Who played the title role in Stephen Spielberg's film 'Lincoln'?

In Spielberg’s ‘Lincoln,’ Passive Black Characters - The New York Times The New York Times The Opinion Pages |In Spielberg’s ‘Lincoln,’ Passive Black Characters Search In Spielberg’s ‘Lincoln,’ Passive Black Characters By KATE MASUR Continue reading the main story Evanston, Ill. THE latest film by Steven Spielberg, “Lincoln,” which opens nationwide on Friday, has the makings of an Oscar shoo-in, particularly for Daniel Day-Lewis’s performance in the title role. The first scene is arresting: Two black soldiers speak with the president about their experiences in combat. One, a corporal, raises the problem of unequal promotions and pay in the Union Army. Two white soldiers join them, and the scene concludes as the corporal walks away, movingly reciting the final lines of the Gettysburg Address. Unfortunately it is all downhill from there, at least as far as black characters are concerned. As a historian who watched the film on Saturday night in Chicago, I was not surprised to find that Mr. Spielberg took liberties with the historical record. As in “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan,” his purpose is more to entertain and inspire than to educate. But it’s disappointing that in a movie devoted to explaining the abolition of slavery in the United States, African-American characters do almost nothing but passively wait for white men to liberate them. For some 30 years, historians have been demonstrating that slaves were crucial agents in their emancipation; however imperfectly, Ken Burns’s 1990 documentary “The Civil War” brought aspects of that interpretation to the American public. Yet Mr. Spielberg’s “Lincoln” gives us only faithful servants, patiently waiting for the day of Jubilee. This is not mere nit-picking. Mr. Spielberg’s “Lincoln” helps perpetuate the notion that African Americans have offered little of substance to their own liberation. While the film largely avoids the noxious stereotypes of subservient African-Americans for which movies like “Gone With the Wind” have become notorious, it reinforces, even if inadvertently, the outdated assumption that white men are the primary movers of history and the main sources of social progress. Continue reading the main story The nation’s capital was transformed by the migration of fugitive slaves from the South during the war, but you’d never know it from this film. By 1865 — Mr. Spielberg’s film takes place from January to April — these fugitives had transformed Washington’s streets, markets and neighborhoods. Had the filmmakers cared to portray African-Americans as meaningful actors in the drama of emancipation, they might have shown Lincoln interacting with black passers-by in the District of Columbia. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Black oral tradition held that Lincoln visited at least one of the capital’s government-run “contraband camps,” where many of the fugitives lived, and was moved by the singing and prayer he witnessed there. One of the president’s assistants, William O. Stoddard, remembered Lincoln stopping to shake hands with a black woman he encountered on the street near the White House. In fact, the capital was also home to an organized and highly politicized community of free African-Americans, in which the White House servants Elizabeth Keckley and William Slade were leaders. Keckley, who published a memoir in 1868, organized other black women to raise money and donations of clothing and food for the fugitives who’d sought refuge in Washington. Slade was a leader in the Social, Civil and Statistical Association, a black organization that tried to advance arguments for freedom and civil rights by collecting data on black economic and social successes. The film conveys none of this, opting instead for generic, archetypal characters. Keckley (played by Gloria Reuben) is frequently seen sitting with the first lady, Mary Todd Lincoln (played by Sally Field), in the balcony of the House of Representatives, silently serving as a moral beacon for any legislator who looks her way. Arguably her most significant scene is an awkward dialogue w


Which is the tallest building in the EU (at 310 metres high)?

Spain unveils plans to build the tallest skyscraper in the EU | The Independent Spain unveils plans to build the tallest skyscraper in the EU Madrid unveiled plans to build Europe's tallest skyscraper potentially topping current title holder, The Shard Sunday 17 April 2016 13:03 BST Click to follow The Independent Online The Shard is Europe's tallest inhabitable building The View from The Shard The Shard could lose its title as Europe’s tallest building after developers in Spain unveiled plans for an even bigger skyscraper.  Since 2011, the triangle shaped tower has dominated the London skyline, earning it the prestige of being Europe’s tallest inhabitable structure.  Standing at 310 metres tall, 72 of the 95 floors are in use, with the upper floors accounting for the spire.  But new plans for a six tower development in Madrid could knock it off the top spot with one tower included in the complex planned to be 70 floors, also topping 300 metres  London's new skyscrapers 'inflict serious harm' on capital's landscape Antonio Béjar, CEO of the company behind the project, Distrito Castellana Norte (DCN), announced the lavish plans.  He said the skyscrapers would: "Transform the city’s skyline and put Madrid among the main European capital cities. "The project is closer than ever to starting," The entire development forms part of a wider regeneration scheme for the northern part of the city, which has been progressing over the years. DCN is currently applying for all the necessary permits to begin construction.  In pictures: Nik Wallenda completes two tightrope walks between Chicago skyscrapers without safety net In pictures: Nik Wallenda completes two tightrope walks between Chicago skyscrapers without safety net 1/10 Nik Wallenda Nik Wallenda walks across the Chicago skyline blindfolded for Discovery Channel's Skyscraper Live with Nik Wallenda 2/10 Nik Wallenda Daredevil Nik Wallenda, left center in red, makes his tightrope walk uphill at a 19-degree angle, from the Marina City west tower across the Chicago River to the top of the Leo Burnett Building in Chicago 3/10 Nik Wallenda A large crowd waits to watch daredevil Nik Wallenda begin his walk on a tightrope uphill at a 19-degree angle from the Marina City west tower across the Chicago River to the top of the Leo Burnett Building in Chicago 4/10 Nik Wallenda Nik Wallenda begins his tightrope walk uphill at a 19-degree angle from the Marina City west tower across the Chicago River to the top of the Leo Burnett Building in Chicago 5/10 Nik Wallenda The shadow of daredevil Nik Wallenda is cast against the West Marina Tower as he begins his tightrope walk uphill at a 19-degree angle, from the Marina City west tower across the Chicago River to the top of the Leo Burnett Building in Chicago 6/10 Nik Wallenda Daredevil Nik Wallenda makes his tightrope walk uphill at a 19-degree angle, from the Marina City west tower across the Chicago River to the top of the Leo Burnett Building, past the Aqua Building, background, in Chicago 7/10 Nik Wallenda A large crowd watches Daredevil Nik Wallenda walk a tightrope uphill at a 19-degree angle from the Marina City west tower across the Chicago River to the top of the Leo Burnett Building in Chicago 8/10 Nik Wallenda Nik Wallenda walks on a tightrope uphill at a 19-degree angle from the Marina City west tower across the Chicago River to the top of the Leo Burnett Building in Chicago 9/10 Nik Wallenda Daredevil Nik Wallenda reacts after completing his first walk along a tightrope between two skyscrapers suspended 500 feet (152.4 meters) above the Chicago River in Chicago 10/10 Nik Wallenda Nik Wallenda walks on a tightrope uphill at a 19-degree angle from the Marina City west tower across the Chicago River to the top of the Leo Burnett Building in Chicago Currently, the tallest inhabitable building in the EU, after The Shard, is the Commerzbank Tower at 259 metres, followed by the Messeturm, 257 metres, both in Frankfurt.  In fourth and fifth place is the Torre de Cristal at 249 metres, then the Torre Cepsa, 248.3 metres, both in Madrid.  Th


At which lock does the Manchester Ship Canal join the River Mersey?

The Big Ditch Route, Maps and Footnote The Big Ditch... Manchester's Ship Canal An expanded version of the History Press (formally Tempus Publishing) Book by Cyril J Wood in eBook format   Chapter Two - Description of the Route of the Manchester Ship Canal   Before entry onto the Ship Canal is attempted, permission must be obtained from the Manchester Ship Canal Company.  For details of how to go about this and what preparations need to be made before cruising the Ship Canal, please refer to the chapter on Navigational Information. The Manchester Ship Canal and adjoining waterways   Eastham Locks from the River Mersey at sunrise   The northern end of the Manchester Ship Canal is approached from the tidal River Mersey estuary at Eastham, upstream of the old Eastham Ferry landing stage (now demolished).  The riverï¿½s channel is regularly dredged and is deceptively deep at this point even though it is close to the banks of the river. Navigation of the River Mersey should only be attempted whilst accompanied by a River Mersey Pilot and permission from the Manchester Company must be obtained well in advance of when access to the canal is required.   The entrance locks at Eastham looking towards Liverpool . The scaffolding structures are called ï¿½Dolphinsï¿½ which are used to guide craft into the locks   On arrival at the canal, there are four entrance locks. On the left are the old barge locks used by the Mersey flats and other barges small enough to fit. Use of these locks meant that a large amount of water was not wasted by barges using the larger ship locks.  Adjacent to the disused barge locks are two sets of ship locks allowing passage to ships of larger dimensions.  These locks have intermediate gates so that smaller craft do not have to use the full length of the locks and in doing so, saving water.  The fourth set of locks on the right, slightly downstream from the Ship Canal entrance locks and, incidentally the largest, are not actually connected to the Ship Canal, but allow tankers access to the Queen Elizabeth II Oil Terminal adjacent to the canal. Also adjacent to the entrance locks are control sluices and the de-masting berths used for removing shipï¿½s funnels and masts when they were too tall to fit beneath the fixed bridges on the canal.  Some later ships were constructed either to conform to the Ship Canalï¿½s dimensions or were fitted with telescopic masts and funnels that made the de-masting berths redundant.  Tugs and ï¿½gigï¿½ boats (small craft used for bringing ropes ashore) still use this area as their berths whilst waiting for the ships that they are to guide along the canal.   Map 1 - Eastham before 1953, prior to construction of the Queen Elizabeth 2 Oil Terminal   Map 2 - Eastham - Present Day   Mount Manisty After passing through the entrance locks, the canal follows the banks of the River Mersey, from which the canal is separated by a narrow strip of land known as Pool Hall Bay Embankment.  Before long, a small river passes beneath the canal in a ï¿½siphonï¿½ and runs across the mud flats exposed at low tide and into the river.  The siphon is a technique pioneered by James Brindley when improving the mine drainage at the Wet Earth Collieries near Bolton and also at Castlefield in Manchester where the River Medlock was diverted beneath the Bridgewater Canal ï¿½s basins.  This technique is used at many locations along the canal were a watercourse is required to cross the canal but not to physically connect with it.   Manisty   One of the navigation beacons that line the length of the canal. This particular example is marked "2" and is close to Mount Manisty The outlet from Pool Hall Syphon The rural setting of the canalï¿½s surroundings start to change to a more industrial nature and it is not long before Mount Manisty is reached.  This is an artificial mound created by the waste from the canalï¿½s construction and named after the engineer in charge of the construction of this section of the canal.  On the eastern bank can be seen the unloading berths for


What was the biggest and bloodiest battle fought on American soil?

What was the bloodiest battle fought on American soil? What was the bloodiest battle fought on American soil? 2010.03.22 The Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 was the bloodiest battle fought on American soil. In three days 5,662 soldiers were confirmed killed, 10,584 were missing, and 27,203 were wounded. As mentioned, the Civil War was the bloodiest for Americans. More Americans died in that war than in all of its other wars combined. How bad was it? About 618,000 soldiers died on both sides of the conflict, plus a large number of civilians who were routinely terrorized and killed by both the North and South. Some historians put the total deaths as high as one million, about 8% of the entire American/Confederate population at the time. Direct and indirect costs of the war totaled over $15 billion dollars at the time—the equivalent of more than $164 billion in today’s dollars—and left the South financially damaged for generations thereafter. Read More Also, any literature on baseball written in the 1800's does not credit Abner Doubleday with the invention either. But if my... 2016-12-28T23:28:08+00:00 I'm not saying that whoever wrote this did not research this at all but I am saying this explanation of the origins of baseball... 2016-12-28T23:19:30+00:00 IT TOOK ME OVER WINTER BREAK 12 DAYS 3 HOURS 5 MINUTES AND 36 SECONDS. 2016-12-28T02:49:36+00:00 The math here is false. The fundation of how this was worked out is how long it takes to count to 100 in seconds; which is fine... 2016-11-08T22:41:08+00:00


What name is given to the coast between Orcombe Point near Exmouth and Old Harry Rocks near Swanage?

Studland Village to Old Harry - Walk - South West Coast Path South Beach, Studland: Short diversion due to cliff fall - Feb 2013: Following a land slip affecting the path up from South Beach, there is a short diversion. More details . Route Description From the steps down to the road from the National Trust South Beach car park in Studland turn right, towards the coast, and walk past the Bankes Arms to take the lane on the left at the bottom of Manor Road.  The Bankes Arms was named after the Bankes family, who owned vast tracts of Dorset for more than 400 years, making a major contribution to the county's history during that time. Their family seat at Corfe Castle was destroyed by the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War, but the house built to replace it by Corfe MP Sir Ralph Bankes still stands in nearby Kingston Lacy. At the end of the nineteenth century the family built a summer beach house in Studland, now the Manor House Hotel. In 1981, Henry John Ralph Bankes bequeathed both Kingston Lacy and Corfe Castle to the National Trust, the largest donation it has ever received. Carry on ahead when the Coast Path joins from the left and follow the path through the trees and out onto the chalk grasslands beyond. From here walk about a mile, to The Foreland, or Handfast Point as it is also known. The chalk grasslands are home to a host of unusual wildflowers, and in the summer this field is alight with their colours, as well as those of the moths and butterflies they attract. Look out for the delicate chalk blue butterfly on the vivid carpet of yellow kidney vetch flowers. Cowslips grow in abundance here, as well as red poppies and scarlet pimpernels, and blue chalk milkwort, sheep's bit and harebells. Several species of orchid flourish in these grasslands, too, including heath spotted orchids and the rare early spider orchid, adopted for the logo of the Dorset Wildlife Trust. The Old Harry rocks mark the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site running between here and Orcombe Point, near Exmouth. Over the course of its 95 miles of coastline, something like 185 million years of the Earth's history are displayed in a continuous sequence of rocks spanning the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The headland consists of chalk banded with flint and it was formed about 65 million years ago. Across the water to the east, visible on the Isle of Wight, the Needles are part of the same band of rock and just a few thousand years ago were connected to this headland, before sea levels rose at the end of the last Ice Age. The same coastal erosion that wore away the rock on the Isle of Wight to form the Needles was also responsible for carving out Old Harry and the stacks around him. Over time the pounding of the waves on the cliffs enlarged the joints and cracks in the chalk cliffs, turning them into caves. As the water washed around these caves it further eroded the walls and turned them into arches. As the sea carried on pounding the arches, so they too disintegrated, becoming the stacks you see today. Old Harry's original wife fell into the sea in 1896, but new ones are being formed all the time as the sea's destructive progress continues. According to local legend, the rocks were named after notorious pirate Harry Paye, who attacked many merchant ships as they left Poole Harour, storing his spoils nearby. In the sixteenth century Studland Castle stood on the headland, built on the site of an earlier castle mentioned in records of 1381. A blockhouse was added in the eighteenth century, but today there is no trace of any part of the castle, the sea having reclaimed it all. Turning abruptly right at the point, follow the Coast Path as it climbs gently uphill, eventually flattening out to head southwestwards, with Swanage and Swanage Bay spread out below. The pointed stacks off the coast here are known as The Pinnacles. Like the Old Harry rocks these provide a good nesting site for large numbers of seabirds. In the cliffs opposite them there was once a smuggler's cave known as Parson's Barn, but t


Who was the only King of England to belong to the House of Blois?

Kings & Queens | Britroyals Kings & Queens Kings & Queens of England, Scotland, Wales & United Kingdom Kings of England Kings and Rulers of Wales Dates Merfyn Frych (Merfyn the Freckled) Lord of Gwynedd Rhodri Mawr (Rhodri the Great) Lord of Gwynedd Idwal Foel (Idwahl the bald) Lord of Ceredigion Hywel Dda ap Cadell (Hywel the Good) Lord of Ceredigion Hywel ab Ieuaf (Hywel the bad) Lord of Gwynedd Dafydd and Rhodri ap Owain Lord of Gwynedd Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great) Lord of Gwynedd Llywelyn ap Gruffydd (Llywelyn the Last) Lord of Gwynedd Kings and Queens of Scotland Dates Kings & Queens of England and Wales Dates Kings & Queens of England, Wales and Ireland Dates Kings & Queens of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland Dates Monarchs of Great Britain and Ireland Dates Rhyme to remember Kings & Queens of England since William I (the Conqueror) Willie, Willie, Harry, Steve Harry, Dick, John, Harry Three. Edward One, Two, Three, Dick Two Henry Four, Five, Six then who? Edward Four Five, Dick the Bad Harrys twain and Ned, the lad. Mary, Lizzie, James the Vain Charlie, Charlie, James again. William and Mary, Anne o'Gloria, Four Georges, William and Victoria Edward Seven, Georgie Five, Edward, George and Liz (alive). Mnemonic to remember the Royal Houses of England and Great Britain Never A Plan Like Yours To Study Oral History So Wisely = Norman, Angevin, Plantagenet, Lancaster, York, Tudor, Stuart,         Orange, Hanover, Saxe-Coburg, Windsor.


Which singer had a no 1 hit in 1985 with a duet singing with Barbara Dickson?

Barbara Dickson | Biography The show was a huge success and after a sell-out Liverpool season it transferred to London’s West End. After seeing Barbara’s performance in the show, impresario Robert Stigwood, the head of RSO Records, signed her to his label. Her first hit single, ‘Answer Me’, was released early in 1976 and a guest residency on the BBC’s hugely successful ‘The Two Ronnies’ show later that year brought Barbara into the homes of more than 15 million viewers on Saturday evenings. ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’, her second hit, followed in 1977 when Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber invited Barbara to sing on the original cast recording of their new musical ‘Evita’. A move to the CBS (now Sony) record label brought Barbara further hit singles including ‘Caravans’ and ‘January, February’ and ‘The Barbara Dickson Album’ in 1980 provided her with her first gold album. By 1982, regular TV appearances and sold-out tours had cemented her status as one of the UK’s most popular female vocalists. Her ‘All For a Song’ album that year was certified platinum and went on to spend almost a year on the album chart. A return to the theatre in Willy Russell’s new musical, ‘Blood Brothers,’ in 1983 was to mark Barbara’s debut as a stage actress. As with ‘John Paul George Ringo… and Bert’ nine years previously, the show transferred from Liverpool to London and in the process earned her the ‘Best Actress in a Musical’ award from the Society of West End Theatres. In 1985 Barbara’s single ‘I Know Him So Well,’ recorded with Elaine Paige and taken from the musical ‘Chess’, was released. It reached Number One in the UK and went on to become a Top Ten hit around the world, eventually selling over 900,000 copies. Further hits followed, but in the early 1990’s Barbara began to move away from pop and back towards her roots in folk and acoustic music. Her 1992 collection of Bob Dylan songs, ‘Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right,’ was followed by the albums ‘Parcel of Rogues’ and ‘Dark End of the Street’, which combined traditional music with tracks by some of Barbara’s favourite songwriters, including Randy Newman, Sandy Denny and Jackson Browne. The ‘90’s also saw Barbara beginning to diversify more into acting, with major roles on TV including ‘Taggart’, Kay Mellor’s ‘Band of Gold’ and ‘The Missing Postman’. On stage, ‘The Seven Ages of Woman’ won Barbara the 1997 Liverpool Echo ‘Best Actress in Theatre’ Award and in 2000 she won her second Olivier award for her role as the infamous 1960’s pools winner, Viv Nicholson, in the musical ‘Spend Spend Spend’. She was awarded an OBE from Her Majesty the Queen in 2002 for Services to Music and Drama. In 2004 Barbara released her first studio album for nine years, ‘Full Circle’, produced and arranged by Troy Donockley. It was widely acclaimed as a long-awaited return to her musical roots, with the Daily Telegraph noting: “it is no exaggeration to describe Barbara as a great singer. She stood out a mile among the Scottish folk singers of her generation, and she has consistently shown her class when performing for a wider public. This is Dickson at her most engaging.” Having established a successful working partnership with Troy Donockley, Barbara has gone on to record several albums with him in recent years, further exploring the music of the British Isles which she loves as well as selections from her ‘shirt box’ that she has always wanted to record. Barbara’s autobiography, ‘A Shirt Box Full of Songs,’ was published in 2009. She has presented several radio series for BBC Radio Scotland in recent years exploring folk and roots music, and has performed at and co-presented the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Barbara was bestowed with a lifetime achievement ‘Tartan Clef’ award by Nordoff Robbins in 2012 and in 2016 was honoured to receive the Variety Club of Scotland Outstanding Scottish Achievement award. Barbara continues to tour the UK with her full band as well as playing more intimate acoustic shows and festivals alongside her long-time keyboard player, Nick Holland. At the end of 2015 they performed s


Wales won the Rugby Union Six Nations competition in 2013, which country finished bottom?

History : RBS 6 Nations Last Season 6 Nations History Played annually, the format of the Championship is simple: each team plays every other team once, with home field advantage alternating from one year to the next. Two points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss and unlike most other rugby union competitions the bonus point system is not used. Victory in every game results in a 'Grand Slam' and back-to-back Grand Slams have been won on five occasions. Wales achieved the first one in 1908 and 1909, England have done it three times in 1913 and 1914, 1923 and 1924 and 1991 and 1992 while France did it in 1997 and 1998. England hold the record for the number of Grand Slams won with 12, followed by Wales with 11, France with nine, Scotland with three and Ireland with two. Victory by any Home Nation over the other three Home Nations constitutes as a 'Triple Crown'. The Triple Crown has twice been won on four consecutive occasions, once by Wales between 1976 and 1979 and once by England between 1995 and 1998. England hold the record for the number of Triple Crowns won with 23, followed by Wales with 20 and Scotland and Ireland both with ten. Although this achievement has long been a feature of the tournament, it was not until 2006 that a physical trophy, commissioned by the Royal Bank of Scotland, was awarded. Meanwhile, the last-placed nation at the end of the tournament is said to have won a purely figurative Wooden Spoon. Several individual competitions take place under the umbrella of the Six Nations tournament. The oldest is the Calcutta Cup, which has been running since 1879 and is contested annually between England and Scotland. The Millennium Trophy has been awarded to the winner of the game between England and Ireland with the first presented in 1989, and in the same year, the Centenary Quaich was contested between Ireland and Scotland for the first time. Since 2007, France and Italy have also contested for their own silverware - the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy. It was created to honour the 200th anniversary of the birth of Giuseppe Garibaldi, who helped unify Italy and was also a French military general. Up to World War I In 1871, England and Scotland played the first rugby union international with the latter coming out on top. After 12 years of occasional friendly matches between the teams, the inaugural Home International Championship, comprising England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales was played in 1883. England won the first series, along with a Triple Crown, and up until 1893 when Wales won and 1894 when Ireland won only them and Scotland had been crowned champions. Wales' triumphs in 1908 and 1909, although won during the Home Nations era, were the first Grand Slams as they defeated France in both seasons. France officially joined in 1910, having played in four tournaments up to that point, with the Championship now referred to as the Five Nations. England won the first Championship of the new era while Wales followed up winning the first ever Grand Slam by winning the first Grand Slam of the Five Nations a year later. The competition was suspended during World War I before France were ejected from the tournament in 1931, which reverted back to being the Home Nations from 1932 through to 1939. Post War Proceedings were halted again during World War II and resumed in 1947 as the Five Nations with France welcomed backed into the fold. France won their first shared title seven years later in 1954 and their first outright title in 1959 and by the 1970s the Five Nations had become the pre-eminent series in Northern hemisphere rugby union. Matches became all-ticket affairs, gaining huge popularity and a large television audience, however in 1972 the tournament was not finished after Scotland and Wales refused to travel to Dublin to play Ireland. The season after was unique for a five-way tie, with every nation having won and lost two games. The 1970s marked the golden age for Welsh rugby as they won three Grand Slams and one Triple Crown during the decade, an achievement the modern team could yet sur


Who replaced Mike Harding as the presenter of Radio 2's Folk Show?

Mike Harding 'pushed' from Radio 2 folk show - BBC News BBC News Mike Harding 'pushed' from Radio 2 folk show 18 October 2012 Close share panel Image caption Mike Harding is also known as the Rochdale Cowboy Broadcaster Mike Harding, who is being replaced as the host of Radio 2's folk show, has told fans he is "not leaving the show of my own volition". The station announced on Tuesday that Mark Radcliffe would take over show. But writing on Facebook , Harding said the BBC press release "makes it look as though I chose to go. I did not choose to go. [I] was told I was going." Radcliffe paid tribute to Harding's show, and said it was "daunting to be following in his footsteps". "He is a friend and someone I respect enormously and I really want to pay tribute to the sterling job he's done on the Folk Show for so long," he added. Harding is known as the "Rochdale Cowboy" after his 1975 hit single. He has presented Radio 2's folk show for 15 years, with other broadcasting credits including Mike Harding And Friends, Yer Roots Are Showing and several series of programmes on walking for Radio 4. I've lost count of the people who have come up at gigs saying they first heard me on his show Emily Portman, Folk singer Notably, he has hosted Radio 2's annual folk awards since their inception in 2000, presenting the likes of Eliza Carthy, Kate Rusby and James Taylor with major prizes. The station said Mark Radcliffe, who also presents a daily show on 6 Music, would bring a "fresh perspective" to the folk slot, and allow more live broadcasts. "Mike has done a fantastic job of supporting the genre," said a spokesperson. "This change will give us increased flexibility to support and reflect the wide variety of folk music available. "Mark is a very experienced and accomplished live broadcaster so it will enable us to broadcast the programme live when required and to incorporate folk music more seamlessly into our mainstream programmes. Mark will also bring a fresh perspective on the folk music scene, incorporating a love of the traditional and contemporary folk output." Harding, who currently pre-records his programme, said he would have broadcast live if he had been asked. He added on Twitter: "They want to make it more 'live'. Dint no I were dead. [sic]" Fans and musicians reacted angrily to news of his departure. "It appears the BBC controllers believe they know better than the listeners," wrote Dave Green on Facebook. "Clearly they don't." Folk singer Emily Portman said she was "disappointed", adding she had "lost count of the people who have come up at gigs saying they first heard me on his show". While Radio 2 listener Gareth George branded the decision "ridiculous". He wrote on Twitter : "Mike Harding IS folk music to me - introduced me to artists I would have never otherwise have heard." In a statement, Radio 2 controller Bob Shennan said: "I'd like to thank Mike Harding, who has spent 15 years at the top of his game, delighting fans with his expertise and rooting out the very best folk music. "On his watch, folk has enjoyed a huge surge in popularity and Mike has been key in supporting the genre and introducing Radio 2 listeners to a broad range of new artists. We very much hope to work with him again in the future." Radio 2's folk show is produced for the BBC by independent production company Smooth Operations, which also produces Mark Radcliffe's other BBC radio ventures. Harding's last show will be on 26 December, 2012.


At the end of the 2012-13 season, Cove Rangers and Formartine Utd finished first and second in which football league?

Deveronvale Football Club News Forfar Friendly - Match Information  - 1/12/16 As previously intimated Forfar Athletic will play host Deveronvale in a friendly fixture on Saturday. Supporters should note that the KICK-OFF is at 1.30p.m. Admission prices - Adults £5 Concessions (Under 17's and over 65's) £2 Stand & Ground Entry Arrangements - Paying Spectators utilise the turnstile at the East End of the Main Stand. Season Ticket Holders enter by the gate at the East End of the Main Stand n.b. The main turnstile block in Carseview Road will not be open for this fixture. 1984 Lounge - Open from 12.45p.m. till kick-off and for a short period after the final whistle. All supporters welcome. Club Shop - Open for business with 'Santa' just around the corner. Refreshment Kiosk - Open as usual   Forfar Friendly Fixture  - 29/11/16 Deveronvale have accepted an invitation to play Forfar Athletic in a friendly this Saturday. The match will take place at Station Park, Forfar with a 1.30p.m. kick-off.   Vale 2-2 Nairn  - 27/11/16 Callum Maclean netted an equaliser four minutes into stoppage time to nick a point for the Wee County at PRP, Vale scorers were Paul Sutherland & Nathan Ross Match Report Breedons Highland League Cup  - 22/11/16 The Draw for the Breedons Highland League Cup sees Deveronvale play Nairn County at home in the first round. Preliminary Round - Saturday 28th January 2017) Strathspey Thistle v Formartine United Keith v Forres Mechanics First Round - 11th February 2017 Brora Rangers v Inverurie Loco Works Deveronvale v Nairn County Rothes v Strathspey Thistle or Formartine United Wick Academy v Turriff United Clachnacuddin v Fort William


The Schick skin test is used to check immunity to which disease?

Schick test | definition of Schick test by Medical dictionary Schick test | definition of Schick test by Medical dictionary http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Schick+test Schick test  [shik] intracutaneous injection of diluted diphtheria toxin equal to one-fiftieth of the minimum lethal dose. Lack of immunity to diphtheria is indicated by redness and edema appearing at the injection site in 24 to 36 hours and lasting four to five days. This test has now largely been replaced by hemagglutination inhibition tests . Schick test (shik), a test for susceptibility to Corynebacterium diphtheriae toxin: 0.1 mL of Schick test toxin is injected into the skin of one forearm (test site) and the same quantity of the same, but heat-inactivated, material into the skin of the other forearm (control site); those with toxin-neutralizing antibodies either will have no reaction at either injection site (negative test) or may have a pseudoreaction due to antibodies for substances (antigens) in the test materials other than diphtheria toxin; people lacking toxin-neutralizing antibodies may have a positive reaction, which consists of an area of redness appearing 24-36 hours at the test site only and persisting for 4-5 days. (shĭk) n. A test to determine immunity to diphtheria by injection into the skin of dilute diphtheria toxin. Inflammation of the injected area indicates a lack of immunity. Schick test [shik] Etymology: Bela Schick, Austrian-American physician, 1877-1967 a skin test formerly used to determine immunity to diphtheria in which dilute diphtheria toxin is injected intradermally. A positive reaction, indicating susceptibility, is marked by redness and swelling at the site of injection; a negative reaction, indicating immunity, is marked by absence of redness or swelling. Schick test An obsolete test once used to detect immunity to diphtheria toxin, based on response to subcutaneous heat-inactivated toxin. Schick test (shik test) An assessment for susceptibility to Corynebacterium diphtheriae toxin. Schick test toxin is injected into the skin; people lacking toxin-neutralizing antibodies may have a positive reaction, which consists of an area of redness. Schick test A skin test of susceptibility to DIPHTHERIA . (Bela Schick, 1877–1967, Hungarian-born American paediatrician). Schick,


Which singer had a no I hit in 1987 with a duet singing with George Michael?

George Michael - Biography - IMDb George Michael Jump to: Overview  (5) | Mini Bio  (1) | Trade Mark  (1) | Trivia  (39) | Personal Quotes  (34) Overview (5) 6' (1.83 m) Mini Bio (1) George Michael was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in Finchley, north London, in the United Kingdom, to Lesley Angold (Harrison), a dancer, and Kyriacos Panayiotou, a restaurateur. His father was a Greek Cypriot, and his mother was of English background. He first discovered fame as a musician when he and school friend, Andrew Ridgeley , formed the pop group Wham! . Success came fast and furious with their first album, 'Fantastic' (1983) hitting the UK number one spot. Wham! survived for five years and during that time the group notched up four number one singles and two number one albums. Most of their other releases made top three. George also contributed to the Band Aid Single 'Do They Know It's Christmas' (1984), and scored two further solo number one hits with 'Careless Whisper' and 'A Different Corner'. Following the break-up of Wham! , George went on to have a hugely successful career as a solo artist, his debut album 'Faith' (1987) - and the single of the same name - both achieving instant and international success. The album has since been certified Diamond. Over the last four decades George has notched up 8 number one albums in the and 13 number one singles in the UK (including Wham! , Band Aid , and the 'Five Live' EP). In the U.S. he has achieved 2 number one albums and 10 number one singles, with numerous other number one hits throughout the rest of the world. He has performed duets with artists including Aretha Franklin , Elton John , Queen , and Lisa Stansfield , and actively participates in charitable causes, Live Aid and the Freddie Mercury concert for AIDS being just two of the more prominent examples. According to a BBC documentary, George donated more than five million pounds towards various charities. Whilst with Wham!, he donated all the proceeds of 'Last Christmas' (1984) to charity. The single reached number two in the UK and George also performed simultaneously on the number one charity record 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'. George released the single 'December Song' in 2008 as a free download: his hope was that purchasers would donate money to charity. He remained in contact with his Wham! partner and long-time friend Andrew Ridgeley until his death in 2016. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous Trade Mark (1) Powerful, smooth and soulful voice Trivia (39) He was arrested in April 1998 at a public restroom in Beverly Hills for committing a lewd act in front of an undercover police officer. As a result, for the first time he spoke publicly about being gay. BBC talk show host Michael Parkinson dedicated an episode of his Parkinson (1971) series to an interview with him. Michael also wrote and released the song "Outside", which had lyrics and a music video mocking the whole incident. The arresting police officer filed a civil suit against Michael for defamation of character, but it was dismissed. He enjoyed four UK number one singles with Wham: "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" (1984), "Freedom" (1984), "I'm Your Man" (1985) and "The Edge of Heaven" (1986). His song "Father Figure" was sampled for PM Dawn 's hit "Looking Through Patient Eyes". He collaborated with Queen and Lisa Stansfield on the British chart-topping "Five Live" (EP) of 1993. The first three singles of George Michael's solo career all went to the number one position on the UK chart: "Careless Whisper" (1984), "A Different Corner" (1986) and "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (1987). The latter was a duet with Aretha Franklin . His song with Wham! , "Last Christmas", is the best selling UK hit never to get to number one, reaching the number two position in December 1984, being re-issued and reaching the number six position the next December and being re-issued again and reaching the number 45 position in December 1986. It spent a total of 24 weeks on the UK chart. He sang on the number one and number two Christmas singles of 1984, Band Aid's "Do They Know I


Which essential part of ballet training, still in use, was devised by Pierre Beauchamp in the late 17th century?

Ballet - Core Of Culture Core Of Culture BALLET Julie Kent as Odette in Swan Lake, American Ballet Theater "The ballets, too, in their stories, were about serious and personal matters.  Giselle and The Sleeping Beauty -  these had to do with the great blessings and disasters that are the center of our lives, the things one is  usually too embarrassed or too frightened to talk about." Mikhail Baryshnikov   Ballet A form of classic academic dancing based on the accepted five positions of the feet and using a vocabulary of movement developed   since the 17th century; originally descended from court dances and spectacles of the 15th and 16th century. The most popular and well-known ancient dance form in the Western world.   1400s - 1600s ~ The Age of Court Spectacles The Valois Tapestry, showing the wedding of Marguerite de Lorraine to the Duc de Joyeuse -   The occasion for the Balet Comique de la Reine "In late Renaissance society, dance was not considered merely a source of light-hearted entertainment or physical recreation, but a profoundly intellectual experience for both participants and spectators. Sixteenth-century dance, like the arts of poetry, music and painting, was infused with new meaning and innovations as a direct result of the findings of humanist scholars as they poured over ancient Greek texts in an attempt to recreate the powerful and effects of ancient Greek drama.  The court ballets of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries were intended to enlighten and edify audiences. As the art of choreography developed it became increasingly informed by humanist ideals and imbibed with layers of meaning that were moral, philosophical, and political in nature.  It was the task and the delight of the educated viewers of these court spectacles to decipher the 'truths' underlying the dances."   Elizabeth Cooper from The Underground Stream   1400s  Spectaculi - Grandiose variety shows including equestrian formations, tournaments, mock combats, and even aquatic displays, were a prominant cultural activity, initially in northern Italy and then in France. These, and other arranged dances, were performed by members of the court. Dance Masters of this era gave members of court society precise instruction on proper dancing posture - carriage of torso, positions and moves of legs and feet, and bows and courtsies.  They also invented patterning and figures for the dancers to follow. 1500s  Ballet-comique - Danced spectacles with unifying dramatic themes, rather than variety spectacles where one dance followed another  with no dramatic continuity. Comique comes from the French word comedie and refers to dramatic theater.  Ballet-mascarade - A form created by Louis the XIII, who had little interest in dramatically related themes, but instead  preferred segment upon segment of artfull costumes and masks, pantomimes, and acrobatics.     Ballet à entrée - Spectacles of individual yet interdependent parts - series of entrances of independent groups interconnected, if only slightly, by  some theme or dramatic situation.  By the late 1500s low-life, or common, characters were performed by non-nobles - hired "professionals,"  though occasionally aritsitcrats chose to dabble in such roles.  At the conclusion of an entreé both performers and viewers  would all dance together, ballroom style, in the grand ballet - though commoners were excluded. 1600s  Ballet-melodramatique - Entreés performed to song instead of recitation, eventually becoming opera. By the 1630s dance spectacles were being offered to paying customers, wether noble or common. Another scene from the wedding of Marguerite de Lorraine to the Duc de Joyeuse   The Balet Comique de la Royne Important Dances of the Age 1489 - The first "ballet"  Created to celebrate the marriage of the Duke of Milan, this spectaculi  combined music, recitation, and self contained dances,  called "entrees," interwoven with courses of food. 1573 - Le Ballet des Polonais   by Balthasar de Beaujoyeulx  Created to celebrate the arrival of Polish dignitaries coming to offer the Polish throne to the


Which Conservative MP resigned as Government Chief Whip after the 'Plebgate' incident?

'Plebgate' row: Timeline - BBC News BBC News Close share panel Image copyright Dispatches/Channel 4 News Image caption The affair concerns a 45-second encounter between Andrew Mitchell and police officers at the gates of Downing Street Allegations that Conservative chief whip Andrew Mitchell called some police officers plebs during a row in Downing Street cost him his government job. But the scandal has since embroiled the police in accusations that they have not been sufficiently robust in disciplining officers accused of trying to discredit the MP as part of a campaign to "toxify" his party. BBC News looks back at how the row unfolded. 19 September 2012 Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell, then the government's chief whip, has a row with police officers who would not let him cycle through Downing Street's main gate. 20 September 2012 The story is revealed in the Sun newspaper, which reports that he swore at the officers and called them "plebs" who should learn their place. 21 September 2012 Mr Mitchell denies using the word "plebs" but apologises for being disrespectful. 24 September 2012 Mr Mitchell says he wants to "draw a line" under the incident, telling reporters: "I did not use the words that have been attributed to me." But speculation about the exact words he did use continues. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg urges him to explain "fully and in detail his version of events". 25 September 2012 A police log of the incident, appearing to confirm previous reports and contradict Mr Mitchell's position, is leaked to the Daily Telegraph. 7 October 2012 Image copyright West Midlands Police Federation Image caption Police representatives associated the row with their campaign against cuts Mr Mitchell remains in his job, but members of the Police Federation wear "PC Pleb" T-shirts at demonstrations against police funding cuts at the Conservative Party conference. 12 October 2012 Three local representatives of the Police Federation meet Mr Mitchell at his Sutton Coldfield constituency office for 45 minutes, telling reporters afterwards that he had still not disclosed the precise words he used in the incident. They criticise him for implying that the Downing Street officers' accounts are not accurate. The chief whip has "no option but to resign", one representative concludes. 17 October 2012 Image caption In a Commons clash, David Cameron said Mr Mitchell should be able to carry on with his job David Cameron tells Parliament that what Mr Mitchell "did and said" was wrong, but since he had apologised and the officer involved had accepted his apology, he should be allowed to get on with his job. But opposition leader Ed Miliband says that, despite the apology, Mr Mitchell is "toast". 19 October 2012 Mr Mitchell resigns, claiming the "damaging publicity" means he can no longer do his job. In his resignation letter to the PM, he writes: "The offending comment and the reason for my apology to the police was my parting remark 'I thought you guys were supposed to f***ing help us.' "It was obviously wrong of me to use such bad language and I am very sorry about it and grateful to the police officer for accepting my apology." 16 December 2012 A police constable with the diplomatic protection group is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, and suspended from his duties in connection with accounts of the Downing Street incident. 18 December 2012 CCTV footage, broadcast on Channel 4 news, casts doubt on the police officers' version of events. The police log said Mr Mitchell's use of a number of expletives had left members of the public looking on "visibly shocked". But the footage suggests that no-one other than the officers involved were within earshot. Mr Mitchell says he has fallen victim to a "stitch-up". 19 December 2012 Scotland Yard says it is opening an investigation into claims that an officer gave false evidence. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe says: "The allegations in relation to this case are extremely serious. For the avoidance of doubt, I am determined there will be a ruthless search f


The railway line between Exeter and Barnstaple is named after the title character of which Henry Williamson book?

Tarka Line : definition of Tarka Line and synonyms of Tarka Line (English) 7 External links   Route Communities served: Exeter – Newton St. Cyres – Crediton – Yeoford – Copplestone – Morchard Bishop – Lapford – Eggesford – King's Nympton – Umberleigh – Tawstock – Barnstaple Parts of the line are single track, meaning that trains travelling in opposite directions must sometimes wait for each other. The full journey from Barnstaple to Exeter takes just over 1 hour, on-par with the journey time in a car. Beyond Barnstaple, the railway used to continue to Ilfracombe or Instow and Bideford . Part of the latter route is preserved as the Bideford & Instow Railway , while sections of both routes have been reopened as cycleways on the Tarka Trail .   Services Passenger services on the line are operated by First Great Western using Class 143 , Class 150 or Class 153 diesel multiple units . During the summer months a Sunday-only service operates (on behalf of Devon County Council ) between Exeter Central and Okehampton .   Passenger volume The majority of passengers travel to or from Barnstaple – about three times the number of all the other stations north of Exeter. Chapelton is the quietest station in Devon. Some of the smaller stations have seen a decline in passenger numbers during the last few years, although there have been significant increases at Umberleigh, Eggesford, and Copplestone and on the line overall. Comparing the year from April 2009 to that which started in April 2002, passenger numbers at Barnstaple have increased by 71%. [1] The annual passenger usage is based on sales of tickets in stated financial years from Office of Rail Regulation statistics . The statistics are for passengers arriving and departing from each station and cover twelve month periods that start in April. Please note that methodology may vary year on year. Station Name Torrington   Advertising on 150241 "The Tarka Belle" The Tarka Line is one of the railway lines supported by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership , an organisation formed in 1991 to promote railway services in the area. The line is promoted by many means such as regular timetable and scenic line guides, as well as leaflets highlighting leisure opportunities such as walking or visiting country pubs . The Tarka Line Rail Ale Trail was launched in 2002, the first of several such schemes which encourages rail travellers to visit pubs near the line. The trail originally covered 16 pubs, increasing to 19[ when? ], but now 18 pubs. There are five pubs each in Exeter and four in Barnstaple, with one each at Newton St Cyres, Crediton, Yeoford, Copplestone, Morchard Road, Lapford, Eggesford, Portsmouth Arms, and Umberleigh. 5, 10 or 18 stamps collected in the Rail Ale Trail leaflet entitle the participant to claim special Tarka Line Rail Trail souvenir merchandise. Wessex Trains covered Class 150 2-car DMU number 150241 in coloured pictures promoting the line and named The Tarka Belle. It is still in service with First Great Western but has now been repainted into dynamic lines livery. The line was designated by the Department for Transport as a community rail line in September 2006. This aims to increase revenue and reduce costs. Among possible options are increasing the car parking at stations, looking at ways to increase the train frequency, and assisting the Dartmoor Railway to operate a connecting service between Yeoford and Okehampton .   See also


The miracle substance Graphene was developed by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov at which university?

The big, little substance graphene | Need to Know | PBS The big, little substance graphene By Sherry Mazzocchi October 8, 2010 This year’s Nobel Prize for Physics went to two scientists at the University of Manchester, England — Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov — who developed graphene, an incredibly thin, incredibly strong sheet of carbon that promises to revolutionize computing, conducting, manufacturing, perhaps life as we know it. In the distant future, it could be used to make cars, planes and satellites. In the short term, flexible touch screens and faster transistors are more likely. As the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences put it in announcing the prize, “Carbon, the basis of all known life on earth, has surprised us once again.” The scientists, who were known for having creative experimentation sessions, discovered the substance by placing adhesive tape on a piece of graphite, like that used in pencils, and pulling off a single layer of cells. The ideal crystalline structure of graphene is a hexagonal grid. Photo: AlexanderAlUS But why is it so special? Here are a few things you might need to know. Graphene is two dimensional. The material is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a dense honeycomb lattice structure, resulting in a very thin but extremely strong material. As Geim told Nature , “with one gram of graphene you can cover several football pitches (in Manchester, you know, we measure surface area in football pitches).” It is so dense that not even helium, the smallest gas atom, can pass through it. It’s so thin, it’s virtually transparent. Graphene may have a future in touch screens, light panels and solar cells. When mixed with plastic, it creates a super strong, flexible material that conducts electricity while simultaneously increasing heat resistance. It could replace silicon. Graphene can be either a conductor or a semi-conductor, depending on its shape. Because electrons encounter little resistance as they flow across the lattice structure of graphene, they move more quickly than through silicon, opening up the possibility for faster computing, and smaller electronic components. Not only is graphene strong, it can be made to spin faster than any other object. Scientists at the University of Maryland in College Park developed a spinning graphene disk that rotates more than 60 million times per minute. Because of its super-strength, scientists theorize this is a mere one-thousandth of the speed that  graphene can obtain while remaining stable. Scientists think graphene can also be used to hold microscopic and nanoscopic objects in place under an electron microscope — like DNA nanoparticles — the same way glass slides hold specimens under those implements used in, for example, biology class. It might have surprising health benefits. Chinese scientists have found that water-based dispersible graphene derivatives can inhibit the growth of E. coli. This means the material could be used to make paper for food-packaging or bandages, or incorporated into textiles that are highly resistant to bacteria. Adding graphene oxide, as Korean scientists have found , makes it even more effective. Last modified: October 8, 2010 at 5:54 pm


The Battle of Towton is believed to be the longest and bloodiest battle on English soil, in which war did it take place?

Towton Battlefield Society » THE BATTLE THE BATTLE The Exceptional Importance of the Battle of Towton – A Major Turning Point in English History On Palm Sunday 1461, in atrocious weather – howling wind, driving  sleet and snow – the armies of two disputing Kings of England fought all day on a plateau of land a dozen or so miles south-west of the great medieval city of York in the North of England. Chroniclers then and historians now dispute the numbers involved in the Battle of Towton, but it is most likely that up to seventy-five thousand fought and as many as twenty-eight thousand died in the battle itself and in the rout and massacres that followed. Battlefield map courtesy of The Sunday Times Towton was an event of the greatest importance for England.  It was the bloody culmination of a campaign of seven military engagements over the preceding eighteen months and  the final and decisive battle in the first of a series of English civil wars, collectively known as the Wars of the Roses, that took place between 1455 and 1487.  When the wars began, England was a medieval country, but after their conclusion, the victorious Tudor dynasty would make England a distinctly different nation state. The two rival Kings were Henry VI of the House of Lancaster and Edward IV of the House of York and on that day the future of their dynasties would be decided.   The magnitude of the battle was reflected by the proportion of the population involved:   Professor Charles Ross, one of the most eminent historians of the period, estimated that of all Englishmen and Welshmen eligible to fight (those aged between sixteen and sixty) one-tenth were present on the battlefield. Towton may not have been an isolated event, but it was certainly unique.   As well as its claims to be the biggest, longest and bloodiest battle on English soil, it was probably the most brutal.    Such had been the length and exceptional uncertainty of the First War of the Roses  that the size of the two forces had expanded exponentially.   So had their viciousness, which by the time of Towton had moved beyond victorious nobles taking swift revenge on defeated rivals and expanded to encompass retribution amongst the common soldiery.   By Towton, the two armies had become regional in nature:  the Lancastrians being stronger in the North, whilst the Yorkists had found it easier to recruit in the South, the West and Wales.  They had one thing in common: the soldiers now demonised their opponents as alien, different, even sub-human.   A struggle of factions had become a race war overlaying a civil war.  Thus when one side, finally and after many hours of fighting, broke in flight and found itself trapped on the battlefield, there was little chance of escape and none of surrender.  That, taken with the killing power of the medieval longbow at the onset of the battle helps to explain such extraordinary casualty figures; it also explains the resonant names of places on the battlefield today – names such as Bloody Meadow and the Bridge of Bodies. Singular in its excess, Towton was also singular in its import.  The challenge to  Henry VI by a victorious minority of the peerage against the wishes of the majority was something that undermined the model of English medieval monarchy itself.  And it came just four decades after the untimely early death of England’s greatest medieval king, Henry V. Almost seventy years after it first appeared in 1944, Laurence Olivier’s wartime film of Shakespeare’s Henry V remains the most famous modern representation of that great warrior.   It was essential for its first release that the film end on an upbeat note, so that it chimed with the Allies’ invasion  of Nazi-occupied France; and so it did, by neglecting to include the final sixteen lines of the play.  As a result, the audience was able to savour a glorious victory and gained no hint of the story’s less than triumphant denouement in four further plays – the Three Parts of Henry VI and Richard III.   Shakespeare himself knew exactly how it would unfold, as his Henry V was a ‘prequel’, written


Which TV series of the 1950s, one the first 'soaps' on British TV, featured Jill Browne, Desmond Carrington, Richard Thorp and John Alderton?

Emergency – Ward 10 Emergency – Ward 10 1 9 5 7 - 1 9 6 7 (UK) 966 x 30 minute episodes 50 x 60 minute episodes Emergency - Ward 10 was Britain's first medical soap. It was also the first of the nation's twice-weekly serials (shown every Tuesday and Friday) and started life as Calling Nurse Roberts, a six-week filler series by ATV staff writer, Tessa Diamond. Set in the fictitious surroundings of Oxbridge General Hospital, the series was an instant hit with a million viewers tuning in to the first episode in February 1957. Running for ten years - and reaching number 2 in the ratings in 1960 and boasting 16 million viewers by 1962 - it made stars out of the actors and actresses who walked its wards, not least of all Jill Browne, who played pin-up nurse (later Sister) Carole Young. The patients at Oxbridge were remarkably healthy and fortunate as no worrying or incurable illnesses were allowed. Although the series was high in drama it also had a very low mortality rate (patient deaths were strictly limited to five per year - later reduced to two), concentrating more on the lives of the doctors and nurses who staffed the hospital. These included Dr. John Nolan and surgeon Alan Dawson (played by Australian Charles Tingwell). Dr. John Rennie was played by Richard Thorp (who would later go on to star in another long-running soap,  Emmerdale Farm , as despised estate manager Alan Turner) and 21-year old John Alderton joined the cast in 1963 as Dr. Richard Moone (pictured above right). Dr Moone had a busy time of it in 1963. First there was pretty nurse Sally Bowen and a frowned-upon secret romance, a troop carrier overturned stretching Casualty to the limit, and the star of the ward, Sister Carole Young, was taken ill and admitted to her won ward. What drama! Alderton later married his co-star Jill Browne. Other actors who went on to star in other long running TV serials included  Blakes 7  stalwart Paul Darrow and Jane Rossington from  Crossroads  . The long list of patients who received treatment within EW-10's walls included Joanna Lumley and Albert Finney. But the writers did tug heart-strings on occasion - When the wife and baby of Dr Anderson died in a flood, tearful viewers protested in droves. The series also won praise in a British Medical Association report for allaying people's fear of hospitals, and in 1962 Enoch Powell (then Minister of Health) congratulated the show on its 500th episode and commented on the useful job it did in reminding the public of the need for immunisation. Emergency - Ward 10 had it's detractors also - A Manchester St John Ambulance Brigade commissioner banned his cadets from watching the show, claiming it portrayed nurses as "feather-headed flibbertigibbets". There was a 1958 full-length feature film, Life in Emergency Ward 10, and a brief spin-off series called Call Oxbridge 2000. But in 1967, with ratings beginning to fall, ATV Sir Lew Grade pulled the plug on the hospitals life support. Grade later admitted it was "one of the two biggest mistakes of my life", and in 1972 he tried to revive the series as  General Hospital  (not to be confused with the  long-running US series of the same name). AUDIO


The locomotive Mallard, the holder of the World Steam Speed record, was designed by which engineer?

Reunited one last time - six of Britain's greatest steam engines including world record holder Mallard and its five surviving sister locomotives | Daily Mail Online Reunited one last time - six of Britain's greatest steam engines including world record holder Mallard and its five surviving sister locomotives Six A4 class locomotive brought together to celebrate Mallard's steam speed world record 75 years ago Mallard reached 126mph on the East Coast line near Peterborough in 1938, a record which still stands More than 50,000 people have so far visited the six engines which are at the National Railway Museum Other engines are Sir Nigel Gresley, Union of South Africa, Bittern, Dominion of Canada and Dwight D. Eisenhower


Who was the first US astronaut to walk in space?

The First U.S. Spacewalk - Gemini 4 The First U.S. Spacewalk - Gemini 4 Ed White made the United States' first spacewalk on 03 June 1965 during the Gemini 4 mission. The extra-vehicular activity (EVA) started at 19:45 UT (3:45 p.m. EDT) on the third orbit when White opened his hatch and used the hand-held manuevering oxygen-jet gun to push himself out of the capsule. The EVA started over the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii and lasted 23 minutes, ending over the Gulf of Mexico. Initially, White propelled himself to the end of the 8 meter tether and back to the spacecraft three times using the hand-held gun. After the first three minutes the fuel ran out and White manuevered by twisting his body and pulling on the tether. The photographs were taken by commander James McDivitt. 19:45 UT (3:45 p.m. EDT) The first photograph of the EVA as Ed White backs away from the Gemini spacecraft over the Pacific Ocean northeast of Hawaii. (NASA photo ID S65-30431) High Resolution TIFF Version (7.2 Mb) 19:49 UT (3:49 p.m. EDT) This photograph was taken early in the EVA over a cloud-covered Pacific Ocean. The maneuvering gun is visible in White's right hand. (NASA photo ID S65-30427)


Who sang Britain's entry to Eurovision 2013?

BBC One - Eurovision Song Contest, Bonnie Tyler – Believe In Me (UK Eurovision Entry 2013) BBC One Bonnie Tyler – Believe In Me (UK Eurovision Entry 2013) Watch Bonnie Tyler perform 'Believe In Me'. Release date:


The Stephen Sondheirn musical 'Sunday in the Park with George' is based on the life of which artist?

‘Sunday In the Park With George,’ Sondheim’s Ode to Artists | Saint Joseph's University Home > Top Stories > News > ‘Sunday In the Park With George,’ Sondheim’s Ode to Artists ‘Sunday In the Park With George,’ Sondheim’s Ode to Artists Wednesday, April 8, 2009 PHILADELPHIA (April 7, 2009) – Stephen Sondheim's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning Sunday in the Park with George, a dramatic musical centered on the life of impressionist painter Georges Seurat, will wrap up the 81st season of Cap and Bells Dramatic Arts Society, Saint Joseph’s University’s theatre production program. The show opens Wednesday, April 22 at 8 p.m. in Bluett Theatre, and runs through Sunday, April 26. Renee Dobson, M.F.A., acting chair and associate professor of fine and performing arts and Cap and Bells co-artistic director, was drawn to the complex relationship between art and artist that Sondheim addresses. "The play was written as an anthem to all artists, acknowledging the difficulties that come with the lifestyle,” she said. “It depicts the sacrifices taken for art, and the toll those choices take on one’s personal life.” The musical brings to life Georges Seurat's pointillist masterpiece, Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. The story of George, the character that is based on Seurat, is told within the context of the painting. Despite the serene backdrop of the park, the stress George’s artistic profession puts on his personal life soon becomes clear, and is highlighted in his relationship with the fictional Dot, his longtime model and mistress. Renowned stage director James Lapine wrote the book for the musical. Sondheim's music and lyrics brought Lapine's story to life on Broadway in 1984, garnering the Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as two Tony Awards in 1985. It was revived on Broadway in 2008 to great acclaim. Dobson had Sondheim’s own stellar renown in mind for the spring production. "He is probably the most respected, innovative composer in musical theatre," she said. Douglas Lutz of the Walnut Street Theatre will serve as musical director, and other guest artists include scene designer Thom Bumblauskas, costume designer Mary Folino, also of the Walnut Street Theatre, and Barrymore Award-winner Jim Leitner as lighting designer. Performances run Wednesday through Saturday, April 22-25 at 8 p.m., with a matinee on Sunday, April 26 at 3 p.m. General admission is $16; students, employees and seniors pay $8. Bluett Theatre is located in Post Hall at 56th St. & Overbrook Avenue. For tickets, call 610-660-1181 or visit www.sju.edu/capandbells .


The Jane Austen Museum is in which Hampshire village where she spent the last eight years of her life?

The Places of Jane Austen Jane Austen Sights The Vyne, near Basingstoke A 16 c. house with many alterations over the years, with collections of furniture, paintings and ornaments. There is a long pannelled gallery with heldary carvings related to the Chute family who lived here for over 350 years. We know that Jane Austen came to dances here. Atractive gardens and grounds include an ornamental lake, and one of the earliest summer houses. Open mid-March to end October, not Th. or Fri.     The Wheatsheaf on the old London road This is an old coaching inn south of Steventon, where horses were changed on the way to and from London. Stage coaches carried the mail, and Jane Austen walked to here to send and receive her letters. The reciepent paid for the mail, as this was before the invention of postage stamps. The main building is much unchanged on the outside, and inside we can see the low ceilings, original beams and fire place. The old stables are now a restaurant, and at the side is a modern Premier Inn hotel. From the main road you can take a picture which will be much as Jane saw it.   Steventon Church It is over 2 miles walk over Hampshire's rolling countryside from the London road to Steventon. With simple leather shoes, long skirts and on unmade roads, the return walk would be quite an effort. The village is small, scattered and rural, the birthplace of Jane Austen (1775), whose family lived at the rectory (demolished) for 25 years. In the church there are three tablets to the family, and family graves in the churchyard. The church is over 600 years old and very simple inside and out, with some medieval painting on the walls. The wind vane is shaped like a quill pen. A yew tree by the West entrance is over 900 years old. The rectory was large and had 7 bedrooms. Outside there were fields where Mr. Austen farmed and his wife grew potatoes (at that time quite an innovation), formal gardens with a turf walk, sundial, strawberry beds, and a grassy bank down which the young Jane possibly enjoyed rolling as a child, like Catherine Morland in Northanger Abbey. There was also a carriage sweep, and a barn used for private theatricals except in winter, when the dining room had to suffice.   Jane’s very full social life at Steventon provided her with much of the material for her novels, and most of her long-life friendships were cemented during her time at Steventon. Here she wrote Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, although they were not published at that time. Her father offered Pride and Prejudice to a publisher in 1797 who turned it down without reading it. Cassandra and Jane attended many dances at nearby large houses, some of which are still standing today. The most notable is the Vyne, a National Trust property, near Basingstoke. Jane also attended social gatherings in Basingstoke at the Assembly Rooms. Barclays Bank in the Market Place in Basingstoke stands where the Assembly rooms used to be. A plaque on the wall of the bank commemorates Jane. She liked shopping, and is known to have gone shopping in Andover, Alton, Alreford, Basingstoke, Whitchurch and Overton during the years she lived at Steventon. Jane spent the first 25 years of her life in Steventon, before the family moved to Bath in Somerset because her father wanted to retire there. Bath provided scenes for some of her books, but she did not embark on any of her novels during the five tears she lived here.   Ashe Village A few miles north of Steventon is the village of Ashe, where Jane's father was also the rector and Jane visited her friends the Lefroy's at Ashe House.   From the farmyard we can see a circular pond with central island; this is the source of the River Test, which we can follow on pretty country lanes through little villages of 16c. thached cottages.     Upper Test Valley The chalk hills around Basingstoke soak up the rains, and filter the water all year into small streams going South, which combine to make the River Test and its tributaries. The official source is a lake with a circular island which can be viewed


Which very famous actor had three wives, Josephine Alicia Saenz, Esperanza Baur and Pilar Pallete?

John Wayne: Women, Marriage, and Family | Emanuel Levy Emanuel Levy November 12, 2006 by EmanuelLevy 12 Comments Next to hard work, family life was the other defining center of John Wayne’s existence. He was married three times and was the father of seven children.  At the time of his death, in 1979, Wayne was the patriarch of a large clan, compsoed of seven children and twenty-one grandchildren.   Wayne’s first wife, Josephine Saenz, was the daughter of a Panamian Consul in Los Angeles. They got married on June 24, 1933, and had four children: Michael in 1934, Toni in 1935, Patrick in 1938, and Melinda in 1940.   After a few years, the marriage was in trouble. Wayne practically lived for his work, which his wife found hard to accept. He was always surrounded by work associates and friends from the film world, which did not interest Josephine very much. The couple also had differences of opinion about how their children should be raised. Consequently, in 1943 they separated and a year later divorced.   Wayne met his second wife, Esperanza Baur Diaz, nicknamed Chata, in Mexico, while vacationing there. They were married on January 17, 1946, in California. Unlike Wayne’s first union, this marriage was rocky and volatile from the very start. His wife was reportedly jealous of his devotion to his work and to his four children; the couple had no children of their own.   Affair with Gail Russell   Chata also accused Wayne of having an affair with Gail Russell, his leading lady in “Angel and the Badman,” which he denied. The second marriage lasted seven years, coming to an end in November 1953, when a Superior Justice granted them a divorce under a little-used provision of a California law, reserved for cases where neither party concedes the other’s charges.   Pilar (Palette) Weldy   There were indeed charges and counter-charges of unfaithfulness, drunken violence, emotional cruelty, and “clobbering.” Wayne described his wife as a “drunken partygoer who would fall down and then accuse him of pushing her.” He deplored the publicity his divorce proceedings received in the press, though they did not hurt his career or popularity. Wayne met his third wife, Pilar Weldy (born Palette) in Lima, Peru in 1953, while he was scouting locations for The Alamo.” It was part of a South-American tour, a gift from Howard Hughes, with whom he had a contract.   Younger than Wayne by 22 years, Pilar and came from an upper class family; her father was a Peruvian politician. On November 1, 1954, the very day Wayne’s divorce became final, the couple got married.   Unlike his previous wives, Pilar took an active interest in his career. She herself was an actress, with some stage experience, although she did not pursue her own career. She bore Wayne three children: Aissa in l956, John Ethan in 1962, and Marisa Carmella in 1966; he was then close to 60 years of age.   The third marriage lasted seventeen years, but in November 1973, a trial separation was announced. Pilar complained about Wayne’s lengthy absences from home, even when he was not working; he simply said that they had lost interest in each other.   In his last years, Wayne lived with his secretary Pat Stacy, but this romantic involvement did not get any publicity in the press.   Taste for Latin American Women   The fact that all three of his wives were Latin-American surprised Hollywood; this was the only “non-American” aspect in his life. “I have never been conscious of going for any particular type,” Wayne’s said in response to a challenge from the press, “It’s just a happenstance. Whenever I’ve had free time, I’ve been in Latin America.” Once he described his preference as “some men collect stamps; I go for Latin Americans.” “I never found anything wrong with American women,” he told one columnist, “All I ask is that a girl be attractive and companionable.”   But he made a point to remind that his wives have been as much American as they have been Latin. He was candid about his need for women’s company, but admitted they were a mystery to him. “I still don’t understand women,” he said, “


Who played the title role of Jack Reacher in the 2012 film of Lee Child's novel 'One Shot?

Lee Child Danika Yarosh Joins Tom Cruise in ‘Jack Reacher’ Sequel Posted on Wednesday, September 16th, 2015 by Russ Fischer Tom Cruise and Cobie Smulders may have company in the Jack Reacher sequel. Relative newcomer Danika Yarosh, who has a role in Heroes Reborn, is in talks to join the cast of the new Ed Zwick-directed film as a young woman of particular importance to the story. Read More » Lee Child Comments on Next Jack Reacher Film Posted on Tuesday, September 16th, 2014 by Russ Fischer Jack Reacher is almost certainly going to find himself alongside a teen girl in his next movie. The first film adaptation of the long-running novel series by Lee Child was only a modest hit, but a sequel is in development based on the 18th Reacher novel, Never Go Back. In that book, Jack Reacher returns to the HQ of his former Army unit, only to find that the current commander has been relieved of her post as Reacher is implicated in an ugly chain of events. And there’s a young woman who could tie to the guy’s past. Now we’ve got a Jack Reacher sequel update: director Christopher McQuarrie probably will not return, and Child talks about the reasons for choosing this particular novel as the source. Read More » Will the ‘Jack Reacher’ Sequel Feature a Smart Female Teen Sidekick? Posted on Monday, December 9th, 2013 by Russ Fischer There will almost certainly be a Jack Reacher sequel — the questions are “when,” and “by whom”? Notice that we don’t have to ask which of the many Lee Child novels the film will be based on, because Tom Cruise, Skydance Productions, and Paramount are now developing the most recent book, Never Go Back, as the sequel. (It’ll probably be titled Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, in the parlance of our times.) Those who read all of Child’s novels will know that Never Go Back isn’t quite a standalone story; it is motivated by a phone call Jack Reacher had with the current commanding officer of his old military unit, and he’s spent a couple books trying to get to a base in Virginia to follow up on the call. There’s something a lot more important in this book, however: a smart, super-precocious teen girl. She could easily end up taking a bigger role in the film than she does in the book, and in so doing make the movie attractive to audiences that didn’t even glance in Jack Reacher‘s direction. Read More » ‘Jack Reacher’ Crosses $200 Million Worldwide, Paramount Working On Sequel Posted on Friday, February 22nd, 2013 by Germain Lussier In January, the rumor coming from Paramount was that the Tom Cruise action film Jack Reacher, which at the time had grossed about $73 million domestic and was about to open in Asia, had to gross $250 million worldwide to generate interest in a sequel. It seems that number may have dropped when executives looked at A) a bookshelf full of potential pre-written sequels by author Lee Child and B) solid international box office receipts. Jack Reacher, directed by Christopher McQuarrie, just crossed $200 million worldwide. While that’s not $250 million, it seems Paramount has begun to move forward with a possible sequel. Read More » ‘Jack Reacher’ TV Spots Feature Werner Herzog and Brazen Intimidation Posted on Friday, November 16th, 2012 by Russ Fischer Here are two TV spots for the Tom Cruise vehicle Jack Reacher, in which Cruise plays the ex-MP wanderer of the film’s title. Created by author Lee Child, Jack Reacher is a character who lives in more than a dozen novels full of violence and danger. And while the trailers for the film, and these spots, demonstrate that the violence is indeed a part of the big-screen incarnation, they also suggest that it is a bit less dangerous. But at least director Werner Herzog plays the bad guy, and the first of two spots below will give you just a bit of a taste of his approach, in case you missed him in the last theatrical trailer.  Read More » ‘Jack Reacher’ Trailer: “Remember, You Wanted This” Posted on Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012 by Russ Fischer Over the weekend we saw a low-quality Russian-dubbed version of the trailer for Christopher McQuarrie‘s film Jack Re


Englishmen Jonny Wilkinson and Delon Amiitage between them scored all of their team's points in winning the 2013 Heineken Cup with which team?

Heineken Cup final 2013, Clermont Auvergne v Toulon: Jonny Wilkinson's boot is his side's only hope in Dublin - Telegraph Club Heineken Cup final 2013, Clermont Auvergne v Toulon: Jonny Wilkinson's boot is his side's only hope in Dublin Jonny Wilkinson. It is always about Jonny, just as it was invariably about  David Beckham. Both are icons, both draw cards. True, they may well be  different personalities but they have had a similar impact at the box office as the many thousands tuning in to Saturday's Heineken Cup final between  Toulon and Clermont Auvergne will testify. Centre of attention: Jonny Wilkinson trains with his Toulon team-mates ahead of the Heineken Cup final Photo: AFP By Mick Cleary , Rugby Correspondent, in Dublin 10:00PM BST 17 May 2013 Follow In only the fourth all-French final, it is an Englishman who is the centre of attention. Wilkinson himself does not want it to be a one-man show. He never has. But as the television cameras closed in on him at Friday’s training run at the Aviva Stadium, and microphones pressed forward, even he realised that it can never be any other way. Clermont captain Aurelien Rougerie acknowledged the threat. “We are so aware of Jonny,” said Rougerie, declared fit after recent injury problems. Wilkinson’s former England coach, Brian Ashton, believes he is playing better than he ever has and the fly-half, 34 next Saturday, acknowledged on Friday that the passing years had energised rather than aged him. “I feel good about where I am now,” said Wilkinson, captain in his first European final. “Rugby has become one game at a time for me and this is what is in front of me now – the biggest thing I have got, all I have got to play for.” Related Articles Rejuvenated O'Driscoll decides to play on 17 May 2013 Wilkinson’s Toulon team-mates depend on him, the opposition are fearful of him. No matter that Clermont possess some of the most devastating open-field runners in the game in wings Napolioni Nalaga and Sitiveni Sivivatu, as well as one of the trickiest masters of midfield in centre, Wesley Fofana, Wilkinson’s boot looms large over this 18th Heineken Cup final. How could it not? The Englishman has scored all Toulon’s points in the knockout phases, 21 against Leicester, 24 against Saracens three weeks ago, even knocking over a dropped goal off balance as Owen Farrell tried in vain to hammer him from here to eternity. He failed, as so many others have before him. Only the gods have managed to topple Wilkinson. It was no surprise that he was nominated on Friday as one of five contenders for European Player of the Year. Of course there are many other sub-plots vying for attention. There will be seminal tussles all over the field: the giant Toulon props, Andrew Sheridan and Carl Hayman, looking for a sliver of dominance; the warhorse South African lock Bakkies Botha, pumping up for mano-a-mano combat with the Clermont hit-men, Nathan Hines and Jamie Cudmore, players who have never willingly turned the other cheek; the ex-Wallaby back-line catalyst, Toulon centre Matt Giteau, intent on showing the Fofana pup the full range of his own tricks; Delon Armitage out to demonstrate how exile has tamed his demons and reignited his attacking prowess and his Toulon team-mate, lock Nick Kennedy, aiming to prove that he is far from finished with top-flight rugby. Clermont, though, hold so many of the aces. If they are to be denied what so many believe ought to be their inevitable maiden coronation as Europe’s finest, then Wilkinson and his gang of mates from the south of France really will have to perform. They will have to subdue the Clermont street-fighters up front, no easy matter but not beyond their scope. “If we want it to be close, then everything has to be at 100 per cent,” Wilkinson said. Toulon have selected with that elemental battle in mind preferring, as they did in the semi-final against Saracens, the brute force of Springbok Danie Rossouw on the flank to the pace of Steffon Armitage who is on the bench. Only when the gladiators have had their fill, might others take their turn.


In which Zodiacal constellation is the bright star Regulus?

Zodiacal History as measured by Sun & Regulus' Conjunctions Conjunction of the Sun and Regulus on August 23 Sun-Regulus' Conjunctions & the Zodiac Yearly, on or near August 23, the Sun passes between the Earth and Regulus , the brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion. This annual conjunction of the Sun and Regulus comes about 2 months after the June 21 solstice and 1 month before the September 23 equinox. If you're familiar with astrology (or more specifically: tropical astrology), you may know the Sun occupies the first or zero point of the sign Cancer on the June solstice and the first point of the sign Libra on the September equinox. No matter the year, the Sun is always at the First Point of (the sign) Aries on the March equinox, the first point of (the sign) Cancer on the June solstice, the first point of (the sign) Libra on the September equinox and the first point of (the sign) Capricorn on the December solstice. The reader may wonder: what does this have to do with Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion? Once and for all, I'm hoping I can use this star to highlight the difference between an astrological sign and an astronomical constellation. Oftentimes, both astrologers and astronomers confuse one for the other. Either term is perfectly correct to use, as long as you don't mistakenly call a zodiacal constellation a zodiacal sign, or vice versa. Astrological Signs Signs refer to the Sun's place on the zodiac relative to the March equinox (First Point of Aries), IRRESPECTIVE of the Sun's position relative to the background stars - or in this case, the star Regulus. At the March equinox, the Sun is at the first or zero point of (the sign) Aries. One month later, when the Sun is 30 degrees east the March equinox point, the Sun stands at the first point of (the sign) Taurus. Two months later, when the Sun resides 60 degrees east of the March equinox point, the Sun marks the first point of (the sign) Gemini. Some three months after the March equinox, the Sun is 90 degrees east of the March equinox point, at the first point of (the sign) Cancer - this also marking the Sun's June solstice point. And so on and so forth . . . Regulus' Astrological Position Five months after the March equinox, on or near August 23, the Sun shines at 150 degrees (5 months x 30 degrees = 150 degrees) east of the March equinox point. That's the same date the Sun and Regulus are in conjunction! According to Anne Wright on her Regulus page , Regulus won't be at the first or zero point of the sign Virgo till 2012. Presently, Regulus resides almost exactly at the border of the signs Leo and Virgo, though technically speaking, this star is still within the sign Leo. Even though Regulus belongs to the constellation Leo, Regulus passes through all the signs of the zodiac in about 26,000 years. As a rule of thumb, Regulus goes one degree eastward through the signs of zodiac in 72 years. That's 30 degrees eastward in 2160 years. (What a coincidence, the moon's diameter equals 2,160 miles!) If, then, Regulus stands at the first point of the sign Virgo in the year 2012, we can calculate the year that the Sun and Regulus were in conjunction on the June solstice, and the year they'll be in conjunction on the September equinox. Regulus at June Solstice Point & September Equinox Point Nowadays, Regulus stands very close the first point of the sign Virgo: 150 degrees east of March equinox point, and 60 degrees east of the June solstice point. Going backward in time, we can figure that Regulus stood at the June solstice point some 4,320 years ago (60 degrees x 72 years = 4,320 years). Therefore, according to our calculations, Regulus was at the first point of the sign Cancer (June solstice) in 2308 BC (2012 - 4320 = 2308). According to Anne Wright , Regulus marked the first point of the sign Cancer in 2345 BC. At least our figure is within the ballpark. Looking into the future, Regulus will be at the first point of the sign Libra, or 180 degrees east of the March equinox point, in about 2160 years from the year 2012. According


Who wrote the opera 'Girl of the Golden West' in 1910?

The Girl of the Golden West | Louisville.com The Girl of the Golden West Kentucky Opera continues the BROWN-FORMAN 2014-15 SEASON with a company premiere of Puccini's THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST (LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST), opera's first "Spaghetti Western." From the Italian master who wrote LA BOHÈME, MADAME BUTTERFLY, and TURANDOT, Puccini considered THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST his greatest work. It made its highly publicized world premiere at the Metropolitan Opera in 1910. For the Kentucky Opera premiere on Friday, November 14 at 8pm and Sunday November 16 at 2pm, single tickets start at $34 and are available by calling 502.584.7777 or by visiting KYOpera.org. The work set in a frontier town during the 1849 Gold Rush, where Minnie, a bible preaching, poker-playing, pistol-wielding, saloon owner finds herself in a love triangle with a handsome outlaw, Dick Johnson, and the sheriff, Jack Rance, who is determined to bring him to justice. One of the reasons this work has never been produced by Kentucky Opera is the magnitude of the physical production. Kentucky Opera general director, David Roth, says, “We are using the set from Nashville Opera’s 2012 production. Instead of traditional sets, this one uses high-tech rear projections – giving the production a very cinematic quality.” Roth continues, “The piece requires three epic sets, each quite expansive and distinct. The Polka Saloon is first, and it has to be huge, with ten principal singers and a chorus. Act Two, is set in Minnie’s cabin, the smallest and easiest of the sets, but you still want the Sierra snow coming down outside the windows. Then the final set is high up on a mountain vista – where the cinematic screen projections add a feel of vastness and mountain majesty.” Who’sWho: Artist: Michelle Johnson makes her Kentucky Opera debut with her first attempt at the role of Minnie. What they are saying: “…At all times there was sense of naturalness, as though she was discovering the joys of life and love for the first time. I was impressed not only by her outstanding vocal beauty, but the spontaneity of her characterization. A truly great performance!" David Lindauer of Capital Gazette, on Ms. Johnson’s performance as Mimi in Annapolis Opera’s LA BOHÈME. Character: Minnie Owner of “The Polka” saloon, her charm wins the affection of all those around her, but she’s only interested in the outsider, Dick Johnson, who also happens to be an outlaw. Artist: Jonathan Burton returns for the second time this season to perform the role of the outlaw Dick Jonson. What they are saying: “The possessor of a bronze-hued herfty tenor, made an explosive event out of his assignment by dominating the score’s challenges with seemingly wild abandon.” By Daniel Vasquez on Jonathan Burton’s performance of Prince Calaf in Sarasota Opera’s TURANDOT. Character: Dick Johnson (AKA Ramerrez) An outlaw passing through town when he falls for the local Polka owner, Minnie. He receives a second chance while on the run. Artist: Franco Pomponi makes his Kentucky Opera debut in the role of Jack Rance. What they are saying: "In the title role [Hamlet] Franco Pomponi proved sublime: a beautiful baritone voice, not too dark, and suited to the role, excellent technique, he has hard-hitting vocals and rich colors, the skill of an dramatic actor and a very handsome physique that have allowed him to be fully in the part." Mirko Bertolini of Teatre.it on Pomponi’s performance in HAMLET at La Monnaie in Brussels. Character: Jack Rance the local town Sheriff. Despite wanting Minnie for himself, he plays by the rules of the Wild West when it comes to law, and remains true to his betting stakes, giving Dick Johnson a second chance. Cast Listing:


Who presents the Radio 2 Rhythm & Blues Show at 7.00pm every Monday?

BBC - Press Office - Network Radio Programme Information BBC Week 33 Monday 16 August 2011 BBC AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE Scott Mills Show At Edinburgh Festival Fringe Monday 15 to Thursday 18 August 4.00-7.00pm BBC RADIO 1 BBC Radio 1's Scott Mills returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for a third year presenting his show live from a studio in a BBC pop-up bubble on Potterrow near Bristo Square in the city centre. Celebrity guests and festival performers pop in to the show each day to give listeners a flavour of what the festival has to offer. Scott returns on-air each night with Nick Grimshaw at 11pm for a very special Fun And Filth Cabaret show in front of a live audience in the BBC bubble. Presenter/Scott Mills, Producer/Emlyn Dodd for BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 1 Publicity BBC AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE Nick Grimshaw At Edinburgh Festival Fringe Monday 15 to Thursday 18 August 10.00pm-12.00midnight BBC RADIO 1 BBC Radio 1's Nick Grimshaw returns to Edinburgh Festival Fringe for four nights with an amazing interactive show titled Fun And Filth Cabaret, live from a pop-up BBC bubble on Potterrow near Bristo Square in the city centre. Joined all week by co-host Scott Mills the two showcase the best of the weird and wonderful talent performing at the festival, in front of an audience. Alongside new stand up, music, cabaret and comedy there will be also be an opportunity for listeners at home to get involved through social media and become part of the nightly performance. Nick's show is live on BBC Red Button from 11pm-12midnight each night for digital TV viewers. Presenter/Nick Grimshaw, Producer/James Bursey for BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 1 Publicity Vanessa Feltz For Jeremy Vine Monday 16 August 12.00noon-2.00pm BBC RADIO 2 Vanessa Feltz, presenter of BBC Radio 2's Early Morning Breakfast Show (from 5-6.30am every weekday) sits in for Jeremy Vine this week. Vanessa takes listener calls, discusses the news headlines and talks to the people making them. Presenter/Vanessa Feltz, Producer/Phil Jones for the BBC BBC Radio 2 Publicity Liza Tarbuck For Simon Mayo Monday 16 August 5.00-7.00pm BBC RADIO 2 Liza Tarbuck makes a welcome return to BBC Radio 2 this week as she sits in for Simon Mayo. Presenter/Liza Tarbuck, Producer/Andy Warrell for the BBC BBC Radio 2 Publicity Monday 16 August 7.00-8.00pm BBC RADIO 2 Performing this week on Paul Jones's rhythm and blues show are American funk and soul band, Robert Randolph And The Family Band. A virtuoso on the pedal steel guitar, Robert Randolph set the music world on fire in 2000 when he began playing his first club dates in New York City. Randolph now performs with his own group, The Family Band, comprising of cousins Danyell Morgan, Marcus Randolph and John Ginty. The band's career began with opening gigs for a variety of blues, jazz-funk, and jam bands such as the Derek Trucks Band, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe and Soulive. Presenter and Producer/Paul Jones for the BBC BBC Radio 2 Publicity American soul musician Donny Hathaway As BBC Radio 2's Summer Of Soul continues, Roberta Flack pays tribute to Donny Hathaway. Ask anyone involved in today's R&B music, and it's a sure thing they'll have a copy of a Donny Hathaway song in their collection. Amy Winehouse even referred to Hathaway in her song Rehab. Although it is over 30 years ago since he died prematurely at age 33, his music has touched many generations. Donny was gifted musically and could do everything; sing, write, compose, arrange and play. Roberta – who sang and recorded many duets with Donny including Where Is The Love and Back Together Again – pays tribute to the man and his music, along with friends, family and colleagues who knew him well. He released four successful solo albums, supported Aretha Franklin on tour and his song Some Day We'll All Be Free has now become a civil rights anthem. Presenter/Roberta Flack, Producer/Sue Clark for Sue Clark Productions BBC Radio 2 Publicity 9.00-9.30am BBC RADIO 4 Peter White interviews high-profile disabled people about the obstacles they have faced. In the first p