Copper Phoenix Musings

Heritage Places Where I've Worked

2012-02-10T19:12:00.001Z

Heritage Places Where I've Worked, a set on Flickr.

I've been lucky working with Copper Phoenix to be involved in lots of heritage as a heritage marketing consultant. Here is a collection of pictures showcasing some of them.

C The World

2012-02-05T12:34:00.001Z

C The World, a group on Flickr.

A look at pictures from C The World customer travels - in the UK and abroad.

www.ctheworld.co.uk

Looking for Ghosts in Berkeley

2012-01-16T13:11:00.001Z

Have you ever wanted to take part in an overnight investigation into the paranormal? Looking for ghosts, spirits and the unexpected in an atmospheric historic setting? Would you rather do it with a group of people rather than on your own?

Why not join an event for the public looking for Ghosts in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, taking place in a 400 year old building? The evening will have both historians and mediums attending that between them will help to interpret what can be seen and possibly some of what can’t!

The building is the historic house called “The Chantry” – a 400 year old building on a site with history dating back to prehistoric times. It will be hosting a second paranormal investigation on Saturday 28th January after the last successful sell out event in November. As before the evening will start at 8pm and go through until 2am, well beyond the witching hour, commencing with a history tour of the grounds and buildings before teaming up with the mediums who will attempt to interpret any messages that come through, while various paranormal experiments will be set up in rooms not accessible to the tours.

Both staff and visitors to The Chantry, which currently houses the museum dedicated to Dr Edward Jenner, have experienced several unexplained events and potentially paranormal activity, adding to the many stories about the building in folklore and from past occupants.

The evening is being run and hosted by Copper Phoenix, a heritage consultancy company. Managing Director Tim Davies said: After November’s investigation we had many people who wanted to come back again plus a waiting list. Some fascinating occurrences happened last time; we can’t wait to see if they are repeated!

The history of the site encompasses Roman occupation, an Anglo-Saxon nunnery that was burned down, the Normans and a Civil War Battlefield, so there is plenty of potential for restless spirits.

Sarah Parker, the Museum Director said: As a science museum we always keep an open mind about the existence of ghosts, we’re very aware of the stories attached to the building and results from past investigations – definitely worth investigatingfurther.

Tickets cost £30 for the evening and more information can be found on the museum website, www.jennermuseum.com , calling 01453 810631 or emailing info@edwardjenner.co.uk . Attendees must be over 18.

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Kilpeck Church

2012-01-05T20:14:00.001Z

Kilpeck Church
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

Kilpeck Church, the parish Church of St Mary and St David. Probably completed between 1130 and 1145, all the carvings are original, not recut or restored in any way.

Feedback on Copper Phoenix's Social Media Sessions at the Freedom Travel Conference

2011-12-01T12:16:00.001Z

Dear Tim,

Firstly, I must apologise, I never got an opportunity to speak with you at the conference this weekend, although I did sit in on your second session, which I thought was great, well pitched for the audience.

We have received some super feedback, so thank you very much for presenting at our conference and I do hope you manage to pick up some further business as a result.

Many thanks once again

Kind regards,

Alison

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Berkeley Ghosts to be Investigated

2011-11-15T16:59:00.001Z

*** PRESS RELEASE ***

For Immediate Release

15/11/11

Berkeley Ghosts to be Investigated

Have you ever wanted to take part in an overnight investigation into the paranormal? Looking for ghosts, spirits and the unexpected in an atmospheric historic setting?

Well now you can join a public event looking for the Ghosts of Berkeley, in a 400 year old building in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, accompanied by historians and mediums to interpret what we can see and possibly some of what we can’t!

The Chantry – a 400 year old building on a site with history dating back to prehistoric times -is hosting a paranormal investigation on Saturday 26^th November. The evening will start at 8pm and go through until 2am, well beyond the witching hour, commencing with a history tour of the grounds and buildings before teaming up with the mediums who will attempt to interpret any message that come through, while various experiments are set up. A professional photographer will be covering the event

Recently staff at The Chantry, which houses the museum dedicated to Dr Edward Jenner, has been documenting activity and ghost sightings from staff and visitors alike adding to the many spooky stories told about the building that have been passed on by previous occupants.

The evening is being run and hosted by Copper Phoenix, a heritage consultancy company. Managing Director Tim Davies said There have been some interesting happenings over the years here and previous events have had some bizarre and unexplained activity. We’re looking forward to it!

The history of the site covers Roman occupation, an Anglo-Saxon nunnery, the Normans and a Civil War Battlefield, so plenty of potential for restless spirits. Sarah Parker, the Museum Director said: As a science museum we keep an open mind on the existence of ghosts, but we’re as interested as anyone to see if anything transpires

Tickets cost £25 for the evening and more information can be found on the museum website, www.jennermuseum.com , calling 01453 810631 or emailing info@edwardjenner.co.uk. (Over 18s only)

- ENDS –

Notes to Editors:

COPPER PHOENIX

Copper Phoenix is a heritage and marketing consultancy and has been involved with Berkeley since 2006, the company is run by Tim Davies who has worked at a number of tourist attractions around the country.

Tel: 07919 914512

Email: tim@copperphoenix.co.uk

Dr Jenner’s House: Birthplace of Vaccination

The Chantry, Berkeley, Gloucestershire GL13 9BN

The Chantry is Dr Edward Jenner’s former Queen Anne home, located in Berkeley, Gloucestershire. Dr Jenner lived in the house from 1785-1823. It was from here that he pioneered the world-changing vaccination against Smallpox in 1796.

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Berkeley Ghosts: The Chantry

2011-11-02T15:42:00.001Z

Berkeley Ghosts: The Chantry
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

Saturday 26th November, from 8pm - 2am, you can join a group of people exploring the 400 year old building with Mediums on hand to talk with any spirits we find!

For more info see www.jennermuseum.com

or call 01453 810 631

Heroes Rugby - Twickenham 3rd December, 2011

2011-10-31T11:31:00.001Z

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Copper Phoenix Talk - "Berkeley, A Town that Changed the World", Horton 11/11/11

2011-10-28T13:14:00.001+01:00

A4 Poster Copper Phoenix Talk.pdf Download this file

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Nelson, Trafalgar and Copper Phoenix

2011-10-20T15:28:00.001+01:00

On 21st October 2011 it is the 206th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar where Vice Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson triumphed over the combined Franco-Spanish fleet by employing his new fighting methods christened "The Nelson Touch".

He looked at existing Naval tactics and thought he could improve on them to his advantage and so simply turned his line of battle ships through 90 degrees to attack the Franco-Spanish fleet. Coming in at right angles was a brave and dangerous move, traditional naval doctrine dictated that both sides lined up against each other and traded broadsides: attacking head on meant his lead ships were exposed to enemy fire for a long time without being able to fire back.

His plan, though risky, worked - he won a great victory that made Britain the "Ruler of the Waves" until the beginning of the 20th Century. At the Battle of Jutland in 1916, over one hundred years on, Nelson's tactics were still to the forefront of the Royal Navy's battle plan.

So where does Copper Phoenix, a marketing company, fit into this scenario?

Apart from owner Tim Davies' love of history, he believes like Nelson in looking for new solutions to existing marketing scenarios, exploiting both digital and traditional means to do so. Clients of Copper Phoenix benefit from their existing or proposed marketing plans being analysed, improved upon where necessary and then implemented, either through Copper Phoenix or overseen by the company.

Tim says "Nelson's famous signal 'Engage the enemy more closely' can be taken by marketeers as a call to action. Substitute "enemy" for "client/customer" and we have a good formula. Engaging with clients we find out what they want and need from the marketplace. Engaging with the customer builds trust and relationships, plus good customer service. It creates dialogue, understanding and ultimately relationships of great mutual benefit. The clients get awareness of their products and services out to a wider audience, the customer has greater access and empathy with the supplier."

The most famous signal at Trafalgar was "England expects that every man will do his duty" - Nelson originally wanted to signal "England confides [i.e. is confident] that every man will do his duty." But Pasco, his Flag Lieutenant, suggested that expects be substituted for confides, as the former word was in the signal book, whereas confides would have had to be spelt out letter-by-letter. Nelson agreed to the change (even though 'expects' gave a less trusting impression than 'confides'!): so, as you can see, even the best occasionally need a consultant's view!

Nelson was a great strategist, and marketing strategy is essential for any business. Without it your business is rudderless, drifting about on the commercial currents.

If you need help with designing a marketing strategy, or want a marketing "health check", Copper Phoenix is able to help out with no obligation.

Tim Davies
www.copperphoenix.co.uk
Digital & Tradititional Marketing

T: 07919 914512
E: tim@copperphoenix.co.uk
Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/CopperPhoenix

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The Menin Gate: Looking towards Ypres (Ieper)

2011-10-13T14:16:00.001+01:00

The Menin Gate: Looking towards Ypres (Ieper)
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing is a war memorial in Ypres, Belgium dedicated to the commemoration of British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the Ypres Salient of World War I and whose graves are unknown. Carved on stone panels are the names of 54,896 Commonwealth soldiers who died in the Salient but whose bodies have never been identified or found. On completion of the memorial, it was discovered to be too small to contain all the names as originally planned. An arbitrary cut-off point of 15 August 1917 was chosen and the names of 34,984 UK missing after this date were inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing instead. The Menin Gate Memorial does not list the names of the missing of New Zealand and Newfoundland soldiers, who are instead honoured on separate memorials.

Following the Menin Gate Memorial opening in 1927, the citizens of Ypres wanted to express their gratitude towards those who had given their lives for Belgium's freedom. As such, every evening at 20:00, buglers from the local fire brigade close the road which passes under the Memorial and sound the Last Post. Except for the occupation by the Germans in World War II when the daily ceremony was conducted at Brookwood Military Cemetery, in Surrey, England, this ceremony has been carried on uninterrupted since 2 July 1928. On the very evening that Polish forces liberated Ypres in the Second World War, the ceremony was resumed at the Menin Gate despite the fact that heavy fighting was still taking place in other parts of the town.

The ceremony is a solemn occasion, and therefore not intended as entertainment or a tourist attraction. The buglers usually remain at the scene for a short while after the ceremony, at which point appreciation can be expressed in person; it is not considered appropriate to applaud during, or after, the ceremony.

Copper Phoenix is preparing a talk on Ypres and the battles, if you'd like to know more or book please email hello@copperphoenix.co.uk

Echoes of the Past

2011-08-13T13:30:00.001+01:00

Echoes of the Past
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

Industrial Past & Present

2011-07-27T18:48:00.001+01:00

Industrial Past & Present, a set on Flickr.

£500K fund to Stimulate Digital Innovation in the Arts

2011-06-14T08:11:00.001+01:00

Good to see that the Arts are able to get funding to join in with the explosion of Digital change and reach more people. Too often the Arts are sidelined due to either a lack of funding or a lack of vision from the organisations involved.

Tim

Funding will promote the use of digital technologies to connect with wider audiences and explore new ways of working.

Arts and cultural organisations are being given the opportunity to apply for a share of a half-a-million-pound fund to harness new technology.

The Digital R&D Fund for Arts and Culture was announced today by Arts Council England, the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the
National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA).

It follows a speech by Culture Minister Ed Vaizey in January where he called on cultural organisations to embrace new technology and the opportunities it offers.

“Our lives are increasingly defined by how we engage and interact with the world digitally and cultural organisations can’t afford to be left behind,” Mr Vaizey said. “Too often finances, structures or traditions can constrain the arts from making best use of the technology which now sits at the heart of many people’s everyday lives.

“This programme seeks to show how digital technology can revolutionise our cultural engagement, helping people to derive greater value from cultural activities and to find new ways to generate income.”

Organisations that are eligible to apply to the programme include visual and performing arts organisations, cultural organisations in England including arts and cultural archives, literary organisations, museums and galleries, libraries, commercial arts and cultural organisations and creative industry businesses. Applications will be open until 2 September 2011.

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Skeleton found at Edward Jenner's Berkeley house

2011-06-08T09:01:00.001+01:00

Archaeologists have uncovered a human skeleton at the former home of vaccination pioneer Dr Edward Jenner.

A team from the University of Bristol unearthed the remains during their annual dig in the garden of The Chantry in Berkeley, Gloucestershire.

The skeleton is believed to date from Roman or pre-Roman times and is said to be extremely rare.

Excavation leader Professor Mark Horton said it was "a completely unexpected but really important discovery".

He added: "It fills in the history between the Roman villa that we believe is on the site and the Anglo-Saxon monastery discovered during earlier digs."

Sealed remains

The skeleton is that of an adult, but the sex has not yet been determined.

It was found underneath the sealed remains of part of the Anglo-Saxon Mynster, founded in the 8th Century.

The excavation team, led by Professor Horton and Dr Stuart Prior, has been excavating part of the garden during a series of annual digs since 2007.

They have already established that Berkeley is an important Anglo-Saxon site with a mynster on the same scale and status as Gloucester.

Dr Edward Jenner lived in the house from 1785-1823 and pioneered the world-changing vaccination against smallpox there in 1796.

Visitors to the museum at Dr Jenner's House are able to visit the site and speak to the experts until Thursday 9th June 2011.

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St Mere Eglise and Paratrooper "John Steele"

2011-06-07T14:19:00.001+01:00

St Mere Eglise and Paratrooper "John Steele"
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

This picture is always popular on 6th June, as it shows the paratrooper dummy placed on the Church in Ste Mere Eglise each summer, commemorating the night of 6th June 1944 when US paratroopers landed in the town square. John Steele's parachute caught on the church tower and he hung there playing dead for a couple of hours before being captured. The event was shown in the film "The Longest Day"

Get on your Bike!

2011-05-05T16:40:00.001+01:00

Calling all riders…we want you to get on your Bike and raise money to help fund the £100million needed over the next five years to continue our life-saving research into better diagnosis, treatments and cures for all those with blood cancers.

The Bristol Bikeathon is back for 2011 and it’s time to set yourself a new challenge!

Join us once again for a fantastic day out in the heart of the South West. Starting at the beautiful Ashton Court Estate, Bristol, the route once again promises to be a stunning tour through the park and the picturesque country lanes of the surrounding area.

Like all our Bikeathons, the ride is suitable for cyclists of all abilities as you have a choice of either 14 or 28 miles and you are free to go at your own pace - remember, it’s a ride, not a race!

For those of you who want to stay behind then we have stalls, face painting, a very large bouncy castle and refreshments. Why not bring a picnic and make a day of it!

To enter please go to http://beatbloodcancers.org/event/bristol-bikeathon

For further information about the Bristol Bikeathon please contact event organiser Jo Bray at jobray@llrbristol.org.uk

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The Restored Temple of Vaccinia

2011-04-26T12:34:00.001+01:00

The Restored Temple of Vaccinia
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

Copper Phoenix was able to obtain a grant to restore this Grade II* listed building. It was where Edward Jenner vaccinated the poor for free against smallpox.

It has been rethatched, repointed with lime mortar and a new leaded light window put in.

www.copperphoenix.co.uk

Purton Wrecks - Envoy

2011-04-18T08:47:00.001+01:00

Purton Wrecks - Envoy
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

Looking like some sculpture, thi is the first wreck you meet.

These ships were placed here during the 20th Century to reinforce the river bank and protect the canal. See more info at www.friendsofpurton.org.uk/index.html

Edward Jenner Museum Ghost

2011-04-17T16:10:00.002+01:00

Edward Jenner Museum Ghost Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

On Easter Monday 2011 there will be guided tours of the Attic in The Chantry, Berekeley, where the ghost picture was taken given by Tim Davies of Copper Phoenix. To book see www.jennermuseum.com

Severn and Wye Railway Bridge Disaster

2011-04-17T12:51:00.001+01:00

Severn and Wye Railway Bridge Disaster
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

Pictured here are the remains of the barges that exploded after crashing into the Severn and Wye Railway Bridge October, 1960.

Just off the foreshore at Purton, two John Harker owned tanker barges, Arkendale H and Wastdale H, carrying 296 tons of black oil and 351 tons of petroleum spirit respectively, collided with the Severn and Wye Railway Bridge. The collision and subsequent explosion not only caused irreparable damage to the bridge, bringing down one of the upright columns and two sections of span, but sadly caused five members of the barges crew to lose their lives and three others to have their lives changed forever.

The bridge was demolished in 1967

Scott & Shackleton's Centenary Trip

2011-04-15T13:45:00.001+01:00

While doing some work for my client C The World I came across this awesome trip to the icy south. I'd love to go and see what Scott and Shackleton faced - thankfully in a far more secure way!

Ross Sea Antarctica - Scott & Shackleton's Centenary
2012 Departure - January 21
This voyage covers some of the polar regions famously charted during the first race to the South Pole by pioneering explorers Scott and Shackleton exactly 100 years ago. The Ross Sea coast extends from the ice shelf northwards until it reaches the very tip of Victoria Land and Cape Adare. During our time in the Ross Sea Region we will attempt a variety of opportunistic landings, subject to weather conditions.

Bluff (Invercargill), New Zealand – Embark/Disembark

Latitude: 46°35'S
Longitude: 168°18'E

The largest urban centre in New Zealand's Southland is Invercargill, a city of 49,000 people. Visitors come to admire the elegant Victorian and Edwardian buildings, gardens and landscaped parks. The fishing port of Bluff is a half hour drive south from Invercargill and is home to the famous Bluff oyster and a lively annual seafood festival. From Bluff, visitors can catch a ferry to Stewart Island - a haven for native bird life and the only place in New Zealand where you can readily see kiwi in their natural habitat.

For guests embarking in Bluff we offer a complementary transfer from Invercargill to Orion on the day of Orion’s departure. The transfer is from the city centre departing at about 2pm. Subject to minimum numbers we will also offer a transfer from the Invercargill airport at times to coincide with flight arrivals. If we are able to confirm an airport transfer this will be advised on your travel documents, otherwise a taxi from the airport to the city centre is about $15.

Enderby Island, Auckland Islands – Scenic Zodiac Cruising

Latitude: 50°31'S
Longitude: 166º17'E

Orion's guests will cruise in Zodiacs in Sandy Bay on Enderby Island at the northern end of Auckland Island, to view a large Hooker Sea Lion colony with pups all jostling for position. If we are fortunate, we may see the rare Yellow-Eyed Penguin as they move to and from their nests in the forests beyond the beach.

Macquarie Island – Wet landing

Latitude: 54°29'S
Longitude: 158°56'E

Often described as one of the "wonder spots" of the world, the sub-Antarctic island of Macquarie has been said to rival South Georgia in its magnificence, scenic diversity and prolific wildlife. Designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1933 and a World Heritage Site in 1977, Macquarie now operates a full-time manned station where biological and meteorological research is conducted. The station, located on the isthmus at Buckles Bay, is from where we will collect the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife rangers who will be our guides.

Sandy Bay, situated halfway down the island's eastern seaboard, is our planned landing site. The Zodiacs will traverse breakwaters of giant kelp before reaching rocky beaches where landing conditions can best be described as "wet and challenging". Once ashore you'll find the bay, with its rugged backdrop of mountains and tussock covered headlands, is home to 20,000 breeding pair of royal penguins, king penguins, rock hopper penguins, gentoo penguins and elephant seals. This profusion of wildlife wasn't always so protected, the rusting remains of machinery used by whalers being stark reminders of the exploitation which took place on the island during its early history.

Ross Sea Region

This southernmost expanse of the Pacific Ocean was named after James Clark Ross who first explored the area in 1841 with two ships, Erebus and Terror.

As seas go, this one is quite shallow and is bounded in the east by the coastal mountains of Victoria Land and in the south by the Ross Ice Shelf. The shelf is a flat topped body of snow covered glacial ice about the size of France which largely floats except along the coastlines. The southern part of the Ross Sea is not navigable for some 9 months of the year and over the summer season between January and March very few ships venture here, and those that do principally supply the various scientific stations.

The Ross Sea coast extends from the ice shelf northwards until it reaches the very tip of Victoria Land and Cape Adare. During our time in the Ross Sea Region we will attempt a variety of opportunistic landings, subject to weather conditions. These may include -

Cape Hallett - Wet landing
Latitude: 72°19'S
Longitude: 170º16'E

Following an intricate approach to Cape Hallett through thick pack ice, we land to inspect the site of an abandoned US/New Zealand base established during the International Geophysical Year in 1957-58. It is a magnificent area with giant glaciers and surrounding mountains of over 4,000 metres. Weddell Seals and Adelie Penguins abound.

Cape Terra Nova Bay - Wet landing
Latitude: 75°80'S
Longitude: 164º24'E

First discovered by Scott during his 1901-1904 expedition, the site is now occupied by an Italian base which operates a summer research station. If permission is granted, we hope to visit the base. It is then intended to cruise by the massive Drygalski ice tongue, which extends 70km out into the Ross Sea as part of the David Glacier.

Inexpressible Island – Wet landing
Latitude: 74°54'S
Longitude: 163º43'E

Home to a small Adelie Penguin rookery this low bleak Island is the site of an amazing story of survival where Scotts Northern party were forced to over-winter in a snow cave. Two plaques mark the site of the cave were the men suffered until their departure on the 30th September 1912 for Ross Island across the sea ice. This is a rarely visited site which is challenging to access but if a visit is successful it is not hard to imagine why the men called this place “Hell with a capital H.”

Cape Evans - Wet landing
Latitude: 77°38'S
Longitude: 166º24'E

Scott's 1911 Terra Nova Hut is the largest historic building in Antarctica. Used in the 1910 to 1913 British Antarctic Expedition, it served as the base for extensive scientific research and surveys as well as Scott's journey to the South Pole. Much of Scott's equipment is well preserved and it is hoped we can enter the hut with guides. Shredded seaweed sown into Jut quilting is used as an insulating layer between the inner and outer cladding of the wood hut. Ten men of Shackleton's ill-fated imperial trans-Antarctic expeditions were marooned here in 1915 after their ship Aurora was blown out to sea and unable to return. Two of Aurora's anchors remain to this day on the beach in front of the hut. Entering the hut provides a window into the historic age of Antarctic exploration and discovery.

Cape Royds - Wet landing
Latitude: 77°32'S
Longitude: 166º12'E

Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds was constructed during the British Antarctic Nimrod Expedition in 1907-1909. Unable to land at King Edward VII Island, he then entered McMurdo Sound. Ice conditions prevented him reaching Hut Point, the site of Scott's hut, so he selected Cape Royds for winter quarters. Adelie Penguins are slowly reclaiming the site which is the world's southernmost penguin rookery. The New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust conservation program has successfully conserved a substantial number of fascinating artifacts in this hut, in such a way that at first sight the hut appears to have only recently been abandoned.

Possession Islands - Wet landing
Latitude: 71°56'S
Longitude: 171º10'E

Subject to sea and ice conditions, we hope to make a landing at the rarely visited small and craggy Possession Islands. One of these, Foyn Island, is covered with Adelie Penguins. The islands were discovered by James Clark Ross and Francis Crozier in 1841 during their expedition to locate the south magnetic pole.

Cape Adare - Wet landing
Latitude: 71°17'S
Longitude: 170º10'E

Cape Adare was discovered by Captain James Ross in 1841. We plan to visit Borchgrevink's Hut from the British Southern Cross Expedition, the first to ever spend winter in the Antarctic, in 1899. Up to 1,000,000 Adelie Penguins have reclaimed the site, which is spectacular, surrounded by black volcanic hills. High above the huts is the lonely grave and cross of Borchgrevink's biologist.

Campbell Island – Wet landing

Latitude: 52°33'S
Longitude: 169º09'E

Campbell Island was first discovered in January 1810 by Captain Frederick Hasselburg, master of the sealing brig, Perseverance. He named the island after his employers Robert Campbell and Co. of Sydney and sadly drowned later that year after a boat capsized in Perseverance Harbour. Campbell is a volcanic island with fascinating rock formations. 50 years ago, between 2 and 3 million Rock Hopper Penguins were nesting on the island but since then 90% have been decimated by bacterial infection. Less than 20 pairs of Wandering Albatross nest are found here. Approximately 8,500 pairs of Royal Albatross and about 74,000 pairs of Black Browed Mollymawk also call the island home. Over 40 other breeds of birds including the Southern Royal Albatross have also been observed on Campbell Island.

Snares Islands, New Zealand – Scenic Zodiac Cruising

Latitude: 47°60'S
Longitude: 166°35'E

Two small rocky islands, North East and Broughton, comprise The Snares, the closest sub-Antarctic islands to New Zealand. The islands are covered with heavy tussock grass and wind-beaten forests of tree daisies. Weather permitting we'll launch our Zodiacs for an exploration of the sheltered eastern coastline as the island's wildlife protection program precludes landings. The Snares are home to huge numbers of breeding birds, 99 recorded species including albatross, Antarctic Terns and Snares Crested Penguins.

For guests disembarking in Bluff we offer a complementary transfer from Orion to Invercargill on the day of arrival. The transfer is to the city centre, or to the Invercargill airport.

Although our itinerary to the extreme sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions is based on many years of collective experience, prevailing weather and ice conditions in this area of the world are unpredictable, mother nature dictates our course. These are not cruises they are true expeditions to what can be the most inhospitable region on earth. Bring with you a spirit of adventure and flexibility.

For more information contact:

C The World

01454 634 070

info@ctheworld.co.uk

www.ctheworld.co.uk

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Musketry - 42nd Regiment: The Black Watch

2011-04-15T08:19:00.001+01:00

Musketry - 42nd Regiment: The Black Watch
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

This photo proves very popular in short bursts on Flickr, according to the stats, but I don't know why there is lots of interest, then none.

1st April 2011

2011-04-01T08:24:00.001+01:00

Sorry! Welcome to the morning of April 1st 2011. Enjoy the rest of the day!

10 social media myths that undermine business strategies | memeburn

2011-03-30T07:59:00.000+01:00

10 social media myths that undermine business strategies memeburn

Grand Days Out for Grandparents

2011-03-26T13:48:00.001Z

Grand Days out for Grandparents

The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren can be a very special one and time spent together is something to be savoured. Perhaps part of the magic of this relationship comes from the generation gap and where better to explore this further than in one of the many museums in Gloucestershire. Here you can share discoveries of how things used to be compared to today, perhaps in your day, or further back in time. So many things stay the same, such as our need for food, clothes, shelter and even toys, but the design and materials often change dramatically over time. Many museums make special efforts to encourage family visits from all ages and offer lots of activities, interactive screens and events for their younger visitors which are fun and designed to include the adults too.

A quick browse through www.gloucestershirerevealed.co.uk will show a number of museums which cover a wide variety of subjects keeping youngsters amused with a mixture of activities and play, both indoors and out. So to give an idea of what can be done in Gloucestershire here are some possibilities to consider.

The Museum in the Park, Stroud, has a park for youngsters to play in and around. The museum has temporary exhibitions, talks and drop in activities throughout the year for all ages, so if you’re looking for things to do that you can share with your grandchildren this is a great place to be. The museum focuses on the history of Stroud and the surrounding area, from prehistoric times up to the modern day. Most rooms have areas where children are encouraged to try themed games, such as making mosaics, creating gearing systems, and using interactive screens plus there is a dedicated play area/reading room. Many exhibits are local and you should be able to tell the children about some of the domestic appliances on show and probably some of the toys too. It is amazing how quickly our own childhood memories can appear in a museum.

Outside you can wander down to the lake and work up an appetite for lunch. During the summer it is an ideal spot to stop and have a picnic or packed lunch and talk about what you have seen, while watching the ducks and swans on the water. The museum is open for the majority of the year all week except Mondays (excluding Bank Holidays). On site are baby changing facilities, a lift plus a large car park shared with the leisure centre. Access for pushchairs is good, with ramps up to the exhibition rooms and a lift. It is suggested you allow two to three hours for your visit.

In the Forest of Dean is the Dean Heritage Centre at Soudley. Located in an historic mill building with lake, it has a mixture of indoor and outdoor exhibits. There is a good sized car park and access for pushchairs is simple, with lifts to take you to upper floors. On entering you at once start a Forest related journey from the Ice Age to the present day - beware the wolf as you enter and other furry creatures watching your progress! As you explore the site with your grandchildren you discover together the Royal Forest’s history, helped with fun activities for the children dotted about, from brass rubbing to dressing up clothes, especially in the recreated old school room.

Outside, there is more to find. The larger exhibits range from machinery to buildings, and will be the subject for discussion on how things used to be compared with our modern way of life. You will encounter a Forester’s Cottage, a Charcoal Burner’s Camp, a Free Mine and to the delight of many, a couple of large Old Spot pigs on your route around the site. A walk around the lake takes you in a loop back to the car park, past the Adventure Playground, with benches for you to sit on while the children play on the equipment. After, head up to the family friendly cafe where you can enjoy a good lunch with decent sized portions of delicious local food and drink – high chairs are available should you want them. Although a popular spot the atmosphere is very relaxed and you feel very much away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. The Dean Heritage Centre is open throughout the year except between 24^th ^– 28^th December and you should allow for a couple of hours there.

Just 20 minutes drive away is the Dean Forest Railway, which operates through most of the year from March onwards. There is nothing like the romance of steam and you can share the excitement sounds and smells of these trains and describe a time when train travel was more glamorous and appealing. Closer to Christmas are Santa Specials, where your grandchildren will meet Father Christmas and his Elves and receive a present too. You can all get very close to the steam engines and discover the Forest landscape in all seasons from a heated carriage or get off together at one of the stops and explore the Forest walks, before returning on a later train.

There is a museum just beyond the gift shop with artefacts and larger exhibits such as a reconstruction of a rural Ticket office which may spark some memories for you. A popular "hands on" exhibit for children is the telephone exchange which in this modern world of smart ‘phones and internet is something your grandchildren will probably not have met before. How often do we get to dial numbers on a traditional ‘phone now? The Museum is open whenever trains are running and doesn’t require a ticket to gain entrance to it. The large car park at Norchard offers access for pushchairs to the shops, trains and museum. Depending on whether you ride the trains or get off them, you can spend between a couple of hours to a full day here indulging in shared nostalgia.

In Tewkesbury the John Moore Countryside Museum focuses on rural Gloucestershire and its wildlife. On entering the 15^th Century building there is the immediate opportunity to stroke a fox, mole, otter and hedgehog (although they are examples of taxidermy rather than live inhabitants) with further birds and animals to be discovered over the next two floors. It is very likely that you will be showing your grandchildren animals and birds they will have never seen before. To explore the interesting and cosy museum there are quizzes for children with Moore the Mole providing you with a score at the end. A trip around the museum should take about an hour.

A few doors further down the street is The Merchant’s House another 15^th Century building which was a home and shop, now restored to as near original condition as possible. Prepare yourselves for a very different experience from a modern house as there are no recognisable modern day comparisons. At certain times of the year there are guided tours where the history of the building can be further discovered by candle light. The Museum is open most of the year Tuesday to Saturdays plus Bank Holidays. The museum is very welcoming on and the staff will be happy to help you get the most from your visit.

If you or the children like art then a visit to Nature in Art at Twigworth, north of Gloucester is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon in a Georgian Mansion built in the 1700’s. There are many different types of animals, birds, insects etc featured in pictures and sculptures will provide something different yet fun for all ages and plenty to talk about. In the garden are more sculptures in a variety of materials and the opportunity for much of the year to see an artist at work in their own studios.

The setting is very family friendly and offers specific children’s activities during school holidays. You will also find a very good cafe with friendly service, offering a range of tasty main courses and desserts, or you could just have tea, coffee and a slice of cake. There is plenty of room to bring in pushchairs from the car park outside and Nature in Art provides a warm welcome in all ways throughout the year, except when closed December 24^th – 26^th and Mondays.

In Bourton-on-the-Water, in the Cotswolds, you will find the Cotswolds Motor Museum. Your grandchildren may recognise Brum, the little car that starred in his own TV show, but there are lots of discoveries to make together, with vans, sports cars and even a Formula 1 racing car to see. It will undoubtedly stir memories to be shared and questions to be asked from all the family. There is a specific play area for children and the route around the museum is all level for easy access for pushchairs. The Museum is closed in January and February.

Heading further back in time is the Corinium Museum in Cirencester where you will be transported back to the past glory and splendour of Roman Britain. There are lots of things to keep the children amused here from dressing up to interactive information through computer terminals. The museum is a great blend of hi-tech (which most kids instinctively head towards) and traditional, so you should all be able to learn together about the history Cirencester from prehistoric times although the main focus is the Romans, and get a real sense of discovery and fun together. If you’re hungry you can go through to Jacks Cafe which can be accessed from the museum, but as your ticket entitles you to an all day visit you can explore more of Cirencester and return later if you wish. The Museum is open all year, except for 23^rd – 26^th December and New Year’s Day and has lots of child friendly activities to keep the youngsters amused. There is excellent access for pushchairs throughout the museum with good toilet facilities too, and allow between one to four hours for a visit.

In a totally different vein, in Cheltenham is the Holst Birthplace Museum, where you can step off the street and take your grandchildren back in time to a multi period house covering Victorian, Regency and Edwardian periods in different rooms. You will discover that even small houses could appear quite opulent in their reception rooms, but as you climb the stairs past the family bedrooms you’ll get to where the servants slept and the Attic room where the children were expected to stay all day away from the parents! In this room are a number of toys and games from past eras, many still recognisable by children of recent times, so have a play together as you share stories of your childhood. For a complete contrast head to the basement and show the children how it was “below stairs” with the recreated Victorian Kitchen. Here you will discover how hard the servants worked, to do things that we take for granted today like preparing food, cleaning and the laundry.

A final suggestion to visit is the Edward Jenner Museum, in Berkeley. Situated in the former home of Dr Edward Jenner who pioneered vaccination, the 300 year old house has a fascinating mix of gruesome pictures of smallpox victims, the chance for you to share the experience of exploring the spooky Attic Rooms where the servants lived (check that tours are running) and outside, the Vinery. Outside, tucked in a corner of the garden is the Grade II* thatched rustic hut that Jenner christened “The Temple of Vaccinia” where he vaccinated the poor for free against smallpox. This has always proved popular with children and is usually one of their lasting memories of a visit to the museum.

Of interest to some children is the photograph on the half landing of the stairs showing what has become known as “The Jenner Ghost”. Taken by the BBC the image of a ghostly figure appears in a doorway in the Attic. If you get a chance to go on an Attic Tour, will you be the only ones up there....?

The above is just a small selection of places that grandparents could visit with grandchildren in Gloucestershire and a way of enjoying their company for a half day or full day out. Most admissions are either free or less than £5 for an adult and there are discounts available for over 65s. It has been proven that if children visit museums from an early age they will continue to do so as they grow up and this can only benefit their general education and understanding of history and give you more excuses to spend time together in the future. What better way of learning than sharing happy experiences with an older generation who can share stories from their upbringing?

A bit of learning coupled with a visit to the shop and some cake has got to be a good thing – unless you’ve had strict orders from their parents not to over indulge them!

For more information on the above venues and other Gloucestershire Museums see www.gloucestershirerevealed.co.uk

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Family Winter Warmers

2011-03-26T13:43:00.001Z

http://mediafiles.thedms.co.uk/Publication/GS/cms/pdf/Museums%20-%20Family%20Winter%20Warmers.pdf

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Energy Performance Certificates for Holiday Lets

2011-03-21T14:56:00.001Z

As from the 30th June 2011 short term holiday lets will need an Energy Performance Assessment (EPC). An EPC will be required for a property rented out as a holiday let where the building is occupied as a result of a short term letting arrangement and is rented out for a combined total of 4 months or more in any 12 month period. Prior to this holiday lets have been exempt from the requirement. The trigger point for the requirement is at the time when the property is first rented out following the 30th of June, as an EPC can be obtained for holiday lets prior to this date owners would be wise to consider obtaining one as soon as possible.

The owner, not the agent will have responsibility for obtaining the EPC. From July the agent will need to attach the EPC to the written particulars where these are provided.

EPC’s are potentially useful to the owners of short term holiday lets as they suggest measures which can reduce the use of energy, and as the cost of heating and lighting of holiday accommodation is in most cases borne directly by the owners, the rising fuel prices can significantly reduce the income from rents. Therefore saving energy can make a significant difference to the viability of the business.

For expert advice and help with your holiday lets, contact:

Lynn Edwards MA MCIEH MCIH

Domestic Energy Assessor

Tel: 01454 323340 or 07973 166692

Email: office@lenergy-assessor.co.uk

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Special Mauritius Golf Offer from C the World!

2011-03-12T13:41:00.001Z

March Special Offers.pdf Download this file

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Chrysler 300C 5.7 V8 HEMI

2011-02-26T19:00:00.001Z

Chrysler 300C 5.7 V8 HEMI
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

My first "Hemi", a fantastic beast to drive (in a straight line, in the dry!) when all eight cylinders fire up (as it normally drives on only four), the engine note changes from a rumble to a growl, to a snarl!

It was one of the highlights of my time working with a client, the occasional automotive treat keeps the marketing consultant happy!

www.copperphoenix.co.uk

Go-ahead for Jet Age Museum at Gloucestershire Airport

2011-02-16T19:37:00.001Z

JET AGE MUSEUM PRESS RELEASE
15 February 2011

Just £80,000 is now needed for a museum commemorating an outstanding part of the nation’s aviation history to go ahead.

Gloucestershire charity Jet Age Museum is pressing ahead with building a pemanent home now that planning consent has been granted.

The all-volunteer museum’s collection of historic planes and archives can now be saved for posterity in a purpose-built museum at Gloucestershire Airport.

The airport is providing a two-acre low-rent site and the museum has already raised about £190,000 towards the estimated £270,000 cost of Phase 1. Tewkesbury Borough Council approved the planning application, with conditions, on 11 February.

Construction will now go out to tender and fundraising for the remaining £80,000 is being stepped up. Funds raised to date have come from significant donations by Rolls-Royce plc, a local charitable trust and the museum’s own members. In addition, Tewkesbury Borough Council has pledged to contribute ten per cent of money raised up to a limit of £27,000.

Jet Age Museum chairman John Lewer said: “Thanks to our group of dedicated supporters a permanent home for the museum is at last within our reach. It’s an exciting and worthwhile project - please give your support in any way you can.”

FURTHER INFORMATION:
John Lewer can be contacted on 01562 69797 or by email: john.lewer@virginmedia.com
See also Jet Age Museum’s website at www.jetagemuseum.org

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The jet engine was designed by British engineering genius Sir Frank Whittle (1907–1996). His son Ian is a patron of Jet Age Museum.

Britain’s first jet plane, the Gloster E28/39, powered by Whittle’s revolutionary invention, first left the ground on 8 April 1941 at the Gloster factory-airfield between Gloucester and Cheltenham.

Its official first flight was at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, on 15 May 1941.

The original aeroplane can be seen in London’s Science Museum.

Jet Age Museum volunteers have built a full-size replica which can be seen by appointment at their Brockworth restoration workshop, close to the factory where the original was designed and built.

Three more of the museum’s Gloster-built aircraft are on view: examples of Britain’s first jet fighter, the Meteor, and the Cold War-era Javelin are at Gloucestershire Airport and a fully-detailed reproduction 1925 Gamecock biplane is at Brockworth with the replica of the first jet.

Ongoing restoration projects include rebuilding an RAF Gladiator biplane which crashed in Norway in 1940 and a late World War Two Gloster-built Hawker Typhoon.

Other aircraft, engines and exhibits, together with the museum’s outstanding document and photographic archive, are currently in store awaiting completion of the new building.

Jet Age Museum is an all-volunteer registered charity (number 297818) with more than 200 members. Members meet at the Tithe Barn Centre, Brockworth Court, Court Road, Brockworth GL3 4QU on the second Wednesday of every month at 7.30 pm. Newcomers are always welcome.

END

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Wet Day Discoveries

2011-02-12T10:02:00.001Z

Despite the occasional heat wave the British weather is still an unpredictable thing and sometimes our plans for a family day out are going to be disrupted by rain. So we can’t go for the picnic we’d planned or the walks (at least not without getting very wet) so what is the alternative?

Have you looked at local museums recently? The traditional image of a stuffy dusty building is a long way from reality with museums now recognising the appeal of family friendly destinations and offering activities, exhibitions and family tickets aimed squarely at encouraging families to call. So on a wet day what would be the best places to discover in Gloucestershire? Looking at www.gloucestershirerevealed.co.uk for a selection of museums we have come up with a list of venues suitable to explore on a wet day. They are under cover, dry and warm – perfect for a wet day when you want to be inside.

The Corinium Museum in Cirencester is in the centre of town close to car parks and shops, here you can find out about the Romans who built and lived in Cirencester. On a wet day you are bound to feel sympathy for the Romans who were used to much warmer and sunnier climes! There are lots of things to keep all the family amused here, with reconstructions of Roman shops and domestic rooms, clothing for children to dress up in and sit with a Roman Legionnaire in his Barracks, plenty of interactive information through computer terminals, and hands on fun such as building mosaics in the Atrium area. If the weather remains wet, you can walk under a covered way from the museum to Jacks Cafe next door and watch the rain on the glass roof. Your museum ticket entitles you to an all day visit so if the weather did get better you can explore more of Cirencester and return to the museum later if you wish.

Still in the dry after your visit you should browse the shop which sells a good mixture of items for children including armour and helmets, books, jewellery and ornaments, indeed something for everyone. Just beyond is an exhibition space which has a changing series of displays that tie into the events that run through the year. Many events are indoors and aimed at family activities so check the website for more details before your wet day visit. The Museum is open all year, except for Christmas and New Year and has lots of child friendly activities to keep the youngsters amused. There is excellent access for pushchairs throughout the museum with good toilet facilities too and despite the weather you will want to spend between one to four hours for a visit.

If you are caught in bad weather in the Forest of Dean, then the Dean Heritage Centre at Soudley will offer you both shelter and food in an historic mill building next to a lake. Although the Centre has outdoor exhibits, if it is too wet to look at them then as a family you can still explore the inside in the dry – you may feel brave enough to venture out afterwards! From the good sized car park access for pushchairs is simple, with lifts to take you to upper floors. On entering the Heritage Centre you will start a Forest related journey from the Ice Age to the present day - beware the wolf as you enter and other furry creatures watching your progress! Exploring the galleries reveals the Royal Forest’s history, and you will unearth throughout the galleries activities for children, from brass rubbing to dressing up clothes in the recreated old school room.

If the rain is still putting you off exploring the woods head up to the first floor and the family friendly cafe. Here you can enjoy a good lunch together, children meals are an option and high chairs are available too - if sitting by a window you can look out over the lake with the ducks and other water birds who probably won’t be as worried about wet weather as we may be!

The site’s atmosphere is rustic and feels remote from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. It is open throughout the year except between 24^th ^– 26^th December and you should allow an hour for the exhibits inside.

If you’re caught in wet weather near Bourton-on-the-Water you could visit the Cotswolds Motor Museum. Your children may recognise Brum, the little car that starred in his own TV show, but there are lots of discoveries to make together, with delivery vans, sports cars and even a Formula 1 racing car to see. It will stir memories to be shared and questions to be asked from all the family. As well as the cars there are plenty of motoring items and toys dotted throughout the museum with one area devoted to displaying the vintage Toy collection. There is an indoor play area for children but there is so much to see and find out on your visit that youngsters should be kept well occupied throughout the museum. Afterwards there are plenty of motoring related items to buy in the shop ranging from die cast models to pocket money purchases. The route around the museum is all on the level for easy access for pushchairs. Sometimes in moving between buildings you may have to brave the elements but it is only very briefly that you’ll be exposed to the rain.

It is open all year except for January and February and allow an hour to visit, hopefully enough for the wet weather to pass. There are currently no refreshment facilities on site but a very quick dash around the corner will take you to a tea room that offers food and cakes.

If you or your family have an interest in art then a visit to Nature in Art at Twigworth, north of Gloucester is a great way to spend a wet morning or afternoon. In a Georgian Mansion built in the 1700’s the many different types of animals, birds, insects etc that are featured in pictures and sculptures throughout the house should provide something diverting, dry and warm for a family visit. Although there are sculptures outside the majority are within the main building so unaffected by the weather. The whole setting is family friendly and offers specific children’s activities during school holidays too, while the shop is full of artist’s materials, art books plus pocket money purchases and would be a good source of presents for those who enjoy the arts. You will also find a very good cafe with friendly service, offering a range of tasty main courses and desserts, or just tea, coffee and a slice of cake while watching the rain from the conservatory. There’s plenty of room to bring in pushchairs from the car park outside and Nature in Art provides a warm welcome in all ways throughout the year. It only closes between December 24^th – 26^th and on Mondays.

The Museum in the Park, Stroud, is set a little way from the car park, about three minutes brisk walk, but once inside there is plenty to discover on a wet day. The museum plays host to temporary exhibitions, talks and drop in activities throughout the year for all ages, typically workshops making things so that you have something you can all take home with you at the end.

Even if there are no activities then you’ll have fun exploring the museum together. It focuses on the history of Stroud and the surrounding area, from prehistoric times up to the modern day. Most rooms have areas where children are encouraged to try themed games, such as making mosaics, creating gearing systems, and using interactive screens plus there is a dedicated play area/reading room. The children may enjoy the skulls on display, dresses and a wall display of weapons, but the museum has in its collection the very first lawnmower and there are some smaller sized ones for the youngsters to try mowing the carpet! There are baby changing facilities, a lift and access for pushchairs is good, with ramps up to the exhibition rooms. It is suggested you allow two to three hours for your visit.

If the wet weather lessens there is the parkland to explore, with tarmac paths to keep you off the grass and mud. A walk down to the bridge across the bottom of the lake, around the water and up takes about twenty minutes and the water birds and swans can provide plenty of distraction. Although there are no specific refreshment facilities at the museum, there are some in the sports centre next door and in Stroud itself.

In Tewkesbury on Church Street the John Moore Countryside Museum offers an interesting refuge from the rain. It focuses on rural Gloucestershire and its wildlife in a 15^th Century building. On entering there is the immediate opportunity to stroke a fox, mole, otter and hedgehog (although they are examples of taxidermy rather than live inhabitants) with further birds and animals to be discovered over the next two floors in glass cases. As you move up the steep stairs examples of farming implements sit alongside the wildlife that was so prevalent in pre mechanised days and is very difficult to spot today. You may be showing your children some animals and birds they will have never seen before. To help families on wet days explore there are quizzes for children to take around the museum, with Moore the Mole providing you with a score at the end. A trip around the museum should be about an hour.

A few doors further down the street is The Merchant’s House another 15^th Century building which was a home and shop, now restored to as near original condition as possible. Prepare yourselves for a very different experience from a modern house as there are no recognisable modern day comparisons. Seeing this on a wet day will bring home the lack of light in the building, and how primitive living conditions were, even for a merchant who would have been relatively well off! As a family would you have been happy to all sleep in the same room, or crouch around an open hearth to cook?

At certain times of the year you may find themed events focusing on the history of the building over different periods. Any inclement weather will really add to the atmosphere of such a visit. The Museum has limited opening during the winter but otherwise is open most of the week through the year. Because the buildings are so old there are steep stairs and steps up into them, so access for pushchairs is compromised but not impossible. The museum is very cosy and welcoming on a wet day and the staff will be happy to help you get the most from your visit.

Another good indoor visit is to be had at the Edward Jenner Museum, in Berkeley. Situated in the former home of Dr Edward Jenner who pioneered vaccination, the 300 year old house has a fascinating mix of gruesome pictures of smallpox victims, the chance for you to share the experience of exploring the spooky 300 year old Attic Rooms where the servants lived (check that tours are running) and a recreation of Jenner’s study. The doctor’s medical instruments, for flensing and amputating always get a reaction from people of all ages! As smallpox is a disease that now no longer exists, this museum is a source of fascination for both adults and children alike as they learn of “the speckled monster”.

Of interest to some will be the photograph on the half landing of the stairs showing what has become known as “The Jenner Ghost”. Taken by the BBC the image of a ghostly figure appears in a doorway in the Attic. If you get a chance to go on an Attic Tour, will you be the only ones up there? The Attic is a perfect visit for a gloomy wet day, as the weather will enhance the atmosphere. With the rain against the windows you’ll get a feel as to the conditions the servants had to endure, despite living in a supposedly comfortable house.

There are children’s trails to follow in the museum, a “den” area and events aimed at families to join in with. If you are going to visit regularly, the Museum has introduced a Friends Scheme which gives free entry as one of the benefits.

Outside, if you want to brave the rain, tucked in a corner of the garden is the Grade II* quaint thatched rustic hut that Jenner christened “The Temple of Vaccinia” where he vaccinated the poor for free against smallpox. This has always proved popular with children and is usually one of their lasting memories of a visit to the museum.

Finally a wet weather option in Cheltenham is the Holst Birthplace Museum. You can step off the street and take your family back in time to a Victorian, Regency and Edwardian furnished house, different periods being represented in different rooms. As you move through the house you will discover that even small houses could appear quite opulent in their reception rooms, but as you all climb the stairs past the family bedrooms you’ll get to where the servants slept and the Attic room where the children were expected to stay all day away from the parents! In this room are a number of toys and games from past eras, many still recognisable by children of recent times, so have a play together out of the rain. For a complete contrast head to the basement and show the children how it was “below stairs” with the recreated Victorian Kitchen, if you’re lucky there will be a fire burning in the grate. Here discover how hard the servants worked, to do things that we take for granted today like preparing food, cleaning and the laundry. There is a pay and display car park signposted near the museum and is a couple of minutes walk away. It does have lots of stairs to climb and little room for pushchairs. There are some cafes nearby if you want any food or drink, but it is in a mainly residential area.

So there we have it. Even if it is wet and dreary you can still get out as a family and discover something different in Gloucestershire. All the museums can be enjoyed on a wet day and in some cases if the rain does stop there will be some outdoor discoveries to be made too, and you can always decide to come back on a drier day to explore further.

Most admissions are either free or less than £5 for an adult and there are discounts available for over 65s. So why not have a few wet day trips up your sleeve if your original day’s plans have to alter? But whatever the weather all of Gloucestershire’s museums will give you a warm welcome and a good value family day out.

For more information on specific opening times and to see what other museums you can visit in Gloucestershire visit www.gloucestershirerevealed.co.uk

Words - Tim Davies, Copper Phoenix

Pictures - Rupert Marlow, Rupert Marlow Photography

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An Appetite for Tourism

2011-02-12T09:58:00.001Z

So you’ve looked at a tourism website such as www.gloucestershirerevealed.co.uk and found where you want to take the family for the day. You’ve planned how to get there and how long it will take, but when it comes to eating and drinking during your visit what can you expect?

When we’re on a family day out there are all types of food we can hope for, savoury, sweet, filling, good value etc. but whatever the destination or activity, we all need some sustenance at some point, either to keep us going or as a good way of rounding off a visit. Some prefer to eat on arrival, at least a coffee and cake as it gives a chance to soak up the ambience and means if we’re with young children that they aren’t saying “I’m hungry” within a few minutes of entering a museum! Most museums and attractions offer some sort of refreshments as they recognise that this is beneficial to the family on a day out, whether it is basic fuel to keep you going or treats and sweets for the younger generation.

View Slideshow

If you’re in the Forest of Dean you should look at combining food with a visit to the Dean Heritage Centre at Soudley. Because it is tucked in a quiet valley in the Forest, they have a captive market but luckily it is a very good place to be captive. You can enter the Cafe without having to buy an admission ticket and there is plenty of choice from all day breakfasts to locally sourced bangers and mash, teas are served in a mug and the portions are generous and tasty. Together you can to sit and eat (high chairs are available) while you look out he across the lake with its water birds providing plenty of entertainment.

After your meal or snack why not go in and look around? As a family you can go downstairs (or in the lift if you have a pushchair) and together explore the Centre itself through a mixture of indoor galleries and outdoor exhibits, the latter found on a walk around the lake. While moving through the galleries focusing on the Royal Forest’s history, you will find activities for children, from brass rubbing to dressing up clothes in the recreated old school room. The site’s atmosphere is rustic and feels remote from the hustle and bustle of the modern world and is open throughout the year except between 24^th ^– 26^th December: allow an hour for the exhibits inside.

Another good food stop, especially if you or any members of your family have an interest in art, is Nature in Art at Twigworth, north of Gloucester. The cafe area looks out over the garden with plenty of sculptures to see and then visit after you have eaten. Part of the seating area is in a conservatory so you have a light and airy feel for your coffee and cake or meal. Food ranges from Jacket potatoes to quiches and soups, so it is simple but filling and you can be assured a friendly service - the cookies are definitely worth sampling with a hot drink!. There are books to browse through too if you want to make your visit more leisurely. After you have eaten you can discover the various rooms in the 1700’s Georgian Mansion, which houses art featuring many different types of animals, birds, insects etc in pictures and sculptures. Some are abstract, others life studies, but plenty to look at and enjoy for children and adults. As a year round attraction you and the family can enjoy it throughout the year as it only closes between December 24^th – 26^th and on Mondays.

The Corinium Museum in Cirencester deserves a long visit and although doesn’t have its own cafe area has open direct access to the cafe “Jacks” next door. It is featured part way around the museum and you can sit in a glass covered atrium, drinking hot chocolate or ordering more substantial meals for lunch. Obviously being set in Cirencester town there are plenty of food and refreshment options around the town and your ticket to the museum allows you as a family to come and go, so you can explore the town as well!

The museum itself has lots of things to keep all the family amused here, with reconstructions of Roman shops and domestic rooms, clothes for children to dress up in, plenty of interactive information through computer terminals, and hands on fun such as building mosaics in the Atrium area. Many events are aimed at family activities so check the website for more details before your visit. The Museum is open all year, except for Christmas and New Year and has lots of child friendly activities to keep the youngsters amused. There is excellent access for pushchairs throughout the museum with good toilet facilities too.

Another town setting offering plenty of food choice is in Tewkesbury. The John Moore Countryside Museum focuses on rural Gloucestershire and its wildlife and being set on the main street through the town means you can easily uncover a good place to eat. You can stop at the nearby 1471 Delicatessen (named after the Battle of Tewkesbury) or walk round the corner to the Abbey, which has a small cafe run by volunteers. The Bell Hotel does good teas and coffees as well as some unusual bar snacks. After you have eaten head back to the museum in its 15^th Century building. Make sure your kids have washed their hands because they can stroke a fox, mole, otter and hedgehog (although they are examples of taxidermy rather than live inhabitants) with further birds and animals to be discovered over the next two floors. To help families explore there are quizzes for children with Moore the Mole providing you with a score at the end. A trip around the museum should be about an hour. Just a few doors further down the street is The Merchant’s House another 15^th Century building which was a home and shop, now restored to as near original condition as possible. See if as a family you would have been willing to cook your meals around the open hearth and not have a fridge to keep it all fresh. The Museum has limited opening during the winter but is open most Saturdays and school half terms: because the buildings are so old there are steep stairs and steps up into them, so access for pushchairs is compromised but not impossible. The museum is cosy and welcoming and the staff will be happy to help you get the most from your visit and point you in the right direction of more food stops!

Another museum set in a beautiful setting blessed with many food options is the Cotswolds Motor Museum in Bourton-on-the-Water. This picture perfect village is a popular destination so caters well for tourists. Although the museum doesn’t offer refreshments at the moment they are developing an area next to the stream for light snacks. Inside your children will discover Brum, the little car that starred in his own TV show, but there are lots more finds to make together, with delivery vans, sports cars and even a Formula 1 racing car to see. As well as the cars there are plenty of motoring items and toys dotted throughout the museum with one area devoted to displaying the vintage Toy collection. Just around the corner, just a minute’s walk, is the Windrush Garden Cafe, which can give you everything from an Eccles cake to a full meal. It is popular so if it is full you have the whole High Street to explore including tea rooms, pubs, pizzerias etc. The museum is open all year except for January and February and allow an hour to visit.

The Museum in the Park, Stroud, is set a little way from the car park it shares with the sports facilities, but on the way you will pass a cafe where you can stop to eat. In the museum there are instant hot drink facilities and biscuits on sale, so you can sit down and have a drink together before you investigate the museum itself. In addition to the history of Stroud there are lots of talks and drop in activities throughout the year for all ages, typically making things so that you have something you can all take home with you at the end of your visit. Most rooms have areas where children are encouraged to try themed games, such as making mosaics, creating gearing systems, and using interactive screens plus there is a dedicated play area/reading room. There are baby changing facilities, a lift and toilets all accessible from the foyer; access for pushchairs is good, with ramps up to the exhibition rooms. It is suggested you allow two to three hours for your visit.

If you want to bring your own picnic or sandwiches then there is the parkland to explore, with tarmac paths to keep you off the grass and benches to sit on. A walk down to the bridge across the bottom of the lake, around the water and up takes about twenty minutes and the water birds and swans can provide plenty of fun if you sit and watch them. In Stroud itself there are again many places you can get food, but you’ll need to head back into town to find them.

View Slideshow

Finally the Edward Jenner Museum, in Berkeley is a place where you and your family will discover all about “the Speckled Monster” that was smallpox. Situated in Edward Jenner’s 300 year old former home, there are lots of gruesome pictures of smallpox victims, and medical instruments to look at so you’ll have to decide whether you want to eat before or after seeing them! An Attic tour when running is a fascinating insight into the servants’ quarters and going up two flights of stairs may build quite an appetite.

The museum is happy for you to bring a picnic and eat it in the large gardens, either in the sheltered area behind the Vinery or the larger main lawns, with soft drinks and ice cream on sale. They also offer tea/coffee, biscuits and cake in The Old Cyder House, but if you want more substantial meals, there is the neighbouring Berkeley Arms Hotel and a good value tea room on the corner of the High Street. If you want sandwiches, try the Berkeley Bakery which makes freshly made food for you while you wait. The museum has toilets and room to leave pushchairs, although there are gravel paths around the garden.

So if you fancy something to eat while you and the children or grandchildren are out and about there are just some suggestions from Gloucestershire’s museums. If the destination you go to doesn’t offer food or refreshments just ask the staff at the museum - they will be able to point you to somewhere they are happy to recommend.

All the museums listed above are open during winter months for visits, some featuring seasonal events and can give your family a fun day out, staying warm while sharing new experiences. Most admissions are either free or less than £5 for an adult and there are discounts available for over 65s. So why not plan some trips with food to the fore?

For more information on specific opening times and to see what other museums you can visit in Gloucestershire visit www.gloucestershirerevealed.co.uk

Words - Tim Davies, Copper Phoenix

Pictures - Rupert Marlow, Rupert Marlow Photgraphy

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Would You Attack Your Mummy?

2011-01-31T11:32:00.001Z

Would you take pleasure in destroying your cultural heritage?

A number of artefacts and exhibits at the The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities (MEA) have suffered damage after looters broke into the attraction during the anti-government protests last week.

"It is believed that nine men got in the museum and decapitated two mummies and damaged other items, before the museum was cordoned off by the military as well as a group of protesters wanting to protect the museum.

A spokesperson for MEA said the damage is still being assessed but that officials are confident that the artefacts can be restored and repaired.
The museum houses world's largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities as well as nine mummies"

How sad, and ridiculous that these artefacts that have survived all this time are damaged in such a senseless way. I doubt those involved were trying to make any political point, simply using the demonstrations as an excuse to destroy and do what they liked.

It's not an attitude limited to Egypt as we saw in London a few weeks ago at the Cenotaph and other places.

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Testimonial from Martyn Weeks, FR Safety Ltd

2011-01-27T11:28:00.001Z

To whom it may concern

I would like to thank Tim Davies of Copper Phoenix for the outstanding work he has completed on my behalf.

Copper Phoenix was tasked with writing the content of a new website and setting up an online presence for F R Safety Ltd. Tim carried out my requirements professionally and within promised timescales, my business is reaping the rewards from my new social media sites.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Copper Phoenix to any person or company looking for an online presence and I am sure that they would receive the same professional service that I received.

Yours faithfully

Martyn Weeks

Director FR Safety Ltd

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Iconic Abbey Road Zebra Crossing is listed

2010-12-22T13:45:00.001Z

Tourism and Heritage Minister John Penrose has announced that London's iconic Abbey Road zebra crossing is now Grade II listed.

The pedestrian crossing - located in St John's Wood, London - was immortalised in the 1960s by The Beatles and has been listed following advice from English Heritage.

It is the first site of its kind to receive such designation and reflects the crossing's cultural and historical importance.

The nearby Abbey Road studios were listed in February.

Tim Davies

www.copperphoenix.co.uk

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Christmas

2010-12-22T11:29:00.001Z

Christmas
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

Merry Christmas to you all! A big thank you to our customers and we look forward to offering a wider range of services in 2011. We'll let you know when the new website goes live.

www.copperphoenix.co.uk

Harrier Jump Jets Take Off For Final Show

2010-12-15T16:02:00.001Z

Britain's Harrier jump jets have taken off today on what is billed as their "final flight" before Government spending cuts fall on them and they are withdrawn.

The 16-strong fleet of famous and distinctive aircraft headed off into the sky above RAF Cottesmore in the East Midlands on a farewell journey due to take them over several other RAF bases. Weather permitting, they are scheduled to fly over the local town centres of Stamford and Oakham as well as Lincoln Cathedral before landing back at RAF Cottesmore later.

The jets date back to the 1960s when the first generation of Harriers were built in the UK and in 1969 the Royal Air Force became the first in the world to use the jets' unusual vertical take-off and landing abilities. This distinctive feature previously only possible with helicopters and other rotary wing aircraft, enabled the Harriers to fly in and out of areas near to the battlefield that conventional aircraft couldn't reach. It meant they did not need airstrips and could hide more effectively.

They became famous for their ability to hover above the ground and proved themselves against faster supersonic jets during the Falklands Conflict in 1982, the Harrier being a sub-sonic aircraft. They developed their own fighting tactics, using their directional jet nozzles to stop in mid air, let enemy aircraft pass then attack.

But the Harriers fell victim to the recent bout of cuts, coupled with the loss of the aircraft carriers from which the Harriers operated from, when the Government announced the Harriers would be removed from service in this autumn's defence review.

The farewell flight is in celebration of their retirement, the Ministry of Defence said.

They will be missed!

Tim Davies

www.copperphoenix.co.uk

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Another Satisfied Copper Phoenix Customer!

2010-12-13T09:56:00.001Z

Dear Tim

It is only in recent years that law forms have been allowed to promote themselves which means that marketing is something that is relatively new to the legal profession.

Your marketing health check was a real eye-opener and showed us how important a proper marketing strategy is to our business. The written report you produced following our meeting gave us an honest and objective view of our current marketing methods and suggested areas that could be improved. Not only did we immediately see ways in which we could increase our visibility in the market place, you showed us how we can actually monitor any future marketing strategies to make sure that our efforts achieve the desired results.

For ongoing marketing services the prices you have quoted are unbelievably competitive and I have no hesitation in recommending your services to any business owner who needs to implement or rethink their marketing strategy.

Yours sincerely

Heather Childs
ALAN HODGE SOLICITORS

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A Satisfied Customer!

2010-11-29T08:30:00.001Z

Dear Tim,

I wanted to say how much I have appreciated your assistance and professionalism in drastically increasing my understanding of social media and technological marketing.

I am, I thought, a complete geek and I thought I was able to teach myself most of the stuff necessary to increase my online presence. However, where I have been unable to gain a complete understanding, your advice and help had led to my realization that in fact I am a terrible self-teacher and I should leave it to the professionals. Following our most recent newsletter training session, hits to my site doubled within 8 hours and on my Flickr gallery, where my daily average is between 30 and 50 hits, I topped out at 394 yesterday at 9:15pm.

I had seen smaller spikes before but nothing on this scale and I have no doubt it is a direct result of your help and training - and this of course is closely watched daily and we’ll have to organise another session to track the next stage.

I would not only recommend but urge anyone I know to you for your remarkably in depth and varied knowledge of how to increase visibility, online or otherwise.

Yours sincerely
Rupert Marlow

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If World War One Was a Pub Fight

2010-11-15T10:39:00.001Z

This is a light hearted but surprisingly true take on the causes and outcome of WW1. My Thanks to Steve Bolt for passing it to me!

Germany, Austria and Italy are standing together in the middle of a pub when Serbia bumps into Austria and spills Austria’s pint.

Austria demands Serbia buy it a complete new suit because there are splashes on its trouser leg.

Germany expresses its support for Austria’s point of view.

Britain recommends that everyone calm down a bit.

Serbia points out that it can’t afford a whole suit, but offers to pay for the cleaning of Austria’s trousers.

Russia and Serbia look at Austria.

Austria asks Serbia who it’s looking at.

Russia suggests that Austria should leave its little brother alone.

Austria inquires as to whose army will assist Russia in compelling it to do so.

Germany appeals to Britain that France has been looking at it, and that this is sufficiently out of order that Britain should not intervene.

Britain replies that France can look at who it wants to, that Britain is looking at Germany too, and what is Germany going to do about it?

Germany tells Russia to stop looking at Austria, or Germany will render Russia incapable of such action.

Britain and France ask Germany whether it’s looking at Belgium.

Turkey and Germany go off into a corner and whisper. When they come back, Turkey makes a show of not looking at anyone.

Germany rolls up its sleeves, looks at France, and punches Belgium.

France and Britain punch Germany. Austria punches Russia. Germany punches Britain and France with one hand and Russia with the other.

Russia throws a punch at Germany, but misses and nearly falls over. Japan calls over from the other side of the room that it’s on Britain’s side, but stays there. Italy surprises everyone by punching Austria.

Australia punches Turkey, and gets punched back. There are no hard feelings because Britain made Australia do it.

France gets thrown through a plate glass window, but gets back up and carries on fighting. Russia gets thrown through another one, gets knocked out, suffers brain damage, and wakes up with a complete personality change.

Italy throws a punch at Austria and misses, but Austria falls over anyway. Italy raises both fists in the air and runs round the room chanting.

America waits till Germany is about to fall over from sustained punching from Britain and France, then walks over and smashes it with a bar stool, then pretends it won the fight all by itself.

By now all the chairs are broken and the big mirror over the bar is shattered. Britain, France and America agree that Germany threw the first punch, so the whole thing is Germany’s fault . While Germany is still unconscious, they go through its pockets, steal its wallet, and buy drinks for all their friends.

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Last flying Vulcan runs out of time on Thursday 28th 2010

2010-10-22T17:40:00.001+01:00

Thursday’s Trust meeting could ground or sell one of Britain’s most loved aircraft

The last flying Vulcan, which thrilled almost two million people this year, could be grounded or sold abroad due to lack of money. At a meeting on the evening of October 28^th, the Vulcan To The Sky Trust which owns the aircraft, will decide if it has raised enough funds to continue.

“By Thursday evening, we need to be sure that we will have £300,000 by the end of the week. If there is any doubt, she will follow Concorde into permanent retirement or be sold to a collector almost certainly abroad,” warns trust CEO Dr Robert Pleming.

“If we don’t make it, a heritage icon as popular as The Tower of London may never be seen by the British public again.”

Pleming says that the Vulcan is one of the UK’s most popular heritage attractions and an increasingly engaging part of technology and history education. Yet it receives no Government funding. “We have a great business plan for 2011 that will substantially improve our commercial funding,” says Pleming. “But the stark reality is that we look unlikely to survive beyond October.”

To make a donation to save the Vulcan see http://www.vulcantothesky.org/donate.html

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Comprehensive Spending Review and Heritage/Tourism

2010-10-21T12:39:00.001+01:00

Leisure sector organisations have issued a mixed response to the chancellor's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) published yesterday (20 October).
George Osborne announced a 25 per cent cut in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) budget, which will run over the course of the review period to 2014-15.

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt insisted it was a 'good settlement' and will help enable the government to "protect our sporting and cultural core for the long term". Hunt indicated that a 41 per cent cut in administrative costs is to help prioritise front-line public services, while reiterating plans to provide an additional £150m of Lottery funding after 2012.

However, DCMS budget cuts are set to have a knock-on effect as organisations funded by the department face up to overall cuts of at least 28 per cent to their respective budgets.

Arts: Arts Council England (ACE) has warned that a 29.6 per cent cut to its budget will "inevitably" have consequences for the UK's cultural industry.
ACE chief executive Alan Davey said: "[We] will seek to minimise the effect of any cuts to the portfolio of arts organisations we regularly fund and will consider the overall position when it meets on 25 October.

Museums and Heritage: English Heritage has said that it is "disappointed" that it will face a 32 per cent reduction in grant funding from the government - more than the DCMS' overall cut of 25 per cent.

Baroness Andrews, chair of English Heritage, said: "The 32 per cent cut to English Heritage's grant from government will be exceptionally challenging to manage after years of funding decline - £130m real-term cuts over 13 years. "It will require us to make some tough decisions. We will work with the Heritage Lottery Fund to ensure there is no overlap or duplication in the services we provide."

Elsewhere, the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) has welcomed the news that the government will contribute £20m in grant-in-aid funding over the course of the review period. NHMF chair Dame Jenny Abramsky said: "We are pleased that in difficult circumstances the important role of the National Heritage Memorial Fund - the emergency fund to save our most important and precious heritage - has been recognised.

"Of course, it is disappointing that this is less than the grant in aid since 2007 of £10m per year, but, in these difficult times, we will continue to do our utmost to play a vital part in saving great heritage right across the UK."

Museums Association (MA) president Vanessa Trevelyan said the 15 per cent cuts to Renaissance and national museums were not as bad as first feared. Trevelyan admitted that regional museums could be worst affected by local authority spending cuts, while plans to reduce administration costs "shows a lack of understanding".

However, the move to retain free entry at museums and galleries has not been universally welcomed, with the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA) criticising the decision.

BALPPA chief executive Martin Barratt said: "I was not surprised to learn that the government will continue to fund free entry to museums, it's in the coalition document and is therefore considered sacrosanct even though it's barmy. We're heading into a period when the effort to market England will rely less on government agencies and more on the initiative of groups of attraction operators."

Tourism: National tourism agency VisitBritain faces one of the largest overall budget cuts within the DCMS' remit, with a 34 per cent reduction confirmed following the CSR. VisitBritain chair Christopher Rodrigues said the agency would examine its operations in order to keep it's Olympic strategy on course and look to slash overheads. Rodrigues said: "This government understands the value VisitBritain brings to Britain's tourism industry, but this is tough love. VisitBritain will respond to the settlement by further cutting overheads and reducing its physical network overseas to retain as much money as possible for our global marketing effort."

However, Tourism Alliance chair Ken Robinson said the cuts went against Prime Minister David Cameron's recent pledge to promote the UK's tourism industry. Robinson said: "With DCMS saying that all sectors must share the pain, we expected cuts. We know that VisitBritain and VisitEngland will respond, using every pound wisely.

"However, the Treasury's attitude to tourism, not recognising that investment in the sector brings immediate and high returns to Britain, is short sighted."
Training: One of Osborne's signature pledges within the CSR is the news that at least 75,000 apprenticeship places are to be created each year by 2014.

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Oystermouth Castle to receive £1m Refurbishment

2010-08-16T13:11:00.001+01:00

Oystermouth Castle in Swansea is to receive a £1m refurbishment as part of plans to establish it as a premium heritage attraction.
The project will be funded by the Welsh Assembly's Heritage Tourism grant which has earmarked a total of £19m towards similar projects across Wales.
Work on Oystermouth Castle will include improving access to the Norman stone castle and to assure the long-term sustainability of the site.
To encourage more people to visit the castle there are also plans to launch an events programme.

A castle community co-ordinator will be appointed to manage a range of events, engage with community groups. The Alina's Chapel on the site will also be developed into a multi-functional space. The castle currently receives 5,000 visitors a year and the target is to increase this to 25,000 a year by 2014.
Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones said: "Tourism is an important part of our economy and this project will make a positive contribution to attracting visitors to Swansea.

"The project also aims to ensure the castle is accessible and relevant to the people of Swansea."

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Tourism beats growth predictions

2010-08-06T11:22:00.001+01:00

The total value of tourism to the UK is set to rise by more than 60 per cent to £188 billion over the next decade, says an independent report commissioned by VisitBritain. Research from Deloitte and Oxford Economics forecasts that the favourable exchange rate, the lure of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the appeal of world-renowned attractions, should ensure the sector grows at an above-average 3.5 per cent per annum between now and 2020. The number of jobs supported by tourism over that period is predicted to rise by 264,000 - from 2.63 million now, to 2.89 million. The report also shows that tourism is disproportionately important in rural areas and for part-time female workers.

This forecast adds to the HLF figures published in March 2010 that demonstrated the significance of heritage-led tourism in the UK tourism industry; some £20.6 billion per annum, supporting 466,000 jobs. This latest research means the total economic contribution of the Visitor Economy – covering firms directly and indirectly involved in tourism - is poised to expand faster than retail, chemicals, transport, the utilities and manufacturing. Only construction and financial and business services look more promising.

These figures make tourism Britain’s fifth biggest industry and third largest foreign exchange earner.

Taken from Heritage Link

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MLA says ‘stormy seas call for cool heads and steady hands’

2010-07-27T11:27:00.001+01:00

Responding to the government’s announcement that the MLA is to be wound up by April 2012, Chair Sir Andrew Motion and Chief Executive Roy Clare pledge a smooth and orderly transition to deliver the best possible future for museums, libraries and archives across England and for the people and communities who expect to use them.

In a joint statement, Sir Andrew Motion and Roy Clare say: “Stormy seas call for cool heads and steady hands. The team in the MLA have worked tirelessly and with commendable commitment to develop the capacity of the organisation since 2007. Now, faced with an unforeseen degree of economic pressure, government has chosen to balance the books and to prioritise the rationalisation of its existing cultural agencies as a contribution.

“As a result we will work methodically and calmly to continue to deliver a vibrant and effective expert service for the public who rightly expect excellent, sustainable museums, libraries and record offices in their local neighbourhoods. Our accent is on strong strategic leadership; access to expert advice which can help people to weather the effects of recession; strong investment programmes; joining up across the network; good links into local government, and provision of resources that demonstrate good practice. We are committed to arguing for these to be reflected clearly in the new arrangements.

”MLA is currently engaged with local authorities and independent museums, libraries and archives all over the country. We are helping them to weather the storm of recession and funding cuts and to emerge stronger and more sustainable. Maintaining the tempo of this work will continue to be a major priority for us.

Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, comments: “Sir Andrew Motion and Roy Clare have shown great leadership of the MLA and have made great strides in the last two years to streamline the organisation, significantly improving efficiency and effectiveness. However, there is now an opportunity to integrate Renaissance and the other important functions of the MLA into the wider cultural framework.”

The MLA believes that cultural and artistic activities are at the heart of Britain’s recovery. Museums, libraries, archives and other places of art and creativity are nourishment for the spirit and encouragement for everyone in times of adversity; these are vital components for tourism, the economy, quality of life, cultural creativity and personal well-being. In the current climate especially, museums, libraries and other cultural services are at significant risk.

The MLA has called for more creative and systematic planning to ensure the public get the most out of the sector. The prospectus that we launched this year, ‘Sharper Investment for Changing Times’, recognises that around three quarters of the £2bn-plus spent on cultural services in England is in the control of local, not central, government.

Sir Andrew Motion and Roy Clare add:

“Over the year or so ahead our focus is on continuing to boost the impact and potential of museums, libraries and archives in locations across the country. An economy only slowly emerging from recession and pressures on public spending provide the spur to make even greater efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits for people and communities.
“Our various programmes and the expertise of our staff, including the Field Teams across the country, will continue unabated. Many longer term decisions will need to be taken and the outcome in October of the government’s Spending Review will have a pivotal bearing on the details.

“It is our firm, joint intention to continue to provide strong and visible national leadership and a consistent, purposeful voice. We are confident that the various important capabilities of the MLA will be found new homes and we are determined to ensure that there continues to be sources of robust advocacy for museums, libraries and archives and for the people and places that depend upon them; with provision of experts, know-how, advice, specialist resources, detailed research and evidence and informed guidance.

“We are already working closely with local government and with professional colleagues in the Local Government Association, Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund and a number of leading museums and other key organisations. These relationships are strong and will become stronger. Place-based investment, with much more joined-up and better strategic planning, can and must deliver more for less; closer attention to demand and better systems for delivery must result from all new alignments.

“Specific partnership work is already in hand on a Ministerial initiative to develop and improve library services; this will continue, and will be delivered by MLA and LGA this autumn, unaffected by the announcement. We have also put specific proposals to Ministers about the future of Renaissance in the Regions and its relationship to the strategy for archives; further work is in hand that will lead to consultation and a statement by Ministers later this year, in time for new elements to be adopted during 2011 and the ensuing years, subject to funding.

“As an example of our specialist resources, we have just agreed to second an MLA expert, Natasha Innocent, to RaceOnline 2012 for 6 months from September. Natasha will work with Martha Lane Fox and her team to help deliver their Manifesto for a Networked Nation; and specifically to ensure that public library services are fully integrated in moves to secure positive digital outcomes for people in Britain.

“We are also proud of our range of cultural services, including Acceptance in Lieu, National Security Advisor, Export Licensing, Reviewing Committee, Accreditation, Designation and Government Indemnity. These will be maintained throughout the transition as will our engagement with the Cultural Festival, a vital component of London’s 2012 Olympics, especially in terms of our support and leadership for Stories of the World and Our Sporting Life.

“The members of the MLA Board join us in expressing our very sincere gratitude to the staff of the MLA for all their work to date; and together we will uppermost in mind their interests and those of our many professional stakeholders across the country as we work to secure the future for the MLA’s many valuable capabilities and ensure their sustained effectiveness on behalf of the public.

Review of Arm's Length Bodies
DCMS: 26 July 2010
http://www.culture.gov.uk/news/news_stories/7280.aspx
A number of our public bodies are set to be merged, abolished or streamlined

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Dishing the Dirt

2010-07-26T17:04:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I had a very pleasant and educational afternoon looking at Roman coins, Anglo Saxon jewellery, belt buckles, rare Anglo Saxon coins, lead weights from a long extinct market, Norman "bling" and Civil War musket and pistol balls, some of which had obviously hit something...

This was part of the Archaeology Day at The Edward Jenner Museum, Berkeley, where the finds that had been discovered over the last few years on the University of Bristol digs were displayed and a very interesting talk given by Pete Twinn, Archaeologist and Metal Detectorist. One could also try Geo Physics (a la Time Team) in an undug part of the garden and a field walk looking for finds on the freshly dug spoil from the last trench that had been dug in June.

I know a lot about various periods of history but as for the Anglo Saxon era I'm still learning. The decoration and beauty of the tiny Anglo Saxon finds were quite breathtaking, especially as we tend to think of the Anglo Saxons as a fairly uncultured bunch who were rescued from obscurity by the invading Normans of 1066. Far from it.

It was the Normans who killed off all the beautiful art and decorative pieces by subjugating the population, building their massive castles and waging economic warfare on the Anglo Saxons. The latter had to conform to survive and so much that was existing before 1066 was lost. It is thought provoking to realise that one fifth of land in the UK is owned by the descendants of those invading Norman Knights from 1066.

The medieval bling was mainly pendants, coins and some heraldic pieces that may have been worn on a horse or on armour. Some heraldic devices have been identified and so we know that these people visited Berkeley, even if it is not backed up by written evidence anywhere else. The medieval weights and measures found demonstrate a thriving market and the slag found helps to confirm that there was a mint in Berkeley too.

The Civil War finds were interesting as the Museum's garden was a battlefield as well as that of the adjoining 13th Century church. Have a look at the West Door and you can still see the musket loops, bullet holes and axe marks from the fight. The defences at Berkeley were started in 1643 and these were found this summer by the University dig. Another piece of corroborating evidence was the number of pistol balls found on the site: we know that after Prince Rupert was defeated at Bristol that cavalry was sent to Berkeley, and they all carried pistols. And there is the evidence, a great quantity of small calibre pistol balls.

It is odd sitting in a tranquil garden on a sunny day, listening to the history (often violent) off the patch of land your are sitting on, but I am looking forward to the next Archaeology Day at the Museum as seeing what has been found and having the privilege of one to one talks from the experts who found the finds, and place them in context in the garden's history is fascinating and has inspired me to learn more about our Anglo Saxon forefathers.

For events at the Museum see www.jennermuseum.com and look out for the talk by Dr Stuart Prior from the University of Bristol, on the history of the site (including the exciting Roman discoveries in Berkeley) in the Old Cyder House.

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An Evening with the Angel of Death

2010-07-09T10:17:00.001+01:00

The Angel of Death is one name given to smallpox, the deadly disease that killed millions throughout human history, and a new book has recently been written on the subject by Gareth Williams, a Trustee of the Edward Jenner Museum. On Thursday 22nd July he will be giving a talk “The House on the 13th Milestone: who really discovered vaccination?” at the Old Cyder House in Berkeley. The talk will draw on his book and introduces new angles to the story of how Jenner discovered vaccination.

While the account of Edward Jenner and his development of a vaccine against smallpox is well known, Gareth Williams will take the audience further into history with new and expanded information covering Edward Jenner’s experiments involving his gardener’s son with cowpox right up to 1980 when the World Health Organisation officially announced the eradication of the deadly disease.

Sarah Parker, the Director of the Edward Jenner Museum said We are delighted to welcome Gareth both as a Trustee and an energetic supporter of the Museum. He has told a compelling story in his book and we look forward to an entertaining and informative evening.

The talk is one of a series on medical subjects this year, linked to the Museum’s celebrations of the eradication of Smallpox, which has resulted in much coverage both in the UK and internationally – the small Gloucestershire town of Berkeley has been the global focus of honouring Edward Jenner’s work.

The Old Cyder House talks take place throughout the year covering a variety of subjects from a wide range of speakers: not all are medically related. Future talks will be covering North Wales’ Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways and the Loch Ness Monster!

All talks have proven popular so reserve your tickets now by contacting the Museum on 01453 810631 or emailing info@edwardjenner.co.uk , Gareth Williams’ talk will start at 7.30pm and cost £10 per person which includes a glass of wine or juice.

More details can be found on the museum website, www.jennermuseum.com where there is also information on hiring The Old Cyder House and about other events at the Museum.

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Jenner's Marvellous Medicine

2010-05-13T10:50:00.001+01:00

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Time Travelling Doctor Meets His Public

2010-05-10T15:22:00.001+01:00

Visitors to The Edward Jenner Museum, Berkeley, attending Dr Jenner’s Garden Party on Sunday 16^th May will witness Time Travel as Dr Jenner returns to celebrate the 30^th Anniversary of the Eradication of Smallpox as well as his 261^st Birthday. He will be joined by more modern recognisable faces such as Prof Mark Horton of BBC Coast fame, invited VIPS from the world of medicine and science and of course our visitors!

Generously sponsored by The Royal Society who celebrate their own 350^th Anniversary, the Garden Party is joining in the world celebrations of the eradication of smallpox with visitors invited to explore Dr Jenner's former home with the help of a smallpox nurse, a barber surgeon, servants and the great man himself. There will be a local craft fair in the Old Cyder House, period music from the Convivio Medical Quartet, tea on the lawn, book signings of the new smallpox book “Angel of Death” by Prof Gareth Williams, and the opportunity to be made up to look like a smallpox victim!

An insight into the wider history of the site will be provided with the help of the University of Bristol’s Prof Mark Horton and Dr Stuart Prior of The Berkeley Project who will explain the significance of the large hole in the museum’s lawn which is believed to be the site of an Anglo Saxon nunnery. The 300 year old Attic Rooms will be open for guided tours (must be booked on the day) where you may catch a glimpse of the Attic Ghost, or you can join in with the special period games on the lawn.

Museum Director Sarah Parker said This special anniversary event will be a mixture of interactive drama, fun and exploration with costumed guides adding to the period feel. An enjoyable and memorable Sunday beckons.

Sarah Parker will be flying to Geneva the following day at the invitation of the World Health Organization to represent the Museum at the unveiling of a commemorative statue for the smallpox eradication anniversary. She will be travelling with a film crew to record the event. On Monday 17^th May, Jenner’s birthday, a BBC1 (West) Documentary on Jenner’s life is being broadcast at 7.30pm.

Children arriving at the Garden Party dressed in 18/19th Century costume will get free entry, normally £2.50 and for adults it is £5.00. The gates open at 11am on Sunday May 16th and will close at 5.30pm. The Joint Tickets with Berkeley Castle are not valid for this event but may be used on normal museum open days.

For more information see www.jennermuseum.com or call 01453 810631

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Time Travelling Doctor to Visit Berkeley

2010-04-27T15:32:00.001+01:00

Visitors to The Edward Jenner Museum, Berkeley, attending Dr Jenner’s Garden Party on Sunday 16^th May will be excited to learn that they will be witnessing Time Travel as Dr Jenner returns to celebrate the 30^th Anniversary of the Eradication of Smallpox as well as his 261^st Birthday. In what will be the museum’s biggest event of the year the May weekend will be marking the 214th anniversary of the first vaccination on Friday 14th May and Jenner's Birthday on Monday 17th May.

Generously sponsored by The Royal Society who celebrate their own 350^th Anniversary, the Garden Party is joining in the world celebrations of the eradication of smallpox with visitors invited to explore Dr Jenner's former home with the help of a smallpox nurse, a barber surgeon, servants and the great man himself. There is something for all the family: a craft fair in the Old Cyder House, period music from a string quartet, refreshments, and the opportunity to be made up to look like a smallpox victim!

Also on offer an insight into the wider history of the historic site, dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period and possibly beyond with the help of members of The Berkeley Project from the University of Bristol who will start their annual dig on the following day. A display of finds from the garden will show how much has been learned about what took place on what is believed to be the site of an Anglo Saxon nunnery.

The 300 year old Attic Rooms will be opened up to explore (must be booked on the day) and you may catch a glimpse of the Attic Ghost, or you can join in with the special period games on the lawn. A great day out beckons!

Children arriving at the Garden Party dressed in 18/19th Century costume will get free entry, normally £2.50 and for adults it is £5.00.The gates open at 11am on Sunday May 16th and will close at 5.30pm. The Joint Tickets with Berkeley Castle are not valid for this event but may be used on normal museum open days.

For more information see www.jennermuseum.com or call 01453 810631

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The Copper Phoenix - Heritage Man of Mystery

2010-04-20T09:25:00.001+01:00

The Copper Phoenix - Heritage Man of Mystery
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

Something Unexpected in Jenner’s Garden

2010-03-17T14:37:00.001Z

Dr Stuart Prior, of TV fame, from the University of Bristol will be talking about the many finds and history revealed from the Berkeley Project dig of 2009. While searching for conclusive evidence of an Anglo-Saxon nunnery a pit possibly holding Edward Jenner’s rubbish was found at the end of the garden of the 300 year old Chantry. This and other discoveries will be shared with the public on Thursday 25^th March in Berkeley.

There have been archaeological digs at the Edward Jenner Museum since 2005 when the museum granted the University of Bristol permission to conduct their search for Saxon Berkeley within the grounds. As part of the Berkeley Project, a possible Anglo-Saxon church near St Mary’s Church Tower which borders the museum garden has been uncovered. If the remains of Anglo-Saxon buildings in the garden can be linked to it, and they turn out to be part of the Anglo-Saxon nunnery then it will prove to be the earliest nunnery excavated and put Berkeley on the world map again.

Dr Prior, a former gravedigger, is the fieldwork director for the Berkeley Project. Viewers of Time Team will recognise him as the larger than life biker-archaeologist with an infectious enthusiasm for his subject as well as other appearances on the National Geographic channel.

Sarah Parker, the Museum Director said: It has been really fascinating to see the Anglo-Saxon world beneath our lawn emerge in the last couple of years. We look forward to this year’s dig with increasing excitement. The discovery of Jenner’s rubbish pit is of course of special interest to us providing a tangible link with the his life here.

Organised by The Edward Jenner Museum, the Old Cyder House Talks have proved to be very popular, so much so that they have been extended beyond the original March end date to become year round. Dr Prior’s talk will cost £10 per person including a glass of wine and starts at 7.30pm

More information can be found on the museum website, www.jennermuseum.com where there is also information on hiring The Old Cyder House and about other events at the Museum. Bookings for all the talks can be made in advance by calling 01453 810631 or emailing info@edwardjenner.co.uk

- ENDS -

Notes:

THE OLD CYDER HOUSE, Berkeley, Gloucestershire

1) The Old Cyder House is at Dr Edward Jenner’s former home, The Chantry, in Berkeley, Gloucestershire. Dr Jenner lived in the house from 1785-1823, and it was from here that he pioneered the world-changing vaccination against Smallpox.

The Old Cyder House is available for training, conferences, business meetings, product launches and exhibitions throughout the year and is situated in the Old Coach House, where cider was originally brewed, hence the name.

2) Doctor Stuart Prior, the biker-archaeologist, is a teaching fellow in the Department of Archaeology & Anthropology, Bristol University, and the Fieldwork Director for the Berkeley Castle Project. Stuart.Prior@bristol.ac.uk

Ticketing details/costs & further information, please see: www.jennermuseum.com

General information and booking: info@edwardjenner.co.uk

For further information, interviews or image requests please contact:

Sarah Parker

Director

Email: director@edwardjenner.co.uk

Tel: 01453 810 631

Fax: 01453 811 690

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Being Pushed Around in a Haunted Attic

2010-03-07T13:11:00.001Z

I've just come back from a really fascinating and interesting experience, attending my first organised paranormal investigation. The venue was The Chantry, Berkeley in Gloucestershire: a 300 year old building and former home of Dr Edward Jenner. But this site has more to do with history than just the good doctor. It has been in turn (possibly) a Roman villa, a nunnery, burial ground, scene of a Viking attack and Civil War battlefield. Quite a lot of potential there for meeting spirits and that ignores any possibility of meeting the Witch of Berkeley and the dreaded flesh eating Berkeley Toad.

We gathered at 9pm for a briefing and introduction to our medium and host for the night, Craig and Claire respectively. A number of the group had been on such investigations before and knew what to expect but there were a sprinkling of sceptics, those on the fence about supernatural activity, and the believers.

We started with meditation and a group exercise (I usually hate these) to demonstrate how we can feel natural energy around us and so identify when something supernatural maybe happening. Even this simple exercise of "sharing energy" with someone else was worth the trip alone, as we held hands over each other.s in turn and could feel the energy between our palms - even squashing and bouncing the energy. Very weird.

Then it was into The Chantry for a history lesson to set the scene for the group, Craig was left in the "base room" so he would not hear what was said, so we could check his facts later if he made contact with various spirits. As part of the tour was in the garden at nearly 10pm and it was rapidly dropping below zero and frost forming everywhere this was an event for hardy souls.........

We then went back to the base room for a warming coffee and Jaffa cake before heading back to The Chantry with Craig and this time all the lights off. Exploring a familiar building (as I have worked there for some time) in torch light instantly made it far more interesting, especially as Craig started picking up on things straightaway. I won't be able to remember everything that was said between then and 3am, and I don't want to spoil a visit you might make, but will try to summarise. We knew ourselves that there were recorded instances of "ghosts" but had not told Craig or Claire. Craig picked up on a spirit (a ghost is a simple apparition and can't be communicated with, a spirit one can communicate with) who was annoyed that we were in his house. This turned out to be one of Edward Jenner's descendants and he followed us around for the rest of the night. Later a spirit of a dog was discovered, even sitting on a couple of people's feet.

We went up to the Attic, the most atmospheric part of The Chantry, and here had some of our most interesting experiences, one of which influenced the title of this blog. Before we conducted a seance, we used dowsing rods, crystals and EMF electronic readers to see if we could find anything in the Attic. My EMF reader suddenly went haywire with lights and sounds whizzing off the scale - witnessed by Craig who once he'd checked I was using the meter correctly nodded and said "that's pretty cool!". After these experiments we gathered for a seance.

We made contact with a four year old child, with red hair, called Jonathan. He knew his mother, was slightly afraid of her, but didn't know who his father was: we don't have any record of such a child but he may be in a census somewhere of the servants. We all stood in a circle (well, a very squashed circle as there was no room!) holding hands and invited the spirits to make contact. We had a few small "taps" and something small was thrown behind me. I should mention here that I was standing in a doorway (with my back to it) and so you can imagine my "delight" when Craig and Claire both said that there was lots of movement behind me. My neck had been tingling for sometime but I was putting this down to autosuggestion until the spirit was invited to come into the circle. At this point I felt myself being gently pushed forward, it was very gentle, but insistent and it made me rock forward on my feet, I put it down to me simply swaying but when I tried to return to upright there was this pushing again. Claire, next to me said "Tim is trying to rationalise being pushed by a spirit!" as she was being pushed froward to. I can only describe it as if someone was holding a mattress against me, upright, then pushing slowly but with intent. I could feel the energy we'd been shown earlier in our group exercise.

I didn't find this frightening, just immensely curious and fascinating, then it stopped and someone on the opposite side of the room was pushed, and so it went on. We were told that it was Jonathan, the four year old, running around the Attic and pushing us for fun - those "sensitives" who could see/sense him said he was really enjoying it, chuckling and singing "Ring a Ring of Roses". I felt absurdly pleased that we were being the source of so much fun for a four year old spirit at just gone midnight in a deserted Attic. This went on for a few minutes until the spirits of Robert and Henry Jenner appeared in turn (at which point Jonathan ran off). They were far sterner and not so pleased at us invading the Attic and their home.

Next we went down to the old bedrooms, where children crying in a room identified as the nursery earlier, but the unpleasant fact here was the sensitives picked up on Jenner's family, wife and children, dying of TB. Very sobering. We spent some time siting in the dark and communicating with a spirit seemingly through the alarm sensor, he making it flash in the dark. We had to take each other's word that none of us were waving are arms around. However no one disputed the footsteps and tapping heard outside the shut door, on the landing. As I was closest to the door I was the one nominated to open it and look out - I have to admit this was the scariest part of the evening for me, opening a door onto the unknown, having listened to footsteps just outside in an empty house, what would I see? As it turned out not a thing......so was that good or a bad, what had made the noises?

After some more contact we returned to the base room for more coffee. It was now 2am and we only had an hour left, so we decoded to try the downstairs rooms with table and glass. I found this bit really fascinating, talking to the spirits through the movement of a glass, held by 4/5 people with their fingers on it. Having seen this on TV I'd always cynically assumed that it was being controlled by those touching it. But watching the glass move around the table and twisting at the same time it was obviously physically impossible for those "directing" it to twist it too. We asked some historical questions of the spirits, Robert and Henry Jenner, and they seemed to answer correctly - perhaps we could find out much more of the unknown history of The Chantry this way?

As we drew to the end of the evening, the spirits seemed to be increasingly more interested in us and even started picking favourites and poking fun at individuals. Finally at 3am when we had to go, they indicated they'd be pleased to see us again.......maybe.

At the end of the evening I have to say I'd enjoyed it very much. Do I think the existence of ghosts and spirits had been proved? I don't know. I know that the pushing force I had on me acted on my entire body quite unbidden, the tappings sounded genuine, not random creaks and information coming from the spirits was often confirmed through the knowledge of the museum staff. If Craig had "swotted up" on the Jenner family history he would have had to have spent weeks looking into great detail to come up with some of the answers he shared with us. On top of this I've had one or two unexplained things happen to me in the building before, when on my own.

I leave therefore with an open mind. When I''m up in the Attic next (hopefully in daylight....) I'll think about Jonathan and perhaps even sense his little mischievous presence, I'll watch out for the dog pushing past me on the stairs and the stern descendants of Jenner who are unsure about these invaders in "their house".

Would I recommend it - without doubt! It is a must try experience and I thoroughly endorse it as a fun and bizarre evening. I'd like to try The Chantry again and see what else comes up. But a word of caution, don't expect to get much done the following morning, I wasn't in bed until 4.30am!

My thanks to our excellent hosts Craig and Claire of Haunted Happenings who ran the event, I'm sure The Chantry will open its doors again one night soon for the spirits to make contact once again, if they are in the mood!

Keep looking at www.jennermuseum.com for information.

Tim Davies

www.copperphoenix.co.uk

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PRESS RELEASE: Things that go Bump in the Night

2010-03-02T10:45:00.001Z

*** Press Release ***

Edward Jenner Museum

Immediate Release

2/3/2010

Things that go Bump in the Night

This weekend sees the first overnight paranormal investigation at the Edward Jenner Museum, Berkeley, with a small group of intrepid explorers investigating the claims made by past inhabitants that the 300 year old Chantry is haunted. In conjunction with Haunted Happenings who are running the event, high on the agenda will be spending time in the only recently opened Attic Rooms, the old servants quarters of the building which have remained largely undisturbed for decades, where a possible ghost photograph was taken last year.

In The Chantry’s three centuries of history there have been reports of all sorts of strange goings on, from spectral figures heading into Dr Jenner’s Study to a phantom dog running up and down the stairs. Interest resurfaced after BBC photographer Chris Sands took what appeared to be a ghost picture up in the newly opened Attic Rooms in 2009. Apart from the main building’s age and history the grounds have seen much too, from a Viking burning of the Anglo-Saxon nunnery (the remains of which can currently be seen in the garden) to Civil War battles, the evidence of which is still found today with musket balls and other finds.

Visitors to the Haunted Happenings event on Saturday 6^th March will have the opportunity to visit several haunted spots within the house and grounds of Dr Edward Jenner’s former home, have the history of the site explained to them, take part in vigils and séances and get involved with paranormal experiments throughout the night.

Sarah Parker, Director of the Museum said This will be the first proper paranormal investigation of The Chantry. We have been criticised as a science museum for even mentioning ghosts, but there is nothing in science to disprove them! We look forward to the investigation with great interest.

The event runs from 9pm to 3am and must be pre-booked in advance: spaces are limited. To book go to www.hauntedhappenings.co.uk

** Ends **

Notes to Editors:

The Chantry is home to The Edward Jenner Museum, pioneer of smallpox vaccination, and opens for the 2010 season on 1^st April.

See www.jennermuseum.co.uk

The Ghost Event is being run by Haunted Happenings who run ghost events throughout the UK, all bookings and questions about the event should be directed to them

See www.hauntedhappenings.co.uk

For further information, interviews and images please contact:

Tim Davies of Copper Phoenix www.copperphoenix.co.uk

E: tim@copperphoenix.co.uk

T/M: 07919 914512

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Is Prison right for you?

2010-02-18T16:02:00.001Z

Members are being sought to join the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at Leyhill Open Prison. The IMB acts independently of the Prison Service and their role is to monitor the complete range of activities within the prison to ensure the fair and just treatment of those held in custody.

Formerly a wartime hospital, HMP Leyhill is the only minimum security prison in the south west of England and has been an important part of the UK Prison Service since 1946. The prison is capable of holding up to 532 prisoners, 110 of whom are serving life sentences and all of whom are housed not in cells, but in individual rooms in one of three accommodation blocks with open corridors.

All of the prisoners, who are generally aged 25 and over have been assessed as low risk and many are either serving short term sentences or are nearing the end of their sentence. Leyhill plays a particularly important role assessing and preparing prisoners for release by providing an environment in which they can assume more responsibility and benefit from opportunities to make decisions for themselves before returning to the outside community. It is in preparing those approaching release, especially those serving life sentences, to return to the community that is the key to Leyhill’s whole ethos.

A wide range of opportunities are available to the prisoner to help prepare for release, from academic and vocational courses to opportunities to work outside either doing voluntary work or in local organisations who support the hundred or so prisoners who leave the prison daily on licence. All those not working outside the prison will be either employed in one of the many maintenance or service activities, or be in education. The only exceptions being those out on licence to go on home leave, which is part of the preparation for transition back into society, or those past retirement age.

It is in this environment which is not exposed to the normal scrutiny of everyday life, that the IMB carry out their duties, acting as the eyes and ears of the community to ensure that fairness and respect is given to those in custody, and that they are treated humanely. There is no need for a legal background, but just an open and questioning attitude together with an ability to communicate with a wide range of people and a willingness to work as part of a team.

IMB members enjoy a high level of trust and responsibility and are free to visit anywhere within the prison at any time and without the need to make an appointment. There is a great deal of communication with staff and prisoners and with an ever changing prison population, the IMB is seeking to recruit younger people, working people and those from ethnic minorities to reflect that population.

Members of IMB Boards come from all walks of life and although IMB work is voluntary, travel and training expenses are covered. Volunteering involves commitment to two or three days a month on a rota basis, each visit taking several hours and requiring visits to all parts of the prison. IMB volunteers, who have to undergo a security clearance process before they can be accepted for the role, are also expected to live reasonably close to the prison, and to attend monthly IMB meetings.

As part of a drive to recruit additional volunteers to join the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), prospective applicants are being invited to visit HMP Leyhill, meet members of the IMB and experience at first hand what life is like in one of the UK’s busiest open prisons. Anyone who is interested and would like to know more about what is involved in becoming a member of the IMB are asked to contact the IMB Clerk on 01454 264112 or email Pat.Carpenter@hmps.gsi.gov.uk to make an appointment on either Friday 5^th March or Saturday 6^th March 2010.

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Asbestos Legislation may catch out Landlords

2010-02-10T19:05:00.001Z

*** Press Release ***

80 Twenty Projects

Immediate Release

Asbestos Legislation may catch out Landlords

With tougher asbestos legislation now in force it is likely to catch out many landlords who previously thought they would be unaffected. New clearer guidance means that for many landlords and their staff / sub-contractors, any of the properties they manage need to be checked for Asbestos. This covers anything from warehouses through to domestic tenanted flats. Tim Ashley-King of 80 Twenty Projects believes many companies and individuals will end up being fined through a general lack of understanding of these issues.

The ‘duty to manage asbestos’ requirements of regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2006 do not normally apply to individual domestic premises, however, the requirements do apply to common parts of premises such as foyers, corridors, lifts, staircases and gardens etc, including housing developments and blocks of flats. Many landlords are fully aware if this.

What is rarely understood is that The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, requires all employers to ensure their employees will not be exposed to health and safety (Asbestos) risks, to provide health & safety information to others who may be affected, and places legal duties on employers and the self employed, towards people not in their employment. Landlords therefore need to assess any Asbestos risks to third parties, e.g. tenants who may be affected by their activities, and make appropriate arrangements to protect them.

These requirements mean that organisations such as private landlords, local authorities, housing associations, social housing management companies and others who own, or are responsible for, domestic properties, have legal duties to ensure the health and safety of their staff (and others) in domestic premises, and this is where organisations are likely to be caught out by legislation.

Asbestos can be found many buildings built before the year 2000, in floor tiles, various fire retarding panels, boiler rooms, roof spaces and even in ‘Artex’. It is an easily overlooked, and hard to identify material. It was a commonly used throughout the 1950’s, to 1990’s, before its carcinogenic life-threatening legacy was fully understood. Currently in the UK it is responsible for over 4,000 deaths per year, as a result of past exposures.

As employers, organisations have duties to identify asbestos. Tim Ashley-King said I believe that we will see an increasing number of prosecutions through a lack of awareness of Asbestos legislation. 80 Twenty Projects can help prevent this through providing training to identify and deal with the problem, or by conducting Asbestos Surveys and advising on Asbestos Management Strategies.

80 Twenty Projects is a Bristol based Asbestos specialist company covering the UK and deals with everything from houses and schools to small shops and even fire damaged supermarkets. Tim Ashley-King said We are a growing company and currently are recruiting for competent Asbestos Surveyors. Anyone interested should send us a CV and covering letter. It is likely to be busy in the next few months!

Further information on Asbestos can be found on www.8020projects.co.uk and on the HSE Website.

** Ends **

Notes to Editors:

80 Twenty Projects is based in Bristol and run by Tim Ashley-King. Operating on a nationwide basis, they are able to offer a range of services including:

• Asbestos Surveys, Asbestos Bulk Sample Analysis, Re-Inspection

• Asbestos Management Plans

• Asbestos Training, Health and Safety Training

• Tender Design and Specification, Contractor Selection, Project Management

• Qualitative Face Fit Testing for RPE

• Fire Risk Assessments

• Health and Safety, Health and Safety Risk Assessment

• Health and Safety Policy and Health and Safety Audits

www.8020projects.co.uk

For further information, interviews and images please contact:

Tim Davies of Copper Phoenix

E: tim@copperphoenix.co.uk

T/M: 07919 914512

--
Tim Davies

www.copperphoenix.co.uk

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The militant Sikh Princess and other secret stars of Hampton Court Palace

2010-02-03T16:15:00.001Z

*** PRESS RELEASE ***

The Edward Jenner Museum

For Immediate Release

29/01/10

The militant Sikh Princess and other secret stars of Hampton Court Palace

Sarah Parker, the director of the Edward Jenner Museum will be giving a talk “Suffragettes, Soldiers & Servants: Behind the Scenes of the Hampton Court Palace Community 1750 - 1950” on Thursday 25^th February at the Old Cyder House in Berkeley. This will be the sixth of The Old Cyder House Talks for 2010 on interesting and diverse subjects. Sarah Parker will be sharing the story of the lesser known characters of this famous royal residence.

Hampton Court Palace in Surrey is located next to the river Thames and from 1236 the site was used by knights, courtiers, cardinals and kings. Less famous is the hidden community of the palace who following George II’s decision in the mid 18^th Century to break with the tradition begun by Henry VIII not to live there, moved into a series of apartments granted to those who found favour after services rendered to crown or country. Sarah Parker spent ten years curating at Hampton Court Palace. She will share the stories of the eclectic mix of palace residents including Michael Faraday, the chemist and physicist who discovered electromagnetic induction and the militant Indian suffragette Princess Sophia, daughter of Maharajah Duleep Singh.

Sarah Parker said: Hampton Court Palace has been home to an extraordinary community who lived in grace and favour apartments and lived lives dramatic enough to rival their royal predecessors. Eastenders has nothing on these South-Westenders.

Organised by The Edward Jenner Museum, the Old Cyder House talks are increasing in popularity, so reserve your tickets now! The Berkeley talk will cost £8 per person including a glass of wine.

More information can be found on the museum website, www.jennermuseum.com where there is also information on hiring The Old Cyder House and about other events at the Museum.

Bookings for all the talks can be made in advance by calling 01453 810631 or emailing info@edwardjenner.co.uk

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

THE OLD CYDER HOUSE, Berkeley, Gloucestershire

1) The Old Cyder House is at Dr Edward Jenner’s former home, The Chantry, in Berkeley, Gloucestershire. Dr Jenner lived in the house from 1785-1823, and it was from here that he pioneered the world-changing vaccination against Smallpox.

The Old Cyder House is available for training, conferences, business meetings, product launches and exhibitions throughout the year and is situated in the Old Coach House, where cider was originally brewed, hence the name.

Ticketing details/costs & further information, please see: www.jennermuseum.com

General information and booking: info@edwardjenner.co.uk

For further information, interviews or image requests please contact:

Sarah Parker

Director

Email: director@edwardjenner.co.uk

Tel: 01453 810 631

Fax: 01453 811 690

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2010 RBS Six Nations

2010-01-31T14:03:00.001Z

I have always followed and loved the Six Nations Rugby or Five Nations as it was. I am not a great follower of sport; I don’t follow a particular regional team and tend to only watch big tournaments, like the world cup in football.

But the Six Nations is very special to me, as it was something as a young boy in the 1970’s the family would come together on the Saturday afternoons to sit and watch the rugby and importantly to watch Wales win.

Proud of my Welsh roots I was lucky to grow up in the 1970’s when Wales just won all the time (ok I know there was the occasional defeat but it was so rare as to not worry about!). Triple Crowns, Grand Slams and championships abounded, until that dreadful time in the 1980’s when Welsh Rugby took a slide downhill. We’d lost the household names of Barry John, Phil Bennett, Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams etc and new players were coming in who I didn’t really know. Of course in the 1980’s the pits were closing and the traditional Valley living experience was changing: as the pits closed local rugby teams disappeared and there was not the scope to nurture new rugby talent. We’re talking of a time, as JPR Williams said recently, when the team would turn up on the weekend, play for Wales and go back to their normal jobs on a Monday. The amateur game at its best.

I remember being taken by my dad and grandfather to Phil Bennett’s sports shop in Llanelli to get a Welsh Rugby Union strip for myself and my brother. As a tongue tied eight year old it was an awesome experience meeting one of my heroes, having my hair ruffled by him. I was deeply proud of that rugby strip and wore it for years, even when it was too small for me!

Recently the great commentator Bill McLaren, the voice of my rugby childhood died and I felt another link with that happy time gone. His voice and unbiased commentary was a fantastic combination and whenever I sit to watch any rugby I automatically think of his voice and wish he was still commentating.

I met my Welsh rugby heroes one last time at a benefit concert in Cardiff, in the early 1990’s. They were much older and less fit, but I still felt the same tongue tied excitement at being in the same room as Gareth Edwards, Barry John and Phil Bennett. I doubt it will ever change.

But this year will be touched with melancholy as it will be the first year I watch the tournament without any of my family who sat around our television in the 1970’s. My father died in the early 1990’s, my brother moved to France 11 years ago and my mother died in October last year. No more the trip to my parents’ house to enjoy an afternoon of rugby, in companionship and echoes of yesteryear.

So this year I expect Wales to win the Six Nations as a fitting tribute to all our happy years together and to kick off the years to come. I will raise a toast to the past next week when the tournament kicks off and look to the future as I enjoy the classic grudge match of the tournament, in tune once again with the Land of my Fathers: Wales v England.

--
Tim Davies
www.copperphoenix.co.uk

Posted via email from Copper Phoenix's posterous

What has Berkeley Ever Done for Us?

2010-01-21T09:17:00.001Z

*** PRESS RELEASE ***

The Edward Jenner Museum

For Immediate Release

20/01/10

What has Berkeley Ever Done for Us?

Tim Davies, of Copper Phoenix Heritage will be giving a talk “Berkeley: A Town that Changed the World” on Thursday 28^th January at the Old Cyder House in Berkeley. This will be the first of The Old Cyder House Talks for 2010, on interesting and diverse subjects. Tim Davies will be highlighting Berkeley’s significant contributions to world history in an informal way on a winter’s evening.

What has the Gloucestershire town ever done for the rest of the World? Well it’s most famous son invented immunology, inhabitants colonised America, started wars and there is an ongoing contribution today through archaeological discoveries. Tim Davies who runs Copper Phoenix, a heritage marketing and business consultancy has worked in Berkeley since 2006 on the Berkeley Estate and at The Edward Jenner Museum. He has put together an affectionate tribute to the town and its significant influence on world events, especially as the Town’s profile will be raised this year, the 30^th Anniversary of the eradication of Smallpox, made possible by the town’s most famous son, Edward Jenner. Apart from Jenner, expect reference to the town from prehistoric times, through Roman and Saxons, Vikings and up to the present today

Tim Davies said, There are plenty of historians who can give a more in depth talk on dates, times and events, connected with Berkeley, I want to highlight the vast influence that such a small town in Gloucestershire has over us all. It is really out of all proportion to the town’s size and population!

Organised by The Edward Jenner Museum, the Old Cyder House talks are increasing in popularity, so reserve your tickets soon. The Berkeley talk will cost £8 per person including a glass of wine.

Sarah Parker, Museum Director said: We are proud of Berkeley’s complex heritage and feel that the town should be far better known worldwide. Tim’s talk will hopefully point out the need to highlight Berkeley’s many achievements!

More information can be found on the museum website, www.jennermuseum.com where there is also information on hiring The Old Cyder House and about other events at the Museum. Bookings for all the talks can be made in advance by calling 01453 810631 or emailing info@edwardjenner.co.uk

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

THE OLD CYDER HOUSE, Berkeley, Gloucestershire

1) The Old Cyder House is at Dr Edward Jenner’s former home, The Chantry, in Berkeley, Gloucestershire. Dr Jenner lived in the house from 1785-1823, and it was from here that he pioneered the world-changing vaccination against Smallpox.

The Old Cyder House is available for training, conferences, business meetings, product launches and exhibitions throughout the year and is situated in the Old Coach House, where cider was originally brewed, hence the name.

Ticketing details/costs & further information, please see: www.jennermuseum.com

General information and booking: info@edwardjenner.co.uk

For further information, interviews or image requests please contact:

Sarah Parker

Director

Email: director@edwardjenner.co.uk

Tel:      01453 810 631

Fax:      01453 811 690

Copper Phoenix Ltd

Copper Phoenix was set up to specifically work with heritage organisations, museums and visitor attractions of all sizes requiring heritage advice. It offers solutions for businesses that may not be able to afford (or want) a full time marketeer, those that need advice on how their operation is perceived to the public, require guidance and assistance with developing specific projects or simply to increase visitor numbers and awareness.

Contact:          Tim Davies

Email:              tim@copperphoenix.co.uk

Tel:                  07919914512

www.copperphoenix.co.uk

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Music is the loser in this V&A gallery shake-up | News

2010-01-15T09:16:00.001Z

Music is the loser in this V&A gallery shake-up
Guy Dammann
14.01.10

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Classical music in the capital is riding high just now. Musical standards among London orchestras and ensembles are arguably higher than ever. And with ticket sales largely bucking recession trends, widespread fears that concert culture would collapse together with an ailing record industry have proved misplaced.

Meanwhile, best-selling books by psychologists such as Oliver Sacks and neuroscientists such as Daniel Levitin seek to ask why our brains and bodies have always found music's abstract play of pitch and rhythm so deeply expressive of our common humanity.

Yet when it comes to the instruments that have allowed musical culture to flourish down the centuries, the outlook is less rosy: the gallery of musical instruments at the V&A Museum looks certain to close next month in order to make way for an expanded display of the museum's fashion and costume holdings.

While a number of the instruments will remain exhibited as part of other sections � such as the Venetian virginals owned by Elizabeth I which now stand in the Medieval and Renaissance galleries � most of them will be placed in storage, available on request, or distributed among other museums and collections.

Unlike Brussels, Paris and New York, where national instrument collections are displayed centrally, London's rich store of instruments is distributed among several smaller collections. The V&A's collection, of international significance purely by itself, gains in importance in this respect because it is the only collection of historical musical instruments to be housed in a major national museum, thereby attracting general as well as specialist visitors.

Besides the virgin queen's sole surviving keyboard instrument � Elizabeth I was a keen amateur musician as well as an active patron of the art � the jewels in the collection include an ivory oboe and tortoiseshell recorder that belonged to the composer Gioachino Rossini and two pianos owned by the Pre-Raphaelite Edward Burne-Jones, both lovingly decorated by the artist himself.

One of the collection's greatest assets is its visual attractiveness. The V&A was founded as and remains primarily a museum of decorative arts and its musical instrument collection developed around pieces striking for aesthetic as well as historical reasons. As most people visit museums seeking instruction and entertainment for the eye, the collection has for years played a unique role, by appealing first to the eye and then opening an imaginative window on past musical worlds.

There is some good news in the discovery that a proportion of the collection will go to south London's Horniman museum, whose already excellent musical instrument collection will be enriched by the loan. But despite its national status and its considerable charms, the Horniman remains somewhat off the beaten track of London's major visitor attractions.

Music is our common heritage, the oldest and perhaps most deeply engrained form of human culture. The prime physical embodiment of this culture remains the musical instruments which come down to us.

While I understand the V&A's need to keep its focus on its core collections, the decision to close the musical instrument gallery is a mistake. It will deprive many an accidental tourist of past music's rich rewards. Surely our musical heritage deserves better than this.

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Reader views (3)

Add your view

Copy of an email sent to the V and A Museum:

I have only just heard of the closure of the Victoria and Albert Museum�s historic musical instrument collection.
I have never been able to visit the collection, and probably never would have been, but this closure is nothing short of outrageous. And, as I understand it, to make space for a pop fashion collection. I would have thought that music, and its history, were of crucial and ongoing interest to the British. Even abroad we show an avid interest in Britain�s rich musical culture and heritage. Apparently not so the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The Victoria and Albert Museum management has proved to the international community that, indeed Britain is a nation of shopkeepers, and that the Victoria and Albert Museum management is certainly among them.

- Robert Moore, Melbourne, Australia

Absolutely shocking! Futhermore the notion of splitting the collection its totally non-sensical. Very disappointed with the level of cultural management shown by what I thought was a leading country in cultural matters. I am having a �lucidity moment�...

- Jorosa, Palmela, Portugal

I have visited the V&A Instrument Gallery many times, both in my student years in London decades ago and in my many more recent visits to London. I always quoted it as an absolute must for any musician visiting England. I strongly believe that, no matter how well the instruments are re-distributed elsewhere, closing the Gallery is a mistake and a serious loss for the early-music world, I mean worldwide, not just for London residents or visitors.

Claudio Di Veroli,
harpsichordist

- Claudio Di Veroli, Bray, Rep. Ireland

Add your comment

via thisislondon.co.uk

An interesting approach to heritage from the V & A removing the historic music display to replace it with pop culture - is this an attempt to appeal to a younger audience? If so then although display space in a museum is always at a premium, what a trajedy that an existing and historic collection in its own right has to be broken up for a display that may or may not prove popular to passing visitors. It is removing "proper heritage" in favour of a something gimmicky, (which one can argue will become heritage in its own right of course) but I add my voice to the many in the industry who see this as a shocking and worrying decision.

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The Last of the Winter Snow?

2010-01-13T17:26:00.001Z

As the temperature rises we probably won't see some snow for a while, but with the drifts and volume that fell last night it has been a beautiful day.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Sanctioned Destruction of our Naval Heritage

2010-01-12T16:02:00.001Z

Today (12th January) is the 88th anniversary of HMS Victory's move to her dry dock in Portsmouth and the beginning of her restoration. It is amazing to think that this veteran of Trafalgar and the spiritual symbol of Royal Navy was afloat until 1922, after around 157 years on the water. Despite being dry docked she is still the oldest commissioned battleship in the World.

HMS Victory was launched in 1765 at Chatham Dockyard and was commissioned in 1778. She continued in active service for the next 34 years which included her most famous moment - the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 when she was flagship to Vice Admiral Lord Nelson, defeating the Franco -Spanish fleet. In 1812 Victory was retired from front line duty and anchored in Portsmouth Harbour, where for the next 110 years she remained at her moorings fulfilling a combination of practical and ceremonial roles. In 1922, amid fears for her continued survival, Victory was moved into Portsmouth's Royal Naval Dockyard and placed in No2 Dry Dock. Work then began on restoring the Victory to her 'fighting' 1805 condition and continues today.

I have visited the ship many times and always marvel at her size and how she could have held nearly 1,000 people in her cramped hull, including some unofficial passengers such as a few "wives", along with animals providing fresh milk and meat. Victory carried more artillery than the Duke of Wellington had at Waterloo, over 100 guns of varying calibre, including the two giant Carronades on the forecastle which fired a 68lb shot.

That she was rescued for preservation in 1922 is terrific as other deserving ships have not been so lucky. HMS Warspite a veteran of Jutland in the first World War and a very active player in the Second World War was cut up for scrap (after she seemingly took control over her own fate under tow and beached herself) but in 1947 a real tragedy occur ed when a 74 gun ship, a two decker captured from the French at Trafalgar was sunk in the Channel under the Union Jack and the Tricolour. But this noble sounding act was a disaster for heritage and the preservation of relics from a bygone age. Today the thought of destroying such an important piece of history we hope would not be allowed.

The Implacable started life as a French warship, built at Rochefort in 1797. It was as the Duguay-Trouin that she fought at Trafalgar, part of a squadron commanded by Admiral Dumanoir which entered the fight at a late stage. The Duguay-Trouin was able to engage the heavily damaged Victory with a few broadsides, but Dumanoir soon saw that the battle was already lost, he attempted to withdraw but a fortnight later was intercepted by a much stronger British naval force and battered into surrender.

The Duguay-Trouin was brought back to Britain and renamed Implacable, then sent to fight her builders, the French. In 1842, she was sailed home and discharged from active fighting service, for much of the 19th century she was at Portsmouth as a training ship. HMS Victory and HMS Implacable, as the only two Trafalgar survivors, became famous, but the preservation of “heritage” was not then perceived as part of the state's duties. The cost of conserving cathedrals, castles or old warships was considered to be the responsibility of civil society and to be met by rich individuals or by private bodies and corporations. Nor had anyone appreciated how expensive it is to maintain the complex structure of a large wooden ship, especially one which was already a century old and weakened by heavy seas, extreme temperatures, gunfire and all the other shocks to which a big sailing ship is exposed. The timbers rot, leak, grow insect-infested and warp.

Victory, as Nelson's flagship, had been saved as a memorial to him (and as flagship of the commander-in-chief, Portsmouth), meeting her costs was something the Admiralty could not avoid. But Implacable was another matter. The Admiralty hung on to her for decades while growing ever more anxious about the escalating costs of any repair. During the WW2, Implacable lay at Portsmouth, near Victory - the bombs missed both ships, but Implacable's maintenance was neglected and the hull deteriorated further. The Admiralty now began to claim that her condition had passed the point of no return, and announced that they intended to “dispose” of her.

There were letters to the Times, and appeals (supported by members of the Royal Family) for funds to save the old ship. But post-1945 Britain was war weary and broke: the Admiralty declined to be moved by patriotic sentiment. In late 1949, carpenters sawed off the warship's figurehead, then removed the whole ornamental stern - thankfully these are preserved at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. On 2nd December 1949, the Implacable was packed with explosive charges and loaded with 450 tons of iron ballast. Flying the white ensign and the French tricolour she was towed out to sea, escorted by modern warships carrying a party of admirals, sea lords and other senior naval staff, where she was sunk.

This provided a wake up call to those who wanted to save historic ships, who saw that they must organise themselves more effectively. A few years later, they managed (yet again with royal help, from Prince Philip) to save the old tea-clipper Cutty Sark and preserve her in a dry-dock at Greenwich. In 1970 the Maritime Trust was founded, followed in 1979 by the World Ship Trust which is now restoring over 400 historic vessels and has three times as many on its books. The motto of the World Ship Trust is “Implacable – Never Again”.

So we shouldn't take heritage for granted - always be aware of the danger threatening heritage objects, those that are as large as ships to things as small as paintings.

One final personal note about HMS Victory. About 15 years ago I met an ex-Commando who told me of the time he nearly destroyed Victory by mistake during WW2. While heading through the dockyard at Portsmouth passing Victory's dry dock, a satchel of mortar bombs he was carrying broke its strap. As they began to fall onto the dockyard everyone ran for cover and then watched with horror as with a dreadful inevitability they started rolling towards the dry dock and one by one fell in. Wincing at every clang as they hit the bottom the Commandos waited for the explosion that would blow a whole in Victory's hull and possibly break her back. Mercifully nothing happened, apart from a severe punishment dealt out to the Commando!

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Now is the Winter of our discontent.....

2010-01-07T15:48:00.001Z

So the UK is blanketed in snow and suffering freezing temperatures more extreme than normal. Or at least the South of the country is, and where I live in Bristol we've had the worse conditions for 30 years. There's 6 inches of frozen snow outside my front door and with sub zero temperatures and more snow due in the next few days I'm not venturing out, mainly because ironically just making the 400 yards to the main road is extremely difficult on sheet ice and once there I'd encounter a lot of drivers who don't know how to drive in bad weather, especially snow, so I'd probably end up involved with a hedge/ditch/other vehicle.

This is not to make light of the winter weather, it is quite serious, having driven from Wiltshire to Bristol yesterday I can vouch for how dangerous it was, and with all my meetings for this week now cancelled I can work from home and not have to venture out. On the down side there is only one onion in the fridge and a small jar of pesto sauce.

It is interesting to see how the snowy weather dominates our National and Regional news. All bulletins focus on the problems, difficulties, British pluck and dire forecasts for the next few days and as a result other news has been dropped from sight. It was only a passing comment at the end of the local news last night that Lady Scott, wife of Sir Peter Scott who founded the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire had died. Her husband Sir Peter was the son of the ill fated explorer Scott of the Antarctic. After his father's death Sir Peter developed a great interest in birds and nature, resulting in Slimbridge being set up and eventually spawning other sites around the UK. After Sir Peter's death, Lady Scott continued to live at Slimbridge and held the position of Honorary Director. As an aside, my grandfather looked after the farms at Slimbridge during WW2 (before the area was leased by Sir Peter), as part of his job with the "War Ag" and could never see the point in "wasting farmland on a bird sanctuary"!

But back to the bad weather. there is criticism about lack of salt and grit for roads and complaints about the disruption to public transport and calls for more snowploughs etc to cope. But this is a very British thing. We're complaining about not having the tools for coping with an event that hasn't happened on this scale for 30 years. The cost to have all the equipment to cope with this weather, bought by councils and local authorities, sitting there doing nothing for most of the time, would generate even more criticism during our more normal and milder winters.

Personally I'm looking on the weather conditions as exciting, photogenic and a bit of an adventure - and wishing I still had my Land Rover from many years ago. Interesting to note too that the usual vitriol aimed at 4 x 4 users has been suspended while they help to get brides to the church on time, deliver milk and other supplies plus rescue stranded motorists of 2 x4 cars etc

Anyway, I'll enjoy the winter of discontent, safe in the knowledge that it will be made glorious summer, eventually, with the news concentrating utterly on the forthcoming General Election. I think by then we'll be looking back at the snow with some fondness and nostalgia.

Although I have to say, nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

Tim Davies
www.copperphoenix.co.uk

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New Year's Day 2010

2010-01-03T14:37:00.001Z

The view on New Year's Day, as we went sledging in Herefordshire!
Tim Davies
www.copperphoenix.co.uk

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Season's Greetings Vortex

2009-12-29T20:15:00.001Z

Season's Greetings Vortex
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

A Sign of the Times

2009-12-22T14:09:00.001Z

You may have heard on the news this week that the sign from the entrance to Auschwitz "Arbeit macht frei" translated as Work sets you free, was stolen although it has now been recovered. The initial reaction I had was of anger that an historic artifact had been stolen, instantly followed by a pause as to what the sign actually was. It was a cynical and evil lie that those entering the camp would be released through their own endeavours: instead they would simply be worked until dead. However despite the natural revulsion that the sign engenders, it is a tangible link with an abhorrent past that should be remembered for two reasons: firstly to remind us of the evil of Fascism and that it must not rise again, and secondly that it is a memorial to all those who died in the camp, and all the others the Nazis ran.

I've never been to one of the death camps, although I know people who have, including a padre who was at the liberation of one. I feel that I should go to one, not just as an historic site but to remember those who died there and why. The Holocaust is definitely a joint European heritage issue, one that we all need to bear in mind to so as to prevent it from happening again, although we have failed in that when we saw similar camps in the former Yugoslavia spring up for ethnic cleansing.

So I am glad the sign has been recovered and although a representation of pure evil, it should be reinstated for the reasons given above.

On a totally different note, I was in Uxbridge at the weekend, nominally to meet my brother and nephew from Paris and spending a mini-Christmas with my Aunt and family. However the snow and ice in Northern France crippled Eurostar and prevented the visit - our Christmas will have to be rescheduled! But it meant I had longer to talk to my aunt and discuss some of our family heritage and history. I know most of the history on my father's side of the family up until my Great Grandfather, especially as I met him. He died just before his 102nd Birthday when I was about five.

But I didn't know that one of my Welsh relatives in the mid 1800's had been awarded a bardic chair for his poetry at the local Eistedfordd. We have no idea where the chair is now, sadly. I also learned more about the French links we have, with my Great Grandfather on the French side being Harbour Master of Marseille. It is interesting how families seem to genetically migrate salmon like back to their roots. My brother has moved to live in France and while recently looking at houses myself I found that I was looking for properties in an area where my mother's family used to own a great deal of farmland, between Chepstow and Lydney.

Sometimes heritage catches up with you, but it is nice to know one's own roots to appreciate where we came from, and possibly why we ended up where we did. It is also the case that heritage doesn't have to be "good" to be important or necessary to our development, nor should we shy away from the reminders, and warnings, of the past. However, occasionally one comes across a gem of personal history, such as my relative's bardic chair. I suppose I'd better start writing poetry.

"There was a young lady from Stoke....."

Tim Davies
www.copperphoenix.co.uk
Heritage to Entertain, Educate & Inspire

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Bridging the Heritage Gap in Bradford on Avon

2009-12-15T09:07:00.001Z

A friend passed on through Twitter a link about a proposed new pedestrian bridge in historic Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire. The Kingston Bridge is at the planning stage and the project is inviting comment from the public. Reading through the various submissions online:

http://planning.westwiltshire.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KS650ZRN08800

it was interesting to see that many people were very keen to support the new modern look bridge, which will consist of a tall spire like structure radiating cables to form a dramatic crossing in an historic area within sight of the existing ancient stone bridge.

However there were several dissenting letters too, mainly arguing that such a modern structure was out of keeping with the area's older buildings and asking for a more historic looking design to suit the heritage feel of the town.

In my work, heritage needs to be balanced with modern day practicality. We do not necessarily want to destroy the feel of a place which has strong architectural links with the past with modern facilities and buildings, but nor should we wish to create pastiche everywhere and so rob future generations of their own heritage. Should the Kingston Bradford bridge go ahead as a modern design (and I would support the view that it should) it will serve to highlight and compliment the old around it, drawing attention to the past, not detracting from it and in itself become a representation of early 21st Century architecture for future generations. It may sound slightly silly to say that, but how else is heritage created? Heritage is only our common past, represented by actions, thought, and physical manifestation.

If you want to see a fascinating and successful blend of ancient and modern on a larger scale travel to Falaise Castle in Normandy. This castle, the birthplace of William the Conqueror was very damaged during World War 2 by Allied artillery and bombs as it had been occupied by the Germans. Whereas the French Castle in Sisteron, near the Alps was completely rebuilt after its destruction during the war to be as it had been before 1945 (and now looks like a medieval castle that has been there centuries) at Falaise the castle blends Norman stonework with glass and stainless steel. Glass floors allow light and vistas up and down, a steel drawbridge gives entrance to the keep and audio visual installations convey the history: the blend of architecture, 900 years apart, works extremely well. Have a look!

http://www.chateau-guillaume-leconquerant.fr/web/visite_virtuelle/avant_corps_uk.php

While not on the grand scale of a castle, Kingston Bridge should go ahead as a modern structure in an historic setting. As a heritage fan and business man working in the heritage environment I fully support the need to preserve our history and surroundings but don't let this stop us from occasionally placing new structures amongst the old, otherwise we will deny ourselves the pleasure of tracing the evolution of architectural styles of our own time. It will result in stagnation and a lack of inspiration for the future. So I look forward to seeing the bridge built, complimenting the existing historic buildings in one of Wiltshire's most attractive and interesting towns.

Heritage is what we make of it. So let's occasionally create more!

Tim Davies
www.copperphoenix.co.uk

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Heroes and Heritage

2009-12-06T10:53:00.001Z

With the recent announcement that actor Richard Todd had died my thoughts instantly went in two directions at once - firstly sorry that one of the great British actors of his time had passed away and secondly that another of the D Day veterans had gone.

As I think most news reports stated, Todd was very believable in his on screen military roles as he had been a fighting man himself in the Paras. His two most iconic roles are probably as Guy Gibson in "The Dam Busters" and playing the role of Major John Howard in the film "The Longest Day". The latter film saw him playing the role of his own commanding officer in an operation he took part in on the night of 6th June 1944, the capture of the bridge over the Orne Canal, one of the first actions of D Day. Amusingly, one scene shows Todd playing Howard talking to another actor playing Todd! The bridge having been successfully captured by a classic coup de main attack was later renamed Pegasus Bridge after the Airborne Division's Pegasus symbol - the bridge still exists although is now in a museum adjacent to the site and a newer though visually similar bridge has taken its place in recent years.

So Richard Todd symbolised a period in British History when Britain was undoubtedly "Great", populated by a patriotic population still hardy from the privations of the war years. Now over 60 years on, we have a new breed of actors who for the main are more celebrated for their celebrity rather than anything else and my thoughts on hearing of Todd's death perhaps tinged with nostalgia immediately thought how much the world had changed. As a nation we are possibly softer but the recent surge in support for our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq demonstrates a pleasing return to the appreciation of our military services: about time too. I know from my work that when I am promoting heritage in its broadest from that anything large or small, object or person can be an excellent representation of our collective past. Richard Todd could be classed as a heritage item while he was alive for his contribution to the silver screen as well as his contribution to the war effort. With his passing his contributions have now become historic.

Luckily we can still enjoy Richard Todd's films and interviews with great fondness. However take a fresh look at what is going on today around you and see if you can spot potential future or existing heritage items. Take note and beware, as heritage can be lost so easily but just as easily be preserved. That is why I am so passionate about Copper Phoenix, promoting heritage to Entertain, Educate and Inspire: once we have lost our heritage we lose our identity, collectively and individually and what better way is there to entertain, educate and inspire us than our heroes?

Richard Todd, rest in peace but for the rest of us long live the past!

Tim Davies
www.copperphoenix.co.uk
Heritage to Entertain, Educate & Inspire

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An Enjoyable Evening!

2009-11-17T11:48:00.001Z

Last night I was invited to a businesswoman's group, Business Inspired to give a talk on Marketing. I had a very warm welcome and after initial introductions around the room I was up front to give my talk. Although there were representatives from many different types of business in the room from hoteliers to artists I was (hopefully) able to give a general overview on marketing using heritage examples I have worked with and an overview on the increasing possibilities of social media and new media opportunities.

It was a warm welcome and despite being the only chap there I wasn't too intimidated, the only tricky spot was when I was asked if I'd be interested in going on a flower arrangement design course. Not being able to distinguish much beyond daffodils and poppies I felt this probably wasn't for me.

If you are a businesswomen in the Bristol Area have a look at http://business-inspired-bristol.co.uk/default.aspx and perhaps go along to one of their meetings.

I am now preparing for a talk in January of a different kind, "Berkeley: A Town that Changed the World". See http://www.jennermuseum.com/events.php

If you would like to see what other Talks I can offer see http://www.copperphoenix.co.uk/toursandtalks.html or contact me if there is anything specific you would like!

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Crown Jewels story comes to Gloucestershire

2009-11-06T13:43:00.001Z

*** PRESS RELEASE ***

The Edward Jenner Museum

For Immediate Release

06/11/09

Crown Jewels story comes to Gloucestershire

Keith Hanson, Chief Exhibitor of the Crown Jewels will be giving a talk “The Inside Story” on Thursday 26^th November at the Old Cyder House in Berkeley. As part of the continuing series of Talks on interesting and diverse subjects find out what it is like to live in the Tower of London and be responsible for both the display and security of the world famous Crown Jewels and for the iconic White Tower, housing priceless artifacts dating back many centuries.

What’s it like to live in the Tower of London and to be responsible for the display and security of the world famous Crown Jewels? Do you lie awake at night?... or is that the fault of the ghosts of those incarcerated long ago? As the Chief Exhibitor of the Crown Jewels, Keith Hanson should know. His main responsibilities are the security and display of the Crown Jewels and the Crowns and Diamonds exhibition. He also looks after the running of the oldest part of the Tower of London, the White Tower, which contains unique artefacts belonging to the Royal Armouries, such as the armour of Henry VIII. Keith is also a member of the Queens Bodyguard of the Yeoman of the Guard, which involves attending many State and Royal events.

Organised by The Edward Jenner Museum, and following on from the success of the University of Bristol’s Dr Alice Roberts talk in Wotton Cinema, the Old Cyder House talks are selling fast, so reserve your tickets now! The Crown Jewels talk will cost £10 per person including a glass of wine.

Sarah Parker, Museum Director said: We obviously can’t bring the Jewels themselves to Gloucestershire but we have done the next best thing in bringing the Chief Exhibitor to talk to us. How often do you get an insight into something so unique and special as the Crown Jewels and the Tower of London?

More information can be found on the new museum website, www.jennermuseum.com where there is also information on hiring The Old Cyder House and about other events at the Museum.

Bookings for all the talks can be made in advance by calling 01453 810631 or emailing info@edwardjenner.co.uk

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

THE OLD CYDER HOUSE, Berkeley, Gloucestershire

1) The Old Cyder House is at Dr Edward Jenner’s former home, The Chantry, in Berkeley, Gloucestershire. Dr Jenner lived in the house from 1785-1823, and it was from here that he pioneered the world-changing vaccination against Smallpox.

The Old Cyder House is available for training, conferences, business meetings, product launches and exhibitions throughout the year and is situated in the Old Coach House, where cider was originally brewed, hence the name.

Ticketing details/costs & further information, please see: www.jennermuseum.com

General information and booking: info@edwardjenner.co.uk

For further information, interviews or image requests please contact:

Sarah Parker

Director

Email: director@edwardjenner.co.uk

Tel:      01453 810 631

Fax:      01453 811 690

Posted via email from copperphoenix's posterous

Edward Jenner website now live

2009-10-08T16:39:00.006+01:00
The new website for The Edward Jenner Museum in Berkeley has gone live. Designed by Eberlin and produced by Copper Phoenix. Tim Davies, Managing Director of Copper Phoenix said "We're very pleased with the new look of the website that will make it much easier for the museum to communicate to thepublic its facilities, including the ability to hire the Old Cyder House venue - plus of course a wealth of information on Dr Jenner and when to visit the museum!"

Old Cyder House Talks, Berkeley 2009/10

2009-09-18T17:02:00.001+01:00
1.
Walking on Dinosaurs: Trampling on God?
Rev Richard Avery & Prof Tim Walsh,
Thursday 24 September 2009 7.30pm
Cost: £6 including glass of wine
Advanced booking advised, as places are limited.
01453 810631
education@edwardjenner.co.uk

The publication of Darwin’s Origin of Species a hundred and fifty years ago was deeply offensive to many Christians, and yet on his death he was buried with great ceremony in Westminster Abbey.
Can Christianity and Evolutionary theory be reconciled? Are Christians bound to follow the lead of many transatlantic brethren and become Creationists?
This promises to be a fascinating evening for believers and unbelievers alike, as we attempt to unravel the history and clear up misconceptions.

Richard Avery is vicar of Berkeley and has been a teacher of secondary school science and a former student of Richard Dawkins at University of Cambridge.
Tim Walsh is the Professor of Medical Microbiology & Antibiotic Resistance at Cardiff University.

Audience members will also have the chance to look round the museum’s temporary exhibition Walking on Dinosaurs, part of the Darwin Bicentenary celebrations.

2.
The Making of Mr Gray’s Anatomy – the story of the ‘Doctor’s Bible’
Dr Ruth Richardson,
Sunday 11 October 2009 3.30pm.

Cost: £10 including tea, cake and free entry to the museum earlier in the afternoon.
Advanced booking advised, as places are limited.
01453 810631
education@edwardjenner.co.uk

Gray's Anatomy is to the human body what Mrs Beeton's is to cookery or Roget's is to thesaurus. It started out as a student text in 1858, and became so indispensable that it has been called 'The Doctor's Bible'. The book has never been out of print. This talk tells the story behind the famous medical text, how it was created by two young medical men in mid-Victorian London: Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter.

Ruth Richardson:
The Wall Street Journal described Ruth Richardson's most recent book, The Making of Mr. Gray's Anatomy (Oxford University Press) as 'one of those rarities, history that reads like a novel'. The book has won the 2009 Medical Journalists' Open Book Award.

Ruth Richardson's history of the corpses in UK dissection rooms - Death Dissection and the Destitute - is now a standard work and teaching text. She has also authored Vintage Papers from The Lancet, and co-edited two volumes: Medical Humanities: An Introduction and The Healing Environment for the Royal College of Physicians, London. Her historical introduction to Gray’s Anatomy, has just appeared in the latest 40th edition of the famous textbook itself. Dr Richardson is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

3.
Location: WOTTON ELECTRIC PICTURE HOUSE

The Incredible Human Journey
Dr Alice Roberts
Tuesday 3 November 2009, 7.30pm
Wotton Electric Picture House
18A Market Street, Wotton-Under-Edge
www.wottoneph.co.uk
Cost: £12
Advance booking essential.
Contact the Edward Jenner Museum: info@edwardjenner.co.uk or ring: 01453 810631
Tickets will also be on sale in Clarence’s Gift Shop in Wotton High Street.

Who are we and where do we come from? Genetics, archaeology and fossils come together to provide some answers. Amazingly, we can all trace our ancestry back to Africa, where our species appeared around 200,000 years ago. Dr Alice Roberts, presenter of the BBC series, tracks the ancient migrations that took our ancestors to the corners of Earth: through stones, bones and genes, the story of our incredible human journey unfolds.

Dr Alice Roberts is a biological anthropologist, author and broadcaster. Medically qualified, she taught clinical anatomy to undergraduates on the medical course at Bristol University for over a decade, and continues to teach postgraduate surgical trainees.

She has a PhD in palaeopathology, the study of disease in ancient human remains. She is interested in what old bones can tell us about human evolution, the diversity of the human species, and about diseases that have affected us over time. She is also interested in burial archaeology, and has joined an international research team investigating the archaeology and anthropology in Mongolia.

She is also passionate about public engagement with science, and is involved with planning Cheltenham Festival of Science. On BBC2, she is part of the team presenting the hugely popular Coast series. She wrote and presented two series of Don’t Die Young, exploring anatomy, physiology and health issues, and the 2009 landmark science series, The Incredible Human Journey, about the origin of our species and the ancient colonisation of the world. She also wrote the books to accompany both these series. She has recently ventured into radio, presenting Costing the Earth on Radio 4.

4.
The Crown Jewels – the inside story
Keith Hanson
26 November 2009, 7.30pm
Cost £10 including a glass of wine
Advanced booking advised, as places are limited.
01453 810631
education@edwardjenner.co.uk

What’s it like to live in the Tower of London and to be responsible for the display and security of the world famous Crown Jewels? Do you lie awake at night?... or is that the fault of the ghosts of those incarcerated long ago? As the Chief Exhibitor of the Crown Jewels, Keith Hanson should know.

Keith's main responsibilities are towards the security and display of the Crown Jewels, and the Crowns and Diamonds exhibition. He also looks after the running of the oldest part of the Tower of London, the White Tower, which contains unique artefacts belonging to the Royal Armouries, such as the armour of Henry VIII.

Keith is also a member of the Queens Bodyguard of the Yeoman of the Guard, which involves attending many State and Royal events.

Heritage: from chocolate box to concrete box

2009-09-10T11:39:00.002+01:00

Series 1 Land Rover, Lacock: B&W
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix
From The Times
August 19, 2009
Heritage has democratised and rightly even includes pig-ugly buildings, says the man behind Saving Britain’s Past

Tom Dyckhoff

Heritage used to be easy. It was stately homes. It was cathedrals. It was tea towels in the gift shop and buttered crumpets in a National Trust café. It was nostalgia. Not any more. Over the past 50 years, during which British society and our towns and cities have been utterly transformed, ordinary people have fought to save the streets, buildings and landscapes that mean so much to them. In doing so they have completely revolutionised what we mean by heritage.

Heritage has democratised. These days, it can mean pretty much anything: a coalmine, the childhood homes of the Beatles (now owned by the National Trust), that little café down the road with an interior straight out of Expresso Bongo. It can even be a building which to many is pig-ugly.

Take Robin Hood Gardens. For the past year a battle has been raging in East London over plans by Tower Hamlets to demolish and redevelop this 1960s Brutalist housing estate. Passions run high. Architects and preservationists are pitted against council and developer. Yet if, 40 years ago, you’d have said that this slab of concrete was heritage you’d have been laughed out of the planning department.

To understand how heritage went from chocolate box to concrete box, I’ve been filming a seven-part TV series for BBC Two, Saving Britain’s Past. It was the experience of the Second World War that created our basic understanding of heritage. Before the Blitz there were, astonishingly, no proper systems or records for preserving our buildings and landscapes. There had never been any need, because the British landscape, at least the oldest, most cherished parts of it, had changed so slowly.

Admittedly the Industrial Revolution had so transformed much of the country that the glimmers of a conservation movement emerged through campaigners such as William Morris and his Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, aghast at the modern world’s impact on the old. But compared with what was about to happen, the industrial revolution was small fry.

That all changed when Hitler embarked on not only the Blitz, but also the infamous “Baedeker raids”, a bombing campaign targeting not military or industrial sites, but those of cultural value listed in Baedeker’s guide books. Cities such as York, Exeter, Canterbury and Bath were bombed just because they were beautiful. Looking at the archive footage of Bath’s destruction in April 1942 is a grim task. Besides the human suffering, 19,000 of the city’s buildings were wrecked, including such gems as the Royal Crescent and the Circus.

The attack sent the country into panic, triggering a sense of collective ownership of our landscapes, the same drive that brought into being the welfare state and the NHS. John Betjeman proposed a national buildings record, the Ministry of Works began a salvage scheme of historic buildings that needed urgent repair, and the 1944 Town and Country Planning Act gave birth to the lists — Britain’s first inventory of buildings of national or historic importance, graded I, II and III according to their significance, to be protected.

Heritage was born. The Ministry of Works appointed 30 architectural historians to compile the lists. These were traditional, nostalgic, conservative. Things not quite up to scratch included architecture from most of the previous century, certainly all things vulgarly industrial. But at least it meant that what Britain looked like in the future would no longer be left to chance or be so vulnerable to attack.
What is remarkable is not simply the country’s speedy acceptance of the idea of saving heritage, but how enthusiastically we have done so. We are an intensely nostalgic country, especially in our post-imperial decline. Yet conservation is not always conservative. It can be downright radical.

Ever since it was invented, this cosy idea of heritage has been whittled away by those it excluded. Just as our understanding of history has diversified from kings, queens and great men to the social history of ordinary people, so what we choose to feel passionate about has shifted from cathedrals and castles to the 1950s cafés in which our quiffed teenaged mums and dads tried to be cool; to the coalmines some slaved in, and the council estates many lived in. My heritage wasn’t a 14th-century village church or a Georgian mansion but a postwar school built by the Hertfordshire schools building programme, a strikingly modern place jam-packed with welfare-state optimism. Can’t that be preserved alongside the 14th-century village church? Why can’t the everyday landscapes most of us live in be heritage?

These ideas began to arise in the mid-1960s just when British society was loosening up and admitting grammar-school politicians, gay playwrights and working-class pop starlets to its higher echelons. They even came up in Bath. As the council started tearing down Grade III listed Georgian streets — the only grade then not legally protected — not even the nascent heritage bodies noticed. But ordinary people did. In the mid-1960s Peter Coard began drawing the little human quirks of the artisans’ cottages and shopfronts disappearing around him and co-founded the Bath Buildings Record. It took another decade for cultural grandees such as Kenneth Clark to catch up with this battle by the little people. Coard unearthed a brutal fact: there was a class system in heritage.
In London John Betjeman became the first secretary of the Victorian Society in 1958, but it took another decade for the Victorian to be thought of as anything but vulgarly industrial. In early 1970s London an alliance as radical as CND or the antiVietnam rallies, of Marxist activists, gentrifiers, old market porters and West End actors inflicted the first big defeat against the planning establishment, saving Covent Garden from being transformed by the Greater London Council into Alphaville.

Since then, we’ve started listing everything, and Britain has become a museum obsessed with its past. The real turning point came in the 1970s when economic decline slowed the pace of the wrecking ball. “A recession,” Roy Strong whispered to me, “is terribly good for heritage.”

Today a recession is proving good for heritage once more. Cranes have stopped swinging in our cities. Visits to National Trust properties this year are up an incredible 24 per cent. Battles, though, are still raging. The front line these days might be Brutalist bruisers such as Robin Hood Gardens. It might be with the kinds of histories we tell through our buildings. In February, the environmentalist George Monbiot launched an excoriating attack on the cute “tea towel” histories told in too many stately homes, which ignore the hidden tales of land seizure and fortunes made through slavery. One thing’s for certain though. We now know that heritage isn’t so much about what we preserve, but why we preserve it. It isn’t just about architecture. It’s about the people who live in it.

Urban Sunrise

2009-09-03T14:00:00.003+01:00

Urban Sunrise
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix
An early morning start meant I could catch this lovely sunrise from home.

Scrap to Steam - One Month of Fundraising in Caernarfon

2009-08-03T10:56:00.006+01:00
For one month only Caernarfon is hosting a unique fundraising event in its Town Square, where the Welsh Highland Society in association with Brunswick Ironworks will be using a steam locomotive as a centre piece attracting the public to donate towards a restoration project. Scrap to Steam will be opened by the Town Mayor, Councillor Hywel Roberts on August 3rd 2009, when he will make the first donation of this event towards the restoration of the narrow gauge NG 15 Locomotive.

The unique fundraising method chosen is based on a mathematical formulae "if you saved one penny on day one, doubled it on day two, doubled it again on day three and so on, how long would it take to save a million pounds? The answer is 27days! The aim is to test the theory and see how near to £1 million pounds the fundraisers can get in 27 days, with all proceeds going towards the restoration.

The event is being run by Cymdeithas Rheilffordd Eryri, the Welsh Highland Railway's supporting society and the organisation behind the restoration; however it is also being supported by Brunswick Ironworks Limited, Caernarfon. The NG15 restoration team are holding the month long fund-raising event at Y Maes (Castle Square), Caernarfon from the 3rd to the 29th August 2009. The event's primary aim is to raise funds for the restoration of Locomotive 134, but is being staged in Caernarfon to raise awareness of the Locomotive amongst the local population.

In addition to funds the Welsh Highland Society hopes to inspire more people to take an active interest in working on the restoration project, joining a growing band of local volunteers new to the Welsh Highland Railway, which now runs between Caernarfon and Porthmadog through spectacular Snowdonia Scenery.

The locomotive actually on display will be Number 133, sister to Number 134 (the subject of the restoration project but is currently dismantled while it is being worked on).

Whilst accepting that with the credit crunch and job insecurity, this is not a good time to ask for donations, the organisers feel that by getting the local community involved, and hopefully with many people giving a little, the appeal could yet cause a surprise.

Tim Davies of Copper Phoenix ( http://www.copperphoenix.co.uk/ )helping to promote the event said "This is a fascinating new way to raise money for appeal funds and many fundraisers will watch the event with interest. It will be great to see No 134 eventually getting from Caernarfon to Porthmadog under its own steam!"

You can follow daily progress of the appeal on Twitter, see http://twitter.com/NG15134

Any donations, however small, can be either brought in person to the Square during August, or they can be sent direct to the Brunswick Ironworks, Peblig Mill, Llanbeblig Road, Caernarfon Gwynedd LL55 2SE. Cheques to be made out to "NG 15 Appeal". See also the appeal site http://www.ng15-134.co.uk/ or http://www.brunswickironworks.co.uk/

The Importance of Hi Vis

2009-08-03T10:56:00.004+01:00

The Importance of Hi Vis
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix
You need to be seen on the site.

Petition to Return Statue to Trafalgar Square Gains Momentum

2009-07-28T14:46:00.001+01:00
A campaign to return a statue of Edward Jenner to Trafalgar Square has been re-launched in his 260th Anniversary year. The Statue used to stand on a fifth plinth in Trafalgar Square but was moved to Kensington Gardens in 1862. Next year sees worldwide celebration of the 30th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox: Edward Jenner discovered the vaccine against smallpox and was the Father of Immunology. It is therefore highly appropriate that this “Great Britain”, should be honoured in 2010 and his statue restored to its original position.

The Gloucestershire country doctor received worldwide recognition after his smallpox discovery on May 14, 1796, receiving various international honours and awards including a letter from United States President Thomas Jefferson.
In his home country it was not until after his death that a statue, with permission from Queen Victoria and support of Prince Albert, the Prince Consort and a keen supporter of vaccination, was erected in Trafalgar Square.

The statue, paid for by world subscription, was unveiled in May 1858 on the anniversary of Jenner’s birthday but sadly in 1862 the statue was removed and taken to Kensington Gardens apparently a non-military statue in Trafalgar Square was inappropriate.

However, with the 30th anniversary of the World Health Organisation announcing world eradication of smallpox, The Edward Jenner Museum wants to honour the doctor’s contribution to saving millions of lives by relocating his statue to its original site.

Sarah Parker, Director of The Edward Jenner Museum in Berkeley, said: We’ve started a petition on the Number 10 Downing Street site and support is growing. It's such a shame that people in the UK don't seem to remember who Jenner was and his significant part in the eradication of smallpox from the world. Sadly we have forgotten what a truly horrible and disfiguring disease it was, killing one in three children.

He gave the world vaccination and was at the forefront of other medical breakthroughs. His statue quite rightly used to be in Trafalgar Square; we need to get Jenner back there and back into the public’s awareness.

There is much discussion at the moment concerning the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square; it would be an ideal setting for Jenner’s statue.

To sign the online petition on the No 10 Downing Street site to return Jenner’s statue to Trafalgar Square go to

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Jenner2010

or visit the museum’s website

http://www.jennermuseum.com/

and follow the link from there.