Pil2,
The Warship saga occured rapidly. The trust had just concluded an agreement for the aquisition of more ships when they were informed that they no longer had a home for their existing ships. They have since been offered a 'temporary' berth for a short stay, but at £240 moving fee, that is not feasible.
We did have two patriotic and very generous local multi milionares, alas, one has died. That was Lord Leverhulme. The generosity of the other knows no bounds, but he has given so much to the area, that people are too embarrassed to ask. He is Gerald, The Duke Of Westminster. Recently gave Liverpool £600 million interest free, pay back if or when they can. This was to rebuild the city centre. He gives enormous sums away consistantly without publicity and discreetly.
There is also the Lottery. Then there is the Council - a forlorn hope. They are a vested interest group (the rates from all these flats and boats) They could also stop the whole project dead by refusing planning permission on a listed building. But they will not.
Will keep you informed as to what transpires.

Ron.

On this day in:
1995 Researchers from Yale University reported in the journal Nature that they had found evidence that the brains of men and women function differently when processing language.

Perhaps thats why women can be multi-tasked!

Today-1678 the first part pf Pilgrim's Progress was published

Pluto was discovered (planet that is)1930

Antiques Roadshow began - 1979

and

The Duke of Clarence died in that reputed butt of Malmsey 1478

quote:

Originally posted by Ann Wilkinson:
The Duke of Clarence died in that reputed butt of Malmsey 1478

A friend of mine once went into a Duke of Clarence pub and asked for some Malmsey, but I think it was lost on the bar staff.

‘Historic Warships’
Support has been received from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Italy and many other countries but alas, no monetary solution has appeared and the ‘Developer’ is adamant that a new permanent berth will not be forthcoming.

Whilst on this Warship topic, a further new oil field has been discovered in the Falklands area with many more anticipated. Ultimately, the untapped oil reserves here are possibly the largest in the world therefore, in view of the eternal oil crises prevailing, the country owning such wealth faces a powerful future, financially and otherwise. Inevitably, Argentina has renewed its claim on the Islands and has been backed up by one of the new left wing Presidents in South America, Hugo Chavez.

Unfortunately, as the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West states, we could not defend the Islands today. He served aboard HMS Ardent during the conflict. It was bombed, set afire and sank with the tragic loss of 22 crew members.
We had sent 100 Warships supported by troopships and merchant ships to the war. Today, due to political cut backs, we only have 34 ships under commission and one of these is the ‘Victory’!

After too long an absence, may I return to our Patron Saint, St George.
‘Leigh-On-Sea’ Essex is proposing a town St George dinner, with readings from English writer’s with English songs sung throughout the evening of the 23rd April.
Steyning, in Sussex, are also planning three days St George celebrations. Steyning once had its own mint, recently, old coins have been unearthed with imprints of ‘King Harold’ on them.
‘King Etherwulf’ father of ‘Alfred the Great’ was burried here before being moved to Westminster Abbey.
Two mediaeval shoes were found here in a roof, one an adult, one a child’s. Both believed to have been placed there for good luck.

Marine Archaeologists, this week raised the 6ft high Prussian Eagle clutching a Swastika with its talons from the wreck of the ‘Graf Spee’ which lies on the bed of the ‘River Plate’.

Ron.

Prior to writing this, i had copied from respectable British Journals,(not the gutter press) what I believed were three amusing reports. Incredibaly, all have been 'wiped' They may be good enought for the Times ,Guardian and Telegraph, but in the narrow confines of this censor that we have, it appears that they have exercised freedom of speech, a luxory now denied us.
What a pity he or she wasn't around in the days of 'Children's Hour'. He/she would have been in their element.
I am in complete support against censoring 'Bully Boys' and 'Obscenity' yet in the meatime,what happened to the British sense of humour/ Obviously a trait not exercised by the 'Censor'
Give us back the days of F! when mature adults could discuss a topic and exercise our long fought for right ---'Freedom Of Speech'

Ron.

Roger,
Let me bring you up to date on your first point.
'Freedom Of speech'-- A luxury enjoyed by our grandparents, but no longer available to us.
On your second point;- I did not declare any personal views but quoted what three respectable newspapers(The Times,Telegraph and Guardian) considered amusing reports for their readers. They obviously consider them mature enough to laugh at themselves.
Draw your own conclusions from that.

Ron.

Roger,
I replied to your above opinion, and I quoted the opinions of Bishop Tuto and Dr wright, the Bishop of Durham. Evidently, this was too mature for this thread. It was wiped!. Anyone care for a game of 'Ring-Ring ou' Roses'?

Ron.

I don't know what Bishop Tutu or Dr. Tom Wright said

but

the power of Bishop Tutu is awesome!

He is the only person in the world who could have persuaded me to join 600 other people at 6AM to sing and dance up a hill!

Ann,
Dr Wright. Daily Mail, 22/2/06. page 20.
Desmond Tutu. Euro News, week 7. Bl-M.
I have met and had tea with Bishop Tutu. A charming gentleman. A late SAouth African reletive of mine was a friend of his.

Ron.

Ron.

Although most other fora dodn't seem to have a problem C4 don't like us posting up copies of articles which have been published elsewhere. Fears of copyright problems I'm afraid.

Try re-posting either without wholesale quotes or simply providing links if said articles are on line.

Thanks Fil,

I'll try that.

Ron.

"Historic Warships" update.
Sadly, due to the impossible task of finding an alternative location by midnight 28th February, (the deadline given by the developer) the museum trust has had no alternative other than go into voluntary liquidation and make all the staff redundant.
The developer refuses to offer a permanent berth
and the temporary berth was more suitable to a pillumenist or a ship stacker, the developer being completely lacking in perspicaciousness.
Wirral coucil offered £50,000. and the Mersey Development Agency offered £112,000. However, the cost of moving was £250,000.
The Trust Chairman,Sir Philip Goodhart, has made up any monetory losses in the past from his own pocket, but this was too much.
Plus the blunt fact that the ships are in a dock with nowhere to go, the developer having aquired all the dock area.
The support from all over the world has been suprising. So, where there is a will, there is usually a way. Let us hope so.

Ron.

Some late news on the above;-
Talks are underway with a Canadian and an Australian who may be prepared to finance the museum if it is re-established.
However,tugs could move the ships, but the U-boat is on 'stocks' on the quaside, and being one of the lagest boats, it would have to be 'floated' then towed, followed by removing it from the water onto dry land again. Quite an expensive formula.
Even though the ships have been here for sixteen years, the 'developer' still refuses to offer a permenent berth. We are therefore, seeing the ugly face of capitalism in all it's glory.

Ron.

Points Of Interest;-

For the first time since 1330 when the Monks from Birkenhead Priory commenced the ferry to Liverpool, it has been officially stopped.
The Liverpool Landing Stage sank!.

The people of St Johns, Newfoundland, are fed up of walking in dog dirt. This,despite a $500 dollar fine for not removing a 'deposit'.
Therefore, from this week, the fine for this 'dirty deed' is incresed to $1000. But what has caused a 'stink' is that traffic Wardens have been issued with sample boxes(not your old 'Pilot' match box and match stalk here)
and where a 'dirty deed' is discovered, they have to take a sample for DNA testing.
Some say it 'smells' of officialdom. Others say it is a 'load of crap. But it is causing quite a 'stink' and some add, 'it is an ill wind that blows no good'
Therefore, anyone planning a trip to St Johns, ---beware--- don't take your dog, it's bowel discharge can prove expensive! Either starve it or carry a bung, super glue or a needle and thread!

Ron.

quote:

Originally posted by Blaze The Dragon:

Grabs Blaze and runs back to BBOT with him

it's not safe out here for little dragons!!!

On this day in 1757 British admiral John Byng was executed by firing squad at Plymouth, for having failed to relieve Minorca from the French fleet.

1892 US inventor Jesse Reno patented the first escalator.

1909 US entrepreneur G S Selfridge opened Britain's first department store in Oxford Street, London.

Yesterday, was the seventy third birthday of Michael Caine. British actor, and the sixtieth birthday of Jasper Carrott, comedian.

Ron.

quote:

Originally posted by RonW:
On this day in 1757 British admiral John Byng was executed by firing squad at Plymouth, for having failed to relieve Minorca from the French fleet.

Don't know anything about it apart from what you've written, but sounds rather harsh. I never realised the British have executed people for failure. Considering some of the huge cock ups by military commanders who were pensioned off or just slid off quietly I feel very sorry for Admiral Byng.

quote:

Originally posted by Hudson:

Don't know anything about it apart from what you've written, but sounds rather harsh. I never realised the British have executed people for failure. Considering some of the huge cock ups by military commanders who were pensioned off or just slid off quietly I feel very sorry for Admiral Byng.

Byng was responsible for the loss of Menorca.He was court-martialled and later shot to "encourage the others"!!There is a book about this "Admiral Byng and the loss of Menorca" by Brian Tunstall (1928)The famous quote is by Voltaire.Byng was shot on his own quarterdeck.
Going by memory(not a good idea these days) When Byng realised the enemy fleet outnumbered his ships at least 2 to 1, he saw no point in the conflict.
This was, and still is, against all Royal Navy tradition. IE, the exploits of Drake, Hawkins, Nelson, etc. and so many in WW2 and since.
This may sound harsh, but as ex RN and MN I am in full agreement with the cour-marshall.
I also agree with you on some of our so called leaders of the past and present.

Ron.

quote:

Originally posted by roger davies:

quote:

Originally posted by RonW:

This may sound harsh, but as ex RN and MN I am in full agreement with the cour-marshall.


Ron.

Court martial perhaps?

depends if you prefer the French version or not

When I get it wrong, I sure as hell get it wrong!

Hudson, are you familiar with 'Birkenhead drill'? It's origin symbolises all of the good and the bad in our history.

Ron.

quote:

Originally posted by roger davies:

quote:

Originally posted by hopski:
[
depends if you prefer the French version or not

The nation who are going to trounce Wales on Saturday use "cour martiale" I believe.....

Touché

quote:

Originally posted by RonW:
Hudson, are you familiar with 'Birkenhead drill'? It's origin symbolises all of the good and the bad in our history.
Ron.

Yes, I know of the Birkenhead drill. However when people fail, they are usually allowed to quietly fade away, which is why I was so surprised that the Admiral was executed.