This memorial remembers the terrible loss of life which occurred during WWI when a force famously including the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) attempted to land and defeat the armies of the Ottoman Empire. They were attempting to capture Constantinople and secure a sea route to Russia. There were huge cassualties on both sides.
The monument includes a tree sculpture of dead oak trees, pollarded to represent the arms and hands of injured soldiers reaching upwards in hope of rescue as they lay in the mud among the unburied dead.*
*From the National Memorial Arboretum Guidebook Edition 4
Tags: ANZAC, Gallipoli, National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, WW1, WWI
From Wiki:
The Amethyst Incident, also known as the Yangtze Incident, in 1949 involved the British Royal Navy ship HMS Amethyst being trapped on the Yangtze River for three months, during the Chinese Civil War.
About the Memorial:
The circular planting of 46 Chinese euonymus plants commemorates each life lost during the Yangtze incident in China in 1949.
A plaque alongside the memorial tells the full story of the Yangtze Incident. Inside the circle are a black polished granite monument and trees planted as a tribute to HMS Amethyst, HMS Black Swan, HMS Consort and HMS London which were the four ships involved in the incident.
The human cost in the four ships was 46 dead and 68 injured. The tree planted just outside the circle remembers the RAF Sunderland flying boat named D-DOG ML772 from 88 Squadron that, on the fourth attempt, landed successfully on the Yangtze River alongside HMS Amethyst to deliver medical supplies and a replacement doctor.*
*From the National Memorial Arboretum Guidebook Edition 4
Tags: Memorial, National Memorial Arboretum, Poppies, Staffordshire, The Yangtze Incident
Now that I have finished sharing my Salisbury travels I shall return to my visit to the National Memorial Arboretum.
Formed in 1983, the Association is a focus for the men who served at the test sites and combines comradeship with the objective of recognition of the ill effects suffered by some veterans.
Beginning in 1952 and continuing until 1965 there were 21 major British nuclear tests and numerous minor tests at the sites listed on the memorial.*
The memorial (grotto) is a replica of a shell-decorated memorial situated on Christmas Island where some of the British nuclear tests took place.*
*From the National Memorial Arboretum Guidebook Edition 4
Tags: Memorial, National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire
…due to an unfortunate weekend incident.
On arrival at work this morning I was greeted at the doorway and informed that most of the electrics in the building were not working. Hot and cold water were available and partial lighting in one of the ladies toilet facilities. I was also told that if I was not comfortable with these arrangements I could go to a nearby building to use the facilities there.
We moved office buildings in early 2011 to a building that had been newly refurbished. One of the features was state of the art water boilers for hot drinks. They are billed as having the capacity of providing 200 cups of boiling water per hour. They never quite lived up to expectations and broke down frequently and the temporary alternatives were less than adequate.
The decision was eventually made to provide wall mounted zip boilers in addition to the current facilities. These were fitted over a weekend two weeks ago. They did not get wired up for use that weekend because the electrician had fallen ill. The work was rescheduled for last weekend. The electrician turned up but an unfortunate incident occurred. He dropped his screwdriver shorting out most of the building’s electrical circuits and at the same time gave himself quite a ’shock’. We were informed that the electrician was alright (thank goodness).
The building facilities were back up and running mid morning but the computer systems took a little longer… And the hot drink facilities are still less than adequate.
After a day like that it was an ideal opportunity to take advantage of the sunny weather and hop on my bicycle to enjoy a relaxing cycle ride. The experimental route I chose was rather overgrown (including lots of brambles and nettles). This was not ideal especially as the pathways are supposed to be part of the local cycle network. This meant I had to do a lot of walking in addition to the cycling. On the plus side, at least it gave me a bit of exercise 
Tags: Bicycle, Britannia, Life, Pashley, Shropshire, Work
Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.
Saint Augustine
Tags: Berrington Hall, Cherie's Place Thought, National Trust, Water Lily
Book Overview (from book cover):
Silbury Hill is an iconic monument within the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site, and the largest prehistoric mound in Europe. Written by two authors with unrivalled information and knowldedge of the Hill and combining scholarly research and readable narrative, the book tells the story of the early recognition of its importance and of the later antiquarion and archaeological investigations. Each is described and set within its own historical and political context alongside the extraordinary characters of the time.
For the first time, the results of recent work – the collapse of the summit in 2000 leading to the re-opening of the famous tunnel in 2007 – are set out from first-hand knowledge, and the origins of the monument and construction techniques fully outlined. The book also describes how the mound was seen and used by later communities and considers what Silbury means to people today.
Review:
The Story of Silbury Hill is very readable and provides up to date archeological information regarding the Hill and surrounding area. In 2000 a hole appeared on the top of Silbury Hill. The hole was caused by a period of heavy rain causing previous archaological excavations and tunnels to collapse. This is the story from two of the archaologists that worked on the site whilst English Heritage decided on the best way to secure the Hill for future generations.
We are told of the archeological history of Silbury Hill and the characters that undertook the investigations. The book also explains how the Hill was constructed in several stages and how it connects up with the wider landscape. We are also told of the problems caused by the previous excavations and what was done to try and repair the damage.
Many photographs and diagrams accompany the text, which made the book a joy to read. There is a comprehensive index and bibliography, essential for any good reference book
Tags: archeology, Book Review, Books, English Heritage, Factual, Silbury Hill
Mompesson House, ‘The House in The Close’, is a perfect example of Queen Anne architecture and was built for Charles Mompesson in 1701. It is noted for its elegant and spacious interior, especially the magnificent plasterwork and fine oak staircase.
See the important Turnbull collection of 18th century drinking glasses, fine period furniture and charming walled garden with its garden tearoom. Mompesson House featured as Mrs Jennings’ London home in the award-winning film ‘Sense and Sensibility’.
This season we also have a contemporary sculpture exhibition in the house and garden ‘Material Connections across the Ages’. It looks at connections between contemporary sculpture and historic objects. There are pieces made from glass, paper, stone, textile and wood, among others.
A glimpse of two of the artworks can be seen in the first two photographs. The final photograph is an artwork by Jane Hall and is entitled ‘Lady of the Woods’.
Tags: Garden, Mompesson House, National Trust, Salisbury, There's Always One, Weekend away
