Friday, May 29, 2015
Appropriateness of flags to represent languages
An updated version of this blog post can now be found on the HE Translations blog at https://hetranslations.uk/blog/appropriateness-flags-represent-languages
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Plans for Down Street 'Ghost' Station
Al Jazeera reports: "London's lost Tube stations to see commercial revival - Restaurants, art galleries and a cinema are planned for one disused Mayfair station".
This is quite fascinating. I was, of course, aware of the Geisterbahnhöfe in Berlin, but I don't think I had come across the ghost stations in London. Further 'research' reveals that Wikipedia has a page with a large list of ghost stations in various countries!
This is quite fascinating. I was, of course, aware of the Geisterbahnhöfe in Berlin, but I don't think I had come across the ghost stations in London. Further 'research' reveals that Wikipedia has a page with a large list of ghost stations in various countries!
Source: Al Jazeera
London's underground rail system has a long and storied history of being used for tasks other than transporting the city's millions of residents.
With passenger numbers dwindling, Down Street Station closed more than 80 years ago, only to become the corridors of power during the second world war.
Twenty metres below ground and safe from German air force bombs, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, along with 25 administrative staff and soldiers, used the station to meet his war cabinet and send messages.
In 2015 there is no longer a need for such wartime preparations, but there are plans to once again revive London's so-called ghost stations with restaurants, art galleries and even a cinema.
Speaking on the plans for Down Street Station, Graeme Craig, commercial director of Transport for London, told Al Jazeera: ''This is a unique space within London. It's a space not used by passengers since May 1932. … It's in the heart of Mayfair - it's unique location, history, and space."
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Who was the German visitor to Audley End in 1613?
Message sent to "Herzogshaus Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha" today:
Gestern habe ich mit einer Reisegruppe der Leicester Civic Society das beeindruckende Herrenhaus Audley End besucht.And here is the helpful and interesting reply, received the following day:
Laut Besucherhandbuch hat Johann Ernst, "Duke of Saxe-Weimar", Audley End im Jahr 1613 einen Besuch abgestattet - siehe Zitat hier. Ich bin etwas verwirrt, da Johann Ernst laut "Landesherren Coburg Herrscher-Chronologie" 1613 nicht Herzog von Sachsen-Weimar war. Vielleicht können Sie diesbezüglich Aufschluss geben?
Es gab einen Herzog Johann Ernst von Sachsen-Coburg. Dieser verstarb aber bereits in 1553. [Wikipedia]
In diesem Fall handelt es sich aller Wahrscheinlichkeit nach tatsächlich um Johann Ernst von Sachsen-Weimar. Er unternahm in 1613/1614 eine Kavalierstour u.a. durch Großbritannien. [Wikipedia] [Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek] [Künker]
Leonard Eppel, Albert Dock renaissance mastermind
After a recent trip to Liverpool, I learned that there is an 'Eppel
plaque' at Albert Dock (see photo below), and sure enough, an Internet search reveals articles under the heading "Tributes to Leonard Eppel, who masterminded Albert Dock renaissance"
and "Eppel is honorary Scouser".
Not least in view of the fact that the eminent namesake has a degree
of likeness to my father, I would really like to find out whether there is some distant family connection. Any clues, anyone?
Incidentally, Lord Heseltine has been described as the architect of Liverpool’s renaissance.
Friday, May 15, 2015
Greyfriars Townscape Heritage Initiative
Attended the Greyfriars Townscape Heritage Initiative launch event yesterday evening – an excellent and inspiring event, with a strong presence from Leicester Civic Society. It was preceded by a very interesting walking tour of the area, expertly led, as usual, by LCS Chairman Stuart Bailey.
Project description from the Leicester City Council website:
I was hoping for a report in the Leicester Mercury, but apparently/allegedly they don't now come out after 5 pm, which isn't good enough IMHO.
Anyway, see previous Leicester Mercury article under the heading "Hidden factory courtyard in Leicester's historic heart to be used for exhibition".
Project description from the Leicester City Council website:
The
city council have been successful in securing funding from the Heritage
Lottery Fund (HLF) to develop a Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI)
programme.
The THI aims to enhance, conserve and regenerate conservation areas suffering from social and economic decline.
The successful stage one application means that the HLF have set aside £1.1m of lottery money for work in the Greyfriars Conservation area of the city. Development funding has already been provided, allowing us to put together a strong second stage application to unlock the remaining money needed to deliver the project.
The THI aims to enhance, conserve and regenerate conservation areas suffering from social and economic decline.
The successful stage one application means that the HLF have set aside £1.1m of lottery money for work in the Greyfriars Conservation area of the city. Development funding has already been provided, allowing us to put together a strong second stage application to unlock the remaining money needed to deliver the project.
The city council aims to:
The THI Project Team aspire to create a much more vibrant and attractive area for all to enjoy in the coming years. This will be achieved through building conservation and repairs, bringing empty buildings back into use and working with local businesses and property owners to improve the area’s look and feel. Plans also feature pop-up shops and exhibitions in empty buildings in the area.
- See more at:
http://www.visitleicester.info/welcome-to-leicester/connecting-leicester/greyfriars-townscape-heritage-initiative/#sthash.sVzq1psa.dpuf- Make the historic core of the city more legible.
- Make the area more attractive and inviting to occupiers and visitors.
- Stimulate economic growth by making the historic core more inviting for commercial investors and residential use.
- Increase understanding and help people value Leicester's historic development, particularly the area of Leicester's old town.
- Increase greater participation and understanding in conserving Leicester's historic environment.
- Improve the local heritage skills sector through training in related skills.
The THI Project Team aspire to create a much more vibrant and attractive area for all to enjoy in the coming years. This will be achieved through building conservation and repairs, bringing empty buildings back into use and working with local businesses and property owners to improve the area’s look and feel. Plans also feature pop-up shops and exhibitions in empty buildings in the area.
The city council have been successful in securing funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to develop a Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) programme.
The THI aims to enhance, conserve and regenerate conservation areas suffering from social and economic decline.
The successful stage one application means that the HLF have set aside £1.1m of lottery money for work in the Greyfriars Conservation area of the city. Development funding has already been provided, allowing us to put together a strong second stage application to unlock the remaining money needed to deliver the project.
The city council aims to:
Businesses, property owners and leaseholders in the area can apply for grants to bring empty floor space back into use, restore lost architectural features such as windows and repair architectural features and improve the frontage of buildings.
- Make the historic core of the city more legible.
- Make the area more attractive and inviting to occupiers and visitors.
- Stimulate economic growth by making the historic core more inviting for commercial investors and residential use.
- Increase understanding and help people value Leicester's historic development, particularly the area of Leicester's old town.
- Increase greater participation and understanding in conserving Leicester's historic environment.
- Improve the local heritage skills sector through training in related skills.
The THI Project Team aspire to create a much more vibrant and attractive area for all to enjoy in the coming years. This will be achieved through building conservation and repairs, bringing empty buildings back into use and working with local businesses and property owners to improve the area’s look and feel. Plans also feature pop-up shops and exhibitions in empty buildings in the area.The City Mayor was on good form. He stood on a 'soapbox' in the form of an old chair, necessitated by the fact that the batteries of the cordless microphone had failed...
I was hoping for a report in the Leicester Mercury, but apparently/allegedly they don't now come out after 5 pm, which isn't good enough IMHO.
The
city council have been successful in securing funding from the Heritage
Lottery Fund (HLF) to develop a Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI)
programme.
The THI aims to enhance, conserve and regenerate conservation areas suffering from social and economic decline.
The successful stage one application means that the HLF have set aside £1.1m of lottery money for work in the Greyfriars Conservation area of the city. Development funding has already been provided, allowing us to put together a strong second stage application to unlock the remaining money needed to deliver the project.
The THI aims to enhance, conserve and regenerate conservation areas suffering from social and economic decline.
The successful stage one application means that the HLF have set aside £1.1m of lottery money for work in the Greyfriars Conservation area of the city. Development funding has already been provided, allowing us to put together a strong second stage application to unlock the remaining money needed to deliver the project.
The city council aims to:
The THI Project Team aspire to create a much more vibrant and attractive area for all to enjoy in the coming years. This will be achieved through building conservation and repairs, bringing empty buildings back into use and working with local businesses and property owners to improve the area’s look and feel. Plans also feature pop-up shops and exhibitions in empty buildings in the area.
- See more at:
http://www.visitleicester.info/welcome-to-leicester/connecting-leicester/greyfriars-townscape-heritage-initiative/#sthash.sVzq1psa.dpuf- Make the historic core of the city more legible.
- Make the area more attractive and inviting to occupiers and visitors.
- Stimulate economic growth by making the historic core more inviting for commercial investors and residential use.
- Increase understanding and help people value Leicester's historic development, particularly the area of Leicester's old town.
- Increase greater participation and understanding in conserving Leicester's historic environment.
- Improve the local heritage skills sector through training in related skills.
The THI Project Team aspire to create a much more vibrant and attractive area for all to enjoy in the coming years. This will be achieved through building conservation and repairs, bringing empty buildings back into use and working with local businesses and property owners to improve the area’s look and feel. Plans also feature pop-up shops and exhibitions in empty buildings in the area.
The
city council have been successful in securing funding from the Heritage
Lottery Fund (HLF) to develop a Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI)
programme.
The THI aims to enhance, conserve and regenerate conservation areas suffering from social and economic decline.
The successful stage one application means that the HLF have set aside £1.1m of lottery money for work in the Greyfriars Conservation area of the city. Development funding has already been provided, allowing us to put together a strong second stage application to unlock the remaining money needed to deliver the project.
The THI aims to enhance, conserve and regenerate conservation areas suffering from social and economic decline.
The successful stage one application means that the HLF have set aside £1.1m of lottery money for work in the Greyfriars Conservation area of the city. Development funding has already been provided, allowing us to put together a strong second stage application to unlock the remaining money needed to deliver the project.
The city council aims to:
The THI Project Team aspire to create a much more vibrant and attractive area for all to enjoy in the coming years. This will be achieved through building conservation and repairs, bringing empty buildings back into use and working with local businesses and property owners to improve the area’s look and feel. Plans also feature pop-up shops and exhibitions in empty buildings in the area.
- See more at:
http://www.visitleicester.info/welcome-to-leicester/connecting-leicester/greyfriars-townscape-heritage-initiative/#sthash.sVzq1psa.dpuf- Make the historic core of the city more legible.
- Make the area more attractive and inviting to occupiers and visitors.
- Stimulate economic growth by making the historic core more inviting for commercial investors and residential use.
- Increase understanding and help people value Leicester's historic development, particularly the area of Leicester's old town.
- Increase greater participation and understanding in conserving Leicester's historic environment.
- Improve the local heritage skills sector through training in related skills.
The THI Project Team aspire to create a much more vibrant and attractive area for all to enjoy in the coming years. This will be achieved through building conservation and repairs, bringing empty buildings back into use and working with local businesses and property owners to improve the area’s look and feel. Plans also feature pop-up shops and exhibitions in empty buildings in the area.
The
city council have been successful in securing funding from the Heritage
Lottery Fund (HLF) to develop a Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI)
programme.
The THI aims to enhance, conserve and regenerate conservation areas suffering from social and economic decline.
The successful stage one application means that the HLF have set aside £1.1m of lottery money for work in the Greyfriars Conservation area of the city. Development funding has already been provided, allowing us to put together a strong second stage application to unlock the remaining money needed to deliver the project.
The THI aims to enhance, conserve and regenerate conservation areas suffering from social and economic decline.
The successful stage one application means that the HLF have set aside £1.1m of lottery money for work in the Greyfriars Conservation area of the city. Development funding has already been provided, allowing us to put together a strong second stage application to unlock the remaining money needed to deliver the project.
The city council aims to:
The THI Project Team aspire to create a much more vibrant and attractive area for all to enjoy in the coming years. This will be achieved through building conservation and repairs, bringing empty buildings back into use and working with local businesses and property owners to improve the area’s look and feel. Plans also feature pop-up shops and exhibitions in empty buildings in the area.
- See more at:
http://www.visitleicester.info/welcome-to-leicester/connecting-leicester/greyfriars-townscape-heritage-initiative/#sthash.sVzq1psa.dpuf- Make the historic core of the city more legible.
- Make the area more attractive and inviting to occupiers and visitors.
- Stimulate economic growth by making the historic core more inviting for commercial investors and residential use.
- Increase understanding and help people value Leicester's historic development, particularly the area of Leicester's old town.
- Increase greater participation and understanding in conserving Leicester's historic environment.
- Improve the local heritage skills sector through training in related skills.
The THI Project Team aspire to create a much more vibrant and attractive area for all to enjoy in the coming years. This will be achieved through building conservation and repairs, bringing empty buildings back into use and working with local businesses and property owners to improve the area’s look and feel. Plans also feature pop-up shops and exhibitions in empty buildings in the area.
Anyway, see previous Leicester Mercury article under the heading "Hidden factory courtyard in Leicester's historic heart to be used for exhibition".
(im)possible! Artists as Architects
Interesting exhibition (unfortunately, I'm not going to make it) at "Museum Marta" in Herford, Germany, under the heading "(im)possible! Artists as Architects" and this descriptive 'subheading':
"Architecture as a field of artistic questioning, the creative deconstruction of the material space, buildings as waking dreams – what happens when artists focus their unconventional view on building and the conditions of space?"The 8 May edition of the German "VDI Nachrichten" contains an exhibition review under the heading "Utopien aus Holz und Styropor", with an image of an amazing "Trichterhaus" model.
Summit Tower, Leicester
The Summit Tower building in Leicester is somewhat controversial ("too big for the neighbourhood", as reported in the Leicester Mercury), but I have to 'confess' that I quite like it...
Thursday, May 14, 2015
CalMac ferries, Scotland
They may well be a lifeline for local people but the CalMac ferries (full name Caledonian MacBrayne) that potter back and forth between the mainland and the islands off the coast of north-west Scotland provide arguably the most spectacular tourist transport Britain has to offer. Frequent sailings allow passengers to explore the Inner Hebrides and the far-flung Western Isles, with some voyages taking in several islands at a time. It can be very tempting to leap off when you see a particularly beguiling little restaurant by the harbour or the silhouette of a mysterious ruined castle on the clifftop. The islanders are open, friendly types as a rule – strike up a conversation with them on board and you’ll enter a whole new world, gleaning insights you’d never get from a travel guide. Bird lovers can enjoy close-up sightings of seabirds in their natural element – in summer, puffins are a particular treat – and you may spot a pod of porpoises or dolphins (the locals will probably be able to tell you which is which).Sounds good – have put it on my 'list'...
Wednesday, May 06, 2015
Liverpool
Spending a couple of days in Liverpool as a BPS Annual Conference 'hanger-on'...
Pics below – some text to follow soon, hopefully...
Pics below – some text to follow soon, hopefully...
Friday, May 01, 2015
German POWs in the UK
Interesting article in the Independent under the heading "The day that Deutschland died: Retracing the fate of captured Axis soldiers at the end of WW2".
On a related note, a couple of years ago we learned from our excellent local bird food suppliers at Eyebrook that a German POW worked and lived at their farm for many years. He did eventually return to Germany at some point, but they kept in touch right up to his death some years ago.
On a related note, a couple of years ago we learned from our excellent local bird food suppliers at Eyebrook that a German POW worked and lived at their farm for many years. He did eventually return to Germany at some point, but they kept in touch right up to his death some years ago.
Morrisons brings back staffed express checkouts
 | ||
| Morrisons has listened to customer feedback on self-service tills. Photograph: David Levene |
Great news/relief from my perspective as a self-service-till-anxiety-plagued customer:
Morrisons brings back staffed express checkouts.
Shared Interest celebrates 25-year anniversary
Shared Interest celebrates 25-year anniversary, and the new secure online area for members/investors is impressive.
£120 bn industry ignored by the UK election campaign
Doug Parr, policy director at Greenpeace, hit the nail on the head when
he said "politicians are stuck in the past and failing to see the future potential of green businesses". No doubt there are a few
exceptions, but generally it is a lamentable state of affairs.
 |
| A technician raises maintenance equipment on to a wind turbine at the Scroby Sands facility near Great Yarmouth. Photograph: Bloomberg via Getty Images |
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