Members Club for over 50s – Retirement Properties – Investments – Travel – Hobbies – Gifts – Fun Days Out
Looking for a present for someone special? Why not check out these great gardening gift ideas below. Whether its for the keen or reluctant gardener, you may find something perfect! To see more, click left or right.
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Two ditches belonging to the Stonehenge Avenue buried beneath the modern roadbed of the A344 have been uncovered during works to decommission the road as part of English Heritage’s project to transform the setting and visitor experience of Stonehenge.
The Avenue, severed by the A344, will be reconnected to Stonehenge soon
The two ditches represent either side of The Avenue, a long linear feature to the north-east of Stonehenge linking it with the River Avon. It has long been considered as the formal processional approach to the monument and is aligned with the solstice axis of Stonehenge. But its connection with Stonehenge had been severed by the A344 for centuries as the road cut through the delicate earthwork at an almost perpendicular angle.
The two ditches were found in excavations undertaken by Wessex Archaeology in their expected positions near to the Heel Stone, about 24 metres from the entrance to the monument.
Heather Sebire, properties curator and archaeologist at English Heritage, said: “The part of the Avenue that was cut through by the road has obviously been destroyed forever, but we were hopeful that archaeology below the road would survive. And here we have it – the missing piece in the jigsaw. It is very exciting to find a piece of physical evidence that officially makes the connection which we were hoping for.”
Dr Nick Snashall, National Trust Archaeologist for the World Heritage Site, said “This is a once in several life time’s opportunity to investigate the Avenue beneath the old road surface. It has enabled us to confirm with total certainty for the first time that Stonehenge and its Avenue were once linked and will be so again shortly.”
The Avenue is difficult to identify on the ground but is clearly visible on aerial photographs. Once the A344 has been restored to grass in the summer of 2014, interpretation features will be put in place to clearly mark out the solstice alignment to enable visitors to appreciate the position of the Avenue and its intimate connection with and significance to Stonehenge.
The recent prolonged spell of dry weather has also led to some exciting discoveries within the stone circle. Two eagle-eyed members of staff spotted some dry areas of grass, or parchmarks, amongst the stone circle in July. After investigation by English Heritage experts they seem to be positions of three holes where stones 17, 18 and 19 might have stood on the south-west side of the outer sarsen circle.
Susan Greaney, senior properties historian at English Heritage, said: “There is still debate among archaeologists whether Stonehenge was a full or incomplete circle, and the discovery of these holes for missing stones has strengthened the case for it being a full circle, albeit uneven and less perfectly formed in the south-west quadrant.”
Parchmarks discovered at Stonehenge by staff Simon Banton and Timothy Daw
© Simon Banton/English Heritage
See more details on the English Heritage website:
NOTE: This story as reported in the Guardian on 9 September contains a number of inaccuracies. The article, including the headline, failed to distinguish between fact and interpretation, and presented one expert’s view as established fact. It also gives the impression that the expert’s view has been adopted by English Heritage. This is very confusing. English Heritage is firmly of the view that Stonehenge was built as a prehistoric temple aligned with the movements of the sun, contrary to what was implied in the article.
Professor Mike Parker Pearson’s theory about the naturally formed ridges is interesting, but is by no means established. English Heritage’s role was to record any archaeology that survived under the A344 and present the results of the recent discoveries clearly to the public. English Heritage’s interpretation of Stonehenge in general will be presented at the new visitor centre due to open in December 2013.
Sixteen Victorian ‘strainer’ arches, thought to be one of only two surviving examples of their type in England, have been saved from demolition in a collaboration between English Heritage and Network Rail. Built in 1843 on the Bolton and Preston Railway the arches braced a railway cutting in Chorley, Lancashire. They were at risk of being lost forever to enable a £400 million project to electrify the line.
To save the arches from demolition English Heritage and Network Rail agreed the stone arches would be carefully recorded in situ, then removed to secure storage and temporarily replaced with steel versions. Now works are nearing completion the original arches have been reinstated in a slightly higher position to allow the installation of electrification equipment through the tunnel.
Picture shows: Grade II listed Chorley Flying Railway Arches being lifted back into place.
Cathy Tuck, English Heritage Heritage at Risk Project Officer for the North West, said: “These arches are an important example of Victorian innovation. They were needed to strengthen the retaining walls of the cutting as it was feared that the clay behind might force the walls inwards causing them to collapse on the trains. It was a rarely used but very elegant solution.”
John Johnson, Project Manager at Network Rail, said: “This project is part of a £1bn+ investment to provide a better railway and boost the economy across the north of England. We are upgrading a Victorian railway, and it is important that we maintain that link to its heritage. We have worked closely with English Heritage to make sure that the Chorley flying arches have been reinstated in their rightful place.”
The original arches are being replaced with the addition of a permanent slender steel brace under each arch to meet modern safety regulations. This marriage between historic aesthetics and 21st century structural safety margins has allowed Network Rail to run the line to modern standards while preserving the appearance and significance of the original arches.
A wonderful gift of fresh flowers in a personalised card, for every special occasion. From a birthday card to wedding anniversary cards. Hand picked fresh flowers come from the Channel Island of Guernsey, famous for the quality of its blooms. A unique new way to send fresh flowers inside beautiful personalised cards for any occasion.
Flowercard have been delivering unique floral greeting cards for more than 10 years, and with over 100,000 customers to date, that makes them the largest company in mail order flowers and 10,000 happy testimonials prove they consistently get it right, delivering special gift flowers by post. You’ll find every single card is backed by the exclusive Flowercard Watertight Guarantee: “If the person receiving the gift is not 100% happy then we will refund your money. Simple as that.”
There’s a whole range of card and flowers to choose from. Why not make someone happy today and send a Flowercard.
Just click on one of the pictures, choose your card and include your private message.
A close-up shot of Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, designed in Indian style by William Porden
Brighton is one of the most cultural cities in Europe. Oozing creativity and cultural kudos from every pore, Brighton entertainment offers a hotbed of Festivals, galleries, museums, film, nightlife, comedy and theatre.
The stage door of the Theatre Royal in Brighton
From the beating heart of the cultural quarter to its unique ‘villages’, a staggering choice of drama, opera, music, dance, literature, street theatre and outdoor spectacles light up Brighton and Hove in a cultural cornucopia of Brighton entertainment you’ll be hard to beat.
From top bands at the Brighton Centre and west end shows at the Theatre Royal to world music, opera and ballet at the Brighton Dome and art exhibitions at Brighton’s Museums and galleries, entertainment in Brighton offers an unrivalled choice of cultural goodies.
Brightons Royal Pavilion, home of King George IV, and probably the most exotic, extravagant royal palaces in Europe
Brighton is overflowing with places to visit. And being such a compact city, most places to visit in Brighton and Hove are walkable too.
Experience the heritage of the Royal Pavilion and Preston Manor, indulge in the seaside fun of Brighton Pier and the Sea Life Centre or don your cultural hat for a visit to Brighton and Hove Museums. A unique mix of heritage, culture and cosmopolitan fun, Brighton attractions cater for all tastes and budgets.
And if you fancy heading out of the city centre, try Brighton Marina or the Brighton & Hove Albion’s American Express Community Stadium for a great day out. Alternatively, check out one of Brighton’s vibrant ‘villages’ – from Kipling’s Rottingdean to the quirkiness of Kemp Town, there’s a whole new world just waiting to be explored…
Pyrography by Fergus & Sallianne Presswell
Having always fancied having a go at Pyrography (literal translation: writing with fire or wood burning), I was very happy when my wife got me a pyrography tool for an early Christmas present last year.
After trying a few test pieces, I decided to have a go at making some Christmas presents for some of my nieces and nephews. These turned out really well and everyone that saw them really liked them… an idea was born.
We decided to make a few more boxes and signs and go to Christmas Craft Fairs with them. By a strange coincidence, one of them was run by our next door neighbour’s mum, Sue Marshman of Marshmellow Designs, a fortuitous meeting as she offered us a wealth of advice and inspiration.
Since then, we have expanded the range of items that we make and decorate – my wife lines all the boxes and spends hours adding individual diamante decorations. We personalise all our items and often produce commissioned pieces on the spot.
I have recently started glass engraving as well. I will be taking orders for weddings etc.
Fergus & Sallianne Presswell
Burning Desires can be contacted on the following:
Burning Desires
Custom Pyrography Designs
Unique Personalised Wooden Gifts
Tel: 07765 515976
Email:burningdesires_customdesigns@yahoo.co.uk
facebook.com/burningdesirescpd
http://sandfpyrography.weebly.com
Here are some pictures of our stand at the recent Tractorfest in Biddenden Kent.
The British Museum is a museum dedicated to human history, art, and culture, located in the Bloomsbury area of London. Its permanent collection, numbering some 8 million works, is among the largest and most comprehensive in existence and originates from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present.
Shop
The British Museum online shop is selling books, authentic replicas, high quality fine art prints, stunning jewellery and more, including the latest exhibition gifts
Delivery
The British Museum online shop is able to offer a worldwide delivery service, and free UK delivery on BMP books.
By John Harrison
Whatever the size of your garden or allotment, you can grow your own vegetables. Even if you only have a balcony or a small paved area outside your kitchen, you can grow more than you ever thought possible in pots, containers and raised beds.
Experienced vegetable grower, John Harrison takes you through the entire vegetable year so that, for all the main vegetables, you’ll know exactly when you should sow your seeds, dig your plot and harvest your crops. Choose the most appropriate vegetables for your particular soil and select the right position so that they flourish. Discover how to make your own compost and organic fertilisers, as well as the best methods of controlling pests. Find out how to extend the season by buying or building your own cloches and cold frames. Put an end to worries that your shop-bought vegetables contain chemical residues or to concerns about the air miles such vegetables have flown en route to your table!
Spain is a firm favourite with golfing enthusiasts, attracting thousands of golfers every year. Whatever your handicap, Spain is one of the best places to play your sport for many reasons; Spain offers a long golfing season due to its excellent weather conditions, there are over 300 courses with 16 rustic courses, travel to Spain is easy and there are lots of golf courses within a few miles of the international airports. On a holiday to Spain it is easy to combine a relaxing beach holiday, discovering the country’s rich heritage and of course your favourite sport. The list of things to do and see is endless!
Enjoy your sport whilst at the same time discovering Spain’s World Heritage Cities. You can play a round of golf at a course surrounded by mountains or with amazing sea views. Then you can wander along the streets that are crammed full of history before relaxing with some tradition Spanish cuisine. Cordoba, Segovia, Salamanca and Santiago de Compostela are perfect for a combined cultural and golfing break as all of these cities have a golf course nearby.
Combine a golfing holiday with some pampering at one of the hotel complexes that offer spa treatments with a golf course combined. You will be spoilt for choice from the Costa Brava to the Costa del Sol, the coastal regions of Valencia and Murcia and even the Balearics and the Canary Islands. Many of the hotel complexes now have their own golf courses or courses very close by.
A golfing holiday in the Canary Islands is possible at any time of the year. Courses offer amazing scenery including beaches, mountains, volcanic landscapes and nature reserves. Most courses are found on Tenerife and Gran Canaria but there are also courses on Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Gomera.
Alicante, on the east coast of Spain, is a golfer’s paradise. With 13 courses to suit all abilities, weather that enables you to play all round and a great choice of accommodation, what more could you ask for? All of the clubs in Alicante are close to each other which means you can play close to the main tourist area, next to the sea or among the forests and mountains which means that you won’t have to travel far to try the different courses.
Fancy something a bit different? Why not try one of the eco-friendly rustic courses. These courses have been created using the natural environmental elements with very little impact on the landscape. The ‘greens’ are made of sand, in the rough there are thickets and the grass is fed by rainwater. There are 16 rustic courses in Spain, some are 18-hole but most are 9-hole. You will find most of these rustic courses inland in places like Madrid, Castile-Leon, Castile-La Mancha, Barcelona and Huelva.
Visit Spain, the perfect golf destination where you will have the time of your life playing your favourite sport.
By Emma Healey
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emma_Healey
Remains of Republic P47D Thunderbolt 4276278 of 367FS 358FG which is one of the displays at the museum
There can be few more iconic locations for an air warfare museum than Lashenden/Headcorn aerodrome. Although its history goes back to the 1920’s, it will be remembered as a World War Two Advanced Landing Ground. The aerodrome was first used for private general aviation in 1927 and remained so until 1942 when it was requisitioned by the Airfields Board and prepared for military use.
The original intention was to create a light bomber base, including a bomb storage area but this was never to be. Lashenden (as it became known) was subsequently prepared for use as an Advanced Landing Ground, operating fighter aircraft in accordance with the Air Staff’s plans to support the proposed invasion of occupied Europe. Two grass runways of 1,600yds and 1,400yds were made available and covered in a steel mesh known as Sommerfeld Tracking. This enabled aircraft to operate in all but the most atrocious weather conditions. Similar ALG’s were created at Staplehurst, Egerton (although confusingly called Headcorn!), Ashford, Brenzett, High Halden, Kingsnorth, Lydd, Newchurch, New Romney and Woodchurch. Lashenden became known as Station 410.
It was on the 6th August 1943, that 127 Wing Royal Canadian Air Force comprising No’s 403 and 421 Squadrons arrived with their Spitfire IXb’s, but their stay was short and by the end of the month they had moved on. On the 15th April 1944, the airfield became the responsibility of the 100th Fighter Wing, 19th Tactical Air Command, 9th Air Force. The Americans had arrived ! On the 17th April, the 354th Fighter Group flew in comprising the 353rd, 355th and 356th Fighter Squadrons with their North American P51B Mustangs. The 354th flew bomber escort missions, some as far as the Polish border and later, fighter bomber operations against targets in Northern France designed to disrupt German communications. During the D-Day landings in Normandy on the 6th June 1944, the 354th escorted troop carrying C47’s to the battle area. On the 18th June 1944, the 354th left Lashenden for Criqueville on the French coast, with the airfield subsequently being handed back to civilian ownership. With the resurgence of interest in civil aviation in the 1950’s, the airfield was opened as a base for private and commercial flying and has been thriving ever since.
The Lashenden Air Warfare Museum has been a permanent resident on the aerodrome since 1970 and has expanded at a steady pace with the collections of a number of preservation and recovery groups being acquired on the demise of these groups.
Newly restored rare Fieseler Fi130R-4 ‘Reichenberg’. which resembles a V1, ‘Doodlebug’,
In 2007, the Museum embarked on a major project aimed at the complete restoration of its rare Fieseler Fi130R-4 “Reichenberg”. Resembling a V1, “Doodlebug”, these missiles were fitted with a small cockpit and intended for precision attacks on targets of importance although never actually used operationally. Restoration of the “Reichenberg” was completed in 2013, when the missile was returned to the Museum.
£40,000 is needed – Can you help?
In order to display the “Reichenberg” together with other related exhibits, the Museum is currently in the process of funding and constructing a new display hall. The sum of £40,000 is still needed to complete this exciting development and donations from the public will be very much appreciated and greatly assist the project.
The Museum is situated in the south east corner of the airfield and is open both Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday during the summer months. Limited opening times apply during other periods and visitors should check the Museum website, www.lashendenairwarfaremuseum.co.uk for details. There is no admission charge to view one of the UK’s leading aviation archaeology collections.
By Graham Holmes
Lashenden Air Warfare Museum
Headcorn, Kent
Memorial Plaque at the Museum
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