"Which pop musician wrote the music for the 1983 film ""Local Hero""?"

Local Hero by Mark Knopfler on Apple Music 14 Songs iTunes Review After the international success of Dire Straits’ Love Over Gold, bandleader Mark Knopfler took a sabbatical to compose music for Bill Forstyth’s 1983 film Local Hero. Beyond adding atmospheric color to this beguiling tale of a small Scottish town, the score stands on its own as an evocative, subtly-textured showcase for the guitarist’s composing gifts. Knopfler’s pieces draw upon Celtic elements, with intimations of the blues flashing in the Highland mists he conjures up. He enlists the aid of bandmates Alan Clark and John Illsley (on keyboards and bass, respectively) to fill out the mostly guitar-centered melodies, creating a shimmering wash of sound on “Stargazer” and invoking rugged Northern coastlines on “Rocks and Thunder.” Tracks like “Wild Theme” highlight his deft finger-picking and ruminating melodies. Gerry Rafferty (of “Baker Street” fame) contributes his vocals to “That’s The Way It Always Starts,” a Latin-shaded serenade. Knopfler has since taken on other worthwhile cinematic projects, but this poignant and often magical recording continues to represent his soundtrack work at its finest. Customer Reviews       by          Jguarfn While I was a Dire Straits fan, especially Brothers in Arms, the movie really fed off the music and vice versa. I miss Bill Forsyth films, the combination of humor and gorgeous tunes is hard to find today. Still one of my favorite films and this one got me started on picking up soundtracks. With the exception of Freeway Flyer, lots of celtic influences throughout. Possibly the best soundtrack ever recorded       by          db_and fan Granted, I'm biased because I’m a huge Knopfler fan. The film was splendid…I rented it with my girlfriend when I was in college back in 84...and immediately knew who was playing on the soundtrack. I’ve got to say that Bill Forsyth (who wrote and directed the film) knew what he was doing when he hired Knopfler to score it. My wife and I have now been married for almost 19 years and it remains one of our favorites films and bodies of music. If you love Dire Straits/Mark Knopfler, give it a listen…and see the film! Excellent Score       by          Castaway100 If you are a Mark Knopfler fan you will enjoy this soundtrack. With the use of witty and soothing synthesizers incorporated with the guitar, Knopfler hits the mark. This is a classic original and would accompany Knopfler's work done for the soundtrack "The Princess Bride" in any fans collection. Biography Born: August 12, 1949 in Glasgow, Scotland Genre: Rock Years Active: '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s The most celebrated British guitar hero to emerge in the 1970s and '80s, Mark Knopfler rose to fame as the leader of Dire Straits, and his songwriting and incisive guitar work played a decisive role in making them an international success story. At a time when punk and new wave were making technique for its own sake seem irrelevant, and metal was taking the guitar solo in noisier and unpredictable directions, Knopfler's clean but dexterous picking proved there was still room for traditionalism and... Top Albums and Songs by Mark Knopfler 1.


"Who published his broadcasting memoirs entitled ""Life on Air""?"

Life On Air: Memoirs of a Broadcaster: Amazon.co.uk: David Attenborough: 9780563485032: Books Product Description Amazon Review David Attenborough hardly needs any introduction; his voice has accompanied so many of the best natural history programs that have graced our televisions over several decades. Life On Air, his autobiography, tells the story of how he has managed to professionalise his schoolboy interests in such a remarkably successful way. Attenborough's Life On Air began in 1950, having taken a degree in Natural Sciences in the University of Cambridge, done National Service in the Navy, got married, done a year as an editor with an educational publisher, had a son and then answered a BBC recruiting ad in the Times. Turned down for BBC Radio, he was offered a traineeship in BBC TV which was pioneering the medium in Britain and he has never looked back. The rest is TV history and you can read Sir David's personal view of it all in his engaging and highly entertaining book. This is no boring story of the rise and rise of a media mogul in the smoke-filled rooms of Ally Pally and Lime Grove. Having served his apprenticeship producing programmes like Animal, Vegetable, Mineral? and Song Hunter with the famous American folk singer and song collector Alan Lomax, he managed to escape from the confines of overlit studios into the natural world. Zoo Quest began in 1954 with an animal collecting trip to Sierra Leone and David Attenborough had found his metier. Since then he has managed to bring the wonders of the natural world into millions of living rooms around the world and to reach general audiences without patronising them, without any spurious antics, silly voices or dumbing down. His animal and plant subjects are the stars, Attenborough is the master of ceremonies who introduces the acts for our wonder and amazement. But his scope extends way beyond the birds and the bees. In the 1960s, it was suggested that he took up an administrative post--"after all, you won't want to be gallivanting around the world when you are 50". Fortunately, he did not abandon gallivanting for admin but went freelance, studied anthropology and helped extend our view of native peoples and sympathies for their life styles. He went on to become responsible for coming up with famous BBC TV series such as Kenneth Clark's incredibly successful Civilisation series, followed by Bronowski's The Ascent of Man. Inevitably, he did become one of the BBC suits but one that wore a camouflage jacket. What is remarkable is that Attenborough has managed to do it for so long without really changing his own style too much. He has not had to because the technology has changed and so he has constantly been able to give new views and insights into the details of life on Earth. Writing pretty much as he speaks, it is easy to hear his voice, dry sense of humour and generosity coming through all the time. Do not expect to read personal details, navel-gazing or malicious gossip--that is not his style. The only personal note comes at the end with the death of his wife in 1997. Over 100 photos associated with the huge range of programmes he has been intimately involved with decorate Life On Air, a fascinating personal story of our times. He says that he knows of "no pleasure deeper than that which comes from contemplating the natural world and trying to understand it"; he certainly manages to convey that in Life On Air. --Douglas Palmer Review In this volume of memoirs Britain's best-known natural history film-maker tells the stories of the people and the animals he has met and the places that he has visited.


Mihrab - definition of mihrab by The Free Dictionary Mihrab - definition of mihrab by The Free Dictionary http://www.thefreedictionary.com/mihrab Also found in: Thesaurus , Encyclopedia , Wikipedia . Related to mihrab: Muqarna  (mîr′əb) n. Islam 1. A niche in the wall of a mosque or a room in the mosque that indicates the direction of Mecca. 2. A niche design in the middle of a Muslim prayer rug, pointed toward Mecca during worship. [Arabic miḥrāb, probably from Old South Arabian mḥrb, part of a temple, from ḥrb, to fight, perform a certain ritual in a temple; see x̣rb in the Appendix of Semitic roots.] mihrab (Islam) Islam the niche in a mosque showing the direction of Mecca [from Arabic] (in a mosque) a niche or decorative panel designating the direction of Mecca. [1810–20; < Arabic miḥrāb] Noun 1. mihrab - (Islam) a design in the shape of niche in a Muslim prayer rug; during worship the niche must be pointed toward Mecca pattern , design , figure - a decorative or artistic work; "the coach had a design on the doors" prayer mat , prayer rug - a small rug used by Muslims during their devotions Mohammedanism , Muhammadanism , Muslimism , Islam , Islamism - the monotheistic religious system of Muslims founded in Arabia in the 7th century and based on the teachings of Muhammad as laid down in the Koran; "Islam is a complete way of life, not a Sunday religion"; "the term Muhammadanism is offensive to Muslims who believe that Allah, not Muhammad, founded their religion" 2.


In which town is the University of Surrey?

University of Surrey World University Rankings | THE Working here Wonderful things happen here The University of Surrey is one of the UK’s top professional, scientific and technological universities. Named as The Times and Sunday Times University of the Year 2016, Surrey has a world-class profile and a leading reputation in teaching and research. Since 2000, our estate has been transformed through a £400 million building development and improvement programme – including £130 million on student accommodation , £36 million on Surrey Sports Park , £16 million on the new Library and Learning Centre and £4.5 million on the Ivy Arts Centre. The University of Surrey is a research-led institution pursuing learning, scholarship and research, and advancing and disseminating knowledge. The University is committed to working closely with its students, business, government and civil society to transition knowledge to the benefit of humanity. Campus and location The University of Surrey’s beautiful campus offers students the best of both worlds. Our safe, self-contained student community is just ten minutes’ walk from Guildford town centre, named the eighth best place to live in the UK in the Halifax Quality of Life Survey 2015. It takes just 34 minutes to reach London from Guildford station. Whether heading up for a show, a sightseeing tour, a night on the town or a spur-of-the-moment day trip, Guildford is an ideal base for exploring the city. See what our students think of our campus and take a look around . Rankings In recent years, Surrey has established itself as a top-ten university in major national university league table rankings . Employability We’re proud of our excellent track record for graduate employability . Our Careers Service is available to all Surrey students. Our experts can advise on graduate jobs, further study, graduate schemes and internships. Global Opportunities Internationalisation permeates all that we do at Surrey, contributing significantly to our mission to solve global challenges, lead research and innovation, and fuel generations of students with a spirit of curiosity and a desire to improve the world we live in. We encourage students to take advantage of our international connections and explore the world International Support With students from over 120 different countries, we’re proud to be one of the most culturally-diverse universities in the UK.  Specialist staff in our International Office are here to help your throughout the application process – from advising on choosing the right course to applying for a visa and preparing for your first few weeks at Surrey. Research University of Surrey research is addressing this century’s most pressing challenges, fuelling students with a spirit of curiosity and drive to improve the world. In the 2014 Research Exercise Framework (REF), 98 per cent of our research outputs were rated to be world-leading, internationally excellent or internationally recognised in terms of originality, significance and rigour. Facilities Surrey won the award for Best University Facilities at the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2015. We have invested heavily into our facilities including £36 million into our Sports Park and £16 million into the new Library and Learning Centre. Surrey Sports Park is one of Europe’s leading sports venues and the home of Team Surrey. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an established player, you’ll be welcomed into our friendly sporting community.


Where is the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television?

BBC - Bradford and West Yorkshire - 360º - National Museum of Photography, Film and Television The BBC is not responsible for the content          of external websites. 360º          Views View          a printable          version of this page. Tell              me more! This is the entrance to the museum The National Museum of Photography, Film and Television              in Bradford is one of the most recent jewels in West              Yorkshire's crown but in its twenty years of existance              it has established itself as the most visited museum              outside London. Much              more than just a museum, it also houses what was the              first Imax theatre in the UK and has two other cinemas              which show both art-house and more mainstream films.              The Pictureville auditorium is the only public Cinerama              cinema in the world. It              is the home of the Bradford International Film and Bite              the Mango Festivals as well as many other events. The              Museum collection comprises more than three million              objects and will soon house the Royal Photographic Collection. The              building itself has already been expanded and given              a new facade to bring it into the digital age


What is the Scottish name for a semicircular hollow on a hillside, formedby a glacier?

Corrie - definition of corrie by The Free Dictionary Corrie - definition of corrie by The Free Dictionary http://www.thefreedictionary.com/corrie Related to corrie: Corrie glacier cor·rie A round hollow in a hillside; a cirque. [Scottish Gaelic coire, hollow, cauldron, from Old Irish, cauldron, whirlpool.] corrie (Geological Science) geology another name for cirque 1 [C18: from Gaelic coire cauldron, kettle] ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: basin - a natural depression in the surface of the land often with a lake at the bottom of it; "the basin of the Great Salt Lake" Translations corrie [ˈkɒrɪ] n (Geol) → circo Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content . Link to this page: References in periodicals archive ? Emily Corrie, 36, was seen weaving from lane to lane of a motorway at up to 80mph. CORRIE DEADRINGER Canvas Home offers a range of home furnishings, many of them handcrafted by artisan groups, but after a series of trials and errors with different product categories it has proven to be more successful in hard home than soft home, Corrie told HFN. Corrie ten Boom: A Faith Undefeated Part of the Torchlighters animated DVD series created to spread the word about real-life, young adult Christian heroes and heroines throughout history, The Corrie ten Boom Story tells of a girl and her family who risked everything - and paid a tragic price - to do what was right. Copyright © 2003-2017 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.


What are 'Old Speckled Hen', 'Black Douglas' and 'Zebedee'?

The East Neuk Good Beer Guide The East Neuk Good Beer Guide   MENU   The East Neuk Good Beer Guide Turn the clock back 20 years and you certainly wouldn't have come to Scotland for the quality of its beers. What a transformation! The renaissance in Scottish brewing was spurred on by the Caledonian Brewery winning the Champion Beer of Britain in 2002 for its session beer Deuchars IPA and the following year by Harviestown Brewery who scooped the prestigious award with Bitter and Twisted. A great number of pubs in Scotland are owned by Heineken (formerly Scottish & Newcastle) serving the usual fizzy fare of John Smiths, Fosters and Kronenbourg or by Greene King-owned Belhaven with the ubiquitous Belhaven Best, Tennents and Wifebeater (Stella). Yuk ! However there are some gems of pubs to be found in the East Neuk and environs which serve not only great Scots beers but some of the best English ones too. Here are some great Scots beers to look out for in these cracking East Neuk pubs. BREWER Peters Well, Killellan, Barochan, Blonde Bombshell Inveralmond Brewery, Perth Independence, Thrappledouser, Ossian, Lia Fail (gaelic for �stone of destiny' -orgasmic taste!) Harviestoun Brewery, Alva Bitter & Twisted, Schiehallion (wonderful Scottish lager), Ptarmigan Orkney Brewey, Sandwick Dark Island, Raven, Red Macgregor. (They also brew Skullsplitter (8.3% ABV) which is regrettably rarely to be found on the mainland). They also brew the Atlas Range including Latitude, Three Sisters and Nimbus. Cairngorm Brewery, Aviemore Wildcat, Trade Winds, Stag, Sheeepshagger (fun to ask for !) Black Isle Brewery, Munlochy Arran Ale, Arran Dark, Arran Blond Broughton Brewery, Biggar Greenmantle, Merlin's Ale, 80/-, The Ghillie, Black Douglas, Scottish Oatmeal Eden Brewery, St Andrews PUB LOCATIONS                Return to top^^ All the pubs in the East Neuk are welcoming to strangers and are generally dog-friendly too. In St Andrews the beasts are pretty well verboten. For the benefit of visitors from foreign parts (ie south of the Forth Bridge) it may be instructive to explain the differences between pubs which sell real ale and those which do not. As a general rule of thumb, the use of the F-word and the C-word are not encouraged in real ale pubs; in those which do not serve real ale their use is actually mandatory and you will emerge cursing like Billy Connolly at a live show. Most pubs are open all day and stay open until 11pm or later. Pittenweem There are now only 2 pubs in Pittenweem West End Bar: One real ale is usually on tap. Otherwise it's the usual bland selection of McEwans 60/-, 70/- and 80/-, Tartan Special and John Smiths Smooth.   Larachmhor: Located within a short 50 yard stagger from the front door, the Larach is a former fisherman's pub, now refurbished by the Swiss owners to resemble an ice cream parlour (must not liken the place to the lounge at Bern Airport or I'll be in trouble again).   Anstruther                Return to top^^ Bank Inn: The pub has the widest selection of real ales and at the lowest prices in the East Neuk. The Bank has quickly established a loyal following of ale drinkers and now has sufficient ale turnover to justify three ales on tap at all times.   Ship Tavern: Great location on the harbour front next to the Anstruther Fish Bar. Two real ales are usually available, frequently an Eden Ale from St Andrews. You can also dine on the best of local produce including lobster, dressed crab and a variety of Barnett's speciality breads. You may even bump into Scott, Eden's head brewer who seems to like the stuff he brews.   Boathouse: Superbly positioned on the Harbourfront, the Boathouse has one and sometimes two ales on tap, and offers quality food as well.   Dreel Tavern: The Dreel is very probably the oldest pub in town and is renowned for the quality of its ales, (usually a choice of three) as well as its cuisine. Nice beer garden at the back overlooking the Dreel Burn.     This plaque is bolted to the pub wall, commemorating the event (tourist version) concerning the infant peripatetic Scots king James


"Which of the UK armed forces has the motto ""Per Mare Per Terram""?"

The Royal Marines' 350th Anniversary: 10 Interesting Facts About the Force The Royal Marines' 350th Anniversary: 10 Interesting Facts About the Force October 28, 2014 00:00 GMT The Royal Marines motto is: Per Mare, Per Terram, meaning By Sea, By LandReuters Today marks the 350th anniversary of the Royal Marine Corps, or the Royal Marines, part of the Naval Service. Formed in the reign of King Charles II on October 28, 1664, as the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot (or Admiral's Regiment), the name "Marines" first appeared in the records in 1672 and in 1802 they were titled the Royal Marines by King George III. The Marines are a maritime-focused light infantry force of commandos that operate in all environments and climates. IBTimes UK has compiled 10 facts about the force. 1. Napoleonic Wars in naval battle During the Napoleonic Wars the Royal Marines participated in every notable naval battle on board the Royal Navy's ships and also took part in multiple amphibious actions 2. Second World War used more than 70,000 Marines At its height in 1944 during the Second World War, more than 70,000 people served in the Royal Marines. Following the Allied Victory the Royal Marines were quickly reduced to a post-war strength of 13,000. 3. Motto of the Marines The Royal Marines motto is: Per Mare, Per Terram, meaning By Sea, By Land. 4. Queen Elizabeth II is head of the Marines The overall head of the Royal Marines is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in her role as Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces. 5. Defending Antwerp in the First World War During the First World War, in addition to their usual stations aboard ship, Royal Marines were part of the Royal Naval Division which landed in Belgium in 1914 to help defend Antwerp. It also served on the Western Front. 6. Active role in the Gallipoli campaign In the World War One campaign the Battle of Gallipoli, the Royal Marines were the last to leave Gallipoli, replacing both British and French troops in a neatly planned and executed withdrawal from the beaches. It even required some Marines to wear French uniforms as part of the deception. 7. Suez Crisis participation Notably they were the first ever military unit to perform an air assault insertion by helicopter, during the Suez Crisis in 1956. 8. Training takes place in Devon The Royal Marines are the only part of the British Armed Forces where officers and other ranks are trained at the same location, the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) at Exton in the Parish of Woodbury, Devon. 9. Post-war figures


What type of pregnancy is developed outside of the womb?

Ectopic (Tubal) Pregnancy Signs, Symptoms (Pain), and HGC Test Patient Comments Share Your Story An ectopic or tubal pregnancy is a pregnancy that develops outside a woman's uterus (womb). This happens when the fertilized egg from the ovary does not reach or implant itself normally in the uterus. The products of this conception are abnormal and cannot develop into fetuses. The most common place that ectopic pregnancy occurs is in one of the Fallopian tubes (a so-called tubal pregnancy). Ectopic pregnancies also can be found on the outside of the uterus, on the ovaries, or attached to the bowel. The most serious complication of an ectopic pregnancy is rupture. Leading to intra-abdominal hemorrhage (severe bleeding). The most common signs and symptoms of a tubal pregnancy are abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding . Ectopic pregnancy is usually found in the first 5-10 weeks of pregnancy. An ultrasound imaging test is a common diagnostic test for ectopic pregnancy. There are both medical and surgical treatments available for ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the first trimester of pregnancy in the US. What causes an ectopic pregnancy? Ectopic or tubal pregnancy is caused when a fertilized egg lodges in a Fallopian tube or other location instead of continuing its journey to the uterus, where it is supposed to implant. The egg can become stuck when a Fallopian tube is damaged, scarred, or distorted. What are risk factors for ectopic pregnancy? Common conditions that are known risk factors for ectopic pregnancy include:


Which Puccini opera is set in the court of the Chinese emperor?

Puccini’s final opera “Turandot” Live in HD from the Met Jan. 30 in a spectacular production | BERKSHIRE ON STAGE and SCREEN BERKSHIRE ON STAGE and SCREEN From the Berkshires to Broadway and Beyond Menu Larry Murray / January 21, 2016 Marco Berti as Calaf, Alexander Tsymbalyuk as Timur, and Anita Hartig as Liù in Puccini’s Turandot. Photo by Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera. Marco Berti as Calaf with Ping, Pang and Pong in Puccini’s “Turandot.” Photographed by Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera. Nina Stemme in the title role of Puccini’s Turandot. Photo by Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera. A scene from Puccini’s Turandot. Photo by Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera. A scene from Act I of Puccinis Turandot. Photo: Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera.   Turandot, the grandest of grand operas by Larry Murray For those who love Puccini as I do, his high water mark was Turandot, an opera which demands both spectacular resources for staging and almost impossible vocal dexterity and passion from its singers. Many a great tenor made their reputation singing Calàf in that opera, eminences such as Franco Corelli , Placido Domingo and more recently Joseph Calleja . Their singing electrified audiences even before the popular “Nessun Dorma” in the third act. The goosebumps often began from the moment the Met’s chandeliers rose into the ceiling. If that is a high water mark for contemporary tenors to live up to, then imagine the constant comparisons people make with the Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli versions that has made an indelible imprint on listeners who don’t know Aida from Lucia. One of the great tenors of our time, Marco Berti, takes on the role in this Live in HD telecast, and comparisons are inevitable. The New York critics think he does a solid job. It is arguable that from both a music and spectacle viewpoint, there is no grander opera in the whole repertoire, not even Verdi’s Aida with its grand march can measure up to the sustained tension of the story of a princess who did not want to get married off to some stranger. In any case, you will be able to listen and decide for yourself in the comfort of a local theatre on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 12:55 p.m. EST ( check your times and local theatres here ) when The Met:Live in HD transmits Turandot by Giacomo Puccini to our local screens. In the Berkshires of Massachusetts, the opera can be viewed at the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington and the Beacon Cinemas in Pittsfield. The host for this opera is Renée Fleming. The running time will be approximately 3 hours, 30 minutes. Puccini’s final opera is one of the most spectacular productions in the Met repertory, and returns to the Live in HD series on Saturday, January 30 at 12:55pm ET. Swedish dramatic soprano Nina Stemme sings her first Met performances of the demanding title role of Puccini’s Chinese ice princess, with Anita Hartig in her company role debut as the angelic slave girl Liù. Marco Berti sings Calàf, the suitor who risks his head for Turandot’s hand, and Alexander Tsymbalyuk sings Timur. Paolo Carignani conducts Franco Zeffirelli’s visually stunning 1987 production. The Critical Reception “[Nina Stemme] managed to render the grisly ice maiden surprisingly vulnerable… Her powerful, luxuriant voice retained its warmth throughout the evening, with blazing high notes that were never forced or shrill, even when projected over the massed ensembles of orchestra and chorus… The soprano Anita Hartig sang beautifully as the self-sacrificing Liu, her alluring voice plaintive and expressive; the rich-voiced bass-baritone Alexander Tsymbalyuk rendered Timur with dignity. Paolo Carignani conducted a lithe and detailed reading of Puccini’s sumptuous score.” —The New York Times “[Nina Stemme] commands the power, sensitivity, verbal acuity and authority to make the essentially unsympathetic princess of legendary Peking magnetic…[Marco Berti] exudes dignity, rises nicely to mighty climaxes and even manages to sing softly once in a while.” —Financial Times “The Emperor’s palace is one of the most blindingly opulent scenes the Met has to offer… Fro


Swahili history Swahili History Origin The Swahili language, is basically of Bantu (African) origin. It has   borrowed words from other languages such as Arabic probably as a result of   the Swahili people using the Quran written in Arabic for spiritual guidance   as Muslims. As regards the formation of the Swahili culture and language, some scholars attribute these phenomena to the intercourse of African and Asiatic   people on the coast of East Africa. The word "Swahili" was used by   early Arab visitors to the coast and it means "the coast". Ultimately it came to be applied to the people and the language. Regarding the history of the Swahili language, the older view linked to   the colonial time asserts that the Swahili language originates from Arabs   and Persians who moved to the East African coast. Given the fact that only   the vocabulary can be associated with these groups but the syntax or grammar   of the language is Bantu, this argument has been almost forgotten. It is well known that any language that has to grow and expand its territories ought to absorb some vocabulary from other languages in its way. A suggestion has been made that Swahili is an old language. The earliest   known document recounting the past situation on the East African coast   written in the 2nd century AD (in Greek language by anonymous author at   Alexandria in Egypt and it is called the Periplus of Erythrean Sea) says   that merchants visiting the East African coast at that time from Southern Arabia, used to speak with the natives in their local language and they intermarried with them. Those that suggest that Swahili is an old language point to this early source for the possible antiquity of the Swahili language. Words from Other Languages It is an undeniable truth that Arab and Persian cultures had the greatest influence on the Swahili culture and the Swahili language. To demonstrate the contribution of each culture into the Swahili language, take an example   of the numbers as they are spoken in Swahili. "moja" = one,   "mbili" = two, "tatu" = three, "nne" = four, "tano" = five, "nane" = eight, "kumi" = ten,   are all of Bantu origin. On the other hand there is "sita" = six,   "saba" = seven and "tisa" = nine, that are borrowed from   Arabic. The Arabic word "tisa" actually replaced the Bantu word "kenda" for "nine". In some cases the word "kenda" is still used. The Swahili words, "chai" = tea, "achari" = pickle, "serikali" = government, "diwani" = councillor, "sheha" = village councillor, are some of the words borrowed from   Persian bearing testimony to the older connections with Persian merchants. The Swahili language also absorbed words from the Portuguese who controlled the Swahili coastal towns (c. 1500-1700AD). Some of the words that the Swahili language absorbed from the Portuguese include "leso" (handkerchief), "meza" (table), "gereza" (prison), "pesa" ('peso', money), etc. Swahili bull-fighting, still popular on the Pemba island, is also a Portuguese legacy from that period. The Swahili language also borrowed some words from languages of the later colonial powers on the East African coast - English (British) and German. Swahilized English words include "baiskeli" (bicycle), "basi" (bus), "penseli" (pencil), "mashine" (machine), "koti" (coat), etc. The Swahilized   German words include "shule" for school and "hela" for a   German coin. Spread into the Hinterland For centuries, Swahili remained as the language for the people of the   East African coast. Long-time interactions with other people bordering the   Indian Ocean spread the Swahili language to distant places such as on the   islands of Comoro and Madagascar and even far beyond to South Africa, Oman   and United Arab Emirates. Trade and migration from the Swahili coast during the nineteenth-century helped spread the language to the interior of particularly Tanzania. It also reached Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Central African Rebublic, and Mozambique. Christian missionaries learnt Swahili as the language of commun


"Who was in the films ""Zelig"", ""Stardust Memories"", and ""Broadway Danny Rose""?"

Stardust Memories (1980) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error While attending a retrospective of his work, a filmmaker recalls his life and his loves: the inspirations for his films. Director: a list of 25 titles created 14 Mar 2013 a list of 44 titles created 18 May 2013 a list of 25 titles created 28 Nov 2013 a list of 35 images created 20 Nov 2014 a list of 47 titles created 05 Apr 2015 Search for " Stardust Memories " on Amazon.com Connect with IMDb Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. In his attempts to reconcile a lounge singer with his mistress, a hapless talent agent is mistaken as her lover by a jealous gangster. Director: Woody Allen A wacky inventor and his wife invite two other couples for a weekend party at a romantic summer house in the 1900s countryside. Director: Woody Allen Three sisters find their lives spinning out of control in the wake of their parents' sudden, unexpected divorce. Director: Woody Allen In czarist Russia, a neurotic soldier and his distant cousin formulate a plot to assassinate Napoleon. Director: Woody Allen "Documentary" about a man who can look and act like whoever he's around, and meets various famous people. Director: Woody Allen A nostalgic look at radio's golden age focusing on one ordinary family and the various performers in the medium. Director: Woody Allen In New Jersey in 1935, a movie character walks off the screen and into the real world. Director: Woody Allen A nerdish store owner is revived out of cryostasis into a future world to fight an oppressive government. Director: Woody Allen When a bumbling New Yorker is dumped by his activist girlfriend, he travels to a tiny Latin American nation and becomes involved in its latest rebellion. Director: Woody Allen Facing a mid-life crisis, a woman rents an apartment next to a psychiatrist's office to write a new book, only to become drawn to the plight of a pregnant woman seeking that doctor's help. Director: Woody Allen At a summer house in Vermont, neighbor Howard falls in love with Lane, who's in a relationship with Peter, who's falling for Stephanie, who's married with children. Director: Woody Allen With a serial strangler on the loose, a bookkeeper wanders around town searching for the vigilante group intent on catching the killer. Director: Woody Allen Edit Storyline Renowned filmmaker Sandy Bates is in a professional transition, directing largely comedies early in his career now wanting to direct more serious movies so that he can explore the meaning of life, most specifically his own. Most are fighting him all along the way, including the movie going public, who continually tell him that they love his movies especially the earlier funny ones, to studio executives who are trying to insert comic elements wherever possible into his current movie in production. He reluctantly agrees to attend a weekend long film festival of his movies. Despite the throng of requests for his time, he is further able to reflect on his life as he addresses the questions at the post screening Q&A sessions. He also reflects specifically on his love life as his current girlfriend, married Isobel, shows up unexpectedly, and as he starts to fall for festival attendee Daisy - at the festival with her Columbia professor boyfriend, Jack Abel - who reminds him of Dorrie, a ... Written by Huggo 26 September 1980 (USA) See more  » Also Known As: Did You Know? Trivia The movie features a magic show sequence. Woody Allen got his start in show-business performing magic tricks at sixteen years of age. See more » Quotes Fan #1: What do you think the Rolls Royce represented? Fan #2: I think that represented his car. A B&W confection full of touching Allen-isms 28 March 2003 | by back2wsoc (Chicago, Illinois) – See all my reviews Only a filmmaking genius like Woody Allen could


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Melissa Joan Hart plays which TV character (the same as the Roman name for the River Severn)?

Most of what follows is true …… | Madeley Village Most of what follows is true …… Contacts Most of what follows is true …… Most of what follows is true ...... Neolithic Madeley (About 4000BC to 2400BC) Neolithic means 'New Stone' and is part of the Holocene Epoch, or Stone Age, and followed the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic. A Neolithic hammer head has been found at Upper Thornhill Farm. A flint arrow head found at the Bar Hill/Round Hollows area. Celtic Madeley (About 2400BC to 43AD) The local Celtic Tribe were the Cornovii. The Cornovii tribal lands encompassed the modern county of Shropshire along with considerable portions of southern Cheshire, western Staffordshire, the West Midlands and eastern Clwyd, also including small portions of north-east Powys and northern Hereford & Worcester. No pre-Roman tribal centre has been identified but the tribal lands are absolutely throbbing with Iron-Age hillforts. Despite this profusion of hill-top fortifications the tribe was remarkably aceramic, having no pottery industry to speak of. This points to the Cornovii leading a mainly pastoral lifestyle, where wooden bowls and utensils were used in preference to pottery vessels, which would be more easily broken. The tribe is also remarkable in that it produced no coinage of its own. Ptolemy also tells us the names of the neighbouring tribes: the Brigantes in the north-east, the Coritani to the east, the Dobunni to the south, the Demetae to the west and the Deceangi to the north-west. Other passages in Ptolemy give the ancient names of other geographical features within the territories of the tribe: • Seteia Aestuarium (River Mersey) - Formed a natural barrier to the north, separating the Cornovii from the Brigantes tribe. • Deva Fluvius (River Dee) - Flowed north-westwards through the northern part of the canton, upon which was sited the legionary fortress of Deva (Chester). • Trisantona Fluvius (River Trent) - Flowed through the tribe's north-eastern borderlands. This river was not actually mentioned by Ptolemy but was noted in the Annales of Cornelius Tacitus (XII.xxxi). • Sabrina Fluvius (River Severn) - Flowed eastwards then southwards through the tribal heartlands, passing close outside the walls of the tribal capital • The Cornovii had many Hillforts, one of the largest and most populous being on the Wrekin in Shropshire, overlooking the eventual site of the Romano-British tribal capital. The eventual size of Viroconium is inconsistent with the estimated size of the population. Extrapolated from the number of known pre-Roman settlements the area, the archaeological evidence suggests a much more sparsely populated region. estimated population is much less than is suggested. It is possible therefore, that the bulk of the population lived in dwellings such as timber cabins without stone foundations, which are very difficult to find using current archaeological methods. The tribe had no coinage and no distinctive metalwork, with what little pottery they had being imported from the Malvern hills region. There are some sites however, where local potteries have been found, such as the Berth and Breidden hillforts, and possibly Credenhill in the west. The other significant cultural detail is the manner of defences and gateways in hillforts on both sides of the Severn, and linked to those of the Wye valley in the south. It has been suggested that the lack of metal and fine pottery finds is indicative that the Cornovii were not the most wealthy of Celtic peoples. They had a mostly pastoral economy, tho' some cultivation of cereal crops occurred in the river valleys. These lowland areas were populated by peasants who paid tribute to local lords in thier lofty citadels, in cattle and in grain.Their capital was The Wrekin. The Wrekin was first used as a round barrow in the Bronze Age. It was first fortified in about 400 BC and the sides were artificially steepened to strengthen the defences. It stands 1350 ft (411 metres) high and covers approximately 10 hectares.. It had entrances at the east and west and these were protected by stone gu


"Which of the UK armed forces has the motto ""Utrinque Paratus""?"

Utrinque Paratus | Ready for Anything | utrinqueparatus.co.uk for sale Utrinque Paratus is Latin for 'Ready for Anything' and is the motto of The Parachute Regiment. AWESOME DOMAIN Both domain names are for sale as a pair. The owner of this domain will also have exclusive rights to purchase the new .UK top level domain extension: utrinqueparatus.uk UNIQUE EMAIL This domain name includes up to 100 unique email address's for you, your friends and your family. Access your unique email via Outlook, IOS Mail etc. and also online. MY ONLINE BIO Are you looking for a personal website for you to present your personal biography or showcase your resume / cv? We are offering 50% discount on website design to all ex airborne forces personnel. Visit My Online Bio for more information and drop me a line letting me know which unit you served with.


Which comedian's real name is Chris Collins?

BBC - Comedy - Frank Skinner Profile Contact Us Frank Skinner Chris Collins played his first gig, in December 1987, at the Birmingham Anglers' Association. As there was already a Chris Collins in Equity, he used the name of a chap on his dad's dominoes team. Frank Skinner's down-to-earth brand of humour won him the 1991 Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, beating Jack Dee and Eddie Izzard to the prize. Since then he has gone on to become a household name. As talented a stand-up comedian as he is a razor sharp talk show host, Frank Skinner has earned his place at the top of the comedy game. His friendship with David Baddiel produced the Fantasy Football and Unplanned series. But some would say that their ultimate achievement was co-writing and co-singing football song Three Lions which became a favourite on the terraces in the European Championship in 1996.    2000 Baddiel and Skinner Unplanned (Live/TV)    1995 The Frank Skinner Show (TV)    1994 Fantasy Football League (TV)


In which town is the University of Warwick?

UCEAP: Host Institutions | University of Warwick University of Warwick   Courses and Credits This program allows you to become fully integrated into the academic and social life of the University of Warwick. Fall quarter and year options are open to you. Strong disciplines at University of Warwick include biological science, business and management, computer science, creative writing, economics, English literature, history, mathematics, political science, social work, and sociology.     Use the following resources to learn about courses on EAP: Compare the academic offerings at other English universities  to determine if the University of Warwick is the right partner institution for you. University of Warwick, Coventry  online catalog/course listings. Note that in the UK “course” typically refers to the degree or major and “modules” refer to individual classes. Part-year students need to consult the Part-Year Module Handbook when looking for courses MyEAP Course Catalog lists courses previously taken by UC students. Additional courses may be available and not all courses may still be offered. Courses that have not yet been taken for credit will not appear in the MyEAP Course Catalog. The Program Guide provides detailed information about the English Universities program.   Units You are required to take a full-time course of study while abroad: 14-16 quarter/9.3-10.7 semester UC units per quarter; usually 3 or 4 courses. A total of 42-48 quarter/28-32 semester UC units are required per year. Research and Independent Study Independent study or research for academic credit may be possible. Arrangements are generally made after arrival at the host institution, although in some cases predeparture preparation may be required. A UCEAP Special Study Research Project would be in addition to a full course load. About   The University of Warwick enrolls about 16,000 students; approximately 1,000 international students from 100 countries also attend. The emphasis is on small group teaching in seminars of about 8 to 12 students. The curriculum promotes a high level of independent, self-directed study.   Test Drive Your Future HostInternships Internships abroad are a great way to enhance your resume for today’s competitive job market. Stand out from your peers, gain hands-on experience, and develop your global professional network.   Important: Your ability to participate in any internship in the U.K. either for academic credit or life experience depends upon obtaining the correct Tier 4 Student Visa before departure. You must request a CAS number from the host university after acceptance.  The CAS number is needed in order to apply for the Tier 4 Student Visa.      A UCEAP Special Study Internship Project would be in addition to a full course load.   1. Internships found through the UCEAP London Study Center Become engaged in internships through the resources of the London Study Center. The Study Center has information on possible internships in the community, including some in the summer after the end of a year program. According to U.K. visa regulations, only year program students will be able to remain in the U.K. long enough to participate in a summer internship. However, fall or spring students can participate in an internship during the fall or spring term.   Setting Up Your Internship: Contact the London Study Center and submit a resume or CV and a cover letter. The Study Center can assist by writing a letter of recommendation for you, if needed by the internship provider.     2. Student - initiated internships Be creative and design your own internship. Participants have interned at cultural events, at various city councils, and communication companies such as the BBC. These internships are frequently not for academic credit; however, if your internship is substantial you can request credit by following these three steps .   Setting Up Your Internship: Contact companies and organizations that align with your interest.  Career Development Offices on campus offer excellent guidance on resume or CV and cover letter writing. For


In which Metropolitan borough are Middleton, Heywood, Littleborough, Milnrow and Wardle?

Rochdale Metropolitan Council | Ad Hoc UK Property Owners Rochdale chooses protection over demolition ROCHDALE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL Background The Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale is a metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester in North West England. It is named after its largest town, Rochdale, but spans a far larger area which includes the towns of Middleton, Heywood, Littleborough and Milnrow, and the village of Wardle. The borough, which lies directly north-northeast of the City of Manchester, has a population of 206,500. Challenge To provide a resilient solution, following a mixed result from a combination of protection solutions tried out ranging from traditional metal sheeting and boarding up of properties to remote alarms and once daily mobile patrols. These practices met with a limited measure of success and in certain cases ended in chronic failure, with repeat break-ins and thefts and vandalism that in extreme cases required demolition of the plagued properties, with the total loss of the asset to the council. Solution A regime of regular inspections combined with specially selected Ad Hoc Guardians provided a robust and reliable solution to security and protection of the fabric of properties. “Since the installation of Guardians provided by Ad Hoc Property Management, we have had all the properties protected by Guardians returned to us in a complete and un-damaged condition. Before supplying Guardians, Ad Hoc fully risk assess all proposed premises along with ourselves and the Fire service. The service we receive from Ad Hoc then provides us with vetted, single, employed Guardians. Ad Hoc give Guardians an on-site health & safety induction and provide appropriate safety equipment where necessary. Once installed, we receive a monthly report on each occupied property from Ad Hoc who carry out impromptu inspections. “The properties we have had guarded include schools, training facilities, offices, a cottage and a park house. Several of the Guardians we have used have moved from property to property as we have sold them off, but we endeavour to only embark on the Guardian route where we can guarantee our Guardians a reasonable period of residency and we seem to have been rewarded by reliable Guardians who seem willing to be flexible, reliable and loyal. “Our experience of ad Hoc and the service they provide is positive and on-going” Nigel MacDonald, Senior Valuer, Rochdale MBC How Ad Hoc can help you Find out more about how Ad Hoc can protect your vacant property >>


In which Derbyshire town is the famous Tramway Museum?

Crich Tramway Village (Matlock, England): Top Tips Before You Go - TripAdvisor “Interesting and fun day out for all the family” Reviewed 3 weeks ago Lovely day out with a combination of interest, fun and shopping. A great way to engage in something educational and interesting without the bore, with an interactive visitor centre, amusements and cheap yet quality gift shop. Helpful? Report CrichTramway, Marketing Manager at Crich Tramway Village, responded to this review Thank you for your review. We are delighted that you enjoyed the visit and found it fun and interesting - which is what we aim to provide. We hope you will find time to return in the new season which runs from 18th March - 5th November 2017. More  karenpff2010 “Nice but too expensive” Reviewed 5 weeks ago This is a nice day out, the trams were interesting and it was clearly a project that the volunteers are passionate about and you could tell which was lovely. The reclaimed building were very interesting and the tram ride was fun. The sculpture park was absolutely excellent and the park areas were good too. My gripe is that it is... More  Helpful? Report CrichTramway, Marketing Manager at Crich Tramway Village, responded to this review Thank you for your review. The day you visited we did have charity stalls but this is not a regular feature. They attend for specific events only. We are sorry that you are unable to make use of the return tickets, but we there are no plans to change the pricing structure. More  Peter F Reviewed December 11, 2016 via mobile This is the second time we have been in Derbyshire and visited Crichton, we came for a 1940's weekend where everything was in WW2 clothing and a really good selection of Second World War memorabilia, the trams are maintained in such good condition and the tram rides were really interesting, definitely worth a visit. Helpful? Report CrichTramway, Marketing Manager at Crich Tramway Village, responded to this review Thank you for your review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your visit to Crich and hope you will return in 2017 when we will be open daily from 18th March - 5th November daily. Two World War II events are planned for next season - one from Sunday 16th to Monday 17th April and one from Saturday 12th to... More  dandyChesterfield “Living History” Reviewed December 10, 2016 I am 60 years old and was born in Chesterfield only 15 miles from Crich but, sad to say, had never been before. My wife and I went on the 21st August and I, though not my wife, was delighted to find that on top of the pleasure that is the village itself there was also a model railway/tramway exhibition... More  Helpful? Report CrichTramway, Marketing Manager at Crich Tramway Village, responded to this review Thank you for your review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your visit and look forward to welcoming you back in 2017. Our next Model Tram and Railway Exhibition will be on 19th and 20th August, but we have also introduced the running of the R Whetstone tramcar models, that we have recently been loaned. These stunning models will be... More  peterentwistle1 “Bygone Travel” Reviewed December 3, 2016 The Tramway takes you back to the golden age of public transport that was found in most of our major cities. You can certainly enjoy a few rides on a variety of tramcars as well as also look at the collection of old buildings that are on site. I defiantly recommend you pay the tramway village a visit & enjoy... More  Helpful? Report CrichTramway, Marketing Manager at Crich Tramway Village, responded to this review Thank you for your review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your visit and look forward to welcoming you back in the new season. We open on 18th March 2017 and will be open daily until 5th November 2017. More  frankcheeser


Which Verdi opera opens with a banquet in the palace of the Duke of Mantua?

Rigoletto | The Opera 101 The Opera 101 Fill out the fields below to contact us! Your name * Recordings About One of the most exciting and gritty operas, Rigoletto is not for the faint-hearted. The censors of the time had real issues with Rigoletto’s content and it’s not really hard to see why! Set in the grubby world of the Duke of Mantua, a man with few morals and a great deal of power, the action plumbs the depths of nastiness and the bad guy doesn't get a comeuppance. There’s no avoiding the opera’s grim finale either, horrifically sad with only limited redemption. Rigoletto at the Royal Opera House Rigoletto is the first of Verdi’s middle period operas and marks a shift towards coherent musical tapestries as opposed to the typical Italian aria format (though Verdi by no means leaves the form behind). There are fewer applause breaks than in his earlier works, the drama seemingly rushing headlong towards its conclusion. It's an opera with extremes but also a sense of moral ambiguity. The grim palace of the Duke is contrasted by the tranquility and isolation of Gilda, Rigoletto’s daughter. Gilda gets some of the most divine music, particularly in the Act I aria Caro nome, in English Sweet name. Verdi also cleverly gives the despicable Duke some devilishly charming music, you’ll probably recognise La donna è mobile, Woman is flighty. Rigoletto himself gets no flashy arias, his music is punchier and more declamatory, an uneasy mix of both worlds. With a fantastic balance between the grand and the intimate, from plush palace to rundown inn, Rigoletto is an opera that has it all. Characters A ruthless assassin, albeit one with some sense of honour. Synopsis Act I - Running Time: 65 mins A palace ball is in full flow. The Duke of Mantua sings of his lascivious life. Amongst his many potential future conquests he is eyeing up an unknown girl he caught sight of in church. Rigoletto mocks all and sundry, a court jester who does this job in a nasty, deeply unpopular manner. The various nobles gossip about Rigoletto’s “lover”, most don’t believe she exists but they resolve somehow to have their revenge on him. Count Monterone enters angry, decrying that the Duke has had his way with Monterone’s daughter. Rigoletto ridicules him and the Duke orders him to be arrested. As he is dragged out Monterone calls down a curse on Rigoletto and the Duke. Rigoletto is cursed, Metropolitan Opera Sparafucile and Rigoletto, Metropolitan Opera Rigoletto trudges home worried by the curse. He comes across Sparafucile, the local assassin (every town should have one!), skulking in the darkness. Sparafucile offers his services but Rigoletto rejects his offer saying he has no need of them. Rigoletto enters his home where he is greeted by his daughter, Gilda. She is the figure that the noblemen suspect to be his lover. Rigoletto has kept Gilda secret from the Duke and Gilda does not know about Rigoletto’s job at the palace. The only place Gilda is allowed to go is church and she has recently fallen in love with a young man. As soon as Rigoletto leaves that man promptly appears and would you believe it... it’s the Duke! He bribes Giovanna into letting him in and in the ensuing love song lies to Gilda, telling her that he is a poor student. He departs. Outside the house, the noblemen mass to abduct Gilda, who they still think is Rigoletto’s lover. Somehow in the darkness they trick Rigoletto into believing they are kidnapping a woman from the house adjacent to his and in the ensuing action Rigoletto actually assists in the kidnapping of his daughter. The noblemen gather outside Rigoletto's house, San Francisco Opera He realizes what has happened and is utterly distraught. He recalls the curse as the curtain descends. Act II - Running Time: 35 mins We’re back in the palace. The Duke is missing his Gilda but he is soon excited to hear that the noblemen have just kidnapped her. She is in his bedroom which is like Christmas come early for the Duke. He dashes off as Rigoletto enters trying to appear like nothing is wrong. He tries to find out what has happene


"Who starred in the films ""Perfect World"", ""No Way Out"", and ""Tin Cup""?"

Tin Cup (1996) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error A washed up golf pro working at a driving range tries to qualify for the US Open in order to win the heart of his succesful rival's girlfriend. Director: From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON DISC a list of 38 titles created 23 Sep 2011 a list of 37 titles created 29 Feb 2012 a list of 35 titles created 26 Feb 2014 a list of 31 titles created 04 Oct 2014 a list of 23 titles created 24 Feb 2015 Search for " Tin Cup " on Amazon.com Connect with IMDb Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Nominated for     1     Golden Globe. Another    2 nominations. See more awards  » Videos A fan who has an affair with one minor-league baseball player each season meets an up-and-coming pitcher and the experienced catcher assigned to him. Director: Ron Shelton A washed up pitcher flashes through his career. Director: Sam Raimi A nameless drifter dons a postman's uniform and bag of mail as he begins a quest to inspire hope to the survivors living in post-apocalyptic America. Director: Kevin Costner A former Secret Service agent takes on the job of bodyguard to a pop singer, whose lifestyle is most unlike a President's. Director: Mick Jackson Wyatt Earp is a movie about a man and his family. The movie shows us the good times and the bad times of one of the West's most famous individuals. Director: Lawrence Kasdan In a future where the polar ice-caps have melted and Earth is almost entirely submerged, a mutated mariner fights starvation and outlaw "smokers," and reluctantly helps a woman and a young girl try to find dry land. Director: Kevin Reynolds When Robin and his Moorish companion come to England and the tyranny of the Sheriff of Nottingham, he decides to fight back as an outlaw. Director: Kevin Reynolds A woman discovers a tragic love letter in a bottle on a beach, and is determined to track down its author. Director: Luis Mandoki Vietnam War vet Stephen Simmons must deal with a war of a different sort between his son and their friends, and a rival group of children. He also must deal with his own personal and ... See full summary  » Director: Jon Avnet A gang of ex-cons rob a casino during Elvis convention week. Director: Demian Lichtenstein A coverup and witchhunt occur after a politician accidentally kills his mistress. Director: Roger Donaldson A former gunslinger is forced to take up arms again when he and his cattle crew are threatened by a corrupt lawman. Director: Kevin Costner Edit Storyline Roy 'Tin cup' McAvoy, a failed pro golfer who lives at the run-down driving range which he manages with his sidekick and caddy Romeo in the West Texas tin pot town of Salome, ends up signing over ownership to a madam of 'show girls' to pay off debts. His foxy novice golf pupil, female psychiatrist Dr. Molly Griswold, turns out to be the new girlfriend of McAvoy's sarcastic one-time college golf partner, slick PGA superstar David Simms, who drops by to play into Roy's fatal flaw: the inability to resist a dare, all too often causing him to lose against lesser players, in this case gambling away his car. Falling for Molly, Roy decides to become her patient; in order to earn her respect, he decides to try to qualify for the US Open, after starting off as Simm's caddy 'for the benefit of his experience'. His talent proves more then adequate, but over-confident negligence of risks, while pleasing the crowds, is murder on his scores, while Simms spits on the fans but never wastes a point... Written by KGF Vissers Rated R for language and brief nudity | See all certifications  » Parents Guide: 16 August 1996 (USA) See more  » Also Known As: Juegos de pasión See more  » Filming Locations: $10,128,834        (USA) (16 August 1996) Gross: Did You Know? Trivia Roy McAvoy's final overall score in the U.S


Which animal's name is also a term for a junior member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade?

Badgers - After School Activities - St John Ambulance   Get a Badger certificate A badge and certificate is awarded for each completed subject. Badgers can keep their own record of what they have achieved in their Badger Passport. Once Badgers have earned 12 badges, they receive the Super Badger Award. All Badgers aged nine and over can become a Follow-me Badger. This involves giving something back to the Badger Sett, by taking on a responsibility to help run the Sett. The final step for all Badgers is to help plan and take part in their Moving-on Ceremony, before moving to Cadets. The next step To get involved, contact our regional offices to find your nearest Badger Sett. Too old to join Badgers? Why not join Cadets instead? St John Ambulance charges and annual subscription to cover the costs of supporting its young people. These include, among other things, leader training, equipment, certificates and badges. Financial assistance is also available. For more information, check our information for parents . Get involved with our youth programmes


Profile subscribers click here for full profile * For a limited period, this profile and selected other Adbrands pages which would normally be available only to subscribers, have been opened to all users. Please note that access to most other profiles as well as the account assignments database is still limited to paid subscribers * Anheuser-Busch 's Budweiser still has no real challenger for the title of King of Beers in the US. The extended family - led by top-selling Bud Light - accounts for more than one out of every four beers served in America. A run of enormously effective television commercials featuring talking lizards and TV-obsessed couch potatoes did much to consolidate the brand's position between 1995 and 2002, and also boosted Budweiser's profile with a wider global audience. Yet despite its dominance in the US, Budweiser's hold on the international market is less secure, not least as a result of a long-running and damaging legal dispute with Czech brewer Budvar. That has begun to change now that Budweiser is owned by global titan AB InBev, which declared its intent to confirm Budweiser as "the first truly global beer brand". At the same time, to smooth ruffled feathers in the US over the takeover of a domestic icon by a foreign company, Budweiser has placed an even greater emphasis on its American heritage since early 2009, describing itself as "The Great American Lager". Selected Budweiser & Bud Light advertising Competitors See Wine Beer & Spirits Sector index for other companies and brands Advertising More from Adbrands Weekly Update Brand Analysis Budweiser is the undisputed champion in the US beer market, but it cannot afford to rest on its laurels, given the increasingly aggressive marketing of rival brewers, as well as competition from other alcoholic beverages. The brand's marketing profile is another distinct asset, the result of a string of unconventional and highly memorable campaigns. Budweiser's main weakness is its inconsistent performance in global markets, partly the result of the Budvar trademark dispute. However the brand has a good head start in China. Volumes there are still small, but they have possibility to eclipse Budweiser's sales in other international markets by the end of the decade.  One path will be international sports sponsorship: Budweiser has been the "official" beer of the FIFA World Cup since 1986, and a major recurring headline sponsor, most recently in 2014 in Brazil. In 2011 it became the first American brand to sponsor the UK's FA Cup football tournament. That mirrored an existing dominance in the US, where Bud Light is the official beer of the NFL (now until 2022) as well as the sponsor of 28 of the 32 NFL teams, and also of CBS network broadcast coverage of Thursday night games. It also has a strong presence in Major League Baseball. The FA Cup sponsorship arrangement was renewed for a further three years in 2015, and Bud will continue to partner the FIFA World Cup until at least 2022. In 2012, the group began extending Bud's sponsorship into music as well with the launch of the nationwide Music First programme of live events, and sponsorship arrangements with Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake. That was followed in 2013 by a global partnership with Rihanna covering 85 countries worldwide.  Brewed and sold since 1876, Budweiser became the world's best-selling beer in 1957 (overtaking Schlitz), and held that title until 2011, when it was overtaken in total volumes by China's top-selling domestic beer Snow. However it remains the clear top seller by global revenues, with combined retail sales for the extended family in excess of $20bn in 2012, according to AB InBev's own estimates. Net revenues to AB InBev were $5.3bn in 2014, from volumes of 44m hl. Brewed in eight countries around the world, it is distributed in more than 70. The brand's true strength lies in the US, where it has unrivalled domination of the industry. In fact, the most important member of the extended Budweiser family is Bud Light . In the US, according to researcher IRI, off-trade sales for 2015 (exclud


Which Government department is responsible for the Meteorological Office?

Who we are - Met Office Met Office The Met Office is the UK's National Meteorological Service. Our origins In 1854 an experimental government department, which was later to become the Met Office, was set up under the Board of Trade. Its aim was to research the possibilities of forecasting the weather, mainly to protect the safety of ships and their crew at sea. Distinguished naval captain, Robert FitzRoy, was chosen to head up the department. He had already enjoyed an illustrious career at sea, including commanding HMS Beagle on its five-year world voyage which served as inspiration for Charles Darwin's defining work On the origin of species. His job under the new department was to establish meteorology as a science and he set about developing the fundamental techniques of modern weather forecasting. He was spurred on by tragedies such as the sinking of the Royal Charter in 1859 - wrecked off the coast of Anglesey in a fearsome storm with the loss of nearly all of the 500 passengers on board. FitzRoy developed the first storm warning service, achieved by using canvas covered frames in different shapes to alert ships to dangers - these were lit up by fires at night so they could give warnings at any time. He also pioneered techniques for forecasting weather such as synoptic charts, where weather observations taken at the same time were drawn on a map to aid forecasting - a technique still used today. FitzRoy's work laid the foundations for the Met Office's future at the forefront of this 'new science'. Major landmarks in our history Telegraphy From our early beginnings, we developed capabilities rapidly to create ever more advanced forecasts. Staying on the leading edge of technology has been central to this progress, and the introduction of wireless telegraphy on ships in 1909 was a major milestone. This allowed observations and forecasts to be quickly transmitted, significantly improving the service the office could offer. Ministry of Defence During the First World War, it was recognised that understanding the weather and being able to forecast it could help provide a military edge, supporting operations and improving safety. For this reason, the office was taken under the wing of the Air Ministry, later the Ministry of Defence, after the war - establishing our status as a vital service for the UK's Armed Forces. D-Day landings during the Second World War The weather was crucial to the Allied Forces's success for the D-Day landings in June 1944. General Eisenhower's chief meteorologist, Group Captain James Stagg, a Met Office forecaster, advised of a narrow 'weather window' for the operation to go ahead: "probably the only day during the month of June on which the operations could have been launched," President Truman later said. Storm Surge In 1953, an intense area of low pressure and storm surge combined to cause catastrophic coastal flooding with huge loss of life along North Sea coasts in Britain and Holland. This led to the setting up of the Storm Tide Forecasting Service to give advance warning of such events in the future. It also prompted the planning and construction of the Thames Barrier. Technology - computers and satellites In 1959 the Met Office bought our first computer, a Ferranti Mercury, capable of doing 30,000 calculations a second. This allowed us to take a major step forward with our forecasting, making numerical based predictions possible for the first time. From this point on, advancing technology and increasing computer capacity has played a key role in making our forecasts increasingly accurate. In the 1960s, the satellite revolution provided a quantum leap in weather forecasting providing a bird's-eye of how the atmosphere moves. In 1977 the first European weather satellite, Meteosat 1, was launched - once again pushing forward the boundaries of meteorology. Aviation and severe weather In 1984 the Met Office was named as a World Area Forecasting Centre ( WAFC ) for civil aviation, one of only two centres along with Washington to provide forecasts for flying at high altitude. After the storm of 1


Which North Yorkshire seaside resort is the starting point for the Cleveland Way long-distance walk?

Information on walking the Cleveland Way General Overview “Combine moor & Coast, abbeys & smuggler’s villages in an orgy of history & beauty” This is a cracking ‘little’ long distance trail taking in great chunks of moorland and cliff edge walking and to a lesser extent the rivers which  carve deeply in to the high moorland plateau. I say ‘little’ but that does not mean that it is either worthy or a big effort, just compared to the Coast to Coast and Pennine Way it is shorter . However it is wonderfully planned and visits nearly all the sites and scenes which typify the North York Moors – it is true that once you have done the Cleveland Way you have done the best of the North York Moors with its Coast. The walk starts in the centre of the attractive market town of Helmsley and after passing through 60 odd miles of wild upland moors and hills drops down to the sea at Saltburn and spends its final 40 miles taking the cliff top path to a finish at Scarborough. It is this contrast which makes the Cleveland Way totally unique – no other long distance path combines moor and coast so successfully. One of the other pleasures of the Cleveland Way is the ease of securing accommodation – with only a bit of planning and varying the length of each day’s walk it is straight forward to find places to stay and pubs to eat in on the walk. That does not mean they will be available mid August the day before but for a National Trail the availability of accommodation is very good. A Sample Day by Day Itinerary Day 1 Helmsley to Sutton Bank 11.5 miles. An easy and relaxed start to the day so a visit to Rievaulx Abbey can easily be included (and should be). Starting after lunch it is also possible to visit the White Horse at Kilburn (where the limestone has been exposed in the shape of a horse) and ‘hop’ up Hambleton Hill. Overnight will be in one of the villages near Sutton Bank such as Kilburn itself. Day 2. Sutton Bank to Osmotherley 12 miles A high level walk over the escarpment of Sutton Bank all the way to Osmotherley. The views to the west are far reaching and the walking easy on excellent paths and old drove roads. Hambleton End at 1.300 foot is the high point. Take a sandwich as there is little in the way of stops before dropping in to the busy little village of Osmotherley. Stock up at this point with a long day to come. Day 3. Osmotherley to Great Ayton/Kildale 20.5 miles Day 3 is sometimes split in two but if you are reasonably fit it is best to carry on all the way to Kildale or even Great Ayton. The route is often described as a roller coaster of moorland walking as there are a number of times that the route drops a few hundred feet to a road or a pretty stream. The moors are windswept but the views are continually impressive and the walking usually easy with the worst sections of paths now flagged. Lunch spots can be found, the cafe at Clay Bank being one, but this is a day to let yourself go and soak in the miles. My favourite. Day 4. Great Ayton/Kildale to Saltburn 14.5 miles Whether starting at Kildale or Great Ayton the first stop is Captain Cook’s spectacular obelisk style monument and a few miles further on the most iconic peak in the North York Moors, Roseberry Topping. Even though the Cleveland Way does not pass over the summit it is worth visiting although take care of the sudden drop. From here the track enters farmland as it skirts Guisborough and the smell of the sea is upon you. Some attractive woodland is passed through before the Victorian seaside town of Saltburn is reached. Day 5 Saltburn to Runswick Bay 13 miles The initial stretch of coastline to Skinningrove is enlived by the crumbling cliffs and old railway which have an inevitability of clashing soon – and there will be only one winner! After Skinningrove the coastal path climbs steadily up Boulby Cliffs, the 2nd one being the highest cliff in England. The pretty fishing village of Staithes is next – a step back in history before another climb leads towards the final destination of the day, the incomparable Runswick Bay. Day 6 Runswick Bay to Robin Hood’s B


As at November 2006, who is the coach of St Helens Rugby League team?

St Helens RFC – talkRugbyLeague St Helens RFC Introduction St Helens RFC are one of the United Kingdom’s most celebrated rugby teams. They participate in the Super League, a competition in which they have had immense success, and enjoy a longstanding rivalry with the nearby team of Wigan Warriors. History Early Years St Helens RFC was founded in 1873 and are subsequently one of the oldest teams in the rugby football league. They have been based at their team headquarters and grounds of Knowsley Road since their inception. The Saints, as they are colloquially known, were one of the 22 teams to leave the original Rugby Football Union and join the Northern Union in 1895. They achieved a number of notable successes during the 19th century, most prominently reaching the finals of the inaugural Challenge Cup (now known as the Carnegie Challenge Cup) in 1897. The match against Batley, which took place at the historic Headingley grounds, resulted in a defeat for the Saints. Post-War Achievements The post-war years marked a particularly successful period for St Helens RFC. Jim Sullivan took over as team coach during the 1950s and was instrumental in their incredible success over the following years. One of the Saints’ most remarkable achievements was the defeat they inflicted on the touring Australian national side in November 1956. The Saints made a habit of inflicting heavy blows on visiting national teams from the southern hemisphere. They subjected the touring New Zealand side to a staggering 28-7 defeat during the 1967 season – the most significant defeat they suffered during their England tour. It is widely accepted that some of the Saints’ finest moments came during the 1960s and the 1970s, for example when winning the Super League and Challenge Cup titles in 1966. In particular, their success came as a result of the exploits of a number of rugby legends, including the likes of Tom van Vollenhoven and Alex Murphy. The 1970s saw the Saints win the Challenge Cup on two further occasions. Challenge Cup success was, however, limited during the 1980s. They lost in a shock defeat to Halifax in 1987. This match, which took place at London’s Wembley Stadium, saw the Saints lose 19-18 Recent Success St Helens have enjoyed spectacular form since the formation of the Super League. This coincided with the switch to a summer season for domestic championships – the winter season being allocated for international tournaments. To date, St Helens have won the Super League on five different occasions and have also won the Challenge Cup on six other occasions. Under the leadership of Ian Millward, who took over as coach in 2000, St Helens became one of the most exciting rugby teams to watch in the world. Their aggressive attitude and determination drew huge crowds and greatly benefited the media moguls who had invested millions of pounds in the Super League and Challenge Cup. Even with Millward exiting in 2005, the success continued under Daniel Anderson. In 2006, the Saints proved victorious yet again during the Challenge Cup and, that December, they won the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Team Award in recognition of Anderson’s achievements with the team. Saints held on the Challenge Cup in 2007, beating the Catalans Dragons 30-8 at Wembley Stadium. Controversy St Helens have experienced their fair share of controversy during their long and successful history. In 2004, two St Helens players Sean Long and Martin Gleeson, were implicated in a betting scandal. It was alleged that they had bet on their side losing after coach Millward fielded a substantially weakened team in a match against Bradford in the spring of 2004. The off the pitch problems appeared to resurface in 2005, when Ian Millward lost his job as team coach after being suspended for gross misconduct. Team Attire During their early days as a team, St Helens RFC sported a rather fetching blue and white kit. It consisted of a blue and white striped jersey and blue shorts. This kit was soon abandoned however, and the team adopted the kit that they would retain un


Which BBC TV programme traces the family trees of celebrities?

Popular Genealogy TV Programs » Larimer County Genealogical Society   Popular Genealogy TV Programs April/May 2016 Update: From possible links to the accused in the Salem Witch Trials to heroes of the Wild West, PBS’ GENEALOGY ROADSHOW uncovers more family secrets in the series’ third season, which premieres Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at 8:00 p.m. ET and airs Tuesdays through June 28 (check local listings). Part detective story, part emotional journey, GENEALOGY ROADSHOW combines history and science to uncover fascinating stories of diverse Americans this season in and around Albuquerque, Miami, Houston, Boston, Providence and Los Angeles. Each story links to the larger regional (and often, national) history, to become part of America’s rich cultural tapestry. See a season three clip here. PBS_Genealogy_Roadshow: GENEALOGY ROADSHOW’s professional genealogists Kenyatta D. Berry, Joshua Taylor and Mary Tedesco are matched with everyday people whose unique family claims are explored in each episode. Among this season’s mysteries: A man seeks to find out if he is descended from Boston’s key founders; a woman explores connections to an ancestor’s participation in the Manhattan Project; a couple hopes to recover the true story of their family pharmacy during Hollywood’s Golden Age; and a woman learns of her family’s involvement in the Trail of Tears. Over the course of the series and from coast-to-coast, Berry, Taylor and Tedesco work with participants’ anecdotal clues, documents and family heirlooms to reveal surprising turns and incredible personal histories, filling in lost family details and in some cases, introducing them to relatives and other important people they never knew existed. Albuquerque, Miami, Houston, Boston, Providence and Los Angeles were chosen this season as representative of America’s cultural crossroads for diversity, industry and history, as well as for deep pools of riveting stories. GENEALOGY ROADSHOW’s hosts and experts add color and context to the investigations, ensuring every artifact and every name becomes part of solving the mystery. “Our third season of GENEALOGY ROADSHOW visits six of America’s history-rich cities and unearths engaging stories, dark mysteries and emotional reveals that link to the very founding of our country,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager of General Audience Programming for PBS. “This series illustrates that no matter one’s culture and background, everyone is part of the diverse American story.” Below are descriptions for each of GENEALOGY ROADSHOW’s six episodes this season. For images and screeners, please visit PBS PressRoom. Albuquerque – The Old Airport Terminal Premieres May 17, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET A team of genealogists uncovers fascinating family stories at the Old Albuquerque Airport Terminal. A woman seeking a connection to a Native-American code talker learns that a missing branch of her family tree has been searching for her; a man is shocked to find out just how deep his New Mexican roots go; a woman finds out that her ancestor’s life was straight out of a Wild West tale; another questions her family connection to the explosive Trinity Test; one man is linked to a famous comic book heroine; and a woman looks to verify family lore about a connection to Pancho Villa. Miami – History Miami Museum Premieres May 24, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET At the History Miami Museum, one woman suspects she is related to Pocahontas; another explores the mystery of her Cuban roots, uncovering her grandfather’s secret past; a man learns more about his Filipino heritage and the impact of World War II on his ancestors; the team reveals how the history of the tragic Tuskegee experiment changed a woman’s family forever; and a woman comes to the Roadshow thinking her ancestor was a villain, only to learn he was a hero. Houston – Downtown Houston Public Library Premieres May 31, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET A woman seeks to find out if her roots in Texas are as deep as the character she portrays in her historical re-enactments; at the Julia Ideson Building of the Housto


Pop star Madonna adopted a child from which country in October 2006?

BBC News - Malawi welcomes Madonna adoption Malawi welcomes Madonna adoption By Raphael Tenthani, BBC News, Blantyre Madonna previously adopted Malawian boy David Banda The decision to grant pop star Madonna the right to adopt a second Malawian child has been warmly received by many in the southern African state. The singer's victory at Malawi's Supreme Court of Appeal led the news on local radio stations and prompted a positive response on phone-in shows. But James Kambewa, who is claiming paternity of the four-year-old girl, remains opposed to the adoption. "I won't give up the fight," he said, adding that the court disregarded him. "I wrote to the court challenging the adoption because I am ready and willing to take care of my child," said Mr Kambewa. "How can they continue referring to her as an orphan when I told them I am there for her?" Madonna's charity Raising Malawi helps to look after orphans in the country However, Mr Kambewa was a lone voice of opposition, with most Malawians welcoming the court's decision to allow Madonna to adopt Chifundo "Mercy" James. "She is taking Mercy out of a life of destitution; she could have lived in the orphanage until she was old enough to start prostitution," said Michael Jonas, a curio seller in Blantyre, Malawi's second-largest city. "I am happy for her and the world should ignore the so-called father. We have lots of fathers but very few parents." "I am happy for Mercy," said Martha Banda, a university student in Blantyre. "Those who are against the adoption are just plain selfish. How can one say she is better off in an orphanage?" Anxious wait Chifundo's uncle, Peter Baneti, said her family were "very happy". "We, as a family, have been anxiously awaiting this ruling. We are very happy for Chifundo," he said. He added that Mr Kembewa could "jump into Lake Malawi" for all he cared. "We don't know this James boy. He was not there when my sister was pregnant; he didn't attend her funeral. How can he just come out to claim the baby? Does he want to steal my niece?" Mercy's teenage mother died of child-birth complications a few days after giving birth. Mr Kambewa admitted he had denied responsibility for his girlfriend's pregnancy. He met the 14-year-old Mwandida Mwaunde in secondary school, but deserted her when she fell pregnant in 2006. "I was young then, but now I am old and responsible," he said. Madonna's lawyer on adoption verdict Yet even those in Malawi initially opposed to the adoption appear to have had a change of heart. "We are happy today's ruling has clarified issues of inter-country adoptions," said Maxwell Matewere, Executive director of Eye of the Child - a child rights organisation which previously expressed reservations about the adoption Frank Phiri, a resident in Bvumbwe - where the Mercy orphanage is situated - said Malawi has millions of orphans and one orphan less must be viewed as good news. "I wish other rich people would come here to adopt orphans like Madonna has done," he said. "Governments should encourage people to adopt children because living in an orphanage is tough." 'Extremely grateful' According to the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare Development, there are close to 2 million orphans in Malawi, a quarter of whom have lost their parents as a direct result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Madonna, one of the most successful stars in pop history, first met Mercy in October 2006 at Kondanani Children's Village, just outside Blantyre, the same year she began the process of adopting David Banda. Immediately after the ruling on Friday, Madonna's Malawian lawyer called up the singer in New York. "My client was ecstatic; although it was still early in the States she was up to wait for the ruling," he said. The singer herself responded: "I am extremely grateful for the Supreme Court's ruling on my application to adopt Mercy James." "I am ecstatic... My family and I look forward to sharing our lives with her," Madonna said in a statement. The pop star also has two biological children - Lourdes, 12, and Rocco, aged eight. Bookmark with:


How many member states are there in the British Commonwealth of Nations?

BBC iWonder - What is the point of the Commonwealth today? BBC iWonder Featuring James AstillExternal The Economist 1. Uniting nations, dividing opinion FeaturingPeter OborneJournalist Featuring James AstillExternal The Economist The Commonwealth encompasses almost a third of the world’s population, bringing together people of many faiths, races, languages and incomes. It is showcased through the Commonwealth Games every four years. Yet it is an institution which remains a mystery to many, polarising opinion as to its role and relevance. Journalist Peter Oborne believes the Commonwealth represents a friendly network of nations, based on education, culture and history, which will continue to play a vital role. But for the Economist's James Astill, the Commonwealth is “a large and somewhat anomalous club, which devotes most of its energies to maintaining its strange existence”. Commonwealth Day, an annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations, will be marked on 14 March 2016, with a multi-faith service in Westminster Abbey. But what does this organisation actually do? Is the Commonwealth merely a British consolation prize for the loss of the Empire, or does it have an important role to play in today’s geopolitical climate? 2. Emerging from Empire Why is Prince Philip considered a god in one Commonwealth nation? Nick Squires investigated for Radio 4's From Our Own Correspondent. (Footage from BBC News reports) Transcript (PDF 19 Kb) The early 20th Century saw some colonies within the British Empire acquiring varying degrees of independence. A new constitutional definition of their relationship with one another was required. The Statute of Westminster of 1931 defined the United Kingdom and the Dominions as ‘autonomous communities, equal in status, united by a common allegiance to the Crown and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations’. The terms of the association were reformulated in the 1949 London Declaration. The word British was dropped from the Commonwealth's name, the allegiance to the crown removed from its statute, and it became an association for decolonised nations. The British monarch remained as a ‘symbol of their free association and as such Head of the Commonwealth’. The member list has since grown to incorporate 53 nations, including some independent countries. Its two most recent additions, Mozambique and Rwanda, have no historical ties to the British Empire and there are more nations on the waiting list to join. The Commonwealth cannot sanction member states by force, but when governments persistently violate Commonwealth principles, they can be suspended. This was the case with Zimbabwe in 2002 following allegations of rigged elections in the country. As membership is voluntary, countries can also withdraw from the association. The Gambia was the most recent example, withdrawing in 2013, describing the Commonwealth as a “neo-colonial institution”. Previously devoid of a constitution, the Commonwealth adopted its charter in December 2012. This commits members to 16 core values of democracy, gender equality, sustainable development and international peace and security. Each member nation is considered equal regardless of size or wealth. The relationship between the Commonwealth of Nations is acknowledged every four years with the Commonwealth Games, and every two years with meetings of political leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The Commonwealth Secretariat, based in London, works with member governments to deliver on the agreed priorities that emerge. Commonwealth organisations work in diverse areas ranging from education to urban planning and meteorology, with observers often present at elections in an attempt to ensure fairness. On Commonwealth Day each year, the second Monday in March, the Queen broadcasts a message to all member nations. 3. The Commonwealth in numbers ¹ This figure covers from 1990, when Nauru first entered the Commonwealth Games. 4. An important role in the 21st Century Queen Elizabeth II with President Nelson Mandela in So


How many Cinque Ports are there on the south coast of England?

h2g2 - The Cinque Ports - Edited Entry The Cinque Ports Content from the guide to life, the universe and everything The Cinque Ports 1 Conversation The Cinque Ports 1 are a confederation of towns on the south coast of England which dates back to the early Middle Ages. The five original ports were Dover, Hastings , Romney , Hythe , and Sandwich , though the Confederation of the Cinque Ports now also includes Rye , Winchelsea , Deal , Ramsgate, Faversham , Margate , Folkestone , Tenterden and Lydd. Purpose The south coast was particularly vital for the defence of England and the British Isles as a whole. France , just over the water, was at war with England for much of the medieval period and the south-east portion of the English coast, where the Cinque Ports are located, was the logical place for an invasion to land, or for the English to send off an army of their own. The idea was not new. The Romans had a military officer in charge of the coast to defend against Saxon attacks, and the basis of their system appears to have been continued into later centuries. England had no regular navy in the Middle Ages. During wartime, the barons of the ports provided ships and sailors instead of soldiers, which inland lords were required to recruit. For example, Henry III called for 57 fighting ships with 1,197 sailors to serve 15 days per year. If the period they were needed for overran 15 days, the king paid their expenses. This must have happened on most occasions, as two weeks was not enough time to conduct most naval military exercises. The ships served as transports for goods and soldiers as well as fighting enemy vessels. The kings got ships from other places too, but for many years the vessels of the Cinque Ports may have been an important part of English naval forces. History The precise origins of the arrangement are not entirely clear, but a charter of Edward I says the originals were a federation as long ago as the reign of Edward the Confessor (1042 - 1066). The five original ports were known as the 'head' ports, while more than 30 other ports were called 'limbs', each associated with a particular head port. The limb ports were needed as the numbers of ships and sailors required was too many for the main ports to provide themselves. The more important of the limb ports were eventually granted their own charters and were then known as Corporate Members. By the 14th Century, Winchelsea and Rye, originally limbs of Hastings, were added to the Confederation as full members. They were known as 'Antient Towns' [sic]. All of the head and limb towns are in Kent or Sussex, with the exception of Brightlingsea in Essex. Head ports (in bold) and corporate members: Dover (Faversham, Folkestone and Margate) Hastings (no corporate members) Sandwich (Deal and Ramsgate) Winchelsea (no corporate members) Due to their locations, the Ports were important politically. For example, in 1264, ships from the Cinque Ports were the main part of a fleet intended to prevent Henry III receiving help from Europe. When the barons revolted against King John , the Ports took the barons' side and were involved in ensuring the availability of communication routes to the Continent. The Ports were involved in a number of military actions, of which perhaps the most successful and notable was their attack on Boulogne in 1340 which destroyed 18 French ships. However, for the most part their military role was not superior to that of any other ports of comparable size, although they were useful for their expertise. In 1225 they were asked to advise on the best way to resist an expected French invasion. Some of the sailors resorted to piracy in peacetime, so in 1278 Edward I agreed that they would continue their naval warfare role when they were needed, and to keep them in line awarded the towns a number of privileges. These included tax exemptions – very useful to the traders of the Ports - and the right to keep any goods they salvaged from the sea . In Tudor times an official navy was created so this role reduced, though Dover did provide a ship to fight the Spa