hours massage, and then dinner, and a slice of cheesecake.

 

Took motorbike back to hotel and crashed.

Problem Evaluation & Prioritization

Problem areas are evaluated and ranked for each mission. Prioritization uses a needs-based approach which addresses worst problems first.

 

ROME ARCHEOLOGY: "The Tragedy of Line C: The World's Great Cities Have a Monumental Problem. By Building for the Future, Must They Erase the Past?" World Policy Journal 27, no. 4 (2010): 49-58.

 

Fonti / source:

Amanda Ruggeri. "The Tragedy of Line C: The World's Great Cities Have a Monumental Problem. By Building for the Future, Must They Erase the Past?" World Policy Journal 27, no. 4 (2010): 49-58.

findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb6669/is_4_27/ai_n5657739... (accessed May 1, 2012).

 

Foto: ROMA, Largo Lorenzo Perosi - Via Giulia. in: GOOGLE / MAPS (05/2012 [date 2010-11?]).

maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

_______________

ROMA ARCHEOLOGIA - Roma. Centro Storico. Largo Lorenzo Perosi - Via Giulia. Indagine archeologica preventiva all’autorizzazione del P.U.P. n. 138

(2009 – 2010 in corso). SSBAR / Roma (05/2012).

archeoroma.beniculturali.it/attivita/scavi/scavo-largo-pe...

 

Diario dello scavo archeologico:

archeoroma.beniculturali.it/node/388

Marzo 2009

Luglio 2009

Settembre 2009

Marzo 2010

Giugno 2010

Settembre 2011

________________

  

ROME - All roads leading to Rome are measured from a patch of grass in the middle of Piazza Venezia. Overlooking the square, a 400-foot monument celebrates the reunification of Italy. It was here, at the piazza, that Mussolini hung over a balcony and declared, to the electrified crowds below, a new Italian empire. Both the republican and imperial forums, with their triumphal arches and ruined temples, stand a few steps away. And at the end of the road leading southeast from the piazza, against the sky, looms the Colosseum.

 

But something else in the corner of this historic city center illustrates the spirit of a place enamored with the old while striving for the new--a metro stop turned excavation site.

 

For the past three and a half years, Rome has been building a new subway line underground to link the city's two other underground lines. Instead of skirting the historic center, Line C will drive right through it. The plan is convenient for locals and tourists alike, who currently have to ride the bus or walk to get from, say, the Colosseum to Piazza Navona, a distance of 1.6 miles. But by carving through the underbelly of the centro storico, the line also passes beneath neighborhoods that made up Rome's commercial and political center 2,000 years ago.

 

Most of these ruins--the heart and soul of ancient Rome--are 12 to 35 feet underground. To avoid them, the city planned to dig the subway tunnel nearly 100 feet below street level. However, entrances into the system are problematic. One stop originally planned for Largo Argentina, the site of four Republican temples and the theater where Julius Caesar was murdered, got scrapped. And when preliminary digs found ruins where planners initially wanted a Piazza Venezia metro stop, the city judged the remains so important that the Venezia stop will be built elsewhere.

 

The result? The proposed Line C that was meant to serve the centro storico may make hardly any central stops at all. Some locals aren't happy. "All of Rome has underground archaeological finds. So if we remain prisoners of manic conservationists, we cannot dig anywhere. Farewell subways," Mauro Suttora, an Italian journalist and editor, wrote on his eponymous biog. "A metro without stops--what sense does that make?" asked Mario Staderini, secretary of Italy's Radical Party.

 

Many of Rome's residents aren't surprised by the changes to the subway plan. They know it has to be this way. In a city that's littered with historic sites--the ruins of an empire that once made the Mediterranean into its private lake--the balance between modern development and historical preservation has never been easy. Urban planners and locals alike are used to facing down an increasingly prescient question: How to develop and modernize while still preserving a rich cultural heritage?

 

NOT JUST FOR THE ELITES

 

Without a city's residents fighting to protect their cultural heritage, even the best preservation policies can founder. Given their roots among the educated and wealthier classes, preservationists have had a historically difficult time appealing beyond elites. Many assume that urban preservation is just about aesthetics, an issue for people who don't have to worry about paying their rent or putting food on the table. But urban planners and conservationists insist this is not the case. Preserved buildings and neighborhoods help more than just the upper classes.

 

Some of it is simple math. Since knocking down an old building to build a new one costs money, the investor is faced with the challenge of how to recoup that outlay. A new structure's purpose, therefore, will likely be commercial or residential--in both cases targeting wealthier tenants. "Just using the existing buildings means you can actually afford to have poor people living in them, and that generates greater diversity, greater variety of cultural traditions. That in itself is worth value," says Scan O'Reilly, director of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation in Edinburgh. Historic areas also tend to have a greater variety of buildings, adding to the diversity of uses. This creates a range of professions and classes coming together, all making for a vibrant neighborhood.

 

On a practical note, older structures tend to be built to last. Take the trend of placing "maintenance-free" plastic windows in an 18th-century building that always used glass. The plastic windows cost less, but their lifespan is often 20 years at most, whereas the glass, if maintained correctly, could last for centuries. Old buildings are "green," particularly their thick stone walls doubling as natural insulation. Even compared to sustainable architecture, some old buildings come out ahead, particularly when you factor in the cost of bulldozing one building, trucking its materials to the landfill and replacing it with a new structure.

 

The least tangible reasons for preservation, though, might be the most important--primarily, historians say, the cultural and social aspects. "A sense of place is critical to a healthy community. So much 'sense of place' comes out of the built environment that we inhabit," says Don Linebaugh, director of the University of Maryland architectural school's historic preservation program. "So it's a form of identity, both personal and political and national...and [it] can have a huge impact on the way we live our lives."

 

INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGES

 

In the past few decades, archaeological remains and historic sites have faced ever larger, seemingly unstoppable threats that can destroy old neighborhoods faster than any amount of water seepage. These new dangers include rapid urbanization, uncontrolled development and invasive tourism. And they all are rooted in the same modern phenomenon--globalization. Every city on earth now takes part in the world economy, and historic cities are particularly vulnerable to the real estate and tourism markets. Even in cities like Rome, where urban residents want to protect their cultural heritage, historic buildings are under threat. Residents enjoy increasingly less power over how their cities look and function.

 

These are relentless pressures, and conservationists hasten to argue that they aren't fighting simply to freeze cities in time. Instead, they use the catchphrase "controlled change." Controlled change means avoiding unregulated, rapid development. As long as development occurs--and, to keep a city thriving, it should--investors and urban planners need to pay close attention to how new structures fit in with the rest of the city. Instead of knocking down an old neighborhood to build a strip mall, for example, old buildings could be carefully repurposed to provide more shops.

 

Yet viewing urban development through the lens of preservation, while trying to wed both efforts, is relatively new and quite tricky. After all, it's not enough to have a perfectly preserved 14th-century church if its surrounding medieval neighborhoods are being razed to build skyscrapers. Nor is it a job well done to keep a medieval neighborhood, but squeeze out the residents and businesses that give it character. It's a fine balance--keeping a city modern, but not over-commercialized; preserved, but not Disneyfied.

 

"Cities are living bodies," says Lodovico Folin-Calabi, program specialist at the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. "You can't freeze them into museums, and you can't prevent development. What you can do is put together a platform of good principles."

 

International associations like UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee are adapting solutions against increasingly global urban challenges. The World Heritage Committee is compiling a new list of recommendations for cities, Folin-Calabi says. This "toolkit," set to be adopted in 2011, will update a set of 1976 recommendations. The new list aims to help cities balance preservation with development.

 

The United Nations created the World Heritage Committee, the most influential international preservation agency, in 1972 in reaction to two major threats. The first was Egypt's plan to build the Aswan High Dam, which would have flooded the Abu Simbel valley along with its 3,000-year-old Temple of Ramses II and 2,000-year-old Sanctuary of Isis. UNESCO launched an $80 million campaign in 1959 to move the temples higher to dry ground. The second threat was flooding that nearly destroyed Venice in 1966. Again, UNESCO stepped in. Six years later, the Heritage Convention was adopted.

 

All 187 countries that signed the convention promise to conserve their cultural heritage--buildings or sites deemed to be of "outstanding universal value" from a historic, artistic or scientific point of view. Properties selected by the committee's panel of experts, one from each of the 21 different member states, are placed on the World Heritage list. There are 911 World Heritage properties today, including 250 in urban areas. Signatory nations have access to the World Heritage Fund, which provides restoration and preservation assistance. Just $4 million is available annually, but the visibility as a World Heritage site can attract funds from other national and international organizations.

 

Listed sites also have to submit any major development projects to the committee for analysis. If the committee decides the project is detrimental to the site's "outstanding universal value," it can be removed from the list. This might seem a small price to pay for a billion-dollar development contract, but urban planners and preservationists argue that the system can work. "The World Heritage Committee is acting like a schoolmaster," says Francois Vigier, president of the nonprofit Institute of International Development, which researches urban development in emerging economies. "That's a very healthy relationship," he adds.

 

Vigier points to the case of Old Damascus, a World Heritage site in Syria. In 2007, the local government announced it would redevelop Damascus' ancient center. Plans included turning King Faisal Street, a road dating back to the 8th century, into a 130-foot-wide highway, destroying shops and homes along the way. Preservationists, along with the local media, erupted in protest.

 

So did the World Heritage Committee. Although the street would run outside the walled city center--and, therefore, outside of official World Heritage-listed property--the committee's experts saw the neighborhood as a "buffer zone" around the Old City. Undermining the historical character of that district, they argued, would irreversibly damage the city's cultural value. And, they added, the larger suburban area is linked inextricably to the World Heritage-listed Old City because of the neighborhoods' shared histories, architecture, social patterns and commercial activities.

 

After the committee threatened to delist the Old City if development continued apace, plans to change King Faisal Street were withdrawn. But another project to dig up Damascus' oldest road, the Via Recta, to update its sewer system, continued--destroying the Roman columns that lined the street and triggering the collapse of several houses. Although the committee demanded Damascus run archaeological impact assessments before continuing, the damage had already been done.

 

By contrast, that same year, construction began on a four-lane, 2,100 foot bridge across the Elbe River in Dresden, Germany. Supporters, including the municipality itself, said the bridge was necessary to ease traffic congestion. Opponents said it would damage the ecology of the area and spoil the beauty of the Elbe River Valley. Negotiations stalled. In 2009, the World Heritage Committee pulled the Elbe Valley from its list. The bridge remains under construction.

 

"Our international experts assessed that the outstanding universal value of the site, because of the works, was irremediably lost," says Folin-Calabi. He points out that while only two sites, the Elbe Valley and Oman's Oryx Sanctuary, have been pulled from the list, both removals occurred in the past three years. "There is a trend of being a little bit more severe," he says.

 

ROME: IMPERFECT PRESERVATION

 

In many ways, the city of Rome is one of the world's best examples of controlled change. While new construction occurs, it's only allowed after thorough review. Rome's residents are, for the most part, acutely aware of the need to preserve their ancient ruins and historic neighborhoods. This is typical of Western Europe, where most people seem to accept the importance of urban preservation, or at least carefully weigh its value against development. Even so, the battle--to raise funds, recruit personnel, and combat global pressures--is still being fought.

 

Much of Rome's ability to control change comes from strongly established legal protections. Italy's most recent (and exhaustive) law on heritage, passed in 2004, states that "cultural properties may not be destroyed, damaged or adapted to uses not compatible with their historic or artistic character or of such kind as to prejudice their conservation." The English translation of the law is 153 pages. The statute also defines punishments, including imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of up to 38,734.50 [euro] for removing, modifying or restoring those properties. Of course, for many sites, legal protections come too late. Since the end of the 19th century, Rome's historical center--3,460 acres in all--has lost some 250 acres of buildings and 1,730 acres of gardens, vineyards and open space.

 

Furthermore, developers need permits for every step of the process. Even if a builder obtains a permit to knock down one building and put up a new one, the site's subterranean value must first be surveyed. By reviewing past studies, making exploratory trenches, or (usually) both, archaeologists can get a fairly clear picture of what might be under the ground. And when they find ruins, as they nearly always do in the centro storico, construction grinds to a halt and excavation begins. Only when it's completed--and only if the ministry of culture and the municipality determine that the findings are not important enough to scrap the project--can development resume.

 

While the safeguards sound strong in principle, in practice, the government attempts to simplify the process and minimize protections, explains Elizabeth Fentress. Fentress, an archaeologist who has worked in Rome for 30 years and is the president of the International Association for Classical Archaeology, says that the builders' lobby in Italy is particularly influential. "The real war is between the current government, which regards antiquities as a pain, and the sopraintendenza [ministry of culture] and the public, who care," Fentress says. Some residents, for example, are upset over the planned parking lot off Largo Lorenzo Perosi in the centro storico. The underground, multistory lot is a stone's throw from Via Giulia, a road that was built by Pope Julius II in 1508, designed by Bramante and punctuated with famous buildings like the Palazzo Farnese and Church of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini. Local residents protested the project, fearing damage to the area's beauty and, possibly, to the foundations of the historic buildings themselves. Some archaeologists were wincing as well, particularly since testing revealed several-hundred-year-old ruins. But after years of wrangling--the parking lot first got the tentative go-ahead back in 2004--the project was given the definitive green light this April. That surprised many, given that another multilevel car park, originally planned for the Pincian hill overlooking Piazza del Popolo, was called off in 2008 to avoid destroying ruins and undermining both the hill's Aurelian walls and its scenic 19th-century walkway.

 

SHREDDING THE FABRIC

 

Rome's major challenge, though, is not the threat of modern development--it is preserving a cultural heritage already exposed to the vagaries of a modern city. After all, as soon as a site is unearthed, it starts deteriorating. "It's not like the American situation, where most of your cultural heritage sites are in museums. These things are outside. There's a slow path of decay that's going to be taking place, no matter what," says Darius Arya, a Rome-based archaeologist and director of the American Institute for Roman Culture. "The best thing you can do, if you want to preserve these sites, is just have them buried." But that's not practical--or in line with the spirit of a city so renowned for the tangibility and accessibility of its past.

 

Instead, conservationists can only limit the amount of damage by fencing off delicate areas or opening sites to visitors at certain times of the year. But to undo inevitable wear and tear, restorations and repairs are necessary. And in Rome, as elsewhere, the major difficulty is resources. The cash just isn't there. Italy's current debt runs to more than 115 percent of its gross domestic product, and the ministry of culture's budget has been cut by 280 million [euro] through 2012, bringing the proportion of its budget Italy spends on culture to just 21 cents of every l00 [euro].

 

Rome has already witnessed the effects of these limited resources. Part of the Domus Aurea--the fantastical palace erected by Emperor Nero in the first century--collapsed earlier this year, even though the city had long been aware of water damage to the structure. The Aurelianic Walls have collapsed several times in the past decade, despite frequent calls for an overhaul. And in May, three chunks of mortar fell off the Colosseum--hurting no one, but underscoring the need to better protect the nearly 2,000-year-old site. Weeks later, Rome announced that it was searching for private sponsors for a 25 million [euro] restoration of the amphitheatre.

 

Meanwhile, the cultural fabric of the city is under threat. Though less tangible than the Colosseum or Forum, Rome's culture is just as important to residents and preservationists, who have widened their definition of conservation in recent years.

 

Sitting in his flat near Piazza del Popolo, Rome-born archaeologist Francesco Siravo details the changes he's seen to the city over the past several decades. When he first moved into his apartment more than 12 years ago, his narrow street still claimed a number of artisans' workshops. Today, with rents sky-high, all the artisans have fled. And the shops themselves, which once featured traditional decor, have been altered for modern purposes. "I don't think there is a long-term vision for what we want these areas to be," Siravo says.

 

He particularly fears Rome going the way of a city like Venice. While Venice has retained much of its architectural heritage, it has become a fantasy of what it once was. The rising cost of living has forced old-time residents out and shuttered schools and shops. From 136,000 inhabitants in 1978, only 60,000 are left in Venice today. "In 2030 someone will cut the ribbon of a ghost town," a reporter wrote for La Repubblica in 2006, estimating that by then, "They'll open the gates in the morning and close them in the evening, and it will not be a scandal, but will be normal, to charge a ticket to enter."

 

With bustling business and government sectors, it's unlikely that Rome will become a city only for show anytime soon. But as the city continues to modernize and commercialize, and as its historic sites continue to require restorations and repairs, it's not a stretch to think that the centro storico of Rome, too, will change irrevocably in the next few decades--with more international chains and modern buildings, and fewer artisanal shops. After all, even the Champs Elysees in Paris, long among the world's most fashionable addresses, is now lined with fast food parlors and airline offices.

A fleeting visit on Sunday as I was here mainly to look for Hawfinches. But it such a fine church, and with history linking it to Jane Austen, whose brother is buried here and the memorial a thing that people come from over the world to see.

 

Another dull day, but bright and airy in the church, which I entered after it was opened in preparation for the eleven o'clock service.

 

As I was having computer problems last time I was here, some were unedited so are blurry, so all the better to redo some and post those.

 

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A simple, well-cared-for church which has an extremely complicated building history. The nave and western half of the chancel are Saxon in date, although there are no surviving architectural details of this period. Early in the twelfth century a northern tower with small apsidal chapel was added to the north of the nave. This has recently been restored and its round headed windows may be clearly seen. From the same period dates the remarkable stone carving of an archbishop that is now displayed in the chancel. It may be Archbishop Theobold (d. 1162) or Becket (d. 1170) and could have formed part of a tomb in Canterbury Cathedral. The church was restored by William Butterfield in the 1860s. His is the nice rood screen (painted by Gibbs) the angular font of Devonshire marble and the design for the east window. The screen is supported on thin columns so as not to destroy the congregation's view of the High Altar which the Victorians held so dear, although it is definitely in the medieval tradition. Fine Minton tiles were put in the sanctuary - the medieval tiles gathered up and carefully placed on the window-sill to preserve them. The twentieth century has done much to build upon Butterfield's restoration, including the fine south aisle east window by C.E. Kempe and Co. Ltd of 1923.

 

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

 

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LOCATION: The church is situated close to the River Stour at c. 115 ft. above O.D. just south of the now - demolished (1955) Godmersham Court Lodge. This is in the gap where the river cuts through the North Downs.

 

DESCRIPTION: I have written a very full history of this church (published in Arch Cant 106 (1988), 45-81), which includes a full description of the fabric, so only a summary is needed here.

 

The earliest part of the church is the nave and western half of the chancel, which have quoins of Roman bricks and ferruginous sandstone. This is almost certainly the church mentioned in Domesday Book, but whether it was built just before, or just after, the Norman Conquest in uncertain.

 

In the early 12th century, a west door was inserted (blocked in 1865) and three rounded-headed windows were put into the north side of the nave. A north transept chapel (with apsidal east end) and tower was also constructed at this time. Though heavily restored in 1865-6, this still continues its hemidome over the apse. The arch into the east end of the nave was blocked in the later Middle Ages.

 

By the end of the 12th century a new south aisle and arcade had been added to the nave, but this was destroyed after the Reformation. The fine mid-12th century font (similar to that at Westwell) was also destroyed, but a few fragments of it are walled up in the west doorway.

 

In the mid - 13th century, at about the time when the fine new Court Lodge to the north was built, the chancel was extended to the east and given three fine new lancets, as well as a sedilia. There are some fine capitals, columns and bases on the inside of these features (The sedilia also has a moulded trefoil head).

 

In 1363 a new Chantry chapel of St Mary was built on the south-east side of the nave, but this too was demolished after its abolition as a Chantry at the Reformation (The final traces were removed when the family pew extensions were built in the early 18th century).

 

In the later 14th century a piscina, various new two-light windows were put into the chancel, as well as some new oak stalls (on the ends of three of these were carved TCP Ann. Dom. 1409). These were recorded in the early 18th century, but have long since disappeared.

 

The west window in the nave, and the surviving crown-post roof probably date from the 15th century. The fine three-light window towards the east end of the north side of the nave probably dates to the early 16th century. A new north doorway into the chancel was perhaps also built at this time.

 

The doors into the Rood stair at the north-east corner of the nave (now blocked) can also be seen. These were perhaps also made in the later 15th century when a new loft was built (fragments of the screen - now gone - were found in the West gallery in 1865).

 

In the 1720's the south side of the nave was rebuilt in brick, and the earlier south aisle disappeared and two new brick family pews (over vaults) were built projecting southwards over the side of the former chantry chapel. All of this, however, was swept away in 1865. Various drawings of these before 1865 are available). Two new diagonal buttresses to the chancel were also built at about that time, which survive, as well as a west gallery in the nave and west and north porches (demolished 1865).

 

As we have seen, a very major restoration of the church took place in 1865-6 under William Butterfield. A new south aisle, porch and south transept were built, as well as an organ - chamber south of the chancel. Much earth was dug away from the western and southern sides of the church at this time. The vicar and instigator of this work (Revd. Walter Field) made very useful notes and sketches of the state of the church before the restoration (in the parish records). Most of the windows were restored at this time, and the north (chancel) and west doorways were blocked after their 'mean' porches were removed. The top stage of the tower was rebuilt in brick with a flint external face, and a pyramid roof on top. There was also a new chancel roof and screen (painted 1875), and many new pews (to re-place the box ones), as well as a new pulpit and font.

 

BUILDING MATERIALS (incl. old plaster, paintings, glass, tiles etc.):

Flint rubble (with ferruginous sandstone and Roman brick quoins) is used for the earliest church with Caen stone dressings from the early 12th century. Some Reigate stone was used for jambs, etc., in the 13th century chancel extension. There is also some Ragstone for later windows.

 

Red brick was used for 18th century repairs and buttresses (and the family pews), and the large amounts of Bath stone was used for the 1865-6 repairs, restoration, Saisle, etc.

 

EXCEPTIONAL MONUMENTS IN CHURCH:

Bas-relief figure of Archbishop (12th cent.) on S. wall of chancel, put here in 1933. It came from the neighbouring Court-Lodge, but was probably originally from Canterbury.

 

1516 brass of W. Geoffrey on S. wall of chancel.

 

R. Bun memorial (1682) on N.E. side of nave, and T Knight (1894) by Shout in S. aisle.

 

CHURCHYARD AND ENVIRONS:

Size & Shape: The churchyard of c. 1½ acres is a rough square around the church, extending down to the river on the east.

 

Condition: Good

 

Boundary walls: c. 19th cent. stone & brickwalls around it.

 

Building in churchyard or on boundary: Small 19th cent. shed on boundary immediately N. of the tower with Medieval gravelmarker reused in gable.

 

Ecological potential: Good

 

HISTORICAL RECORD (where known):

Earliest ref. to church: Domesday Book, 3,13.

 

Evidence of pre-Norman status (DB, DM, TR etc.): Paid 28d, Chrisin in D.M.

Challock was a chapel-of-ease to Godmersham.

 

Late med. status (vicarage/appropriation): Vicarage with formal appropriation to the Priory in 1400 (the vicarage was endowed from 1380).

 

Patron: Canterbury Cathedral Priory (given by Archbishop in c. 1037) till Dissolution, then, from 1546, the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury.

 

Other documentary sources: For wills, (Test. Cant. (E. Kent 1907), 136-8. They mention various lights, the Roodloft, 'Holy Cross before the door' etc. For the Chantry of St. Mary, see Kent Chantries (ed. A Hussey) Kent Records XII (1932-6), 131.

 

See also Hasted (2nd ed. 1799), 328-32.

 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORD:

Reused materials: - Roman bricks.

 

Finds from church\churchyard: Some Roman bricks and pottery found by the Revd. S G Brade-Birks. One discoid grave-marker still exists to the S. of the church, by the path. Old hand-bells were also found in the churchyard in 1865.

 

Finds within 0.5km: Grave-marker found in Court Lodge excavation to N.

 

SURVIVAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL DEPOSITS: Good. The chancel floor was apparently just covered up in 1865-6.

 

Outside present church: ? Quite good, but disturbed in 1865-6.

 

RECENT DISTURBANCES\ALTERATIONS:

To structure: In 1986 the c. 1687 bell-frame was removed from the tower (this is now stored at the Canterbury Archaeologist Trust). In 1992 the later N-S cross wall in the N. apsidal chapel was demolished.

 

To graveyard: None (but shed in churchyard to be restored as W.C. in 1993).

 

Quinquennial inspection (date\architect): Feb. 1989 - George Denny.

 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL ASSESSMENT:

The church and churchyard: Despite very heavy restoration work in 1865-6, there are important remains here of an 11th century church with added north tower/transept with apsidal chapel of the early 12th century. Also an extended mid - 13th century chancel.

 

The wider context: Apsidal chapels in Kent parish churches are a very rare survival, as is the unique 12th century bas-relief now in the chancel.

 

REFERENCES: T. Tatton-Brown, 'The parish church of St. Lawrence, Godmersham: a history' Arch. Cant. 106 (1988), 45-81.

 

Guide Book: None, though there was one by an early long-serving vicar S G Brade-Birks (1930-77).

 

Plans & drawings: Plans before + after 1865-6 restorations, and 1865 sketches of church are in the parish records - see art. by Tim Tatton-Brown above.

 

DATE VISITED: 21/12/92 REPORT BY: Tim Tatton-Brown

 

www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/01/03/GOD.htm

 

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GODMERSHAM

LIES the next parish south-westward from Chartham, and is written in antient records, Godmersham, and in Domesday, Gomersham.

 

IT LIES in the beautiful Stour valley, a situation healthy and pleasant to the extreme, the river Stour glides through it from Ashford, in its course towards Canterbury; Godmersham house and park are the principal objects in it, both elegant and beautiful, the Ashford high road encircles the east side of the park, along which there is a sunk sence, which affords an uninterrupted view of the whole of it, and adds greatly to the beauty of this elegant scene, and leads through the village of Godmersham close to it, the whole village which contains about twenty houses, belongs to Mrs. Knight, excepting one house, as does the greatest part of the parish, excepting the lands belonging to the dean and chapter of Canterbury. There are about twenty more houses in the parish, and about two hundred and forty inhabitants in all. The church, and vicarage, a neat dwelling, pleasantly situated, stand at a small distance from the village, on the left side of the road, with the antient manor-house near the former, close to the bank of the river; the meadows in the vale are exceeding fertile, the uplands are chalk, with some gravel among them, the hills rise high on each side, those on the west being the sheep walks belonging to Godmersham-house, the summits of which are finely cloathed with wood, at proper intervals; the opposite ones are the high range of uninclosed pasture downs of Wye and Braborne. Among these hills, in the eastern part of the parish, is the seat of Eggerton, situated in a wild and bleak country of barren lands and flints.

 

At the southern boundary of the parish, on the Ashford road, is the hamlet of Bilting, part of which is in Wye parish. There was a family of this name who once resided here, as appears by their wills so early as 1460. Richard Mocket, gent. of Challock, died in 1565, possessed of the manor of Biltyng-court, in Godmersham, which by his will he directed to be sold. At length this estate of Bilting came into the possession of the Carters. Thomas Carter, gent. of Bilting, second son of George Carter, gent. of Winchcombe, died possessed of it in 1707, s.p. After which it at length came to his nephew Thomas Carter, gent. of Godmersham, who dying in 1744, left two daughters his coheirs, the eldest of whom Mary, marrying Mr. Nicholas Rolfe, of Ashford, he became in her right possessed of her father's estate at Bilting. After which it became the residence of Mrs. Jane, the sister of the late Mr. Knight, and after her death in 1793, of Thomas Monypenny, esq. who afterwards removing from hence sold it in 1797, to Mr. Richard Sutton, who now resides at it.

 

There is no fair, nor is there any one alehouse within this parish.

 

From the high road above-mentioned, which runs along the lower side of the western hills there is a most pleasing view over the valley beneath, in which the various beautiful objects of both art and nature combine to make it the most delightful prospect that can be imagined.

 

BEORNULPH, king of Mercia, in the year 822, gave Godmersham to Christ-church, in Canterbury, to the use of their refectory and cloathing, at the request of archbishop Wlfred, L.S.A. that is, Libere sicut Adisham, endowed with the same liberties and privileges that Adisham, which had been given to that church, originally was. But it appears afterwards to have been wrested from the church, and to have been again restored to it by archbishop Egelnoth, who made a new grant of it in the year 1036, having purchased it of duke Sired, for seventy-two marcs of pure silver, for the use of the monks in Christ-church; in whose possession Godmersham remained at the taking the general survey of Domesday, in which it is entered as follows, under the general title of Terra Monachorum Archiepi, i.e. the lands of the monks of the archbishop, as all the lands belonging to the monastery of Christ-church were.

 

In Feleberg hundred, the archbishop himself holds Gomersham. It was taxed at eight sulings. The arable land is twelve carucates. In demesne there are two, and sixty villeins, with eight cottagers, having seventeen carucates. There is a church, and two servants, and one mill of twenty-five shillings, and twelve acres of meadow. Wood for the pannage of forty hogs. In the time of king Edward the Confessor, and when he received it, it was worth twelve pounds, now twenty pounds, and yet it pays thirty pounds.

 

In the 7th year of king Edward I. the prior claimed a fair here, on the day of St. Laurence, which was allowed; and king Edward III. in his 38th year granted to the prior another fair here on the Thursday and Friday in every Whitsun-week, together with a market to be held here on a Tuesday weekly. In the 10th year of king Edward II. the prior obtained a charter of free-warren for this manor; about which time it was, with its appurtenances, valued at thirty-six pounds. The priors of Canterbury frequently resided at the manor-house here, which appears by the present state of it to have been a mansion large and suitable to their dignity. Prior Chillenden, at the latter end of king Richard II.'s reign, made large additions and repairs here, as did prior Sellyng in that of Edward IV. The house is situated on the bank of the river, a small distance northward from the church. It appears to have been a very large mansion formerly. The old hall of it is yet remaining, with the windows, door-cases, and chimney of it, in the gothic stile. Over the porch, at the entrance of the house, is the effigies of the prior, curiously carved in stone, sitting richly habited, with his mitre and pall, and his crosier in his left hand, his right lifted up in the act of benediction, and his sandals on his feet. This, most probably, represents prior Chillenden, above mentioned, who had the privilege of wearing those ornaments, granted to him and his successors by pope Urban, and repaired this mansion as before related. In which state this manor continued till the dissolution of the priory in the 31st year of king Henry VIII. when it came, with the rest of the possessions of the monastery, into the king's hands, who in his 37th year, granted the manor, rectory, and advowson of Godmersham, in exchange for other premises, to the dean and chapter of Canterbury, in pure and perpetual alms, at the yearly rent of 10l. 1s. 8d. (fn. 1) being then valued at 80l. 11s. in exchange for which they gave the king seven valuable manors in this and other counties; Canterbury college, in Oxford, and other premises, a scandalous bargain of plunder, like most others of the king's making; and yet in the deed it is said to have been made through his most gracious favor. Since which this manor has remained part of their possessions to the present time.

 

The court-lodge, with the demesne lands of this manor, are let to Mrs. Coleman, who resides in it, on a beneficial lease, but the manor itself, with the profits of the courts, &c. the dean and chapter retain in their own hands. A court baron is regularly held for it.

 

THE MANORS OF FORD AND YALLANDE were antiently part of the inheritance of the family of Valoigns, one of whom, Robert de Valoigns, died possessed of them and much other land in this neighbourhood, in the 19th year of king Edward II. and in his descendants they continued till the latter end of king Edward III.'s reign, when Waretius de Valoigns leaving by his wife, daughter of Robert de Hougham, two daughters his coheirs, one of them, married to Thomas de Aldon, entitled her husband to these manors as part of her inheritance; and in this name of Aldon they continued for some space of time. At length they became the property of Austen, or Astyn, as they afterwards spelt their name, and they continued possessors of it, till Richard Astyn, gent. of West Peckham, conveyed them, with all lands and tenements called Halton, in Godmersham and other parishes, to Thomas Broadnax, gent. late of Hyth, though there were descendants of that family, who wrote themselves gentlemen, remaining here in the beginning of king George I.'s reign, as appears by their wills in the prerogative-office. He afterwards resided at Ford-place, as his descendants, possessors of these manors, afterwards did, without intermission, to Thomas Broadnax, esq. (fn. 2) who in the 13th year of king George I. anno 1727, pursuant to the will of Sir Thomas May, and under the authority of parhament, changed his name to May, and in 1729 kept his shrievalty here. In 1732 he rebuilt this seat, and in 1738, pursuant to the will of Mrs. Elizabeth Knight, widow of Bulstrode Peachy Knight, esq. (who was her second husband, her first being William Knight, esq. of Dean, in that county); and under the authority of another act, he again changed his name to Knight, and in 1742 inclosed a park round his seat here, afterwards called Ford park, which name it seems since entirely to have lost, this seat and park being now usually called Godmersham-park. Thomas May Knight, esq. beforementioned, died here, far advanced in years, in 1781, a gentleman, whose eminent worth is still remembered by many now living; whose high character for upright conduct and integrity, rendered his life as honorable as it was good, and caused his death to be lamented by every one as a public loss. He married Jane, eldest daughter and coheir of William Monk, esq. of Buckingham in Shoreham, in Sussex, by whom he had several children, of whom only four survived to maturity, Thomas, his heir, and three daughters, who died unmarried. Thomas Knight, esq. the son, succeeded his father in estates, and was of Godmersham, the seat and park of which he greatly improved. He married Catherine, daughter of Dr. Wadham Knatchbull, late prebendary of Durham, and died in 1794, s.p. leaving her surviving. He bore for his arms, the coat of Knight, vert, a bend fusilly, in base, a cinquefoil, argent, quartered with nineteen others; the second being, Broadnax, or, two chevronels, gules, on a chief of the second, three cinquefoils, argent; and the third, May, gules, a fess between three billets, or. By his will Mr. Knight gave this seat, with the park, the manors before-mentioned, and the lands belonging to it, to his widow Mrs. Catherine Knight, for her life, with remainder to Edward Austen, esq. of Rolling-place. She afterwards resided here, but removing to the White Friars, in Canterbury, she gave up the possession of Godmersham house and park to Edward Austen, esq. before-mentioned, who now resides at it.

 

EGGARTON is another manor, situated on the opposite side of the river, at the south-east boundaries of this parish, among the hills, near Crundal. It was antiently the estate of the noble family of Valence, earls of Pembroke. Aymer de Valence, earl of Pembroke, held this manor at his death in the 17th year of king Edward II. He died s.p. and John, son of John de Hastings, by Isabel his wife, one of the earl's sisters, and John, son of John Comyn, of Badenagh, by Joane, another of his sisters, were found to be his coheirs; and upon the division of their estates, John de Hastings the son seems to have become wholly possessed of it. He died s.p. next year, leaving Joane, wife of David de Strabolgie, earl of Athol, and Elizabeth her sister, sisters and coheirs of John Comyn, of Badenagh, his next of kin. David de Strabolgie, earl of Athol, before-mentioned, died possessed of this manor, as appears by the inquisition taken after his death, in the 1st year of Edward III. leaving it to his son of the same name, who in the 7th year of Edward III. by deed settled it on his kinsman Sir Henry de Hills; which gift was confirmed by the countess his widow, in the 20th year of that reign. Gilbert de Hills, who lies buried in this church, with the marks of his figure in armour on his grave-stone, was a person of eminence in the age in which he flourished, and from him and Sir Henry de Hills, issued many worthy successors, who were proprietors of this manor till the reign of queen Elizabeth, when it was sold to Charles Scott, esq. eldest son of Sir Reginald Scott, of Scotts-hall, by his second wife. His grandson Thomas Scott, esq. of Eggarton, left a son Thomas, who died s.p. and a daughter Dorothy, married to Mr. Daniel Gotherson, who in her right at length became possessed of this manor, (fn. 3) though not without several contests at law by some collateral claimers to it. He afterwards sold it to Sir James Rushout, bart. who had been so created in 1661, and bore for his arms, Sable, two lioncels passant, guardant, within a bordure engrailed, or. He died in 1697, and by his will devised it to trustees, to sell for payment of his debts, which they accordingly soon afterwards did, to Peter Gott, esq. of Sussex, whose arms were, Per saltier argent and sable, a bordure counterchanged. His descendant Maximilian Gott, esq. resided at Eggarton, where he died in 1735; upon which this manor, with the rest of his estates in this county and in Sussex, came to his three sisters, Elizabeth, Mary, and Sarah; and on the death of the former, the two latter became entitled to the whole fee of it, as coparceners; Mrs. Sarah Gott usually residing at this mansion of Eggarton. Mary Gott died in 1768, and by will devised her moiety of her estates to Henry Thomas Greening, gent. of Brentford, in Middlesex, who afterwards, by act of parliament, assumed the name of Gott. Sarah Gott, the other sister, died at Eggarton, in 1772, and by will devised her moiety of her estates to the children of William Western Hugessen, esq. of Provender, deceased, to be equally divided between them. (fn. 4) Mr. Hugessen left three daughters his coheirs, of whom the two surviving ones, Dorothy, was afterwards married to Sir Joseph Banks, bart. and K. B. Mary, to Edward Knatchbull, esq. now Sir Edward Knatchbull, bart. who in their wives right became entitled to one moiety of this estate, they afterwards, together with Henry-Thomas Gott, esq. before-mentioned, possessor of the other moiety, joined in the sale of the entire property of this manor to Thomas Knight, esq. of Godmersham, who purchased it for the residence of his sister Jane, since deceased. He died in 1794, s. p. and by his will gave this seat, with the estate and manor, to Edward Austen, esq. before-mentioned.

 

Charities.

MARTIN MAYE, yeoman, of Godmersham, ordered by will in 1614, that his executors should pay to Thomas Scott, gent. and five others therein mentioned, 100l on condition that they should enter into a bond of 200l. to his executors, to settle 8l. per annum towards the maintenance of twenty of the poorest persons householders, in Godmersham, that from time to time should be there dwelling; which sum should be a perpetual payment of 8s. per annum to each of them. This charity is now vested in Mrs. Knight.

 

THOMAS SCOTT, ESQ. of Canterbury, by will in 1635, devised the house which he lately built in Godmersham, and ten perches of land adjoining to it, to such poor persons, born and living in Godmersham, as the heirs of his body, and for want of such heirs as the right heirs of his kinsman, Sir Edward Scott, K. B. should nominate from time to time, for ever. And if such heirs should neglect such nomination, for the space of three months, then that the churchwardens for the time being, should nominate in their room; and if they or he should fail to nominate, within one month, then that the archbishop of Canterbury should in such case nominate from time to time. And he willed one other house, with its appurtenances, which he had lately built in Godmersham, adjoining to that before limited, and 10 perches of land adjoining, in like manner as the other before-mentioned, with like nomination and limitation; and so from time to time for ever. This charity is now lost.

 

THOMAS CARKERIDGE. of Maidstone, by will in 1640, devised all those lands and tenements which he bought in Wye, Godmersham, and Crundal, to William Cooper and his heirs for ever, he paying out of them 6l. per annum, to the overseers of the poor of the parish of Wye, 3l. and to the overseers of the parish of Godmersham. the other 3l. for ever; and he willed that this 6l. should be every year bestowed to cloath four poor widows, two of Wye, and two of Godmersham; and if there were not such poor widows, then to cloath other poor women, each of them to have five yards and an half of good country kersey, to make a petticoat and a waistcoat, and so much lockram or other country cloth as would make every of them two smocks, and every of them a pair of hose and a pair of shoes. And he willed that this cloth and other things be given to those poor women the first Thursday in November every year; with power to distrain in any of his lands lying in Wye, Godmersham, and Crundall, &c. until the same should be paid accordingly.

 

JOHN FINCHE, gent. of Limne, by will in 1707, devised his messuage, tenement, and lands, containing 36 acres, in Bilting, and his messuage and tenement, and seven acres of land, and 9 acres of woodland, in Wye, Godmersham, and Crundall, and all those his six cowshares, lying in a meadow called Laines, between Ollantigh and Tremworth, in Wye and Godmersham, and a piece of meadow-ground called Temple-hope, adjoining, in Wye and Crundall, to the ministers, churchwardens, and overseers of the parishes of Wye and Godmersham, and their successors for ever, in trust, that the minister, &c. of Wye, and their successors, should dispose of the rents and profits of that land which lay in Wye, as is therein mentioned; and that the minister, &c. of Godmersham, and their successors, should dispose of the rents and profits of that land, with its appurtenances in Godmersham and Crundall, to six of the poorest and eldest people of Godmersham, or any other, half-yearly for ever. But that there should be paid out of the rents and profits of his last-mentioned lands, 40s. yearly upon Christmas-day for ever, without any deduction, to poor people of the like sort, being men; that is to say, 20s. to each of them yearly for ever. And further, that if any of the trustees, the ministers, &c. of these parishes, should at any time alter, contradict, or misapply these charities, or the rents and profits of the estates, that then the devise to such parish, the minister, &c. of which had so done, should cease and determine. And he willed that none of the said charities should be distributed to any other poor, but such as should be members of the church of England, as then by law established. This charity is now of the annual produce of 24l. 1s. 6d. and produces on an average 18l. per annum.

 

The present alms-houses in Godmersham-street, were erected by the father of the last Thomas Knight, esq. on the ground before devised to the parish. The building contains dwellings for eight poor people.

 

There is a school here, for reading and writing, supported by the voluntary benefaction of Mrs. Knight, in which about 20 children are daily taught.

 

The poor constantly relieved are about nineteen, casually as many.

 

THIS PARISH is within the ELESIASTICAL JURISDICTION of the diocese of Canterbury, and deanry of Bridge.

 

The church, which is dedicated to St. Laurence, is a plain building, consisting of a body and a chancel, having a square low tower on the north side of the body, on which was formerly a steeple. There are five bells in it. The chancel is large and handsome. There were formerly eight stalls in it. On three of the upright end-boards of these stalls were these letters and date:P/TC An. Dom. 1409, in memory of Thomas Chillenden, prior A. D. 1409, for the use of the prior and monks of Christ church, when they came to reside at their manor here, and the other clergy who might be present at divine services, the like as they had usually in other churches where they had manors. On the south side of the church was formerly a chantry, which was dedicated to St. Mary, as appears by the will of William Geffrye, chaplain of it in 1517, who directed to be buried in it on the south side. It was suppressed in the 1st year of king Edward VI. There was a house and garden belonging to it in Godmersham-street. This chantry has been rebuilt, and is now made use of as two large pews, for the use of the owners of the mansion-houses of Ford and Eggarton. Underneath these pews, which are raised considerable higher than the level of the pavement, are vaults for the owners of these houses. In that of Eggarton lie many of the Hilles's, Scotts, and Gotts; and in that of Forde, several of the Broadnax's. The two monuments now against the south wall of the body of the church, for Thomas Carter and James Christmas, were formerly in the chantry, on the pulling down of which, they were removed hither. In the body of the church, near the steeple, is another vault for the Broadnax's, which is quite full, and the entrance closed up; and in the body of the church there are several grave-stones of them, the inscriptions of which are gone. In the church-yard, close to the wall of Mr. Knight's pew, is a small vault, built by the late Mr. Knight's father, in which he lies, with his wife and daughter Anne; and leaving only room for one more in it, in which his son was afterwards buried.

 

The church of Godmersham, with the chapel of Challock annexed to it, was antiently an appendage to the manor of Godmersham, and as such was part of the possessions of the priory of Christ-church, in Canterbury, to which it was appropriated in the 21st year of king Richard II. anno 1397, with the king's and pope's licence, towards the support of the fabric of their church, to which archbishop Arundel consented; for which the prior gave up to him the advowson of the two churches of St. Vedast and Amand, and St. Michael, Crooked-lane, London. (fn. 5) After which the rectory and advowson of the vicarage of this church remained with the priory of Christ church till its dissolution, in the 31st year of Henry VIII. when they were, with the manor of Godmersham, and the rest of the possessions of that priory, surrendered into the king's hands, where they remained till the 37th year of that reign, when the king granted the manor, rectory, and advowson of the vicarage of Godmersham, as has been already mentioned, to the dean and chapter of Chanterbury, in exchange for other premises, with whom the rectory remains at this time. But the advowson of the vicarage of Godmersham, with the chapel of Challock appendant to it, is now in the patronage of his grace the archbishop of Canterbury.

 

In the year 1254, Hugh de Mortimer, rector of this church, confirmed the exemption of the manor of Godmersham, belonging to the prior and convent of Christchurch, from the payment of small tithes arising from it; with a saving to the right of his successors.

 

Before the appropriation of this church archbishop Sudbury had in 1330, endowed a vicarage here, which with the chapel of Challock, is valued in the king's books at 9l. 3s. 9d. and the yearly tenths at 18s. 4¼d. It is exempt from the jurisdiction of the archdeacon.

 

¶In 1640 here were communicants two hundred and forty-three, and it was then valued at fifty pounds. In 1649 the parsonage was valued at one hundred and twenty pounds per annum.

 

There is a pension of ten pounds to the vicar yearly paid out of the parsonage.

 

www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-kent/vol7/pp319-332

Álvaro Martínez, accidental photographer

www.alvaromartinez.org

While the C-141A Starlifter had done well in the 1960s, especially in supply efforts over Vietnam, the aircraft had one glaring problem: it would “bulk out” before it reached its projected payload weight: the fuselage would be full, but the aircraft was capable of carrying more. In response to this and the C-141’s need for fueling stops on long trips, the USAF began upgrading the C-141A fleet to C-141B standard.

 

By adding two plugs fore and aft of the wings, the fuselage was stretched 23 feet. While the Starlifter was still incapable of carrying oversize loads, it now could carry up to its full weight. Inflight refuelling capability was also added. All surviving C-141As were upgraded between 1977 and 1982 to B standard, essentially adding 90 new C-141s to the fleet without building new aircraft. With the C-5B Galaxy also entering service, the C-141B gave the USAF unmatched air transport capability, something that would be very useful in time of war. Its first wartime service would be Operation Desert Shield, the buildup to the First Gulf War of 1991. Starlifters carried nearly half of all payloads delivered to the Southwest Asia theater.

 

The 1990s would see the most use of the aircraft, especially over the wartorn former nations of Yugoslavia. During NATO efforts to resupply Bosnian towns cut off by Serbian forces, C-141s were flown from Rhein-Main airbase at low level over Bosnia, where cargo pallets were dropped from the rear filled with food. As these pallets could cause damage when they hit the ground, the pallets were replaced by food boxes tied together: these boxes would break apart in midair and float down on individual parachutes. These “food bombs” would be used later in other areas where the C-141 was unable to land. Other Rhein-Main based Starlifters made the trip into the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, the airport of which was considered one of the most dangerous spots on earth, constantly subject to mortar and sniper fire, and required a diving approach to avoid being shot at by Serbian antiaircraft units posted in the mountains around the airport. C-141s and other NATO transports kept the city alive during its three-year siege, which finally ended in 1995.

 

In response to this, 13 C-141Bs were modified to SOLL II standard, with low-light vision equipment, GPS, and defensive chaff/flare countermeasures, for operations over high-threat areas or in conjunction with Special Forces units. Later, about a third of the lowest-timed Starlifters were modified to C-141C standard, with a new “glass” cockpit and upgraded avionics.

 

Despite the upgrade, the days of the C-141 were numbered. It was getting old, and wing cracks had begun to appear on older aircraft. As the C-17 Globemaster III was now coming into service, Starlifters began to be retired. The C-141Cs soldiered on long enough to be used in Afghanistan and Iraq, where they finally used their paratroop-carrying capability in combat, dropping elements of the 101st Airborne Division near Tikrit in northern Iraq. After 2004, the Starlifter was retired from active units and passed on to Air National Guard and Reserve units; the last eight operational C-141s were used to shuttle supplies into New Orleans after the Hurricane Katrina disaster of 2005. This was the Starlifter’s swan song, as after this operation ended the C-141 finally left USAF service after forty years of service. Of 285 aircraft, 19 were lost in accidents; 13 are preserved in museums.

 

The most famous C-141 ever flown, 66-0177 is known better by its nickname--the "Hanoi Taxi." First assigned as a C-141A to the 63rd Military Airlift Wing at Norton AFB, California, 66-0177 was a regular visitor to Southeast Asia on transport missions. A month after the Paris Peace Accords were signed, North Vietnam began the release of American prisoners of war held at the infamous "Hanoi Hilton"--in some cases, since 1965. 66-0177 was the first to land at Hanoi to pick up the first batch of 80 POWs, and as such became the first bit of America to welcome the prisoners home. Though only one of almost a dozen C-141s that brought POWs out of North Vietnam, 66-0177 was the first, and thus became dubbed the Hanoi Taxi.

 

Long after the Vietnam War was over, 66-0177 remained in service. In the early 1980s, it was stretched and became a C-141B, and was eventually assigned to the 445th Airlift Wing (USAF Reserve), based at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; in the early 1990s, it received the C-141C upgrade. As the Taxi closed in on the end of her service life, she was repainted from her AMC Gray scheme to the older Military Airlift Command colors to commemorate the aircraft's history. As such, the Taxi became something of a touchstone and living history museum for former Vietnam POWs. In 2004, the Taxi made one final trip to Hanoi, this time to pick up the remains of two American servicemembers once listed as missing in action. Finally, in May 2006, it was retired and made the short flight from the main part of Wright-Patterson to the National Museum of the USAF.

 

Today the Hanoi Taxi sits in the Experimental Aircraft and Transport Gallery at the NMUSAF. As mentioned above, it carries the old white-over-gray MAC scheme, complete with MAC stripe on the tail (though it reads "AFRC" for Air Force Reserve Command). The aircraft is open to the public to tour the cavernous cargo bay, as well as see the signatures of POWs who signed the interior.

This was the charity (I think) road race or run that we walken into the middle of on our Sunday in Valencia. No Idea what it was all about unless someone can enlighten me.

 

We decided to go for a city break rather than sun in Tenerife again this September. Other than a few days in the North East we haven’t been away since last March and wanted a change and hopefully some sun. The problem is getting flights from the north of England to the places we want to go to. We chose Valencia as we could fly from East Midlands – which was still a pain to get to as it involved the most notorious stretch of the M1 at five in the morning. In the end we had a fairly good journey, the new Ryanair business class pre-booked scheme worked quite well and bang on time as usual. It was dull when we landed with storms forecast all week, the sky was bright grey – the kiss of death to the photography I had in mind. I was full of cold and wishing I was at work. It did rain but it was overnight on our first night and didn't affect us. There has been a drought for eleven months apparently and it rained on our first day there! The forecast storms didn't materialise in Valencia but they got it elsewhere.

 

You May notice discrepancies in the spelling of some Spanish words or names, this is because Valencian is used on signs, in some guide books and maps. There are two languages in common use with distinct differences. There may also be genuine mistakes - it has been known!

 

Over the course of a Monday to Sunday week we covered 75 miles on foot and saw most of the best of Valencia – The City of Bell Towers. The Old City covers a pretty large area in a very confusing layout. There was a lot of referring to maps – even compass readings! – a first in a city for us. The problem with photography in Valencia is that most of the famous and attractive building are closely built around, some have poor quality housing built on to them. Most photographs have to be taken from an extreme angle looking up. There are no high points as it is pan flat, there are a small number of buildings where you can pay to go up on to the roof for a better view and we went up them – more than once!

 

The modern buildings of The City of Arts and Sciences – ( Ciutat de Las Arts I de les Ciencies ) are what the city has more recently become famous for, with tourists arriving by the coachload all day until late at night. They must be photographed millions of times a month. We went during the day and stayed till dark one evening, I gave it my best shot but a first time visit is always a compromise between ambition and realism, time dictates that we have to move on to the next destination. I travelled with a full size tripod – another first – I forgot to take it with me to TCoAaS! so It was time to wind up the ISO, again! Needless to say I never used the tripod.

 

On a day when rain was forecast but it stayed fine, albeit a bit dull, we went to the Bioparc north west of the city, a zoo by another name. There are many claims made for this place, were you can appear to walk alongside some very large animals, including, elephants, lions, giraffe, rhino, gorillas and many types of monkey to name a few. It is laid out in different geographical regions and there is very little between you and the animals, in some cases there is nothing, you enter the enclosure through a double door arrangement and the monkeys are around you. It gets rave reviews and we stayed for most of the day. The animals it has to be said gave the appearance of extreme boredom and frustration and I felt quite sorry for them.

 

The course of The River Turia was altered after a major flood in the 50’s. The new river runs west of the city flanked by a motorway. The old river, which is massive, deep and very wide between ancient walls, I can’t imagine how it flooded, has been turned into a park that is five miles long. There is an athletics track, football pitches, cycle paths, restaurants, numerous kids parks, ponds, fountains, loads of bridges, historic and modern. At the western end closest to the sea sits The City of Arts and Sciences – in the river bed. Where it meets the sea there is Valencia’s urban Formula One racetrack finishing in the massive marina built for The Americas Cup. The race track is in use as roadways complete with fully removable street furniture, kerbs, bollards, lights, islands and crossings, everything is just sat on the surface ready to be moved.

 

We found the beach almost by accident, we were desperate for food after putting in a lot of miles and the afternoon was ticking by. What a beach, 100’s of metres wide and stretching as far as the eye could see with a massive promenade. The hard thing was choosing, out of the dozens of restaurants, all next door to each other, all serving traditional Paella – rabbit and chicken – as well as seafood, we don’t eat seafood and it constituted 90% of the menu in most places. Every restaurant does a fixed price dish of the day, with a few choices, three courses and a drink. Some times this was our only meal besides making the most of the continental breakfast at the hotel. We had a fair few bar stops with the local wine being cheap and pleasant it would have been a shame not to, there would have been a one woman riot – or strike!

 

On our final day, a Sunday, we were out of bed and down for breakfast at 7.45 as usual, the place was deserted barring a waiter. We walked out of the door at 8.30 – in to the middle of a mass road race with many thousands of runners, one of a series that take place in Valencia – apparently! We struggled to find out the distance, possibly 10km. The finish was just around the corner so off we went with the camera gear, taking photos of random runners and groups. There was a TV crew filming it and some local celebrity (I think) commentating. Next we came across some sort of wandering religious and musical event. Some sort of ritual was played out over the course of Sunday morning in various locations, it involved catholic priests and religious buildings and another film crew. The Catholic tourists and locals were filling the (many) churches for Sunday mass. Amongst all of this we had seen men walking around in Arab style dress – the ones in black looked like the ones from ISIS currently beheading people – all carrying guns. A bit disconcerting. We assumed that there had been some sort of battle enactment. We were wrong, it hadn’t happened yet. A while later, about 11.30 we could hear banging, fireworks? No it was our friends with the guns. We were caught up in total mayhem, around 60 men randomly firing muskets with some sort of blank rounds, the noise, smoke and flames from the muzzles were incredible. We were about to climb the Torres de Serranos which is where, unbeknown to us, the grand, and deafening, finale was going to be. We could feel the blast in our faces on top of the tower. Yet again there was a film camera in attendance. I couldn’t get close ups but I got a good overview and shot my first video with the 5D, my first in 5 years of owning a DLSR with the capability. I usually use my phone ( I used my phone as well). Later in the day there was a bullfight taking place, the ring was almost next to our hotel, in the end we had other things to do and gave it a miss, it was certainly a busy Sunday in the city centre, whether it’s the norm or not I don’t know.

 

There is a tram system in Valencia but it goes from the port area into the newer part of the city on the north side, it wouldn’t be feasible to serve the historic old city really. A quick internet search told me that there are 55,000 university students in the city, a pretty big number. I think a lot of the campus is on the north side and served by the tram although there is a massive fleet of buses as well. There is a massive, very impressive market building , with 100’s of stalls that would make a photo project on its own, beautiful on the inside and out but very difficult to get decent photos of the exterior other than detail shots owing to the closeness of other buildings and the sheer size of it. Across town, another market has been beautifully renovated and is full of bars and restaurants and a bit of a destination in its own right.

 

A downside was the all too typical shafting by the taxi drivers who use every trick in the book to side step the official tariffs and rob you. The taxi from the airport had a “broken” meter and on the way home we were driven 22 km instead of the nine that is the actual distance. Some of them seem to view tourists as cash cows to be robbed at all costs. I emailed the Marriot hotel as they ordered the taxi, needless to say no answer from Marriot – they’ve had their money. We didn’t get the rip off treatment in the bars etc. that we experienced in Rome, prices are very fair on most things, certainly considering the city location.

 

All in all we had a good trip and can highly recommend Valencia.

 

I'm quite sure all of you have been caught up doing something and a thought comes into your head and you for some unknown reason feel the need to scratch your head. And your holding something or if your Italian, talking to someone........ And you don't really, really want to put down or stop talking..........

Well.... There is another way. ...

Seeeeeeeeeee......... Yoga can be used for practical things other than exercise and meditation.

Tuttles ❤️❤️❤️💋🌹🐒🐒

this guy had just been beaten up by other vandals.

 

cpe protest, march 2006

I have just noticed this at our local bus stop. Just two days into the new busway service, Grant Palmer have had to alter their route around the Beecroft Estate in Dunstable because of badly parked cars. This means that the Co-op supermarket, Post Office and other shops are no longer served by bus. This parking problem was obviously anticipated as double yellow lines were recently painted on certain stretches of road. Odd then that the service was pulled so soon.

 

I walk this way to said Post Office every afternoon and have wondered why I havn't yet seen one of the new Scanias along here yet; now I know!!

  

Photo by Lucas van der Velden

 

www.darkecology.net/journey-2016/heather-davis---plastic-...

The problem with fall weather of course is the variability and this week sure proved that point with only one decent day for photography. So I finally finished up Monday's shots and here is one last picture of a LeConte's Sparrow from that shoot.

 

I love autumn, the colors of the season, and how nicely this little sparrow fits the colors of the season.

 

LeConte's Sparrows observed at Prairie Green Geneva Park District in Geneva, IL

EOS 5D Mark III+Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM Art

 

* If this photo might have problem, there is a possibility of removal.

* If you have requests or comments, please describe these in photo comment space.

 

Live at Revolver's Goon bar

Like sea pollution, plastic waste seems to appear everywhere. This is used to protect or mulch plants. Here it appears to have been ploughed in and would be difficult to separate out. Maybe it is biodegradable in which case what sort of residue does it leave?

articles.extension.org/pages/67951/current-and-future-pro...

 

We decided to go for a city break rather than sun in Tenerife again this September. Other than a few days in the North East we haven’t been away since last March and wanted a change and hopefully some sun. The problem is getting flights from the north of England to the places we want to go to. We chose Valencia as we could fly from East Midlands – which was still a pain to get to as it involved the most notorious stretch of the M1 at five in the morning. In the end we had a fairly good journey, the new Ryanair business class pre-booked scheme worked quite well and bang on time as usual. It was dull when we landed with storms forecast all week, the sky was bright grey – the kiss of death to the photography I had in mind. I was full of cold and wishing I was at work. It did rain but it was overnight on our first night and didn't affect us. There has been a drought for eleven months apparently and it rained on our first day there! The forecast storms didn't materialise in Valencia but they got it elsewhere.

 

You May notice discrepancies in the spelling of some Spanish words or names, this is because Valencian is used on signs, in some guide books and maps. There are two languages in common use with distinct differences. There may also be genuine mistakes - it has been known!

 

Over the course of a Monday to Sunday week we covered 75 miles on foot and saw most of the best of Valencia – The City of Bell Towers. The Old City covers a pretty large area in a very confusing layout. There was a lot of referring to maps – even compass readings! – a first in a city for us. The problem with photography in Valencia is that most of the famous and attractive building are closely built around, some have poor quality housing built on to them. Most photographs have to be taken from an extreme angle looking up. There are no high points as it is pan flat, there are a small number of buildings where you can pay to go up on to the roof for a better view and we went up them – more than once!

 

The modern buildings of The City of Arts and Sciences – ( Ciutat de Las Arts I de les Ciencies ) are what the city has more recently become famous for, with tourists arriving by the coachload all day until late at night. They must be photographed millions of times a month. We went during the day and stayed till dark one evening, I gave it my best shot but a first time visit is always a compromise between ambition and realism, time dictates that we have to move on to the next destination. I travelled with a full size tripod – another first – I forgot to take it with me to TCoAaS! so It was time to wind up the ISO, again! Needless to say I never used the tripod.

 

On a day when rain was forecast but it stayed fine, albeit a bit dull, we went to the Bioparc north west of the city, a zoo by another name. There are many claims made for this place, were you can appear to walk alongside some very large animals, including, elephants, lions, giraffe, rhino, gorillas and many types of monkey to name a few. It is laid out in different geographical regions and there is very little between you and the animals, in some cases there is nothing, you enter the enclosure through a double door arrangement and the monkeys are around you. It gets rave reviews and we stayed for most of the day. The animals it has to be said gave the appearance of extreme boredom and frustration and I felt quite sorry for them.

 

The course of The River Turia was altered after a major flood in the 50’s. The new river runs west of the city flanked by a motorway. The old river, which is massive, deep and very wide between ancient walls, I can’t imagine how it flooded, has been turned into a park that is five miles long. There is an athletics track, football pitches, cycle paths, restaurants, numerous kids parks, ponds, fountains, loads of bridges, historic and modern. At the western end closest to the sea sits The City of Arts and Sciences – in the river bed. Where it meets the sea there is Valencia’s urban Formula One racetrack finishing in the massive marina built for The Americas Cup. The race track is in use as roadways complete with fully removable street furniture, kerbs, bollards, lights, islands and crossings, everything is just sat on the surface ready to be moved.

 

We found the beach almost by accident, we were desperate for food after putting in a lot of miles and the afternoon was ticking by. What a beach, 100’s of metres wide and stretching as far as the eye could see with a massive promenade. The hard thing was choosing, out of the dozens of restaurants, all next door to each other, all serving traditional Paella – rabbit and chicken – as well as seafood, we don’t eat seafood and it constituted 90% of the menu in most places. Every restaurant does a fixed price dish of the day, with a few choices, three courses and a drink. Some times this was our only meal besides making the most of the continental breakfast at the hotel. We had a fair few bar stops with the local wine being cheap and pleasant it would have been a shame not to, there would have been a one woman riot – or strike!

 

On our final day, a Sunday, we were out of bed and down for breakfast at 7.45 as usual, the place was deserted barring a waiter. We walked out of the door at 8.30 – in to the middle of a mass road race with many thousands of runners, one of a series that take place in Valencia – apparently! We struggled to find out the distance, possibly 10km. The finish was just around the corner so off we went with the camera gear, taking photos of random runners and groups. There was a TV crew filming it and some local celebrity (I think) commentating. Next we came across some sort of wandering religious and musical event. Some sort of ritual was played out over the course of Sunday morning in various locations, it involved catholic priests and religious buildings and another film crew. The Catholic tourists and locals were filling the (many) churches for Sunday mass. Amongst all of this we had seen men walking around in Arab style dress – the ones in black looked like the ones from ISIS currently beheading people – all carrying guns. A bit disconcerting. We assumed that there had been some sort of battle enactment. We were wrong, it hadn’t happened yet. A while later, about 11.30 we could hear banging, fireworks? No it was our friends with the guns. We were caught up in total mayhem, around 60 men randomly firing muskets with some sort of blank rounds, the noise, smoke and flames from the muzzles were incredible. We were about to climb the Torres de Serranos which is where, unbeknown to us, the grand, and deafening, finale was going to be. We could feel the blast in our faces on top of the tower. Yet again there was a film camera in attendance. I couldn’t get close ups but I got a good overview and shot my first video with the 5D, my first in 5 years of owning a DLSR with the capability. I usually use my phone ( I used my phone as well). Later in the day there was a bullfight taking place, the ring was almost next to our hotel, in the end we had other things to do and gave it a miss, it was certainly a busy Sunday in the city centre, whether it’s the norm or not I don’t know.

 

There is a tram system in Valencia but it goes from the port area into the newer part of the city on the north side, it wouldn’t be feasible to serve the historic old city really. A quick internet search told me that there are 55,000 university students in the city, a pretty big number. I think a lot of the campus is on the north side and served by the tram although there is a massive fleet of buses as well. There is a massive, very impressive market building , with 100’s of stalls that would make a photo project on its own, beautiful on the inside and out but very difficult to get decent photos of the exterior other than detail shots owing to the closeness of other buildings and the sheer size of it. Across town, another market has been beautifully renovated and is full of bars and restaurants and a bit of a destination in its own right.

 

A downside was the all too typical shafting by the taxi drivers who use every trick in the book to side step the official tariffs and rob you. The taxi from the airport had a “broken” meter and on the way home we were driven 22 km instead of the nine that is the actual distance. Some of them seem to view tourists as cash cows to be robbed at all costs. I emailed the Marriot hotel as they ordered the taxi, needless to say no answer from Marriot – they’ve had their money. We didn’t get the rip off treatment in the bars etc. that we experienced in Rome, prices are very fair on most things, certainly considering the city location.

 

All in all we had a good trip and can highly recommend Valencia.

 

 

Acne, the utmost common skin complaint in the United States., can be a basis of worry for every teen-age. And more, the rate of acne is growing in grownups, too.Acne is caused by impassable hair follicles and oil (sebaceous) glands of the skin, frequently caused by hormonal deviations. The word acne mentions to not only pimples on the face, but nodules, cysts, and blackheads as well. Some individuals get acne on other portions of their body too, such as the chest and back.

 

Sunburns happen when there is too much contact to ultraviolet (UV) sunlit from the sun or sunlamps. The skin goes red, sore, burning to the touch, and may even peel away. It's tough to see how much time is harmless in the sun, however, even with sunblock shield. Repetitive sunburns, particularly as a kid, can increase the danger for skin cancer later in life. Typically sunscreen needs to be reapplied every 2 hours, but you may just need to keep yourself out of the sun, too.

 

Lot of us have had contact dermatitis - when we touch things that progresses into a skin reaction. Contact dermatitis is a kind of eczema, and can come from plants, jewelry, latex gloves, and cleaners like bleach, shampoos and soaps. To stop contact dermatitis, avoid the thing when possible. To evade symptoms, antihistamines and colloidal oatmeal baths are frequently useful. If your doctor doubts you have contact dermatitis.

Anybody who has a kid knows about the mutual problem of diaper rash

A wet or soiled diaper wearing on too long can be cause of red sore bumps and rash in the diaper part, the bottoms, genitals, and skin bends.

Urine and stool can breakdown skin, and substances in a disposable diaper can melt out and cause the skin.

 

It's an unlucky fact, but your feet are prone to fungal contagions. Athletes’ foot can principal to extreme itching, soreness, and cracked skin on the feet and in among the toes. A kind of fungi called dermatophytes are normally found in warm, soggy areas like pool decks, bath stalls, and locker rooms.

 

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the utmost common type of skin cancer in the United States. BCC raises in the upper basal cells of your skin but hardly extents and is treatable. You may be prone to BCCs if you use to spend lots of time in the sun or use a tanning bed habitually.

 

Hives are the aware swellings (raised, red, itchy areas) that can happen on the skin. Common reasons of hives include medicine, nutrition, and bug bites or wounds. Pursue urgent treatment if your hives cover a big area of your body, your throat or face area is swelling, or they causing you to breathing. Hives typically go away in 3 to 5 hours; though, in specific people hives may persevere for months or years. A drug used to give allergic asthma, omalizumab (Xolair injection), was permitted in 2014 to treat chronic urticaria in persons with no reply to antihistamines.

Read more:https://medium.com/@menaturals890/what-are-7-common-skin-problem-82ff73a365ab

Any problems?

Complete with fetching red earrings. Most species at this site seemed to have red mite problem.

Flickr is a mess in Firefox. It started midday on Monday. I thought it was just another problem with the system (note the uploading problems on Monday), but eventually I realized that the site was showing up just fine in IE.

 

So what in the world is going on? I deleted the Flickr cookies, but that didn't change anything. The css files seem to come up fine on their own, but it looks like they're not being pulled in when rendering the basic pages.

 

Any ideas? Thanks!

 

In the end, clearing the cache worked. It's something I really didn't want to have to do, but after trying several other things, it was the only idea I had left.

Available now in the store

 

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Smooth%20Peaches/232/80/2501

problems...

Dar más ancho de banda: Al ofrecer más ancho de banda el problema de retardo no se garantiza, siempre existe probabilidad para colisiones, se requiere un gran tamaño de ancho de banda en la red para manejar todas las llamadas sin congestión.

 

Dar un protocolo de retardo garantizado sobre los...

 

www.servervoip.com/blog/resolviendo-los-problemas-de-reta...

Lots of labor in this. The problem is that my early twilight exposures were not well focused. That doesn't matter much for the stars, but it's noticeable in the mountain. My solution? Take long exposures at the END at higher ISO to get the mountain and surrounding terrain. Those longer exposures, however, burn out the sky so the mountain must be blended back in with the stacked image of the star trail.

 

This image contains all 171 25-second, f/6.3 ISO 100 exposures plus a 45 second ISO 800 exposure.

 

I didn't bother to clone out the airplane trails in this set.

 

The 25 second exposures at f/6.3 kept the sky dark in this heavily light polluted area, but the ISO 800 shot of the mountain seems a bit unnaturally bright to me. And the blend area is pretty messy. Not easy to see in the small version, but quite visible to me in the larger one.

 

Looking for the north star (Polaris?) Find the C in my last name. Bulls eye!

 

If you've ever wondered about the [C_030651-832_834bri] in the title, let me explain:

 

C_030651 is the first shot in the sequence (C_03 denotes the 30,000 shot on my 5D Mark II). The dash indicates the range. So Exposures 651 through 832 are included, plus exposure 834. The "bri" means it was a brightness mode stack. Yeah, you probably didn't care, but I thought I'd mention it in case you notice other photos with those weird numbers on them.

 

© Copyright 2011, Steven Christenson

StarCircleAcademy.com

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Off the rails big time...

© Henk Graalman 7400 (12sep87)

My Nikon D610 had fallen down today (small screen and top body broken), I have received a D600 with around 20.000 clicks for replacement. This is the oil and dust problem... Whoooooo !

 

NOTE - Do not use this picture without permission !

by Alfredo Fernandes

Alfi Art Production, Divar

41st Tiatr Competition A group Of Kala Academy supported by TAG

13.10.2015

more here

joegoauk-tiatr.blogspot.in/2015/10/41st-tiatr-competition...

 

Elvis Mascarenhas

Social Design for Wicked Problems Kick-off

40 boulder problems in a day. We did 41. Photo by Yangwave.

Black magic problem solution taweez +923004527585,

Kala jadu ka tor online taweez alam baba ji Whatsapp us on +923004527585

 

Bawa Rehmaan shah can help you in overcoming all the problems in the path of your love marriage. Love Marriage Specialist Astrologer can represent the chemistry of the couple on the basis of the positions of Venus and Mars. These two planets are responsible for the goodness of the relationship. Moreover, He ill provides the services regarding black magic, Astrology, Manpasand shadi. You can get the constitution of Rohani amal. (BlackMagic).

 

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