Which monarch (1199-1216) preceded Henry III?

The Monarchs: King John (1199 – 1216) - One of England's Most Terrible Kings - Famous for Sealing the Magna Carta - Anglotopia.net Issue #4 Now Shipping! We received Issue #4 from the printer last week and have begun the process of shipping out. There’s almost 900 to send, so it will take a about 7-10 days to ship them all out. It will be with you soon! Related Issue #4 is Almost Done! We’re almost done with Issue #4 which is taking a bit longer than we planned to get ready. It’s with our copy editor now and we’ll be sending it to the printer this week. We expect to begin shipping out in 2-3 weeks. Related The London Annual Has Gone to Press! We have approved the final proofs for the London Annual and it’s going to press. We expect them in the office in a couple weeks at which point we’ll mail them out to all that pre-ordered. It has sold very well for us and we ordered extras but as with all our other magazine, quantities […] Now Taking Pre-Orders for the London Annual and Issue #4 We’re now taking pre-orders for a special one off magazine called the London Annual which will be a great guide to London in 2017 (this is not included in the subscription). We’re also now open to pre-orders for the fourth issue of the Anglotopia Magazine. Place your orders here now. Related Third Issue Update: All Subscriptions Have Been Mailed We have finished mailing out all subscriptions and single issue orders of the third issue of the Anglotopia Magazine. Took a bit longer than we thought but they’re all on the way. We have a limited number left in stock of the third issue – so if you haven’t already – pick it up soon! […] Digital Subscribers – Your Issue is Ready to Download! We have sent out the emails to digital subscribers letting them know they can now download the Issue #3 of the Anglotopia Magazine. You will received an email from us, be sure to check your SPAM folder if you haven’t received it today. Email us right away and we’ll send you a different link to […] Issue #3 Has Been Printed and We’ll Begin Shipping Them We have just picked up Issue #3 of the Anglotopia Magazine from the printer. It looks beautiful! We’ll begin shipping them out tomorrow. It’s going to take us about a week to get them all out. We have about 600 subscribers and pre-orders to get through. Last time we used a third party shipping company […] Pre-order Issue #3 Now To make sure that you can get a copy of the next issue of the Anglotopia magazine, we recommend pre-ordering. We’re only getting 900 copies and 600 or so have already been reserved. We will likely sell out again. Click here to preorder. Related By Toni Ford 3 Comments ‘Signing’ Magna Carta – Was Actually Sealed King John is thought to be the antithesis of King Richard, the Lionheart who preceded him. If Richard was tall, strong, brave and an accomplished military leader, John was short, weak, cowardly and completely unskilled in the art of war. After attempting to steal the English crown from his brother Richard, who had entrusted John to look after his Kingdom while he led the Third Crusade, John legally inherited the throne in 1199 when Richard was killed in battle. King John’s is remembered today for his sealing of the Magna Carta, a document sealed under pressure to avoid a full scale civil war. John lost all English territories in France, his treasure, his crown and his life aged just 49. Key Facts about King John John was born on December 24th 1167 in Oxford, England. He became King of England on April 7th 1199, aged 32. John was married twice, first to Isabella of Gloucester whom he divorced in 1200 and second to Isabella of Angouleme with whom he had five children. He died at 49 of dysentery and is buried at Worcester Cathedral. The Life of King John The youngest of the nine children of King Henry II and Queen Eleanor, John was born into a dynasty already at war over titles and inheritance. Shortly after his birth he was sent, along with his sister Joan, to Fontevault Abbey. Neither of his parents had any involvement in his upbringing and it is thought that a future in the church was


What was Dennis Skinner's job before he entered Parliament?

Dennis Skinner explains lack of Queen's speech quip: 'I was fighting Scots Nats' | Politics | The Guardian Dennis Skinner Dennis Skinner explains lack of Queen's speech quip: 'I was fighting Scots Nats' Veteran Labour MP says he was too preoccupied stopping SNP taking over his ‘rebel’s bench’ seat to provide his customary opening-of-parliament joke Dennis Skinner MP speaks from his usual position in the House of Commons. Photograph: PA Wednesday 27 May 2015 11.16 EDT Last modified on Tuesday 19 July 2016 09.37 EDT Close This article is 1 year old Dennis Skinner , the veteran Labour MP, says he failed to deliver his traditional state opening of parliament quip because he was too busy trying to keep SNP MPs from sitting in his seat to think of anything funny. After Black Rod, currently Lieutenant General David Leakey, had the Commons door slammed in his face before being allowed entry as is custom, MPs waited for what they thought was to come next. Yet the Beast Of Bolsover, whose annual caustic one-liner is almost as much part of the pomp and ritual as the Queen’s procession to parliament, remained silent. “I’ve got bigger fish to fry than uttering something,” he told the Mirror . “I’ve been fighting some other battles, haven’t I? I was fighting the Scot Nats single-handed for a while.” The Bolsover MP added that he had “a big battle” this morning to sit in his favoured seat in the corner front row of the green benches, which the SNP are trying to prise from him. The new third-largest party in parliament, which took 56 of Scotland’s 59 seats at the election, seems to have made ousting Skinner from his “rebel’s bench” seat in Commons one of their early priorities. Pinterest Dennis Skinner’s Queen’s speech heckle in 2014. “Why should they be on that bench?” the former miner said, who has gone to extensive efforts to fight for his seat. “You can’t win unless you’re there at some unearthly hour in the morning,” Skinner added. “If I’d not been a coal miner in the past, getting up very early, I wouldn’t have been able to have done what I’ve been doing.” “I’m up at the crack of dawn,” he said. Skinner, battle-wearied and too preoccupied to heckle, later told the Telegraph : “It is not about me. That bench when I came into the House of Commons in 1970 was inhabited by what they called the awkward squad and by and large it’s had that reputation ever since.” Queen's speech 2015: Commons debates new government's agenda - Politics live Read more Although Skinner has not made a joke every year since he entered parliament, he has done so on the majority of occasions. He said he had not stopped doing the quip altogether, and that he still had four more years left in parliament. Last year, he had shouted “Coalition’s last stand” as MPs were summoned to hear the Queen’s speech in the House of Lords. He won widespread laughs from fellow MPs in 2013 when he shouted “Royal Mail for sale. Queen’s head privatised”, in reference to the government’s planned Royal Mail privatisation. Yet in 2012 he angered Tory MPs by drawing attention to the country’s economic difficulties, saying: “Jubilee year, double dip recession, what a start.” The best Beast Of Bolsover quips 1988 – “Ay up, Here comes Puss In Boots!” he called out to Black Rod Sir John Gingell. 1992 – “Tell her to pay her tax!” he heckled in reference to calls for the Queen to pay income tax. 1993 – “Back to basics with Black Rod” Skinner said in reference to the Back to Basics campaign of John Major’s government. 1997 – “Do you want to borrow a Queen’s speech?” he joked to Black Rod. 2001 – “You’re nowt but a midget!” he said to Black Rod Michael Willcocks, to much mirth in the chamber. 2006 – “Have you got Helen Mirren on standby?” Skinner said in reference to the portrayal by Helen Mirren of Elizabeth II in the award-winning film The Queen. 2009 – “Royal expenses are on the way” he said, bringing up the parliamentary expenses scandal.


Where (in Scotland) is the most westerly point of the British mainland?

Ten Things You Thought You Knew About Scotland* - Whisky Cyclist Whisky Cyclist Stations Ten Things You Thought You Knew About Scotland                                                                 Updated 26/12/11 Well 6 so far! Links on this page are to Undiscovered Scotland, Wikipedia, and other interesting links that I've found. 1) Muckle Flugga is the most northerly island in the British Isles. Nearly Muckle Flugga has the most northerly lighthouse in Britain, and therefore used to be the most northerly inhabited island, not that it could ever have sustained human inhabitants. The most northerly British Isle is the much less imaginatively named Out Stack  aka Oosta. Unst on Shetlopedia Britain's Most Northerly Islands Looking North from Herma Ness on Unst . The more southerly guano covered rocks are Vesta Skerry and Rumblings. Tipta Skerry and Muckle Flugga (with lighthouse atop) are indistinguishable in this photo. To the North lies Out Stack. Trees, West Yell 3) Ardnamurchan Point is the most westerly point on the British mainland. Again nearly true Actually you may not have realised that the most westerly point on the Scottish mainland is well to the west of Land's End - but because the north of the island of Great Britain leans considerably to the left, Ardnamurchan Point has the most Westerly lighthouse on mainland Britain. However, as the map to the right shows, the most westerly point is to the south of Ardnamurchan Point (6° 13' 34.13" W), Corrachadh Mòr at 6° 13' 37.70" W. While Dr Syntax's Head , Land's End is a mere 5° 42' 56.56" W. See also Wikipedia  Extreme Points of UK. 2) There are no trees in the Shetland Isles . Not quite true There are very few trees in the Shetlands , but as the picture on the left shows, there are a few that do their best to grow there.  Yell is the splendidly named second most northerly inhabited island in the British Isles. There are also some attempts at trees in Unst , the most northerly inhabited island, but I don't have any good pictures of them. 4) John o' Groats is the most northerly point of mainland Scotland Wrong 5)  John o' Groats  is the most north-easterly point of mainland Scotland Wrong, but closer Dunnet Head  is the most northerly point, and  Duncansby Head  the most North Easterly. As can be seen from the map above left (click to enlarge) neither point is that far from  John O' Groats . So bad news for cyclists from Land's End to John o' Groats - if you want to really go from end to end of the Great Britain mainland - you've still got two more miles to go! 6) Jura only has one road Not quite Even discounting a few short private roads to Jura House and on the Ardlussa Estate , Jura's road does have a few public branches. The main road on Jura is the A846, which, starting as it means to go on, commences on Islay at Ardbeg Distillery tours a number of distilleries in Islay before reaching Port Askaig - hops on the Eilean Dhiura ferry and continues through Craighouse to Lussagiven , where it finally gives up being an A road - not that you might realise it was an A road long before then. Single track often with grass growing down the middle, it bears no resemblance to its main stretch between Port Ellen and Port Askaig, let alone most A roads on the mainland. As can be seen from these three map extracts - it branches off to the pier in Craighouse, opposite the Isle of Jura Distillery , has an unclassified branch to Ardfernal, and another to Inverlussa. It eventually peters out into a rough track by the time it reaches Barnhill the cottage where George Orwell wrote 1984 . Orwell famously described Jura as "ungetattable" - and if you've ever been to Jura you'll know just what he meant - and it must have been even more difficult in 1948.


How many hurdles are there in a 400 metres hurdle race?

How many hurdles are there in 400 meter race? : GK How many hurdles are there in 400 meter race? How many hurdles are there in 400 meter race? : QUESTION : There are 100 10 hurdles in a 110 meter hurdles Race. How many hurdles are there in 400 meter race? ANSWER : 10


Which Scottish Dukedom does the monarch's eldest son always hold?

Titles of the Prince of Wales - Google Groups Titles of the Prince of Wales Showing 1-38 of 38 messages These are the titles of the Prince of Wales: Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester - created for the heir if he is a son, or a son of the eldest son, of the sovreign Duke of Cornwall - for the person who are heir to the throne and eldest son of the sovreign Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick and Baron Renfrew - for the heir to the (originally Scottish) throne As I see it these titles are granted as two packages: First Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay, Earl of Carrick and Baron Renfrew, as his father/mother succeeds to the throne; and then Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester whenever his father/mother decides to create him so. But I wonder, in wich group to place Lord of the Isles and Great Steward of Scotland. Is it with the Duke of Rothesay - part, or with the Prince of Wales - part. And I have also heard Great Steward and *Prince* of Scotland? Is that true? On Tue, 26 May 1998, Frank H. Johansen wrote: > > And I have also heard Great Steward and *Prince* of Scotland? Is that > true? Yes - although it is unclear whether the Celtic word translates into English as Great or High. He is also Lord of the Isles.  Which, if I remember correctly, he once said was his favorite title. And do not forget, his father's so-called renunciation aside, he is technically a Prince of Greece and Denmark. -- Stephen Frank H. Johansen ( frank.j...@hm.telia.no ) wrote: : These are the titles of the Prince of Wales: : : Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester - created for the heir if he is a : son, or a son of the eldest son, of the sovreign : : Duke of Cornwall - for the person who are heir to the throne and eldest : son of the sovreign : Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick and Baron Renfrew - for the heir to : the (originally Scottish) throne : As I see it these titles are granted as two packages: First Duke of : Cornwall and Rothesay, Earl of Carrick and Baron Renfrew, as his : father/mother succeeds to the throne; and then Prince of Wales and Earl : of Chester whenever his father/mother decides to create him so. But I : wonder, in wich group to place Lord of the Isles and Great Steward of : Scotland. Is it with the Duke of Rothesay - part, or with the Prince of : Wales - part. Both are Scottish titles.The style generally orders them by precedence... "Prince of Wales,Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay,Earl of Chester and Carrick,Baron Renfrew,Lord of the Isles and Great Steward of Scotland." If his father died in his mother's lifetime,the Edinburgh dukedom would be the last dukedom,Merioneth I believe the last earldom though Philip's creation predates Charles's,etc. Yes, I know the order usually is "Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay, Earl of Chester and Carrick, Baron Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Great Steward of Scotland." But Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester belongs together, Duke of Cornwall kind of stands on it own, and Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick and Baron Renfrew belongs together. With that I mean that he becomes Earl of Chester at the same time as he becomes Prince of Wales, and Earl of Chester and Baron Renfrew at the same time as Duke of Rothesay. But what about Lord of the Isles and Great Steward of Scotland? When does he get these titles? >With that I mean that he >becomes Earl of Chester at the same time as he becomes Prince of Wales, and >Earl of Chester and Baron Renfrew at the same time as Duke of Rothesay. But >what about Lord of the Isles and Great Steward of Scotland? When does he get >these titles? These, too, were automatic on his becoming heir to the throne, so he has held them since 1952. jpau...@aol.com (J Paul Jsn) wrote: >In article < 356AED88...@hm.telia.no >, "Frank H. Johansen" >>With that I mean that he >>becomes Earl of Chester at the same time as he becomes Prince of Wales, and >>Earl of Chester and Baron Renfrew at the same time as Duke of Rothesay. But >>what about Lord of the Isles and Great Steward of Scotland? When does he get >>these titles? >These, too, were automatic on his becoming heir to t


"""We skipped the light fandango and turned cartwheels across the floor"" are the opening words of which song?"

The words of 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' We skipped the light fandango turned cartwheels 'cross the floor I was feeling kinda seasick but the crowd called out for more The room was humming harder as the ceiling flew away When we called out for another drink the waiter brought a tray And so it was that later as the miller told his tale that her face, at first just ghostly, turned a whiter shade of pale She said, 'There is no reason and the truth is plain to see.' But I wandered through my playing cards and would not let her be one of sixteen vestal virgins who were leaving for the coast and although my eyes were open they might have just as well've been closed She said, 'I'm home on shore leave,' though in truth we were at sea so I took her by the looking glass and forced her to agree saying, 'You must be the mermaid who took Neptune for a ride.' But she smiled at me so sadly that my anger straightway died If music be the food of love [see note, left, about this verse + its opening] then laughter is its queen and likewise if behind is in front then dirt in truth is clean My mouth by then like cardboard seemed to slip straight through my head So we crash-dived straightway quickly and attacked the ocean bed


Who along with John Cleese wrote 'Fawlty Towers'?

fawlty Towers: John Cleese: 9780553745566: Amazon.com: Books Editorial Reviews About the Author John Cleese is an English actor, comedian, writer, and film producer. In the late 1960s he became a member of Monty Python, the comedy troupe responsible for the sketch show "Monty Python s Flying Circus" and the four "Monty Python" films. In the mid-1970s, he and his first wife Connie Booth cowrote and starred in the British sitcom "Fawlty Towers". He has lent his voice to many projects, including narrating C. S. Lewis "The Screwtape Letters". Connie Booth is an American actress best known for "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and "Fawlty Towers", a British sitcom she co-wrote and co-starred in with her then-husband John Cleese. John Cleese is an English actor, comedian, writer, and film producer. In the late 1960s he became a member of Monty Python, the comedy troupe responsible for the sketch show "Monty Python s Flying Circus" and the four "Monty Python" films. In the mid-1970s, he and his first wife Connie Booth cowrote and starred in the British sitcom "Fawlty Towers". He has lent his voice to many projects, including narrating C. S. Lewis "The Screwtape Letters". Connie Booth is an American actress best known for "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and "Fawlty Towers", a British sitcom she co-wrote and co-starred in with her then-husband John Cleese.              --This text refers to the Audible Audio Edition edition.


In food, from which country do 'Tapas' originate?

The Origin Of Spanish Tapas | Lifescript.com This article has been written by an outside contributor. It has not been reviewed by the LifeScript editorial staff for accuracy. The Origin Of Spanish Tapas An Introduction To Traditional Spanish Tapas By Marissa Brassfield A Reality Check The origin of the word “tapas” is a hotly debated topic. The most widely accepted version holds that tapas originated in Andalusia, a region famous for its sherry wine. Patrons at local bars would cover their glasses with slices of bread between sips in order to prevent intrepid flies from landing in the sweet wine. Bartenders soon put small snacks atop the bread, and tapas, from the Spanish verb tapar meaning to cover, were born. Now tapas restaurants around the world continue the tradition of small, shareable bites to enjoy with wine and friends. Tapas in Spain In Spain, tapas are more of a Spanish way of eating rather than a specific type of cuisine. In Andalusia, people gather in bars to drink and socialize rather than at home. Tapas are not actually served at home or in restaurants, only at bars. Tapas are part of the tapeo, the tradition of stimulating the appetite with friends while drinking. The tapeo is very similar to that of eating mezedes in the Mediterranean to combat the effects of alcohol. The idea is the same: the celebration of community in a local establishment, of drinking without getting drunk, and of eating flavorful, high-quality fare. Eating Tapas Tapas can be eaten at any time of the day. In Spain, tapas are often enjoyed between the main meals—between breakfast and lunch, between lunch and dinner, and during the bar-hopping that occurs after dinner. To ir de tapas is to visit several different tapas bars to sample the cuisine and drink with friends. Entertaining in the home is quite foreign in Spain, so most socializing between friends happens within local tapas bars. There, people from all ages and classes sit and talk about everything under the sun as they drink wine and eat tapas. Tapas are generally classified not by their food group, but by how easy they are to eat. Foods that can be easily eaten with the fingers are called cosas de picar, ‘things to nibble.’ Those that require utensils, even if that utensil is as simple as a toothpick, are called pinchos. And tapas that are served in sauce are called cazuelas, or ‘little dishes.’ Cosas de Picar Smaller finger food items include olives, which are typically marinated in olive oil and fresh herbs, and roasted seasoned nuts like almonds or hazelnuts. According to the Food Lover’s Companion, olives come in three basic colors: green, black and red-brown; all come from the same tree. Green olives are olives that have been harvested when they are ripe, but before they change color. Red-brown olives are picked at the peak of their ripeness. Black olives are overripe olives, darkened by oxidation. All olives are soaked and cured in brine before they are served, which alters their flavor somewhat. In general, olives taste sweeter as they ripen. Egg-based tapas are also popular in Spain. Deviled eggs, topped with green olives or anchovy fillets, are another commonly eaten tapa in the south of Spain. Called huevos rellenos, these hard-boiled beauties have shrimp, chilies or olives added to the yolk mixture in Spain for tapas. No tapas meal would be complete without a tortilla espanola, a cooked egg-and-potato mixture seasoned with onions, olive oil and parsley. Cured meats are always served as tapas. Serrano ham is the most popular variety of cured ham in Spain. Cured in the mountains, this delightful sliced meat goes well with a bit of Manchego cheese or fish and crusty bread. Chorizo, a spicy Spanish pork sausage, is often frequently served. Chorizo accounts for nearly half of Spain’s annual sausage production at 40 percent. The pork is seasoned with garlic and paprika among other herbs and spices. Its color ranges from bright orange to dark brown, and its flavor ranges from mildly spicy to nearly unbearable. Spanish cheeses also make delightful traditional tapas. Forem


The 'Ounce' is the alternative name for which large feline predator?

snow leopard | mammal | Britannica.com Snow leopard Alternative Titles: Leo uncia, ounce, Panthera uncia Related Topics tiger Snow leopard, also called ounce, large long-haired Asian cat, classified as either Panthera uncia or Uncia uncia the in family Felidae . The snow leopard inhabits the mountains of central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, ranging from an elevation of about 1,800 metres (about 6,000 feet) in the winter to about 5,500 metres (18,000 feet) in the summer. Snow leopard (Panthera uncia or Uncia uncia), a carnivore that inhabits the … © wyssu/Fotolia Its soft coat, consisting of a dense insulating undercoat and a thick outercoat of hairs about 5 cm (2 inches) long, is pale grayish with dark rosettes and a dark streak along the spine. The underparts, on which the fur may be 10 cm (4 inches) long, are uniformly whitish. The snow leopard attains a length of about 2.1 metres (7 feet), including the 0.9-metre- (3-foot-) long tail. It stands about 0.6 metre (2 feet) high at the shoulder and weighs 23–41 kg (50–90 pounds). It hunts at night and preys on various animals , such as marmots , wild sheep , ibex (Capra), and domestic livestock . Its litters of two to four young are born after a gestation period of approximately 93 days. Adult snow leopards (Panthera uncia or Uncia uncia) can grow to a length of about 2.1 … Russ Kinne/Comstock Formerly classified as Leo uncia, the snow leopard has been placed—with the lion , tiger , and other big cats—in the genus Panthera. Because of the presence of certain skeletal features, such as having a shorter skull and having more-rounded eye orbits than other big cats, the snow leopard has also been classified by some authorities as the sole member of the genus Uncia. Genetic studies show that the common ancestor of snow leopards and tigers diverged from the lineage of big cats about 3.9 million years ago and snow leopards branched from tigers about 3.2 million years ago. Similar Topics


In UK politics, who first challenged Margaret Thatcher for leadership of the Conservative Party in 1990?

BBC ON THIS DAY | 20 | 1990: Thatcher fails to win party mandate About This Site | Text Only 1990: Thatcher fails to win party mandate The Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, has failed to win outright victory in her battle against former Defence Minister Michael Heseltine for the leadership of the Conservative Party. The vote results, announced at 1830 GMT, gave Mrs Thatcher 204 of the 372 votes against 152 for Mr Heseltine, leaving the prime minister four votes short of the 56 majority required. Sixteen MPs abstained. The contest now goes to a second round, seriously undermining the prime minister's authority within her own party. Pandemonium There was pandemonium among Conservative MPs huddled outside the committee room in Westminster to hear the news. Thatcher supporters reacted with anger that the contest would be prolonged by another week, and strongly criticised the leadership system which allowed the challenge in the first place. Mr Heseltine's supporters were confident he could pick up enough votes on the second ballot to win. The leadership contest was triggered by the devastating resignation speech last week of the Deputy Prime Minister, Sir Geoffrey Howe, in which he was highly critical of Mrs Thatcher's methods. Fighting on Mrs Thatcher will now face intense pressure to stand down when she returns tomorrow from the European security summit in Paris. However, within minutes of hearing the result, she addressed reporters and photographers on the steps of the British Embassy to say it was her intention to fight on. "I am naturally very pleased that I got more than half the parliamentary party and disappointed that it's not quite enough to win on the first ballot. So I confirm that it is my intention to let my name go forward for the second ballot," she said. Mr Heseltine expressed gratitude for a formidable vote and said he too would press on, ignoring rightwing appeals to him to stand down. Election call The Labour opposition leader, Neil Kinnock, has tabled a motion of no confidence in the government and called for an immediate general election. The Liberal Democrat leader, Paddy Ashdown, said Mrs Thatcher should resign. It's thought Mr Heseltine's commitment to a review of the deeply unpopular poll tax swung many voters away from Mrs Thatcher. Senior Tory MPs were speculating openly that the Chancellor, John Major, would emerge as a strong candidate for the leadership if Mrs Thatcher were to step down.


In food, what is the more common name for the 'Chinese Gooseberry'?

Kiwi: The Chinese Gooseberry Kiwi: The Chinese Gooseberry Fruits, Desserts, and Other Sweet Foods Winter Volume: 2000 Issue: 7(4) page(s): 7 and 8 Kiwi was the name reserved for a New Zealand bird until 1960 when a commercially unsuccessful fruit known as the Chinese Gooseberry was renamed. Christened kiwifruit, history changed for two species of a woody vine that grew wild and originated in China. Called yang tao, this plant was not only problematic in terms of marketing, it also had even less acceptable names including goat�s peach and sheep�s peach. Actually, the kiwi has other names such as tara vine and bower berry, and it is not a true gooseberry. It was renamed kiwi purely as a marketing measure to increase sales. This fruit was not unknown in China before its rechristening. Missionaries reported that it tastes similar to a strawberry and can be used to make jam. They called it China gooseberry and Chinese gooseberry. They knew it as food and as a meat tenderizer. Today we know those uses and that it is a component in some sports drinks. We also know that there is minimal information available about the effectiveness of this fruit. There are four main Chinese types of kiwifruit. They can be as small as a grape or as large as a goose egg. Usually the size of a duck egg, though not as oval, this traditionally brown-skinned fruit, has its origins in the Yangtze valley, also the Chang Kiang valley of China. The largest and most common kind, certainly the one most known outside of China, has bright green flesh and many, many black seeds. Newer cross-bred varieties just entering the marketplace have lighter skins, yellow fruit, even less fuzz on their skins. This is not a new fruit, just one with a new name and increased popularity. The great Khans relished it and reported on its bright green color. The Monguls considered it a true delicacy. Botanically known as Actinidia chinenesis, this fruit first made its way to New Zealand in the first years of the 20th century, and it was they that recognized its grander potential. In 1847, a collector sent samples to the Royal Horticultural Society in London. There are many varieties of Actinidiaceae, the arguta, variety is a smaller fruited item and more popular in northern climates.  This particular variety, and more than fifty others are found in various southeast Asian countries and in China. Perhaps you have read about some of them as they are sometimes called Manchurian salty gooseberries. That is because the smaller varieties are often preserved in salt or pickled in brine. Popular in China, one hundred thousand metric tons are gathered from the wild and more recently the larger ones are also grown in orchards. This fruit was first exported to the United States in 1904. In 1935, agricultural testing began, and the year it was renamed, 1960, commercially grown kiwis from several countries, found their way into the American and other markets. Twenty years later, in 1984, kiwi was considered the hottest produce item of the year in the western world, available and produced in New Zealand, the United States, Italy, Japan, France, Greece, Spain, Australia, Chile, and of course in China. The Chinese have four main and many other or different classifications and names for this fruit. The most important ones are: zhang hua or Chinese gooseberry. These are round to oval and the most common variety; they are yellow, green, and shades inbetween. The jing li is better known as the northern pear gooseberry and it is elongated, oval, green, and with smooth leaves. The ruan zao, is known as the soft date gooseberry and it is a small-fruited variety with green flesh. The mao hua has green flesh and elongated leaves Though most commonly known by its brown color in the United States, Japan, and western Europe, the skin can be yellowish, yellow-green, yellow-brown, or brown. The kiwi, also known as kiwifruit, is quite different from tree fruits such as apples, peaches and pears.  That is because it is not a stone fruit but rather a true berry with many seeds i


Who resigned in July 2000 as leader of the Scottish National Party?

Scottish National Party (SNP) | political party, Scotland, United Kingdom | Britannica.com Scottish National Party (SNP) political party, Scotland, United Kingdom Written By: Scottish National Party (SNP), nationalist political party that has sought to make Scotland an independent state within the European Union (EU). History The SNP was formed in 1934 from a union of the National Party of Scotland (founded in 1928) and the Scottish Party (1932). From the beginning, disagreements arose within the SNP over whether to focus on electoral politics or wider cultural aims. There were also deep divisions over its relations with other political parties, primarily the Labour Party . World War II created further controversy concerning the British government’s right to declare war on behalf of the Scottish people. After 1945 the SNP helped to circulate petitions demanding a Scottish Parliament, but until the 1960s the movement for Scottish independence achieved little success and was sustained only by symbolic and insubstantial victories, such as the theft of the Stone of Scone —the ancient stone upon which Scottish kings were crowned—from Westminster Abbey in 1950. In the meantime, the SNP became more pragmatic and disciplined , though the party was still plagued by internal divisions and inexperienced leadership. In the 1950s and ’60s the SNP’s popularity increased with the spread of criticism of British control of Scottish affairs. During the 1970s and ’80s the party’s nationalist stance was brought more sharply into focus by the production of North Sea oil in Scottish waters, which raised the possibility of Scottish economic autonomy , and by the rule in London of the British Conservative Party (1979–97), which enjoyed the support of only a minority of voters in Scotland . The SNP’s greatest success came in the general election of October 1974. Managing for once to mobilize a sense of economic grievance and cultural resentment that cut across the traditional class divisions of Scottish politics, the party won more than 30 percent of the Scottish vote and took 11 of the 71 Scottish seats in the British Parliament . In later years the party was supported consistently in opinion polls by 20 to 25 percent of Scottish voters, making it the second most popular party in Scotland after Labour. Similar Topics Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) In the late 1990s the SNP ventured into the mainstream of Scottish politics by attempting to attract support from groups such as businesses and trade unions. In addition, the SNP made explicit attempts to modernize its party structure and its public relations strategies. Despite the Labour Party ’s continued popularity in Scotland, the SNP managed to remain a significant presence. After Labour won a landslide victory in the general elections of May 1997—in which the SNP took six seats in Parliament, its best performance in nearly 25 years—the SNP joined Labour and the Liberal Democratic Party to campaign vigorously for a second referendum proposing the creation of a Scottish Parliament (a previous referendum in 1979 was unsuccessful). The referendum passed with more than 74 percent of voters in favour; 64 percent also approved giving the body the power to change tax rates. Despite the opposition of the Conservative Party and the House of Lords , the government adopted a proportional representation system for elections to the new parliament, which made it possible for the SNP to extend its influence. At the first elections to the Scottish Parliament in May 1999, the SNP established itself as the main opposition to the Labour Party and its governing coalition with the Liberal Democrats, securing 29 percent of the votes and winning 35 of 129 seats. After a decade as the SNP’s “national convener,” the party leader, Alex Salmond , resigned in July 2000 in a dispute over party finances. He was replaced by 36-year-old John Swinney, the party’s deputy leader and a member of the British and Scottish parliaments. In the Scottish elections of 2003, the SNP’s vote share dropped to 21 percent and its seats to 27. Sw


"Which English King's favourite dog had the inscription ""I an Caesar, I belong to Caesar"" on its collar?"

Caesar, the dog tag of King Edward VII's Wire Fox Terrier, inscribed 'Caesar - I belong to the Ki In these Conditions: (a) “auctioneer” means Cheffins or its authorised auctioneer, as appropriate; (b) “deliberate forgery” means an imitation made with the intention of deceiving as to authorship, origin, date, age, period, culture or source but which is unequivocally described in the catalogue as being the work of a particular creator and which at the date of the sale had a value materially less than it would have had if it had been in accordance with the description; (c) “hammer price” means the level of bidding reached (at or above any reserve) when the auctioneer brings down the hammer; (d) “terms of consignment” means the stipulated terms and rates of commission on which Cheffins accepts instructions from sellers or their agents; (e) “total amount due” means the hammer price in respect of the lot sold together with any premium, Value Added Tax chargeable and any additional charges payable by a defaulting buyer under these Conditions; (f) “sale proceeds” means the net amount due to the seller, being the hammer price of the lot sold less commission at the stated rate, Value Added Tax chargeable and any other amounts due to us by the seller in whatever capacity and however arising; (g) “You”, “Your” etc. refer to the buyer as identified in Condition 2. (h) The singular includes the plural and vice versa as appropriate. 2. BIDDING PROCEDURES AND THE BUYER (a) Bidders are required to register their particulars before bidding and to satisfy any security arrangements before entering the auction room to view or bid. (b) The maker of the highest bid accepted by the auctioneer conducting the sale shall be the buyer at the hammer price and any dispute about a bid shall be settled at the auctioneer’s absolute discretion by re-offering the Lot during the course of the auction or otherwise. The auctioneer shall act reasonably in exercising this discretion (c) Bidders shall be deemed to act as principals. (d) Once made, no bid may be withdrawn. (e) Our right to bid on behalf of the seller is expressly reserved up to the amount of any reserve and the right to refuse any bid is also reserved. 3. INCREMENTS Bidding increments shall be at the auctioneer’s sole discretion. 4. THE PURCHASE PRICE The buyer shall pay the hammer price, together with a premium thereon of 27% which shall include VAT on the premium at the rate imposed by law. 5. VALUE ADDED TAX Value Added Tax on the hammer price is imposed by law on all items affixed with an asterisk or double asterisk. Value Added Tax is charged at the appropriate rate prevailing by law at the date of sale and is payable by buyers of relevant Lots. (Please refer to the Information for Buyers for a brief explanation of the VAT position.) 6. PAYMENT (1) Immediately a Lot is sold you will: (a) give to us, if requested proof of identity, and (b) pay to us the total amount due in cash or in such other way as is agreed by us. (2) Any payments by you to us may be applied by us towards any sums owing from you to us on any account whatever without regard to any directions of you or your agent, whether express or implied. 7. TITLE AND COLLECTION OF PURCHASES (1) The ownership of any Lots purchased shall not pass to you until you have made payment in full to us of the total amount due. (2) You shall at your own risk and expense take away any lots that you have purchased and paid for not later than 3 working days following the day of the auction or upon the clearance of any cheque used for payment after which you shall be responsible for any removal, storage and insurance charges. (3) No purchase can be claimed or removed until it has been paid for. 8. REMEDIES FOR NON-PAYMENT OR FAILURE TO COLLECT PURCHASES (1) If any Lot is not paid for in full and taken away in accordance with these Conditions or if there is any other breach of these Conditions, we, as agent for the seller and on our own behalf, shall at our absolute discretion and without prejudice to any other rights we may have, be entitled to exerc


Which English town is at the head or the Orwell estuary?

Estuaries Estuaries Estuaries Estuaries The low-lying landscape of Suffolk's five estuaries allows for beautiful views across saltmarshes, grazing marshes and mudflats. These valuable habitats, formed where the river meets the sea, are important feeding areas for birds and wildlife and provide opportunties for a wide range of activities, including sailing, fishing, walking and cycling. All of Suffolk's estuaries are remarkable, but the two most southerly - the Stour and Orwell - are wetlands of particular contrasting character. Here, a dramatic tension exists between their beautiful scenery and spectacular wildlife, and in contrast, large-scale human usage - most starkly expressed in the mighty cranes and giant container ships that populate the Port of Felixstowe, one of the largest and busiest ports in England.  Our Five Estuaries The Blyth estuary is 4 miles (6.5Km) long starting at Blythburgh and finishing at its mouth at Southwold Harbour. You can catch a ferry across the Blyth estuary at Southwold or Walberswick. This ancient ferry has been running since the 13th Century - a truly remarkable achievement! The harbour at Southwold is still an active fishing harbour. Minsmere and Walberswick have a wonderful National Nature Reserve where you can hear Bittern “booming” in spring and see Natterjack Toads. The Alde and Ore is Suffolk’s longest estuary at nearly 16 miles (25.5Km) long. It is separated from the sea by a narrow shingle spit. The head of the Alde estuary is at Snape, where you can visit Snape Maltings, the music venue made internationally famous by Benjamin Britten. Orford Ness is Europe’s largest vegetated spit –10 miles (16km) long! The spit formed almost entirely of flint deposited by waves through the process of long-shore drift. Orford Ness is an internationally important nature reserve because of the shingle habitat and the birds and seals that live there. The Deben estuary is 10miles (16km) long. The mouth of the estuary is very interesting as it has moving islands of shingle called the Knolls that change with the weather and tides. The Deben has 40% of Suffolk's saltmarsh. The ancient market town of Woodbridge was once a major ship building town providing ships for the English fleet fighting the Spanish Armada in 1588. Smugglers used to land their stolen goods at Woodbridge to sell. Today there are still many boats in the river, some working, but the majority are used for fun! Simon Read - local artist and Senior Lecturer in Fine Art at Middlesex University combines his passion for art and working for his local community to monitor environmental impact on this landscape.   Read the article and watch the film here .  The Orwell is 11 1/2 miles long starting at Ipswich where the dock has operated since the 17th century. It is a very narrow estuary but is home to the largest port in Britain. Alongside all of this activity the estuary has nationally important habitats for birds. There are nature reserves at Trimley, Levington and Nacton which you can visit. Peregrine Falcons nest on the Orwell Bridge. The Stour estuary is 10 3/4 miles long. The name Stour comes from the Celtic word sturr meaning "strong". The River Stour was one of the first improved rivers or canals in England. Parliament passed an act in 1705 to make the river easier to use from the town of Manningtree, to Sudbury. Horses pulled boats called lighters carrying cargo of pitch, tar, soap, vinegar, resin, glass, butter and apples.  What can be seen here... Plants: sea lavender, common reed Birds: redshank, lapwing, avocet, marsh harrier, bittern, peregrine falcon Other wildlife: ragworms, seals, otters


At the funeral of King Edward VII, which statesman in full dress uniform of a Field Marshall rode on horseback alongside chief mourner King George V?

Baldwins auction 98 - 3 May 16 by A. H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd - issuu Auction Number 98 Tuesday 3 May 2016 Military Medals Commemorative Medals including The Dr Robert and Joshua Feldman Collection of Official British Coronation and Jubilee Medals British 18th Century Tokens Islamic and World Coins The Auction Room 399 Strand London, WC2R 0LX 9.30 am precisely view this auction and send bids via the internet: WWW.BALDWIN.CO.UK/liveauction WWW.SIXBID.COM WWW.NUMISBIDS.COM A H Baldwin & Sons Ltd, 399 Strand, London WC2R 0LX Telephone: +44 (0)20 7930 9808, Fax: +44 (0)20 7930 9450, email: auctions@baldwin.co.uk www.baldwin.co.uk twitter @BaldwinsCoins facebook /BaldwinsCoins Date of Sale Tuesday 3 May 2016 Session One: will not start before Session Two: Public View 9.30 am 02.30 pm Lots 2001 - 2620 Lots 2621 - 3043 A H Baldwin and Sons Ltd 399 Strand, London WC2R 0LX 10.00 am - 4.00 pm Viewing at all other times by appointment at 399 Strand during the one week preceding the auction 9.30 am - 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday Order of Sale Military Medals Awards for Gallantry and Distinguished Service Lots Edward Baldwin, Graham Byfield, Julie Lecoindre, Mark Smith Daniel Fearon, Jeremy Cheek Photography Front Cover Illustrations Back Cover Illustrations Lots 2313, 2329, 2346 Lots 2001, 2337, 2346, 2486, 2601, 2628, 2812, 2874 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Awards for Gallantry and Distinguished Service 2001 The Ulster Special Constabulary Police Force George Cross and Great War Military Medal Group of 8 awarded to 1466 Special Head Constable Samuel Orr, comprising George Cross (S.1466 Constable Samuel Orr, Ulster Special Constabulary, 23rd June 1924); Military Medal G.V.R. (A-7937 Sjt. S. Orr. 18/High L.I.); 1914 Star with Aug-Nov clasp (A7937 Pte. S. Orr. 2/High L.I.); 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medals (7937 Sjt. S. Orr High L.I.); 1939-45 Defence Medal, un-named as issued; Coronation Medal 1953, un-named as issued; Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal E.II.R. (Sergt. Samuel Orr). Toned, contact marks to Military Medal, otherwise very fine, mounted for wear. (8) £12,000-15,000 George Cross – Empire Gallantry Medal Exchange - London Gazette 3 June 1924  Exchanged 25 November 1941 Military Medal London Gazette, 13 March 1919 Private Orr Landed in France with the 2nd Battalion High Land Light Infantry on 21 September 1914 Head Constable Orr was originally recommended for the Constabulary Medal the recommendation reading as follows: No 1466 Special Head Constable Orr Samuel No 20 Platoon At about 7.15pm on 9 July 1922 Head Constable Orr was on the premises of Mr John Mc.Cardle Restaurateur of No. 17 Commercial Court off Donegall Street, Belfast. He was speaking to the proprietor when two men entered and asked for Cigarettes the Proprietor turned round to supply them when the two men drew Revolvers and shouted “Hands Up”. Head Constable Orr, although unarmed feinted and then grappled with one of the men and one shot was fired which grazed the


Which artists' works include the 1899 painting, 'Three Tahitians'?

Three Tahitians (1899) | National Galleries Scotland Paul Gauguin Paul Gauguin Gauguin's highly original paintings profoundly influenced modern art of the twentieth century. Now described as a 'Post-Impressionist', he was inspired to paint by Pissarro, but developed a symbolic style, using colour to express meaning. Traditions in western art and cultures outside Europe influenced his work. Gauguin's taste for travel and new experiences began when, as a child, he left Paris for Peru. In 1883 he abandoned stockbroking to dedicate himself to painting full-time. He painted in Brittany, and in Provence with Van Gogh. Gauguin travelled to Panama and Martinique and settled in Tahiti for several years. He died on the remote Marchese Islands. Related group


What was the name of the British Lieutenant Colonel accused by a part-time American Major of mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners of war?

Colonel's accuser is traffic policeman | The Independent Colonel's accuser is traffic policeman Sunday 25 May 2003 23:00 BST Click to follow Indy Politics The American soldier who accused a British Army colonel of war crimes in Iraq was named yesterday as Major Re Baistre, a reservist in the US Marines. Major Baistre, 37, is a part-time traffic policeman and school counsellor, whose unit, the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion, was assigned to the British 16th Air Assault Brigade. The Ministry of Defence has opened an investigation after Colonel Tim Collins, of the Royal Irish Regiment, was accused of pistol-whipping a prisoner, staging a mock execution and denying food to prisoners. But reports yesterday suggested the MoD was ready to throw out the allegations. Major Baistre is also said to have accused the British Army of displaying open hostility towards US forces. His sworn statement said British officers questioned the need for the war, said the British public did not support military action and portrayed President George Bush as a "cowboy" and Tony Blair as his "puppet". He admits he did not see mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners first hand. Supporters of Colonel Collins, 43,say the allegations are motivated by revenge after Major Baistre was given a dressing-down by Colonel Collins for handing lollipops to Iraqi children. "He screamed at me, 'What the f*** do you think you are doing'," Major Baistre claimed. "I asked him who he was. He screamed as loud as he could he was Lieutenant-Colonel Collins of the Royal Irish." Col Collins is said to have been concerned for the safety of the children and is vigorously defending his innocence over the war crimes allegations. Major Baistre's commander, Major Stan Coerr, does not support him. He said: "This guy has an axe to grind because Colonel Tim embarrassed him in front of his troops." Ministry of Defence sources have been quoted as saying Col Collins will be "completely exonorated". But an MoD spokeswoman could not confirm or deny these claims. "The investigation is continuing," she said. ¿ British troops have disbanded Basra's city council, because the local leader, Sheikh Muzahem al-Tamimi, is accused by many Iraqis of having close links to Saddam Hussein. More about:


Which actor went from a bridge in 'The Cruel Sea' to a 'Bridge On The River Kwai'?

Jack Hawkins - IMDb IMDb Actor | Producer In Britain, special Christmas plays called pantomimes are produced for children. Jack Hawkins made his London theatrical debut at age 12, playing the elf king in "Where The Rainbow Ends". At 17, he got the lead role of St. George in the same play. At 18, he made his debut on Broadway in "Journey's End". At 21, he was back in London playing a young... See full bio » Born: a list of 1313 people created 19 Sep 2011 a list of 100 people created 03 Jun 2012 a list of 50 people created 23 Aug 2013 a list of 40 people created 03 Oct 2015 a list of 30 people created 8 months ago Do you have a demo reel? Add it to your IMDbPage How much of Jack Hawkins's work have you seen? User Polls Nominated for     1     Primetime Emmy. Another    1 win & 4 nominations. See more awards  » Known For  1974 QB VII (TV Mini-Series) Justice Gilroy  1966 Mystery and Imagination (TV Series) Colonel Mortimer  1965 Armchair Theatre (TV Series) Len Driver  1963 ITV Television Playhouse (TV Series) Adam Hilderson  1949 The Will (TV Movie) Philip Ross  1965 The Party's Over (executive producer - uncredited) Hide   1972 Film Night (TV Series) Himself  1961 Here's Hollywood (TV Series) Himself  1957 Hancock's Half Hour (TV Series) Himself  1955 Stage by Stage (TV Series) Himself - Introduction  1953 This Little Ship (Documentary short) Narrator (voice)  2007 A Real Summer (TV Movie) Himself (uncredited)  1999 Best of British (TV Series) Himself  1995 Northern Exposure (TV Series) Quintus Arrius  1980 The British Greats (TV Series) Himself Personal Details Other Works: He acted in William Shakespeare 's play, "The Tempest", at the Old Vic Theatre in London, England with John Gielgud , Jessica Tandy , Alec Guinness , Lewis Casson , Andrew Cruickshank , Marius Goring , John McCallum and Renée Asherson in the cast. George Devine and Marius Goring were the directors. See more » Publicity Listings: 48 Articles | 14 Pictorials | 20 Magazine Cover Photos | See more » Alternate Names: Did You Know? Personal Quote: [replying to criticism of his portrayal of Gen. Sir Edmund Allenby in Lawrence of Arabia (1962)] I agree that the character has been slanted slightly, but Lady Allenby must remember that this is a film about Lawrence - not the Field Marshall. See more » Trivia: His memorial service took place on what would have been his sixty-third birthday on 14 September 1973 at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. The address was read by Kenneth More and Richard Attenborough read the lesson. See more » Trademark: Often played friendly World War II officers Star Sign:


Who painted the 1866 work 'Monna Vanna'?

'Monna Vanna', Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1866 | Tate Dante Gabriel Rossetti Support: 889 x 864 mm frame: 1290 x 1168 x 92 mm Collection Tate Acquisition Purchased with assistance from Sir Arthur Du Cros Bt and Sir Otto Beit KCMG through the Art Fund 1916 Reference Display caption Summary This is one of a series of decorative pictures of beautiful and sensual women, which Rossetti produced in the mid 1860s. The model is Alexa Wilding, who sat for some of Rossetti's best-known works, including La Ghirlandata (1873, Guildhall Art Gallery, Corporation of London) and The Blessed Damozel (1875-8, Fogg Museum of Art, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts). The spiral pearl clasp in her flowing auburn hair and the red coral necklace appear frequently in Rossetti's pictures of women. Along with the sweeping movement of her arms, the green rosettes on her shoulder and the floral earrings, they serve to accentuate the picture's circular composition . The heavily embroidered white and gold drapery is used in other pictures of this date, including Monna Rosa (untraced). The enormous sleeve recalls Raphael's portrait of Giovanna of Aragon in the Louvre. Rossetti originally called the picture Venus Veneta, and intended it to represent 'a Venetian lady in a rich dress of white and gold, - in short the Venetian ideal of female beauty' (quoted in a letter dated 27 September 1866, Doughty & Wahl, II, p.606). After the picture was finished he changed the title to Monna Vanna, denoting a 'vain woman', a name taken from Dante's Vita Nuova, which Rossetti had translated in October 1848. Rossetti considered the painting to be one of his best works and declared it 'probably the most effective as a room decoration that I have ever painted'. In 1873 Rossetti retouched the picture, lightening the hair and altering the rings, which had been criticised for their clashing colours. He also changed the title to Belcolore, believing that the subject looked too modern for its previous title. Despite this, the painting continued to be known as Monna Vanna. It was first owned by the Cheshire collector W. Blackmore, who also owned Fazio's Mistress (Tate N03055 ), and later passed into the hands of George Rae of Birkenhead, one of Rossetti's most important patrons. Further reading: Oswald Doughty and J.R.Wahl (eds), Letters of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 4 vols., Oxford 1965-7. Leslie Parris (ed.), The Pre-Raphaelites, exhibition catalogue, Tate Gallery, London 1984, reprinted 1994, pp.214-5, reproduced p.214, in colour. Virginia Surtees, The Paintings and Drawings of Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882): A Catalogue Raisonné, 2 vols., Oxford 1971, p.111, no.191, reproduced pl.281. Frances Fowle Read more Display caption This painting and The   Beloved shown nearby, are part of a series   Rossetti painted as a sensual celebration of female beauty. The model for Monna Vanna was Alexa   Wilding, who first sat to him in 1865. Rossetti chose the title (suggesting a vain woman)   after the picture was completed. A lady named Monna appears in the works of   the early Italian writers Dante and Boccaccio. This picture can be seen as   an imaginary portrait of her, as well as a real portrait of the model.   Rossetti called it ‘probably the most effective ... room decoration   which I have ever painted’. Gallery label, September 2004


Which regiment did Lieutenant Colonel Tim Collins command during the recent Iraqi conflict?

'Disillusioned' Col Collins to quit Army in summer - Telegraph 'Disillusioned' Col Collins to quit Army in summer By Sean Rayment, Defence Correspondent 12:01AM GMT 11 Jan 2004 Colonel Tim Collins, the officer who won worldwide renown for his rousing speech on the eve of the Iraq war , has dramatically quit the Army. Col Collins, who commanded the 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment during the conflict, is reported to have resigned and will leave in August because he has become disillusioned with the Army. Although the colonel has made no official statement, his wife, Caroline, was quoted yesterday as saying: "Tim is worried that the Army is being crippled by political correctness, petty bureaucracy and the refusal of politicians who send soldiers to war to give them enough money to do their job. "Tim is no longer convinced that the Army reflects the country with the fourth largest economy in the world. He fears it has become a cottage industry." Mrs Collins said that an important factor in her husband's decision was the Army's failure to support him when he was wrongly accused of mistreating Iraqi prisoners. Related Articles 'Mock execution' staged 23 May 2003 A friend of the colonel confirmed that he had quit. He told the Telegraph: "Tim has resigned. It is a very early stage of the long process of leaving the Army. He has put his papers in. "It is not because he thinks the Army has gone soft. He has considered his options and decided that his future lies outside the Army. "You have to remember that Tim won public relations communicator of the year in 2003 and is a very attractive option for a lot of large companies, who may offer him a very attractive deal. "Every officer considers their future in their 30s, 40s and 50s and whether the appropriate time to leave the Army has arrived. Tim has decided that this is the appropriate time." As Lt Col Collins - he was later promoted to full colonel - his inspirational address to the troops, delivered shortly before they crossed the border from Kuwait into Iraq, achieved international recognition. He told them: "If you are ferocious in battle, remember to be magnanimous in victory... You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest, for your deeds will follow you down through history. We will bring shame on neither our uniform nor our nation." President George W. Bush was reported to have had a copy of the speech pinned up on his wall in the Oval Office, and the Prince of Wales wrote to the officer praising it. He returned home to face a military investigation, however, after an American officer accused him of mistreating Iraqi civilians and prisoners of war. His accuser was Major Re Biastre, a reservist with the US Army's 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion. The major was involved in a clash with Col Collins after the American handed out sweets to Iraqi children in defiance of orders, it was said. Col Collins strenuously denied the claims that he had abused captured Iraqis, and he was later cleared by the Ministry of Defence after a full inquiry. A separate inquiry was held into conditions in the 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment after the suicide of an 18-year-old soldier, Pte Paul Cochrane, in 2001, when Col Collins was in command. The MoD found no fault with the officer. The private's family, however, rejected the findings and have called for an independent inquiry. Col Collins, 43, a father of five known as "Nails" to his troops, was promoted on his return from the Gulf, and has been working on Balkan issues at the Defence Academy at Shrivenham in Oxfordshire. An MoD spokesman said: "It is not official policy to discuss the careers of Army officers."


At which venue in the USA did Malcolm Campbell break the land speed record in 1935?

Campbell exceeds 300 mph - Sep 03, 1935 - HISTORY.com Campbell exceeds 300 mph Publisher A+E Networks A new land-speed record is set by Britain’s famed speed demon, Sir Malcolm Campbell. On the Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah, Campbell and his 2,500-hp motor car Bluebird made two runs over a one-mile course at speeds averaging 301.129 mph. In breaking the 300-mph barrier, he surpassed the world record of 276.82 mph that he had set earlier in the year. Malcolm Campbell, born in a suburb of London in 1885, served as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I. After the war, he took up automobile racing and was a favorite at the old Brooklands racing track in Weybridge, Surrey. In 1922, a new land-speed record of 133.788 mph was set at Brooklands, and Campbell dedicated himself to breaking it. Searching for an optimal racing surface, he conducted speed trials on a beach in Denmark and at Saltburn in England. At Saltburn, he surpassed the world record, but the result was not recognized by the international governing body of speed records. In September 1924, he went to Pendine Sands in West Wales, one of the longest uninterrupted stretches of sand in Britain. On September 25, he made a series of runs down the seven-mile beach in a V-12 Sunbeam. According to the rules of land-speed racing, the two best times within an hour of each other were averaged, and Malcolm Campbell became the new land-speed world record holder, with an average speed of 146.163 mph. In 1925, he raised the record to 150.766 mph at Pendine Sands but in 1926 lost his title as world’s fastest driver. Not to be undone, he constructed a car especially designed for land-speed trials with engineer Leo Villa. Streamlined and featuring a Napier Lion aero-engine, the innovative motorcar was christened Bluebird, after the play L’Oiseau bleu by the Belgian dramatist Maurice Maeterlinck. In 1927, he set a new land-speed record of 174.883 mph in Bluebird and in 1928 beat off British challenger Henry Segrave with a record 206.956 mph. In 1931, Campbell took a new and improved Bluebird to Daytona Beach, Florida, and set his fifth land-speed record: 246.088 mph. That year, he was knighted by King George V for his achievements. Sir Malcolm went on to set three more consecutive land-speed records at Daytona Beach: 253.968 mph in 1932, 272.465 mph in 1933, and 276.710 mph in early 1935. Seeking a surface fast enough to propel him over the 300-mph mark, Campbell took Bluebird to the searing Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah, where the very level, smooth flats are as solid as concrete by summer’s end. On September 3, 1935, he set a new record of 301.129 mph. The attempt almost ended in disaster when Bluebird suffered a burst tire near the end of the first run, but Campbell managed to maintain control and then make the requisite second run within the hour. After breaking 300 mph–his stated goal–he retired from land-speed racing. He had held the world record a record nine times. However, not content with a leisurely retirement, Sir Malcolm took up water racing and in 1937 set a new world’s water-speed record of 129.50 mph. The next year, he raised the record to 130.93 mph, and in 1939 to 141.74 mph. This record was unbroken when he died of a stroke in 1948 at the age of 63. His son, Donald Campbell, later set land and water-speed records. Today, the land-speed record stands at 763.035 mph, set by Britain’s Andy Green in 1997. Green’s record was the first official land-speed time to exceed the speed of sound. Related Videos


In nature, 'Reeves', 'Lady Amherst's', 'Hume's bar-tailed' and 'Cheer', are all varieties of which bird?

frankStrade : Lives, Pet Accessories, Electronics and more http://www.frankstrade.com/1199/lab-puppies-coming-soon Message: ryguy5 is expecting their 2 year old Chocoalte Lab whom they bred with a Black Lab (father was on the cover of Cabela's Magazine). $700 will be the price of the puppies, so stay tuned for photos as the pups arrive. These will be AKC registered puppies from champion blood lines. If you would like to leave a deposit and have the next pick in the litter, please contact ryguy5. LATEST : White Indian Fantail Pigeon, Yellow Golden Pheasant, North American Pintail duck hatching eggs, India Blue Peafowl pair and Hatching Eggs, pair of Narrgansett Turkeys, Goffin Cockatoos, French Black Copper Maran Chicks Date: Friday 11, May 2012 12:18 AM Name:


Which actor pursued 'Dr. Richard Kimble' in the TV series 'The Fugitive'?

Barry Morse, 89; TV actor famed for role in 'The Fugitive' - The Boston Globe Barry Morse, 89; TV actor famed for role in 'The Fugitive' BARRY MORSE (ap/file 1964) Email | Print | Single Page | Text size – + By   Valerie J. Nelson Los Angeles Times / February 6, 2008 LOS ANGELES - Barry Morse - an actor best known for portraying Lieutenant Philip Gerard, who relentlessly pursued Dr. Richard Kimble (played by David Janssen) on the hit 1960s television series "The Fugitive" - died Saturday at University College Hospital in London. He was 89. In the 1963 series debut of "The Fugitive," Kimble is falsely accused of murdering his wife and escapes from Gerard. Kimble spends the next four years eluding the detective and hunting the one-armed man he believed was the real killer. The finale, broadcast Aug. 29, 1967, made television history. The ABC show was seen by more than 72 percent of viewers, a record that stood until "Dallas" eclipsed it 13 years later. In the climactic scene, Gerard shoots the one-armed man to save Kimble's life. Some viewers were so wrapped up in the morality play that they had trouble distinguishing Mr. Morse the actor from his cop-as-villain character. "Elderly ladies bashed me across the head with their handbags, or some hulking great man would come up to me in a bar and say: 'Don't you understand? The guy's innocent!' It was an enormous compliment - and quite dangerous," Morse told the London Daily Mail in 1993. He considered the part groundbreaking because the character was "carefully designed to be disliked." "I was the most hated man in America, and I loved it," he said. The widely syndicated show failed to provide him "one thin dime" in recent years, Mr. Morse often said, since residuals from the series ran out after five years. A London native, Mr. Morse grew up poor and left school at 14. While working as a messenger, he happened upon a public performance by students of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. The discovery led him to attend the school and he was soon acting in the city's West End theaters and appearing in British Broadcasting Corp. productions. After moving to Canada from England in 1951, he was such a force on Canadian Broadcasting Corp. shows that one critic referred to him as "test pattern," saying that the network put him on when they had nothing else to air. In the early 1950s, Mr. Morse created a radio program about the history of acting called "A Touch of Greasepaint" that aired for a decade. The show was the genesis of his one-man play "Merely Players," which he performed to help establish a show-business retirement home in Toronto in 1993. Over seven decades, he inhabited more than 3,000 roles on stage and in radio, television, and film, according to his website. His work included TV miniseries such as "The Martian Chronicles" and "The Winds of War." A role on the police drama "The Untouchables" led to his being cast in "The Fugitive." Since he did not appear in every episode, Mr. Morse regularly traveled to Canada in 1966 to serve as artistic director of the Shaw Festival, established in Niagara-on-the-Lake to honor George Bernard Shaw, a playwright Mr. Morse regarded as "a great hero." His wife of 60 years, actress Sydney Sturgess, died in 1999. © Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company. more stories like this


Who was the coach of Scotland during 'France 98'?

World Cup 1998: rosters of 32 national teams. Group H (Argentina, Croatia, Jamaica, Japan) Group A Brazil: 1, Taffarel; 2, Cafu; 3, Aldair; 4, Junior Baiano; 5, Cesar Sampaio; 6, Roberto Carlos; 7, Giovanni; 8, Dunga; 9, Ronaldo; 10, Rivaldo; 11, Emerson; 12, Carlos Germano; 13, Ze Roberto; 14, Goncalves; 15, Alves Cruz; 16, Ze Roberto; 17, Doriva; 18, Leonardo; 19, Denilson; 20, Bebeto; 21, Edmundo; 22, Dida. Coach: Mario Zagallo. Scotland: 1, Jim Leighton; 2, Jackie McNamara; 3, Tommy Boyd; 4, Colin Calderwood; 5, Colin Hendry; 6, Tosh McKinlay; 7, Kevin Gallacher; 8, Craig Burley; 9, Gordon Durie; 10, Darren Jackson; 11, John Collins; 12, Neil Sullivan; 13, Simon Donnelly; 14, Paul Lambert; 15, Scott Gemmill; 16, Michael Weir; 17, Billy McKinlay; 18, Matt Elliott; 19, Derek Whyte; 20, Scott Booth; 21, Jonathan Gould; 22, Christian Dailly. Coach: Craig Brown. Norway: 1, Frode Grodaas; 2, Gunnar Halle; 3, Ronny Johnsen; 4, Henning Berg; 5, Stig Inge Bjoernebye; 6, Staale Solbakken; 7, Erik Mykland; 8, Oeyvind Leonardsen; 9, Tore Andre Flo; 10, Kjetil Rekdal; 11, Jahn Ivar Jakobsen; 12, Thomas Myhre; 13, Espen Baardsen; 14, Vegard Heggem; 15, Dan Eggen; 16, Jostein Flo; 17, Havard Flo; 18, Egil Oestenstad; 19, Erik Hoftun; 20, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer; 21, Vidar Riseth; 22, Roar Strand. Coach: Egil Olsen. Morocco: 1, Abdelkader Brazi; 2, Abdelilah Saber; 3, Abdekrim El Hadrioui; 4, Youssef Rossi; 5, Smahi Triki; 6, Noureddine Naybat; 7, Mustapha Hadji; 8, Said Chiba; 9, Abdeljalil Hadda; 10, Abderrahim Ouakili; 11, Ali El Khattabi; 12, Driss Benzekri; 13, Rachid Neqrouz; 14, Salaheddine Bassir; 15, Lahcen Abrami; 16, Rachid Azzouzi; 17, Gharib Amzine; 18, Youssef Chippo; 19, Jamal Sellami; 20, Taher El Lakhlej; 21, Rachid Roki; 22, Mustapha Chadli. Coach: Henri Michel. Group B Italy: 1, Francesco Toldo; 2, Giuseppe Bergomi; 3, Paolo Maldini; 4, Fabio Cannavaro; 5, Alessandro Costacurta; 6, Alessandro Nesta; 7, Gianluca Pessotto; 8, Moreno Torricelli; 9, Demetrio Albertini; 10, Alessandro Del Piero; 11, Dino Baggio; 12, Gianluca Pagliuca; 13, Sandro Cois; 14, Luigi Di Biagio; 15, Angelo Di Livio; 16, Roberto Di Matteo; 17, Francesco Moriero; 18, Roberto Baggio; 19, Filippo Inzaghi; 20, Enrico Chiesa; 21, Christian Vieri; 22, Gianluigi Buffon. Coach: Cesare Maldini. Chile: 1, Nelson Tapia; 2, Cristian Castaneda; 3, Ronald Fuentes; 4, Francisco Rojas; 5, Javier Margas; 6, Pedro Reyes; 7, Nelson Parraguez; 8, Clarence Acuna; 9, Ivan Zamorano; 10, Jose Sierra; 11, Marcelo Salas; 12, Marcelo Ramirez; 13, Manuel Neira; 14, Miguel Ramirez; 15, Moises Villarroel; 16, Mauricio Aros; 17, Marcelo Vega; 18, Luis Musrri; 19, Fernando Cornejo; 20, Fabian Estay; 21, Rodrigo Barrera; 22, Carlos Tejas. Coach: Nelson Acosta. Cameroon: 1, Jacques Songo'o; 2, Joseph Elanga; 3, Pierre Wome; 4, Rigobert Song; 5, Raymond Kalla Nkongo; 6, Pierre Njanka; 7, Francois Omam Biyick; 8, Didier Angibeaud; 9, Alphonse Tchami; 10, Patrick Mboma; 11, Samuel Eto'o; 12, Lavriano Etame; 13, Serge Kwetche; 14, Augustine Simo; 15, Joseph Ndo; 16, William Andem; 17, Michel Pensee; 18, Samuel Ipoua; 19, Marcel Mahouve; 20, Salomon Olembe; 21, Joseph-Desire Job; 22, Alioum Boukar. Coach: Claude Le Roy. Austria: 1, Michael Konsel; 2, Markus Schopp; 3, Peter Schottel; 4, Anton Pfeffer; 5, Wolfgang Feiersinger; 6, Walter Kogler; 7, Mario Haas; 8, Heimo Pfeifenberger; 9, Ivica Vastic; 10, Andreas Herzog; 11, Martin Amerhauser; 12, Martin Hiden; 13, Harald Cerny; 14, Hannes Reinmayr; 15, Arnold Wetl; 16, Franz Wohlfahrt; 17, Roman Mahlich; 18, Peter Stoger; 19, Anton Polster; 20, Andreas Heraf; 21, Wolfgang Knaller; 22, Dietmar Kuhbauer. Coach: Herbert Prohaska. Group C France: 1, Bernard Lama; 2, Vincent Candela; 3, Bixente Lizarazu; 4, Patrick Vieira; 5, Laurent Blanc; 6, Youri Djorkaeff; 7, Didier Deschamps; 8, Marcel Desailly; 9, Stephane Guivarc'h; 10, Zinedine Zidane; 11, Robert Pires; 12, Thierry Henry; 13, Bernard Diomede; 14, Alain Boghossian; 15, Lilian Thuram; 16, Fabien Barthez; 17, Emmanuel Petit; 18, Frank Leb


Which singing duo appeared in 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.', in 1967?

6 Best Musicians from the Original Man From U.N.C.L.E. :: Music :: Lists :: Paste 6 Best Musicians from the Original Man From U.N.C.L.E. By Sarah Kurchak  |  August 14, 2015  |  6:12pm Share Tweet Submit Pin The brand new Man From U.N.C.L.E. movie, which arrives in theaters today, might have the flashy, big-named soundtrack, featuring artists like Roberta Flack, Solomon Burke, and Nina Simone, but the original television show it’s based on also featured its fair share of important musical moments. In addition to a killer score and an iconic theme song by Jerry Goldsmith (the Oscar-winning composer of The Omen, Star Trek , and Planet of the Apes), the show welcomed a number of guest stars from the musical world over the course of its four season run from 1964-1968. From the pop duo who were such big fans that they asked for roles, to the singer who recorded a new track—a duet with one of the show’s stars—specifically for her appearance, the sly spy series’ relationship with musicians really did run from the ridiculous to the near-sublime. In celebration of the new movie, we take a look back at the six best musicians to appear on the original Man From U.N.C.L.E. 6. Shari Lewis The puppeteer behind Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse, and Hush Puppy and the voice of a number of classic kid’s songs (including the equally beloved and reviled “The Song That Doesn’t End”) took a break from children’s entertainment to star in the episode “The Off Broadway Affair.” As Janet Jerrod, a plucky understudy in a truly terrible and ridiculous musical, Lewis narrowly evades becoming collateral damage in a sinister plot, moderately charms top U.N.C.L.E. spy Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn), and belts out numbers like “I March For Love” (written by the show’s primary composer, Gerald Fried). Solo’s partner, Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum), also lands a role in the production for secret spy purposes, but the less said about his performance, the better. 5. Sonny and Cher After citing Man From U.N.C.L.E. as their favorite show in an interview, the pop duo asked if an episode could be written for them. The result of that request was “The Hot Number Affair,” in which Cher plays a jet-setting model/muse and Sonny Bono plays a beleaguered designer who’s hopelessly in love with her. And accidentally makes her a dress that has a top secret formula printed all over it. The wacky episode’s not exactly an auspicious acting debut for either performer, but it at least shows hints of the charm and chemistry they’d later perfect on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. Their songs “The Beat Goes On” and “I Got You Babe” also appeared in the episode, playing almost in their entirety under action sequences. 4. Noel Harrison 1966 was a good year for actor, singer and former Olympic skier Noel Harrison. In addition to his success in the U.N.C.L.E.-verse, both as a guest star in “The Galatea Affair” and as one of the leads in the spinoff series, The Girl From U.N.C.L.E., the son of the legendary Rex Harrison also had a top 40 hit in his cover of Charles Aznavour’s “A Young Girl.” After Girl was cancelled, Harrison went on to sing an Oscar-winning song (“The Windmills of Your Mind” from 1968‘s The Thomas Crown Affair), cover Leonard Cohen and tour with fellow U.N.C.L.E. guest stars Sonny and Cher. 3. Every Mother’s Son The New York folk-duo-turned-rock-band Every Mother’s Son performed its first single “Come On Down To My Boat” in the middle of a go-go nightclub brawl in “The Five Daughters Affair” (released theatrically as “The Karate Killers”). A month after the episode aired stateside, the song debuted on the Billboard charts. It peaked at No. 6 in July 1967, and remains the band’s only top 10 hit. 2. David McCallum Further cementing his status as one of the biggest and dreamiest heartthrobs of his time, Illya Kuryakin himself released four albums through Capitol Records from 1966-1968, right at the height of the Man From U.N.C.L.E. craze. Unlike his fellow teen idols, McCallum, a classically-trained musician, preferred to stick to a mix of instrumental takes on the hits of the d


Cricket. Who were the original sponsors of the one-day Sunday League?

A brief history of cricket | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo A brief history of cricket Click here for some more detailed aspects of cricket history The origins of cricket lie somewhere in the Dark Ages - probably after the Roman Empire, almost certainly before the Normans invaded England, and almost certainly somewhere in Northern Europe. All research concedes that the game derived from a very old, widespread and uncomplicated pastime by which one player served up an object, be it a small piece of wood or a ball, and another hit it with a suitably fashioned club. How and when this club-ball game developed into one where the hitter defended a target against the thrower is simply not known. Nor is there any evidence as to when points were awarded dependent upon how far the hitter was able to despatch the missile; nor when helpers joined the two-player contest, thus beginning the evolution into a team game; nor when the defining concept of placing wickets at either end of the pitch was adopted. Etymological scholarship has variously placed the game in the Celtic, Scandinavian, Anglo-Saxon, Dutch and Norman-French traditions; sociological historians have variously attributed its mediaeval development to high-born country landowners, emigré Flemish cloth-workers, shepherds on the close-cropped downland of south-east England and the close-knit communities of iron- and glass-workers deep in the Kentish Weald. Most of these theories have a solid academic basis, but none is backed with enough evidence to establish a watertight case. The research goes on. What is agreed is that by Tudor times cricket had evolved far enough from club-ball to be recognisable as the game played today; that it was well established in many parts of Kent, Sussex and Surrey; that within a few years it had become a feature of leisure time at a significant number of schools; and - a sure sign of the wide acceptance of any game - that it had become popular enough among young men to earn the disapproval of local magistrates. Dates in cricket history 1550 (approx) Evidence of cricket being played in Guildford, Surrey. 1598 Cricket mentioned in Florio's Italian-English dictionary. 1610 Reference to "cricketing" between Weald and Upland near Chevening, Kent. 1611 Randle Cotgrave's French-English dictionary translates the French word "crosse" as a cricket staff. Two youths fined for playing cricket at Sidlesham, Sussex. 1624 Jasper Vinall becomes first man known to be killed playing cricket: hit by a bat while trying to catch the ball - at Horsted Green, Sussex. 1676 First reference to cricket being played abroad, by British residents in Aleppo, Syria. 1694 Two shillings and sixpence paid for a "wagger" (wager) about a cricket match at Lewes. 1697 First reference to "a great match" with 11 players a side for fifty guineas, in Sussex. 1700 Cricket match announced on Clapham Common. 1709 First recorded inter-county match: Kent v Surrey. 1710 First reference to cricket at Cambridge University. 1727 Articles of Agreement written governing the conduct of matches between the teams of the Duke of Richmond and Mr Brodrick of Peperharow, Surrey. 1729 Date of earliest surviving bat, belonging to John Chitty, now in the pavilion at The Oval. 1730 First recorded match at the Artillery Ground, off City Road, central London, still the cricketing home of the Honourable Artillery Company. 1744 Kent beat All England by one wicket at the Artillery Ground. First known version of the Laws of Cricket, issued by the London Club, formalising the pitch as 22 yards long. 1767 (approx) Foundation of the Hambledon Club in Hampshire, the leading club in England for the next 30 years. 1769 First recorded century, by John Minshull for Duke of Dorset's XI v Wrotham. 1771 Width of bat limited to 4 1/4 inches, where it has remained ever since. 1774 LBW law devised. 1776 Earliest known scorecards, at the Vine Club, Sevenoaks, Kent. 1780 The first six-seamed cricket ball, manufactured by Dukes of Penshurst, Kent. 1787 First match at Thomas Lord's first ground, Dorset Square, Marylebone - White Conduit


Which aeronautics company built the advanced trainer the 'Gnat', for the RAF in 1968?

Folland's little revolutionary: the Gnat - Aircraft InFormation.info Gnats in Indian service History In the mid 1950s military aircraft were becoming bigger, more  complex, more expensive and taking longer to design and build. Smaller aircraft,  like the North American F-86 Sabre, MiG-15/17/19, Dassault Ouragon, Lockheed  P-80 Shooting Star and Gloster Meteor which weighed around five tons (11 000  lb) or less, were overtaken by much larger and more complex aircraft like the  Avro Canada CF-105, Gloster Javelin, McDonnel F-101 Voodoo and Northrop F-89  Scorpion, which weighed twice as much - usually more than 12 tons (26 000 lbs).  It looked like the 'bigger is better' trend would continue as designers and  military officials kept pushing for more complex aircraft. In the early 1950s William Edward Willoughby 'Teddy' Petter,  was working at the English Electric Company in England. He had just designed  the famed Canberra bomber and was working on the P.1 supersonic research aircraft,  which led to the legendary Lightning interceptor. Although things were going  well for English Electric, Teddy was not happy - he was disappointed at the  way fighter design was going - bigger, more complex and more expensive. He believed  that a small, simple, light, affordable, maintainable fighter was just as good  as the bigger aircraft that were coming out at the time and would be much cheaper  to buy and operate. Petter was unable to gain much support for his ideas on small  fighters. He did manage to raise limited interest in a lightweight fighter similar  to the German rocket-powered Me-163 Komet of WW II. An operational requirement  was released, but led nowhere as engine manufacturers pulled out and the British  Air Ministry failed to provide any material support. Eventually Petter gave  up on the idea. He left English Electric in the early 1950s and became managing  director of Folland Aircraft where he could pursue his ideas. In 1951, with company funds, Petter began working on his lightweight  fighter design and was encouraged by the development of lightweight turbojet  engines. His new aircraft was designated the Fo-145 Gnat. It was initially planned  to be powered by a Bristol-Siddeley BE-22 Saturn turbojet delivering 1 724 kg  (3 800 lb) of thrust, but when this was cancelled the Bristol-Siddeley Orpheus  701 single spool turbojet, developing 2 050 kg (4 520 lb) of thrust, was substituted. In order to prove the aerodynamics and systems of the Gnat,  Petter produced the Fo-139 Midge proof-of-concept demonstrator. It was basically  a scaled-down Gnat powered by an Armstrong Siddeley Viper 101 turbojet developing  744 kg (1 640 lb) of thrust. The Midge had a number of unusual features, such  as hydraulically powered 'flaperons', main landing gear that could be used as  airbrakes, and a one-piece canopy that hinged over an inner armoured windscreen.  The aircraft had a wingspan of just 6.3 m (20 feet 8 in), was only 8.76 m (28  feet 9 in) long and was just 2.82 m (8 feet 1 in) tall. At maximum takeoff weight  it weighed in a mere 2 041 kg (4 500 lb). By contrast, the Lockheed Martin (formerly  General Dynamics) F-16 is seven times heavier at maximum takeoff weight and  the Boeing F-15E is 18 times heavier at its maximum takeoff weight! The Midge was rolled out on 31 July 1954 and made engine runs  at Hamble, where it was built. It was then transported to Boscombe Down for  three initial test flights. On 11 August 1954 it took off for the first time,  piloted by Teddy Tennant. To everyone's surprise, it exceeded all expectations  and proved to be a highly agile aircraft. It had a service ceiling of 11 580  meters (38 000 ft) and a maximum speed of 986 km/h (600 mph), although it could  break Mach 1 in a dive. After testing with the Midge, the prospect of adding  the more powerful Orpheus engine to the production Gnat looked very promising. By 21 August the Midge was based at Supermarine's airfield  at Chilbolton where it underwent testing. I


Cricket. The winners of the last Benson & Hedges Cup Final in 1998 were also the winners of the first in 1972. Which county was this?

Cricinfo - England England B&H winners One of cricket's longest sponsorships - and the last one dependant on a tobacco company - came to an end in 2002 after 31 seasons. Established in 1972 in the wake of the success of the end-of-season 60-over competition and the resulting Sunday league, the B&H was always the League Cup final to the Gillette/NatWest's FA Cup. But, nevertheless, it was an immediate success, enjoying its heyday in the 1970s before settling down into comfortable middle-age in the 1980s. In its latter years it increasingly came under fire, critics arguing it was one competition too many and also attacking it for its rather clumsy system of zonal matches. The formatting was tinkered with several times but increasing legislation against tobacco advertising gave the authorities the chance to quietly kill the concept off. In its defence, the B&H provided good income for the counties and some decent early-season entertainment. It also allowed non first-class sides to play against the big boys and, on occasion, beat them. In 1989 Combined Universities, led by Michael Atherton, came within a whisker of reaching the semi-finals, and eight years later Ireland pulled off a memorable win over Middlesex. Benson & Hedges Cup winners 1972 Leicestershire beat Yorkshire by 5 wickets 1973 Kent beat Worcestershire by 39 runs 1974 Surrey beat Leicestershire by 27 runs 1975 Leicestershire beat Middlesex by 5 wickets 1976 Kent beat Worcestershire by 43 runs 1977 Gloucestershire beat Kent by 64 runs 1978 Kent beat Derbyshire by 6 wickets 1979 Essex beat Surrey by 35 runs 1980 Northamptonshire beat Essex by 6 runs 1981 Somerset beat Surrey by 7 wickets 1982 Somerset beat Nottinghamshire by 9 wickets 1983 Middlesex beat Essex by 4 runs 1984 Lancashire beat Warwickshire by 6 wickets 1985 Leicestershire beat Essex by 5 wickets 1986 Middlesex beat Kent by 2 runs 1987 Yorkshire beat Northamptonshire by losing fewer wickets 1988 Hampshire beat Derbyshire by 7 wickets 1989 Nottinghamshire beat Essex by 3 wickets 1990 Lancashire beat Worcestershire by 69 runs 1991 Worcestershire beat Lancashire by 65 runs 1992 Hampshire beat Kent by 41 runs 1993 Derbyshire beat Lancashire by 6 runs 1994 Warwickshire beat Worcestershire by 6 wickets 1995 Lancashire beat Kent by 35 runs 1996 Lancashire beat Northamptonshire by 31 runs 1997 Surrey beat Kent by 8 wickets 1998 Essex beat Leicestershire by 192 runs 1999 Gloucestershire beat Yorkshire by 124 runs 2000 Gloucestershire beat Glamorgan by 7 wickets 2001 Surrey beat Gloucestershire beat by 47 runs 2002 Warwickshire beat Essex by 5 wickets Summary of County wins 4 - Lancashire 3 - Gloucestershire, Kent, Leicestershire, Surrey 2 - Essex, Hampshire, Middlesex, Somerset 1 - Derbyshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Yorkshire


The theme tune to which TV series starring Don Johnson gave Jan Hammer his first UK chart success?

Television Heaven's TV show reviews from Me to Mi | TVH DVD Availibility: MIAMI VICE (1984) Miami Vice was a result of a two-word memo sent to former Hill Street Blues writer and producer Anthony Yerkovich, by NBC boss Brandon Tartikoff. The memo simply read; "MTV Cops". What Tartikoff wanted was fast moving action, video-style editing and effects, plenty of glitz, high fashion and a throbbing rock music sountrack. What he got - was exactly that! The series launched two relative unknown actors into starring roles, as two Miami vice cops patrolling the sleazy drug-infested back streets of a seemingly glamorous resort city. Don Johnson was cast as Sonny Crockett, the rough-edged former football star with a failed marriage behind him. He lived alone on a boat called St Vitus Dance which was guarded by his pet alligator, Elvis. His partner, Ricardo Tubbs was played by Philip Michael Thomas. Tubbs' story was that he had arrived from New York in search of the Columbian drug dealer who had murdered his brother - then decided to stay and transferred from being an NYPD street cop to a Miami detective. Produced by Michael Mann, the series followed a strict colour-co-ordinated code of lime green and hot neon pink with pastels for daytime interiors and deep blue and purple for nightime skylines - no earth colours were allowed as director Bobby Roth later recalled: "There are certain colours you are not allowed to shoot, such as red and brown. If the script says 'A Mercedes pulls up here,' the car people will show you three or four different Mercedes. One will be white, one will be black, one will be silver. You will not get a red or brown one. Michael knows how things are going to look on camera." In fact, some street corners of South Beach, where location filming took place, were so run down that the production crew actually decided to repaint the exterior walls of some buildings before filming. Clothing was also of paramount importance and the stars were dressed in the most expensive Armani suits and fashion designers such as Vittorio Ricci, Gianni Versace, and Hugo Boss were consulted to keep them looking trendy. On average each actor would wear up to five different outfits in each episode and each outfit would adhere to the serie's colour code of pink, blue, green, peach, fuchsia and other "approved" colours. Italian men's fashion was popularised in the USA and even Crockett's perpetually unshaven appearance sparked a trend around the world in "designer stubble". Cars also had a great significance in 'Miami Vice', most notably the Ferrari Daytona and Testarossa in the first two seasons. The choice of music and cinematography borrowed heavily from the emerging New Wave culture of the 1980s, with a pulsating theme tune written by Jan Hammer, and background tracks from some of the superstar popstars of the day such as Tina Turner, Lionel Ritchie, the Pointer Sisters, Meatloaf, Brian Adams, Depeche Mode, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and The Rolling Stones. There were also guest appearances from Little Richard, James Brown, Phil Collins and Ted Nugent, to name but a few. Celebrities were lining up for cameo appearances. Miami Vice was a smash hit with viewers and earned the series an amazing 15 Emmy nominations in its first season (1985), winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Don Johnson), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Edward James Olmos), Outstanding Film Sound Editing for a Series, Outstanding Cinematography for a Series and Outstanding Art Direction for a Series. Jan Hammer also won two Grammy Awards in that same year and the series also won the People's Choice Award for New TV Dramatic Programme. The series is still regarded today as a popular culture icon that heavily reflected the 1980s and it is argued that it influenced future generations of cop shows such as Homicide: Life on the Street, NYPD Blue, and Law & Order. The show also had a lasting impact on Miami itself and sparked a revitalization of the South Beach district of Miami Beach. But the cost of the show eventually took its toll. Mann was re


In which year was the 'Achille Lauro' cruise ship hijacked by the P.L.F.?

BBC ON THIS DAY | 7 | 1985: Gunmen hijack Italian cruise liner About This Site | Text Only 1985: Gunmen hijack Italian cruise liner Palestinian militants have hijacked an Italian cruise liner, the Achille Lauro, in the Mediterranean and threatened to blow it up. The gunmen are demanding the release of 50 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. There are said to be 420 passengers and crew on board the ship including six Britons. Little is yet known about the hijackers but Egyptian and Italian authorities are said to be in communication with the Palestinian Liberation Organisation. Emergency meeting The Naples-based ship was commandeered this afternoon shortly after leaving the port of Alexandria in Egypt on its way to Port Said. Most of the passengers disembarked in Alexandria to go on a sight-seeing tour and were planning to rejoin the cruise further up the Egyptian coast. The Achille Lauro's present position and intended destination is unknown, but the Italian Navy is sending ships and reconnaissance aircraft in an attempt to establish its location. Italian Prime Minister Bettino Craxi is understood to be holding an emergency meeting to discuss options with his foreign and defence ministers. Marine hijackings are uncommon. In 1961 the passenger liner Santa Maria was taken over by opponents of the Portuguese dictator Antonio Salazar, but it ended peacefully. Notable sea hijacks have also occurred off Singapore, Greece and Cambodia in the 1970s. Experts say a forced boarding of the Achille Lauro could result in heavy hostage casualties. I was there When the Achille Lauro was hijacked in October 1985 I was working as a receptionist at a Cairo Hotel. At around 0200 hours on my late night shift I received a phone call from one of the Egyptian travel agents asking if I have 300 rooms available! I was surprised and answered with hesitance that we do have availability. In three hours around 350 guests arrived in shocked condition. They were passengers of the Achille Lauro that went on a trip to Cairo and were supposed to rejoin the ship at PortSaid. I remember that I had to deal with this situation for three days nonstop. They were the longest three days I worked during my entire career. Mohamed Samy, Egypt In Context The hijackers were from the Palestinian Liberation Front, a splinter group of Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Liberation Organisation. They shot dead a disabled American tourist, 69 year-old Leon Klinghoffer and had his body thrown overboard with his wheelchair. The crisis ended on 10 October. Egypt gave free passage to the hijackers in exchange for the rest of the hostages. But US Navy jets intercepted a chartered Egypt Air 737 carrying the gunmen and forced it to land in Italy. Four of them were tried in Italy and sentenced to long prison terms. Abu Abbas, the alleged mastermind escaped jail and stands convicted in absentia. He was arrested by US special forces in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, in April 2003 and died in custody in March 2004. A post mortem examination showed he died of heart disease. The Achille Lauro caught fire and sank in 1994.