My assignments

2006-04-18T06:46:00.000-07:00

introduce you to my work that I have done so far. I hope you will enjoy the variety of infI will concentrate here on the British Studies, which is one of my subjects. I would like toormation about different corners of the UK.

SOUTH EAST ENGLAND

CASTLES OF SOUTH EAST ENGLAND

Where will you find the old castles in South-east England?
Here you are: Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Surrey, Sussex and Kent

HAMPSHIRE
Basing House
It's origins are as a Norman earthwork of uncertain origin, but a mansion was built in 1521 by William Paulet, who gained for it one of the last licence's to crenellate granted in England. The mansion's layout was forced by its construction inside the Norman ring work - and only a few vague nods were made towards genuine fortification.

Calshot Castle
The Castle was one of the earliest of Henry VIII's forts and its simple design reflects this fact. Little or nothing of note has ever occured here, save perhaps for the removal of the original roof when a gun was mounted on it. Probably the best views of the Castle can be had from the Southampton-Cowes ferry. Calshot was garrisoned until the 1960s and is today owned by English Heritage and open during the summer months.

Highclere Castle
The great house designed by the same architect who constructed the Houses of Parliament (Augustus Pugin) - is, of course, not a genuine Castle, nor does it even pretend to be so. What it is though is a magnificent mansion with a fascinating modern history. Highclere Castle,, was the home of Lord Caernarvon - the man who financed Howard Carter's expedition to find the lost Tomb of Tutankhamen.

Highcliffe Castle
Highcliffe is a Castle in name only, and was one of the many constructed in the mid-late 1800s in the so-called "Gothick" style. It is a superb building, although it only passingly tries to look Castle-like.

Netley Castle
Netley Castle is almost unrecognisable as a King Henry VIII fort - but that is what it is! Parts of nearby Netley Abbey were 'converted' into Castle by the King, and a small square blockhouse was built, which is in the foreground of this picture smothered in ivy. The Victorian 'Castle' was plonked on top rather unceremoniously. The Castle is now a hospital.

Winchester Castle
A stone Castle was built in the 12th century by Henry II (with additional work by Richard I and John) but was very badly damaged in the rebellion against King John when the whole City was taken by Prince Louis. In the Civil War the Castle was held for the King until take by Parliament in 1645 afterwards almost all the rest of the Castle was torn down to foundation level. All that survived was the Great Hall - regarded as possibly the best preserved medieval hall in England - which even then was used as the County Court (and still is today).Other Castles: Odiham Castle, Portchester Castle, Sou thampton Castle, Southsea Castle Hurst Castle, Merdon Castle

ISLE OF WIGHI
Carisbrooke Castle
The only major medieval Castle on the island (the other at Mottistone is nothing but an earthwork today) the Castle's history stretches back to Roman times (some Roman stonework can be seen on the photo above to the right of the gatehouse near the bottom of the picture).
Ryde Castle
The owners of Ryde Castle, which today operates as an hotel, claim it as a Henry VIII fort. It's position fits in with this idea - but if it is true, and there is little documentary evidence to support the fact, then there is certainly nothing remaining of Henry's work at all. Ryde Castle as it stands today is quite clearly a "Gothick" mansion of the mid-19th century.
Other Castles: Yarmouth Castle, Cowes Castle

SURREY
Betchworth Castle
Betchworth Castle was originally constructed by Richard FitzGilbert, but of this Castle nothing substantial remains - perhaps only the site, on a hill high above the River Mole. The Castle passed to Sir Thomas Browne who received a licence to crenellate in 1449. The Brownes lived here until about 1690. The next owner, William Fenwick, demolished much of it and turned the bit that remained into a normal house. It is the ruins of this hybrid that remain today.
Guildford Castle
Guildford Castle is without a doubt the most impressive in Surrey - not a county packed with Castles of any kind, let alone impressive ones. There was a Castle here from quite early times, probably originally in wood. It seems likely it was always a Royal Castle.
Other Castles:Reigate Castle, Starborough Castle, Walton on the Hill Castle, Far nham Castle, Abinger Castle

SUSSEX
Amberley Castle
Amberley Castle is built in a dominant position overlooking the River Arun at its furthest navigable point. It was built in more or less one go around 1377 by William Rede, Bishop of Chichester. Little seems to have happened here, the Bishops of Chichester used it as a residence until the mid 1500s, tradition speaks of a siege during the Civil War which hastened the decay of the Castle.

Hastings Castle
Hastings is forever associated with the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings (which didn't happen here, but on Senlac Hill in Battle about six miles inland). When William arrived at Pevensey he built a Castle there then travelled to Hastings where a second Castle was constructed, in wood and earth as was usually the case with Norman "travelling" Castles. It is very likely the materials were brought by boat from Normandy.
Other Castles: Herstm onceux Castle, Knepp Castle, Le wes Cas tle, Pevensey Castle, Arundel Castle, Bramber Castle, Bodiam Castle, Camber Castle, Cowdr ay Castle

KENT
Leeds Castle
"The Most Beautiful Castle in the World" - the much used phrase coined by Lord Conway. This is a most stunning building and a stunning setting. It began shortly after the Conquest when the land was granted to Bishop Odo, who built the first wooden Castle here. The first stone Castle was built in 1119 by Robert de Crevecoeur. His successor Hamo rebelled against King John and following a brief siege in 1215 the Castle was confiscated. In 1272 the then owner Sir William de Leybourne gave the Castle to Edward I.

Tonbridge Castle
Tonbridge is Kent's best motte and bailey, although today it's focus is the great Gatehouse. A Castle was built here as early as 1070, which was most likely timber. It is uncertain when stonework began to arrive at Tonbridge, although its position by the Medway suggests it may have been quite soon. It was certainly there by the time King John laid siege to the Castle in 1215 and captured it with little effort. Soon afterwards it was strengthened and the keep was made more solid.

Other Castles: Upnor Castle, Vanbrugh Castle, Walmer Castle, Westenhanger Castl e, Lympne Castle, Penshurst Place, Reculver, Richborough Castl, Rochester Castle, Saltwood Castle, Sandgate Castle, Scotney Castles, Severndroog Castle, St. Leonar d's Tower, Sutto n Va lence Castle

Sources:http://www.r-l-p.co.uk/tonbridg.html
http://www.r-l-p.co.uk/Ken t.html
http://www.r-l-p.co.uk/SouEast.html
http://www.r-l-p.co.uk/Hamps.html
http://www.r-l-p.co.uk/Wight.htmlhtml
http://www.r-l-p.co.uk/Surrey.html
http://www.r-l-p.co.uk/Sussex.html

SCOTLAND

THE SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERIES

Isle of Jura Scotch Whisky Distillery

The 1950's saw plans to reopen the Isle of Jura distillery. To solve the problem of work for the islanders estate owners Robin Fletcher and Mr Riley-Smith got together with former distiller and architect Delme Evans to design and build the new distillery which opened on 26th April 1963. Now owned by Kyndal Spirits Ltd - a wholly Scottish company headquartered in Glasgow - the distillery is carefully managed under the exacting eye and hand of Michael Heads.

The soft peaty water is good for making whisky and the very plain malt dried using warm air contributes to Jura's lighter and softer finish.

A significant difference is made to the style of Jura's whisky by the stills which are very tall and it is a much lighter alcohol which goes over the top creating a lighter whisky.

Jura's manager, Michael Heads, tells us "......the whole character of the place, mainly through the water we use and the conditions we mature it in, the fact that we're sitting beside the sea with salty air help to give Jura whisky its unique taste."

Isle of Jura 36 year old Single Malt Special Collector´s Edition won a Gold World Medal at the New York Festivals Awards 2002.

WALES

Wales is a small country. Just 160 miles north to south and 50 miles east to west, it's home to about 3 million people who live mostly in and around the lowland coastal plains of the south and north. The hills and mountains are much more sparsely populated.

The sea surrounds Wales on three sides, giving us a 750-mile (1,200-km) coastline with a varied succession of beaches and bays, headlands and harbours. A part of the coastline in Pembrokeshire forms Britain's only coastal-based National Park. Elsewhere, hundreds of miles of seashore have been declared "Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty" and "Heritage Coast".
Wales has two more National Parks: The Brecon Beacons, whose grassy, flat-topped summits stand around 3,000ft, and Snowdonia, whose more jagged peaks rise to over 3,500ft (1,067m).

Climate
Our weather tends to be mild and variable. Visitors are often surprised by the long summer days, which are a consequence of our northerly latitude. It often doesn't get dark until after 10.00pm in midsummer. Conversely winter days are short.
The southwest coastal strip of Wales gets around 1,700 hours of sunshine each year. July is normally the warmest month in Wales, and the highest temperatures occur further away from the cooling breezes of the Atlantic.

Population
Total 903,085
Cardiff (Capital) 305,340

Myths and Legends

King Arthur regularly appears in Welsh mythology.
The Benedictine monk Geoffrey, a 12th century resident of Monmouth, was the first to popularise the Arthurian legend with his book ‘Historia Regum Britanniae’.
Nearly a thousand years later, Wales is still a leading source of Arthurian literature. The County Library at Mold in the north east of the country is currently home to the world’s largest collection of books on Arthur, comprising nearly 2,000 volumes.
Caerfyrddin (Carmarthen) is believed to be Merlin’s birthplace, and is named after him. Some way north, in the caves below the ruins of Dinefwr Castle, Merlin is said to have communed with fairies.
Legend has it that Arthur killed a giant called ‘Rhitta’ on Mount Snowdon, and fought another fierce battle nearby at Bwlch y Saethau. Even now, he and his knights are thought to be sleeping in a cliff-top cave beneath Chepstow Castle.
The final resting place of the Holy Grail, meanwhile, is believed to be Castell Dinas Bran on the mountainside above Llangollen.

More concrete evidence of the mythical king can be found in a valley in northern Pembrokeshire, where two ancient standing stones are known as ‘Meibon Arthur’, or Arthur’s sons.
For more information on Arthurian legends in Wales, try the Centre for Arthurian studies at Wrexham or the National Library of Wales

Snowdonia National Park

Snowdonia is classic ground for the study of geology; the setting in the 19th century for the first scientific investigations of some of the world's oldest rocks. Building on those early studies, geologists have been able to piece together a very full description of its creation over the course of hundreds of millions of years of submersion, lifting and erosion.

My sources:
http://www.godo.visitwales.com/server.php?show=nav.3593
http://www.godo.visitwales.com/server.php?show=nav.3596
http://www.eryri- pa.co.uk/page/screen.php?nav1=snowdonia&nav2=
1&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nav3=1&nav4=1&nav5=1&level=1〈=eng

IRELAND

DUBLIN

Population
Dublin has a population of just over 1.1 million.

Weather
Dublin has a mild, temperate climate. Showers can occur at any time of the year, but usually pass quickly. Average temperatures in summer range from 16-20°C / 60-67°F and in winter, from 4-7°C / 39-44°F.

Entry and Customs
Passports are not required by British citizens born in the United Kingdom and travelling from Britain although identification may be needed. Citizens of European Union states and Switzerland may use a passport or national identity card.
All other nationalities must have a passport.
Countries whose passport holders DO NOT require visas to enter Ireland:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea (Rep of South), Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A., UK & dependent territories*, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela, Western Samoa, Zimbabwe.

Money
The currency is the Euro (€). The Euro came into operation in January 2002.
Banks are open Monday – Friday 10.00 - 16.00 with late opening on Thursday until 17.00. Most bank ATM machines in Dublin accept the ‘Plus’ or ‘Cirrus’ symbols and credit cards are widely accepted. Personal cheques from British banks are not accepted anywhere in Ireland.

Language
English is the spoken language in Ireland. Irish, or Gaelic (Gaelige), the ancient celtic language of the country is also spoken by about 5% of the population.

Shopping
Shops generally open from 09.00 – 18.00, Monday – Saturday with late opening on Thursday until 20.00. In the city centre many shops open on Sundays from 12.00 until 18.00 and some of the larger Shopping Centres open late during the week.

Smoking
Dublin is now Europe's first smoke free capital city! Since March 29th 2004, a smoking ban in the work place has been in force. The primary purpose of the prohibition is to afford protection to workers and the public who are exposed to harmful environmental tobacco smoke. Dublin pubs, night clubs, restaurants and cafés are now smoke free zones. You can still smoke out of doors, in your hotel room, or in private accommodation.

Medical Care
Visitors from EU countries are entitled to medical treatment under the EU Reciprocal Medical Treatment agreement. Before you travel you should collect an E111 form. Check that the doctor or dentist that you use is registered with the Irish Health Board and inform him or her that you want to be treated under the EUs social security arrangements.
Visitors from other countries should check with their insurance agent or broker before travelling.
In the event of an emergency, visitors may telephone or go directly to the casualty department of the major hospitals.

Public Holidays
Public holidays in the Republic of Ireland are:
New Year’s Day (January 1)
St. Patrick’s Day (March 17)
Good Friday (though this is not a statutory holiday many businesses close and pubs are closed all day)
Easter Monday
May Holiday (first Monday in May)
June Holiday (first Monday in June)
August Holiday (first Monday in August)
October Holiday (last Monday in October)
Christmas Day (December 25)
St. Stephen’s Day (December 26)
Museums and Galleries

Dublin has long been a centre of art and culture. Apart from the large collections of the National Museum and National Gallery and Irish Museum of Modern Art, the city also boasts many fine small private collections

Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane
Charlemont House, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1
Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane is a gallery of modern art..

Dublin Writers Museum
18 Parnell Square, Dublin 1
The Irish literary tradition is one of the most illustrious in the world, famous for four Nobel Prize winners and for many other writers of international renown. In 1991, the Dublin Writers Museum was opened to house a history and celebration of literary .

Guinness Storehouse
St. James' Gate, Dublin 8
No trip to Dublin would be complete without a visit to the Number One visitor attraction-Guinness Storehouse. It takes an incredible journey through the history and making of the world famous beer. Its the highlight of any trip to Dublin.

Irish Jewish Museum
Walworth Road, Portobello, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
The Museum is located in a former Synagogue, with its original features and preserves memorabilia relating to Irish Jewry, displaying their important though small, place in Ireland's cultural and historic heritage.

National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology and History
Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Walk into the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street and you are magically transported back to 7000BC.. The Museum first opened its doors in 1890.

National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Square West & Clare Street, Dublin 2
The National Gallery of Ireland was established by an Act of Parliament in 1854 and first opened its doors to the public in January 1864. Today the collection boasts some 2,500 paintings and approximately 10,000 other works in different media including ...

National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts and History
Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7
Collins Barracks could be said to be the National Museum of Ireland's largest artefact, having had a unique history all of its own in another life.

Postcards from Dublin

Sources:

http://www.nationalgallery.ie/
http://www.visitdublin.com/
http://www.visitdublin.com/maps/
http://www.visitdublin.com/events/dublin_events_listing.asp?eventcat=0
http://www.visitdublin.com/general/
http://www.visitdublin.com/theatre/

SOUTH WEST ENGLAND

South West England is one of the regions of England. It is in the southwest of the United Kingdom, and covers the area known as the West Country and much of the historical area of Wessex, although omitting Hampshire and Berkshire. Although referendums had been planned on whether elected assemblies should be set up in some of the regions, none was planned in the South West.
It was originally divided into just Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire. Since then, Avon has been abolished, and many districts have separated from their original county as unitary authorities.
South West England is one of the constituencies used for elections to the European Parliament. From the 2004 election onwards, Gibraltar has been included within the region for the purpose of elections to the European parliament only.
There is some controversy over the status of Cornwall. Some consider it to be a nation in its own right. Many others (55% according to a MORI opinion poll) wish to see devolution outside a "Devonwall"/"South West" region. A petition for a Cornish assembly has received over 50,000 signatures. The British Government's position is that Cornwall is a county of England and is far too small to become a region, having around one fifth of the population of the smallest existing region.
The highest point of the region is High Willhays, at 621 metres. It is the highest hill in Dartmoor.
The South West of England is well known for producing Cheddar cheese, named after Cheddar gorge, which is located close to Bristol, and for cider.

THE WALKS

CORNWALL

Dodman Point
Dodman Point is the highest headland on the South Cornish coast. You will walk through a landscape formed by 4,000 years of human occupation.
Gribbin Head, Fowey
A 5-mile walk along coast famed for its association with Daphne du Maurier, and the setting of many of her books. This area of south-east Cornish coast offers breathtaking natural beauty and includes a variety of beaches, coves, woodlands and grassland rich in wild flowers.

Lansallos
A 4-mile walk along a magnificent stretch of south-east Cornwall coast, dotted with secluded coves and beaches. Inland, the walk passes through traditional farmland.

The Lizard
The Lizard on the South Cornish coast is Britain's most southerly point. Along this 4.5-mile walk you'll see an array of wildlife and you can stop for refreshments at the eco-friendly visitor centre at Kynance Cove.

Tintagel
Tintagel on the North Cornish coast is steeped in Arthurian legend. This 5-mile walk takes in some spectacular coastline.

DEVON

Froward Point
Froward Point near the mouth of the River Dart offers both nature and history for the walker. This 3-mile walk includes spectacular coastal views.

Heddon Valley
A comfortable 2-mile walk following the Heddon River. As well as sessile oak, rare whitebeams can be found in the woods along the way.

Heddon Valley & Woody Bay
This 6-mile walk takes in views to the South Wales, Devon and Somerset coasts. Woody Bay, acquired in 1967, was one of the first Neptune acquisitions.

Little Dartmouth
With views over the River Dart estuary, this 3-mile walk takes in cliffs where peregrine hunt, as well as a civil war fort.

Sharptor to Bolt Head
A beautiful 3.5-mile walk in spectacular scenery at the mouth of the Salcombe estuary on the South Dorset coast, with plenty of wildlife and archaeology to enjoy.

Snapes Point
An easy 1.5 mile walk in a gentle landscape beside the beautiful Kingsbridge Estuary on the South Devon coast which offers good bird watching opportunities.

Woodhuish Farm, Scabbacombe
This dramatic 3-mile walk offers a range of landscape features and habitats. Wetlands, cliffs and rolling farmland are all to be enjoyed.

Woolacombe
Woolacombe beach in North Devon is famed as a surfer's paradise. During the 5-mile walk you can enjoy golden sands, the South West Coastal Path and an array of seabirds.

DORSET

Old Harry Rocks
Old Harry Rocks are part of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site along the Dorset coast. The 3.5-mile walk will take you through 65 million years of history.

West Bexington
A beautiful walk along part of the Jurassic Coast, between Bridport and Weymouth. The 2.5-mile walk passes through farmland rich in wildlife to the ever changing backdrop of the sea.

SOMERSET
Brean Down
Brean Down, jutting into the Bristol Channel, is a special place for wildlife. Archaeological sites along the way add extra interest to this 4-mile walk.

Bossington
Bossington in North Somerset provides the ideal point for views across the Bristol Channel. This 5.5-mile walk takes in the ever-changing coastline in this picturesque part of the West Country.

Sand Point & Middlehope
A bracing 4-mile walk which culminates at Sand Point, a limestone extension of the Mendip Hills which juts into the Bristol Channel. There are wonderful views across to Wales and wildlife and archaeological interest along the way.

Self worthy Beacon, Exmoor
This truly spectacular 7-mile walk over moor land takes in breathtaking views of the Somerset coast and the Mendips, parts of Devon, the Bristol Channel and the South Wales coast. There is wildlife interest at all times of the year.

Sources:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-chl/w-countryside_environment/w-coastline/w-seabritain-coastal_walks.htm#sw
http://www.britainexpress.com/Where_to_go_in_Britain/Maps/South_West_England.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_West_England

EAST ANGLIA

England's East Anglia region is a well-kept secret. Though no sleepy backwater, the rapid pace of modern England seems to have taken less of a priority here. Friendly and intimate, the unique landscape here has inspired many. The City of Norwich has a lot to offer including a majestic Cathedral, and a punting trip down the river in Cambridge is unforgettable as is its world famous University. Picturesque villages with ancient churches and windmills are a common sight. The coastline consists of fishing villages, larger ports and resorts including Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Clacton.

THE BROADS

The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads is Britain's largest protected wetland and third largest inland waterway, with the status of a national park. It's also home to some of the rarest plants and animals in the UK. The Broads Authority was set up in 1989, with responsibility for conservation, planning, recreation and waterways.

Boating is at the heart of the history and culture of the Broads.

The rivers and broads are excellent for sailing and there are many yacht clubs in the area. There is also a large hire boat industry which caters for holiday-makers. Day boats are also available, some of which are electrically powered and therefore less damaging to the fragile Broads environment.

CAMBRIDGE BOTANIC GARDEN

Cambridge University Botanic Garden was established as a University teaching and research resource by Professor John Stevens Henslow on land acquired in 1831, and finally opened to the public in 1846. Henslow, who is perhaps now best remembered for inspiring his pupil Charles Darwin with a love of natural science, recognised the need to study plants in their own right. He was convinced that trees were the most important plants in the world and these form the framework of the Garden. Today the Garden welcomes around 100,000 visitors each year.

With a framework of mature trees and shrubs, this paradise of plants comprises diverse, superbly landscaped settings including: the Rock Garden, representing the alpine plants from the mountains of every continent; the Lake and Water Garden, teeming with bird life; tropical rainforest, the alpine house and seasonal displays in the Glasshouses; and the historic Systematic Beds, displaying 1600 hardy representatives of more than 80 families of flowering plants.

Sources:
http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/index.html
http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/boating.html
http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/GardenIntro.htm

NORTH CENTRAL ENGLAND

DERBYSHIRE
sure. Derby therefore means deer village or village with a deer park or enclosure.

Derbyshire is bounded

County of north central England. First recorded in 1049 and formerly know as Northworthy, meaning "North Enclosure" in English. It was renamed Deoraby by the Danes from the concentration of deer; possibly in some sort of encloon the Northwest by Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire; on the east by Nottinghamshire; on the Southeast by Leicestershire; on the south by Warwickshire; and on the west by Cheshire and Staffordshire; it also contains the City of Derby.
The southern part of the county is very fertile, the north very rugged and mountainous. The county's many rivers, including tributaries of the rivers Don, Mersey, and Trent, have their source in the Peak District, at the southern end of the Pennine chain. There are springs near Buxton and Matlock, both of which were fashionable spa towns.

Derby
The city lies on the River Derwent and is the home of Rolls-Royce, Royal Crown Derby porcelain hosts the manufacture of electrical, mining, and engineering equipment. It is also a base for financial services. Train repair workshops are located here.
Derby was an important centre for silk and porcelain production in the eighteenth century, and expanded rapidly in the nineteenth century as a railway engineering town and the headquarters of the Midland Railway Company. Derby Cathedral, originally a parish church, was rebuilt in the 18th century but retains its 16th -century tower. The University of Derby was established in 1993.
The town was known as Northworth by the early Saxons, and it was renamed Deoraby by the Danes who captured it in 854. When the Domesday Book was published in 1086 the town had six churches and a population of 2,000. It was given its first market charter by Henry II in 1154. Records show that Derby sent its first two borough members to Edward I's 23rd parliament in 1295. Half the population of the county died during the Black Death (1349), and the plague of 1592 caused further widespread suffering in Derby. In James I's reign six fairs were permitted. Under a charter of Charles I in 1637, local government was vested in a mayor, nine aldermen, and a number of burgesses, and the number of fairs permitted was increased to seven. Derby's last charter was granted in 1682 by Charles II.
The opening of the Derby Canal in 1836 led to further industrial growth. Three years later the railway reached Derby from Nottingham. Soon afterwards the Birmingham, Gloucester, and Derby Junction railway was opened, and in 1841 Derby was linked by rail to Leeds. When the separate companies were amalgamated, Derby became the headquarters of the Midland Railway Company and developed as an important railway centre, with operational and administrative functions as well as large locomotive, carriage, and wagon works. After 1900 industrial expansion continued with the founding of the Rolls-Royce factory in 1908.
Derby Cathedral was originally built as All Saints' parish church, and its 16th-century tower, 64 m / 178 ft high, was the second highest parish church tower in England (second only to Boston Stump). Only the tower of the 16th-century foundation survived demolition in the early 18th century, being incorporated into a new church built by Scottish architect James Gibbs. It has an unusual wrought-iron screen designed by the local smith Robert Bakewell (d. 1752). The church became a cathedral in 1927.
Derby has many parks, the oldest being the Arboretum, given to the town in 1840 and laid out by the Scottish landscape gardener and architect John Loudon. Other parks include Darley Abbey (25 ha / 62 acres); Markeaton Park (80 ha / 198 acres); the Racecourse Park (50 ha / 124 acres); and Riverside Gardens.

Sources:

http://www.fatbadgers.co.uk/Tourism/derbinfo.htm#top

HOME COUNTIES

The phrase "Home Counties" is used to designate the group of English counties which border or surround London.
If the definition is taken as those which border London, the scope has changed over time. In 1888 with the laying down of London's formal borders and the creation of the County of London these prescriptively became that of Kent, Surrey, Middlesex and Essex with sections of what had been Kent, Surrey and Middlesex used to make up the new county.
In 1965 when London's borders expanded further into parts of those counties and Hertfordshire to become Greater London, the list grew to include Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. At this stage, the remainder of Middlesex became absorbed into London with small sections ceded to Surrey and Hertfordshire. A minor boundary change in 1995 brought about by The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey (County Boundaries) Order 1994 gave Berkshire a border with Greater London.
In common usage the phrase is not necessarily applied with such geographical precision and any county in the surrounding area, within a given distance, may be considered one of the Home Counties. However, being part of the Midlands, West Country or South West England would be mutually exclusive to being one of the Home Counties and presents a definite barrier to its scope.

MINSDEN CHAPEL

Hertfordshire
Hidden from view by a wooded copse, and reached by a brisk walk along a muddy bridleway, the crumbling remnants of Minsden chapel have tottered on the edge of ruin for at least three hundred years. Built in the 14th century as a chapel of ease for pilgrims en route to St Albans Abbey, it had fallen into disrepair by the mid-17th century, when its secluded woodland setting made it a favoured and romantic location for weddings. Unfortunately, as Mary Horn was plighting her troth to Enoch West in 1738, a lump of masonry suddenly dislodged itself from the roof and fell earthwards, knocking the prayer book from the priests’ hand. The power’s that be decided that enough was enough, and the chapel was abandoned. It has remained little more than a melancholic ruin ever since. In the early 20th century it became indelibly linked with the Hertfordshire historian Reginald Hine, whose fondness for the what was left of the chapel, led to his leasing it from the church for his lifetime. He issued a dire warning to “trespassers and sacrilegious persons” that he would “proceed against them with the utmost rigour of the law and after my death and burial, I will endeavour in all ghostly ways to protect and haunt its hallowed walls”. Following his death in 1949 he was buried here and his cracked tombstone now rests beneath a lush carpet of weed and nettle. Unsurprisingly, the crumbling edifice is haunted, its ghost being that of a phantom monk who appears on Halloween at midnight and ascends a long vanished flight of stairs at the chapel’s North East corner. His appearance is always preceded by a mysterious tolling of Minsden’s lost bells and his passage marked by the eerie, though solemn, sound of plaintive music.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_counties
http://www.homecounties.worldweb.com/
http://www.packer34.freeserve.co.uk/home2.htm
http://www.haunted-britain.com/Haunted_England_Home_Counties.htm

THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER

The Oldest and Highest British Order of Chivalry, founded in 1348 by Edward III.
The Order consists of Her Majesty The Queen who is Sovereign of the Order, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and 24 Knights Companions

The origin of the symbol of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, a blue 'garter' with the motto Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense will probably never be known for certain as the earliest records of the order were destroyed by fire, however the story goes that at a Ball possibly held at Calais, Joan Countess of Salisbury dropped her garter and King Edward seeing her embarrassment picked it up and bound it about his own leg saying in French, Evil, (or shamed) be he that that thinks evil of it' this is almost certainly a later fiction. This fable appears to have originated in France and was, perhaps, invented to try and bring discredit on the Order. There is a natural unwillingness to believe that the World's foremost Order of Chivalry had so frivolous a beginning.
It is thought more likely that as the garter was a small strap used as a device to attach pieces of armour, it might have been thought appropriate to use the garter as a symbol of binding together in common brotherhood. Whilst the motto probably refers to the leading political topic of the 1340's, Edward's claim to the throne of France. The patron saint of the Order of the Garter is St George and as he is the patron saint of soldiers and also of England, the spiritual home of the order has therefore always been St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
The holders of this Order as a Knights Companion, entitles the recipient the right to use the title 'Sir' before their Christian names as well as being entitled to add the letters 'K.G' ( Knight of the Garter ) or in the case of a Lady Companion 'L.G.' Lady of the Garter, after their surnames or title.

HM the Queen during the Order of the Garter Procession outside St George's Chapel Windsor Castle

The Order of the Garter Star The Garter

My sources:
www.heraldicsculptor.com/Garters.html

BIRMINGHAM CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE BCRI

HISTORY AND MISSION TIMELINE

1977 Birmingham Mayor David Vann mentions in a weekly news conference that a civil rights museum would be an appropriate project for the city.

1978 Birmingham City Council endorses Mayor Vann's recommendation of creation of a civil rights museum.

1979 Mayor Vann is defeated in his bid for re-election by Dr. Richard Arrington, Jr. Birmingham's first African American mayor.

Birmingham City Council adopts a resolution authorizing the mayor to form a museum committee to conduct a feasibility study.

1981 Mayor Arrington appoints former mayor, David Vann, and UAB historian Horace Huntley to co-chair a Civil Rights Museum Study Committee.

The Civil Rights Museum Study Committee recommends that the city incorporate a Board of Directors and acquire property for a museum.

1982 The City of Birmingham begins acquiring property for a civil rights museum.
1983 - 1986 Mayor Richard Arrington, Jr. appoints a Civil Rights Institute Task Force to create a mission statement and plan for the new facility. Odessa Woolfolk, Director of the UAB Centre for Urban Affairs, and Frank Young, Chairman of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, serve as co-chairs of the Task Force.
The Civil Rights Institute Task Force crafts a mission statement and thematic program and guides the work of city-appointed architects and designers.
Birmingham citizens vote down a $65 million bond issue that includes $24 million for a science centre and a civil rights museum, as well as renovations to the existing art museum.

1987 Civil Rights Institute Task Force approves schematic drawings and a program statement developed by the architectural firm Bond Ryder James and museum consultants, the American History Workshop.
1988 Mayor Richard Arrington, Jr. authorizes plans for a Civil Rights Cultural District, including a renovated Kelly Ingram Park, a Jazz Hall of Fame in the historic Carver Theatre, a Civil Rights Institute, and landscaping of public space around the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church.
Grover Harrison Harrison, landscape architects, in association with Grover Mouton, selected to redesign Kelly Ingram Park to include sculptures depicting the Civil Rights Movement.
Voters again turn down a multi-purpose bond issue ($110 million) including $25 million for various museums.

1990 Birmingham City Council incorporates a 15-member Board of Directors for the Civil Rights Institute, naming Odessa Woolfolk president.
The Board of Directors adopts the mission statement and interpretive program recommended by the Task Force, hires the design firm of Joseph Wetzel, Inc., and initiates a capital campaign.
1991 The Historical Preservation Authority of Birmingham issues revenue bonds for financing a portion of the cost of redesigning Kelly Ingram Park and constructing the Civil Rights Institute.
1992 The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the City of Birmingham enter into a funding and management agreement for both the Institute and the Carver properties, which include the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
November 14, 1992
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute unveils a statue of Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth sculpted by John Rhoden of New York, formerly of Birmingham.
November 15, 1992
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is officially dedicated. Former UN Ambassador Andrew Young is the main speaker at dedication ceremonies.
November 16, 1992
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute opens to the public.

My sources:
http://www.bcri.org/exhibitions/travelling_exhibitions/traveling.html
http://www.bcri.org/general_information/history_and_mission/timeline.htm

elavi

My travelling

More details about TBU

My assignments