Near as I can figure it, through the possibly flawed perceptual filters of my own reality tunnel, the most likely answers this week, seem to me to be:
Q1. Mr Mackay (played by Fulton Mackay)
Q2. Kirkintilloch
внимание друзья! It is not totally clear whether they are asking for the name of the jailer or the name of the actor who played him in 'Porridge' but as the actor's surname is the same as the jailer's, entering Mr Mackay and (played by Fulton Mackay) may be sufficient information.
The initial clues seem to place us on the Dumbarton road, in the Dalmuir district of Glasgow, specifically on the bridge which carries it over the Forth and Clyde canal. The Eastender himself has cycled this waterway, all the way to Dumbarton castle, where climbed he up the rugged stairs, some 300ft to the top. The view to the west, of the windswept firth of Clyde dort auf dem schloss am meer, is spectacular, as is the view to the north of Ben Lomond. However, I digress, some references claim that work started on the canal c 1768 and that it also has 39 locks. The bridge at Dalmuir is navigable to boats, solely because there is said to be a drop lock there, which allows the passage of vessels. Some references claim that the F&C canal was closed c 1963 and then restored to navigable condition c 2000, using money from the national lottery fund. (the Eastender does wonder however, if the writer was actually there, why there is no mention of the model of HMS Ramilles ,a dreadnought (built by artist Tom McKendrick) which sits atop a 26ft high tower, a few metres east of the bridge? possibly it was too big a giveaway to include it)
Following the canal east, brings us to Clydebank and it was here, at Clydebank high school, that some sources claim that an actor who played the demented jailer, Mr MacKay in the sitcom TV series 'Porridge', one Fulton Mackay (born c 1922), was educated. Other alumni from this place of learning are said to be the entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne and Marti Pellow of the band, Wet, Wet, Wet.
The puzzle writer appears to be driving right into the heart of Commanche territory, as his route brings him into a district named after the daughter of the Laird of Gairbraid, one Hew Hill. His daughter was called Mary Hill and was allegedly married to a guy called Robert Graham. Graham is said to have established the settlement there and named it after Mary c 18th century. The aqueduct referred to in the clues, is most likely the Kelvin aqueduct, which carries the F&C canal over the river Kelvin at Maryhill. The area around there is known locally as 'The Butney', which some sources claim is derived from the word 'Botany', as in 'Botany Bay', because convict labour was used to construct the aqueduct. The Eastender remembers well the story of a hapless entrepreneur, who back in the early nineteen eighties, opened a sex shop on the Maryhill road. Legend has it, that the parish priest contracted the Butney Bhoys (a local mutual aid 'fraternity'), to repeatedly smash the windows, until the aforementioned shopkeeper closed up and left. (aqua = water but a duct which carries aqua, is spelled aqueduct ? )
Following the canal further east brings us to the ground of a football club called 'Partick Thistle Nil' , Fir Park and this is also close to the location (870 Garscube road) of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh (architect b 1868) church. Continuing east along the canal takes us to Kirkintilloch, which was the birthplace of Tom Johnston, who according to some references was appointed lord privy seal c 1931. There is also an aqueduct in the locale, called 'The Luggie Water' aqueduct. It appears to carry the canal over the river Luggie and at one time a railway also went under it.
From looking at the OS map, there appear to be two roman forts, a roman camp and an earth works structure there, called 'The Antonine Wall'. The Eastender at one time was of the opinion that pungi sticks were invented by Victor Charlie, during the late unpleasantness in south east asia but in fact, there are pits along the Antonine Wall, which are said to have contained pungi sticks, that were concealed by turf or brushwood, so that any non switched on raiders, would blunder into them in the dark.
Link to the competition
Where Was I?
Saturday, 12 April 2014
Saturday, 5 April 2014
Sunday Times Where Was I? Holiday Competition
Near as I can figure it, through the possibly flawed perceptual filters of my own reality tunnel, the most likely answers this week, seem to me to be
Q1. West Ham United
Q2. William Kidd
внимание друзья!, for question 1, the team was originally called 'Thames Ironworks football club' but the question is asking what the name of the team is now, which is 'West Ham United'
The initial clues seem to place us around Blackwall/East India, in the city of London. Some references claim that the first British iron hulled and armoured warship, HMS Warrior was built and launched from the Thames Ironworks and Ship Building Company's site c1860, at the confluence of Bow creek and the river Thames between Canning town and Blackwall. Depending on which source you check, the displacement of HMS Warrior is given as 9137 tons/9284 tons.
According to some sources there were four super dreadnought Orion class battleships of around 22,000 tons displacement, built and launched around 1910 - 1912. These were HMS Orion (built at Portsmouth), HMS Monarch (built at Elswick), HMS Conqueror (built at Dalmuir) and HMS Thunderer (built at Thames Ironworks c1910). The Thames Ironworks and Ship Building Company seems to have closed due to lack of orders and bankruptcy following completion of Thunderer c1912. (HMS Thunderer was later lost in action, while trying to ram a Martian fighting machine in the English channel ;-) ).
Some of the references claim that Thames Ironworks f.c was founded c 1895 and later became West Ham United c 1900. West Ham are known as 'The Irons' or 'The Hammers', because of the former name of the iron works team and allegedly because of the sound of the hammers hitting the rivets at the ship yard.
The puzzle author most likely then visits the only lighthouse in London ,constructed c 1864 by James Douglass, the Bow Creek lighthouse. The lighthouse was according to some sources, used by Michael Faraday to conduct experiments into electric lighting.
Five tube stops along from East India takes us to Limehouse station and sauntering down to the river would bring us to the Shadwell/Wapping district where a Judge called George Jeffreys,1st Baron Jeffreys (born c1645),was lifted by the goon squad, in a pub, dressed as a sailor according to some accounts, while trying to flee the country during a Dutch backed regime change operation against James II, who also did a runner.
A place where they hanged pirates and smugglers in Wapping was 'Execution Dock' and it was here that a seafarer accused of piracy, called William Kidd (born c 1645) was hanged on the 23rd of May 1701, after a long struggle to try and clear his name.
Think the Sunday times is possibly produced in Wapping, so the author may well be headed there after his tour.
Link to the competition:
Where Was I?
An Infinite Number of Monkeys?
Fery Interestink, the same week that the Eastender was reading a fourteenth century grimoire on practical theurgy, sixteenth and nineteenth century tracts on Enochian and Neo Enochian methods, the word ANGEL appeared very prominently in the first column of the Thunderball data (Enochian and Neo Enochian practitioners attempt to use their art to communicate with and petition the intervention of, the cosmic civil servants who they believe run the universe, aka angels).What has caused this strange synchronicity? is it merely random noise in the data along the lines of an infinite number of monkeys with an infinite number of typewriters, or is there some kind of bizarre ouija board effect going on?.........
Q1. West Ham United
Q2. William Kidd
внимание друзья!, for question 1, the team was originally called 'Thames Ironworks football club' but the question is asking what the name of the team is now, which is 'West Ham United'
The initial clues seem to place us around Blackwall/East India, in the city of London. Some references claim that the first British iron hulled and armoured warship, HMS Warrior was built and launched from the Thames Ironworks and Ship Building Company's site c1860, at the confluence of Bow creek and the river Thames between Canning town and Blackwall. Depending on which source you check, the displacement of HMS Warrior is given as 9137 tons/9284 tons.
According to some sources there were four super dreadnought Orion class battleships of around 22,000 tons displacement, built and launched around 1910 - 1912. These were HMS Orion (built at Portsmouth), HMS Monarch (built at Elswick), HMS Conqueror (built at Dalmuir) and HMS Thunderer (built at Thames Ironworks c1910). The Thames Ironworks and Ship Building Company seems to have closed due to lack of orders and bankruptcy following completion of Thunderer c1912. (HMS Thunderer was later lost in action, while trying to ram a Martian fighting machine in the English channel ;-) ).
Some of the references claim that Thames Ironworks f.c was founded c 1895 and later became West Ham United c 1900. West Ham are known as 'The Irons' or 'The Hammers', because of the former name of the iron works team and allegedly because of the sound of the hammers hitting the rivets at the ship yard.
The puzzle author most likely then visits the only lighthouse in London ,constructed c 1864 by James Douglass, the Bow Creek lighthouse. The lighthouse was according to some sources, used by Michael Faraday to conduct experiments into electric lighting.
Five tube stops along from East India takes us to Limehouse station and sauntering down to the river would bring us to the Shadwell/Wapping district where a Judge called George Jeffreys,1st Baron Jeffreys (born c1645),was lifted by the goon squad, in a pub, dressed as a sailor according to some accounts, while trying to flee the country during a Dutch backed regime change operation against James II, who also did a runner.
A place where they hanged pirates and smugglers in Wapping was 'Execution Dock' and it was here that a seafarer accused of piracy, called William Kidd (born c 1645) was hanged on the 23rd of May 1701, after a long struggle to try and clear his name.
Think the Sunday times is possibly produced in Wapping, so the author may well be headed there after his tour.
Link to the competition:
Where Was I?
An Infinite Number of Monkeys?
Fery Interestink, the same week that the Eastender was reading a fourteenth century grimoire on practical theurgy, sixteenth and nineteenth century tracts on Enochian and Neo Enochian methods, the word ANGEL appeared very prominently in the first column of the Thunderball data (Enochian and Neo Enochian practitioners attempt to use their art to communicate with and petition the intervention of, the cosmic civil servants who they believe run the universe, aka angels).What has caused this strange synchronicity? is it merely random noise in the data along the lines of an infinite number of monkeys with an infinite number of typewriters, or is there some kind of bizarre ouija board effect going on?.........
Saturday, 29 March 2014
Sunday Times Where Was I? Holiday Competition
Near as I can figure it, through the possibly flawed perceptual filters of my own reality tunnel, the most likely answers this week, seem to me to be:
Q1. Marble Hill House
Q2. Kind Hearts and Coronets
внимание друзья!, for question 2, this film was also shown as a play/musical at some theatres with the title 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder' but the 1949 film version of the story does seem to have had the title 'Kind Hearts and Coronets'.
The inititial clues seem to place us in Marble Hill Park, in the beautiful borough of Richmond, in London. In the park (according to English heritage) lies an elegant white Palladian villa, constructed c 18th century for a mistress of an upstart Hanoverian pretender to the throne, called George II. The Lady's name was Henrietta Howard (countess of Suffolk, no less), born (depending on which sources you check) c1688/1689.
A 186 acre park which lies to the north north east of the Marble Hill House, is most likely Gunnersbury park (some claim that the park is named after king Canute's niece Gunylda). This seems to have been owned by the aforementioned upstart Hanoverian pretender's second daughter, princess Amelia and her bath house is listed as one of the features worth visiting there, in the London borough of Hounslow's local history and heritage page.
Travelling north past Gunnersbury park would bring us to a suburb/town called Ealing and this is where the Ealing studios were, where some of the scenes from a 1949 film called 'Kind Hearts and Coronets' , starring the late great Alec Guinness, were shot. Guinness is said in some references to have played the parts of eight murder victims in this movie and the puzzle author may possibly be referring to Sibelia's house at 31 Grange Road, Ealing, where one scene was allegedly filmed, though a large part of it was most likely shot at the studios.
The puzzle writer was probably driving north on the B455 South Ealing/St Mary's road which would bring him past Gunnersbury park, past the Ealing studios and Grange road and thence close to Mattock lane, where the house of the architect (Sir John Soane, born c 1753) who designed the Bank of England once lived (c 1800 - 1810), one Pitzhanger Manor. The manor is said in several sources to have been bought by a daughter of Spencer Perceval, the only British prime minister to have been assassinated. Perceval was reputed to have been appointed Chancellor c1807.
The Eiffel tower is most likely a reference to another Ealing comedy film starring Alec Guinness, called 'The Lavender Hill Mob' (c 1951). The plot concerns Guinness and his gang stealing some gold bars, melting them down and shipping them out of the country, recast as Eiffel tower souvenirs.
Link to the competition
Where was I?
Q1. Marble Hill House
Q2. Kind Hearts and Coronets
внимание друзья!, for question 2, this film was also shown as a play/musical at some theatres with the title 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder' but the 1949 film version of the story does seem to have had the title 'Kind Hearts and Coronets'.
The inititial clues seem to place us in Marble Hill Park, in the beautiful borough of Richmond, in London. In the park (according to English heritage) lies an elegant white Palladian villa, constructed c 18th century for a mistress of an upstart Hanoverian pretender to the throne, called George II. The Lady's name was Henrietta Howard (countess of Suffolk, no less), born (depending on which sources you check) c1688/1689.
A 186 acre park which lies to the north north east of the Marble Hill House, is most likely Gunnersbury park (some claim that the park is named after king Canute's niece Gunylda). This seems to have been owned by the aforementioned upstart Hanoverian pretender's second daughter, princess Amelia and her bath house is listed as one of the features worth visiting there, in the London borough of Hounslow's local history and heritage page.
Travelling north past Gunnersbury park would bring us to a suburb/town called Ealing and this is where the Ealing studios were, where some of the scenes from a 1949 film called 'Kind Hearts and Coronets' , starring the late great Alec Guinness, were shot. Guinness is said in some references to have played the parts of eight murder victims in this movie and the puzzle author may possibly be referring to Sibelia's house at 31 Grange Road, Ealing, where one scene was allegedly filmed, though a large part of it was most likely shot at the studios.
The puzzle writer was probably driving north on the B455 South Ealing/St Mary's road which would bring him past Gunnersbury park, past the Ealing studios and Grange road and thence close to Mattock lane, where the house of the architect (Sir John Soane, born c 1753) who designed the Bank of England once lived (c 1800 - 1810), one Pitzhanger Manor. The manor is said in several sources to have been bought by a daughter of Spencer Perceval, the only British prime minister to have been assassinated. Perceval was reputed to have been appointed Chancellor c1807.
The Eiffel tower is most likely a reference to another Ealing comedy film starring Alec Guinness, called 'The Lavender Hill Mob' (c 1951). The plot concerns Guinness and his gang stealing some gold bars, melting them down and shipping them out of the country, recast as Eiffel tower souvenirs.
Link to the competition
Where was I?
Saturday, 26 October 2013
Sunday Times Where Was I? Holiday Competition
Near as I can figure it, through the possibly flawed perceptual filters of my own reality tunnel, the most likely answers this week, seem to me to be:
Q1. The Innocent Railway
Q2. Dalkeith
The initial clues seem to place us on a cycle path, which follows the route of the old Edinburgh and Dalkeith railway. According to some sources, this used to be known as 'The Innocent Railway', probably because it used horses to pull the carriages and freight wagons, thus making it much safer than the early steam engines. The railway closed c1968, with the section between Newington/St Leonards and Craigmillar being reinvented as 'The Innocent cycle path' c 1981. The Innocent railway tunnel (517 metres or 565 yards), is claimed in some references, to pass under Holyrood Park (640 acres) and the highest point in this park, is Arthur's Seat, shown as 251 metres (823 feet) on some maps.
Near the Craigmillar end of the cycle path, lies Craigmillar castle, which depending on the source you check, is listed as c 14th or 13th century. The Historic Scotland web site puts the tower house at around 17 metres or 56 feet high. It is claimed in some texts on the subject, that Mary Queen of Scots stayed at the castle when the plot (with or without her knowledge) to whack her husband, Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, was carried out. The castle is beautiful and if you like the medieval period (the Eastender does), looks like it could be worth a visit.
Travelling two miles of so west of the castle, would bring us to the Royal Observatory, which seems to have been there since at least the 18th century, though astronomy was being taught in Edinburgh as early as the 16th century. A mining village four miles or so east north east, from the vicinity of Craigmillar castle and which used to be on the route of Innocent railway line, is most likely Newcraighall, where c 1972, the film director Bill Douglas shot some of the scenes from his film 'My Childhood'. This movie was part of a trilogy, with the other two being 'My Ain Folk' and 'My Way Home'.
The architect John Adam (b c 1721) is said to have studied at Dalkeith grammar school. Dalkeith lies three or so miles south of Newcraighall.John Adam's grave is in Greyfriars kirkyard and he died c 1792, which is 39 years before the Innocent railway came into being (c 1831).
Link to the competition
Where Was I?
Q1. The Innocent Railway
Q2. Dalkeith
The initial clues seem to place us on a cycle path, which follows the route of the old Edinburgh and Dalkeith railway. According to some sources, this used to be known as 'The Innocent Railway', probably because it used horses to pull the carriages and freight wagons, thus making it much safer than the early steam engines. The railway closed c1968, with the section between Newington/St Leonards and Craigmillar being reinvented as 'The Innocent cycle path' c 1981. The Innocent railway tunnel (517 metres or 565 yards), is claimed in some references, to pass under Holyrood Park (640 acres) and the highest point in this park, is Arthur's Seat, shown as 251 metres (823 feet) on some maps.
Near the Craigmillar end of the cycle path, lies Craigmillar castle, which depending on the source you check, is listed as c 14th or 13th century. The Historic Scotland web site puts the tower house at around 17 metres or 56 feet high. It is claimed in some texts on the subject, that Mary Queen of Scots stayed at the castle when the plot (with or without her knowledge) to whack her husband, Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, was carried out. The castle is beautiful and if you like the medieval period (the Eastender does), looks like it could be worth a visit.
Travelling two miles of so west of the castle, would bring us to the Royal Observatory, which seems to have been there since at least the 18th century, though astronomy was being taught in Edinburgh as early as the 16th century. A mining village four miles or so east north east, from the vicinity of Craigmillar castle and which used to be on the route of Innocent railway line, is most likely Newcraighall, where c 1972, the film director Bill Douglas shot some of the scenes from his film 'My Childhood'. This movie was part of a trilogy, with the other two being 'My Ain Folk' and 'My Way Home'.
The architect John Adam (b c 1721) is said to have studied at Dalkeith grammar school. Dalkeith lies three or so miles south of Newcraighall.John Adam's grave is in Greyfriars kirkyard and he died c 1792, which is 39 years before the Innocent railway came into being (c 1831).
Link to the competition
Where Was I?
Saturday, 19 October 2013
Sunday Times Where Was I ? Holiday Competition
Near as I can figure it, through the possibly flawed perceptual filters of my own reality tunnel, the most likely answers this week, seem to me to be:
Q1. Cilmeri
Q2. John Osborne
(N.B. for question one, Cilmeri also appears on some maps as Cilmery)
The initial clues seem to place us on the 'Heart of Wales' railway line, which some sources claim runs from Llanelli to Craven Arms, across the Welsh-English border. A span which was built c 1868 by the Central Wales Extension Railway (CWER), to carry the line over the Afon Bran river, is most likely the Cynghordy viaduct, which is said in some references, to be around two hundred and eighty three yards long, have eighteen arches and looks to be in the region that the puzzle author is describing, near Llandovery, which is around thirty miles or so from Llanelli. The OS map shows a tunnel just before Sugar-Loaf Halt station, north east of the viaduct.
The settlement which claims to be the smallest town in Britain, with a population of around six hundred or so people and which lies on the Heart of Wales line, is likely to be Llanwrtyd Wells. It sounds like a quirky place, they seem to hold 'men versus horse' races and 'bog snorkelling' events there. The village with the spring containing Barium Chloride, is said in some references, to be Llangammarch Wells. A village where a battle was fought c 1282 on the 11th of December, is probably Climeri or Climery (English spelling), where a prince called Llywelyn Ap Gruftydd (mother Senana Ferch Rhodri) was killed in the melee after fighting bravely against the nasty old fascist, Edward the first.
The Heart of Wales line crosses over the river Wye, which is around one hundred and thirty to one hundred and thirty four miles long, depending on which source you check. The next viaduct that the puzzle author mentions, is probably the Knucklas viaduct, which is described in some texts as having thirteen arches. The fourth town that the train halts at could be Craven Arms, as the playwright John Osborne (born c 1929) lived in Clun, which lies six miles or so to the west. Osborne wrote the play 'Look Back in Anger' c 1956, which is about an angry malcontent called Jimmy Porter and his wife Allison, talking politics and ranting about the establishment, in a grungy flat. Osborne may have created this genre of 'angry young men' and 'kitchen sink' dramas.
Where Was I?
Q1. Cilmeri
Q2. John Osborne
(N.B. for question one, Cilmeri also appears on some maps as Cilmery)
The initial clues seem to place us on the 'Heart of Wales' railway line, which some sources claim runs from Llanelli to Craven Arms, across the Welsh-English border. A span which was built c 1868 by the Central Wales Extension Railway (CWER), to carry the line over the Afon Bran river, is most likely the Cynghordy viaduct, which is said in some references, to be around two hundred and eighty three yards long, have eighteen arches and looks to be in the region that the puzzle author is describing, near Llandovery, which is around thirty miles or so from Llanelli. The OS map shows a tunnel just before Sugar-Loaf Halt station, north east of the viaduct.
The settlement which claims to be the smallest town in Britain, with a population of around six hundred or so people and which lies on the Heart of Wales line, is likely to be Llanwrtyd Wells. It sounds like a quirky place, they seem to hold 'men versus horse' races and 'bog snorkelling' events there. The village with the spring containing Barium Chloride, is said in some references, to be Llangammarch Wells. A village where a battle was fought c 1282 on the 11th of December, is probably Climeri or Climery (English spelling), where a prince called Llywelyn Ap Gruftydd (mother Senana Ferch Rhodri) was killed in the melee after fighting bravely against the nasty old fascist, Edward the first.
The Heart of Wales line crosses over the river Wye, which is around one hundred and thirty to one hundred and thirty four miles long, depending on which source you check. The next viaduct that the puzzle author mentions, is probably the Knucklas viaduct, which is described in some texts as having thirteen arches. The fourth town that the train halts at could be Craven Arms, as the playwright John Osborne (born c 1929) lived in Clun, which lies six miles or so to the west. Osborne wrote the play 'Look Back in Anger' c 1956, which is about an angry malcontent called Jimmy Porter and his wife Allison, talking politics and ranting about the establishment, in a grungy flat. Osborne may have created this genre of 'angry young men' and 'kitchen sink' dramas.
Where Was I?
Saturday, 12 October 2013
Sunday Times Where Was I? Holiday Competition
Near as I can figure it, through the possibly flawed perceptual filters of my own reality tunnel, the most likely answers this week, seem to me to be:
Q1. Garmondsway
Q2. Chesney Allen
(N.B there are around one hundred and fourteen deserted villages listed for Durham but one which looks like it could be a good fit, being four miles or so west south west of Station Town, is Garmondsway)
The initial clues place us most likely in Station Town, which is listed as being a village, in the county of Durham, and could be why the puzzle author has used the quote marks around the word town. There does seem to be a dismantled railway line near this hamlet and it looks like it passed slightly to the north west, though there are also remnants of a disused line approaching from the south (now a walking trail). About four miles west south west of there, according to the OS map, lies the abandoned medieval village of Garmondsway (this is also listed as a deserted medieval village and field system on some heritage sites). Six miles or so south east of Station Town, lies the port and former shipbuilding town of Hartlepool. Some references claim that the last ship constructed in the town, called the Blanchland, was launched from there c 1961. The settlement was shelled heavily by the imperial German navy c 1914, with around 119 casualties and six members of the Durham Light Infantry being killed in the attack, which was one of the first of the war and became known as the 'Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby raid'. An Indian built frigate, which lies in the harbour museum there, is most likely HMS Trincomalee, which was according to the ship's official web site, constructed in India c 1817.
Hartlepool abbey was according to some sources constructed on a headland called the Heugh, c 640 ad and the first abbess was a Saint Hieu (feast day 21 Sep). The second abbess was a saint Hilda (feast day Nov 17) and St Hilda's church, which now stands on the Heugh headland, is dedicated to her memory. The author Compton Mackenzie is said in some references, to have been born in west Hartlepool c 1883, he was a very prolific writer and is probably remembered more for his work 'Whisky Galore', than for the book which features John Ogilvie, 'The Four Winds of Love'. Depending on which source you check, the comedian Chesney Allen was born c1893 or 1894 and died in 1982. I found one reference which claims that his first week away from his home in London, was spent in repertory, at the Grand, in west Hartlepool c 1912. The comedy duo Flanagan and Allen did a sketch called 'Oi', a version of which can be heard on Spotify.
Where Was I?
Q1. Garmondsway
Q2. Chesney Allen
(N.B there are around one hundred and fourteen deserted villages listed for Durham but one which looks like it could be a good fit, being four miles or so west south west of Station Town, is Garmondsway)
The initial clues place us most likely in Station Town, which is listed as being a village, in the county of Durham, and could be why the puzzle author has used the quote marks around the word town. There does seem to be a dismantled railway line near this hamlet and it looks like it passed slightly to the north west, though there are also remnants of a disused line approaching from the south (now a walking trail). About four miles west south west of there, according to the OS map, lies the abandoned medieval village of Garmondsway (this is also listed as a deserted medieval village and field system on some heritage sites). Six miles or so south east of Station Town, lies the port and former shipbuilding town of Hartlepool. Some references claim that the last ship constructed in the town, called the Blanchland, was launched from there c 1961. The settlement was shelled heavily by the imperial German navy c 1914, with around 119 casualties and six members of the Durham Light Infantry being killed in the attack, which was one of the first of the war and became known as the 'Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby raid'. An Indian built frigate, which lies in the harbour museum there, is most likely HMS Trincomalee, which was according to the ship's official web site, constructed in India c 1817.
Hartlepool abbey was according to some sources constructed on a headland called the Heugh, c 640 ad and the first abbess was a Saint Hieu (feast day 21 Sep). The second abbess was a saint Hilda (feast day Nov 17) and St Hilda's church, which now stands on the Heugh headland, is dedicated to her memory. The author Compton Mackenzie is said in some references, to have been born in west Hartlepool c 1883, he was a very prolific writer and is probably remembered more for his work 'Whisky Galore', than for the book which features John Ogilvie, 'The Four Winds of Love'. Depending on which source you check, the comedian Chesney Allen was born c1893 or 1894 and died in 1982. I found one reference which claims that his first week away from his home in London, was spent in repertory, at the Grand, in west Hartlepool c 1912. The comedy duo Flanagan and Allen did a sketch called 'Oi', a version of which can be heard on Spotify.
Where Was I?
Saturday, 5 October 2013
Sunday Times Where Was I? Holiday Competition
Near as I can figure it, through the possibly flawed perceptual filters of my own reality tunnel, the most likely answers this week, seem to me to be:
Q1. Rev Richard Harris Barham aka Thomas Ingoldsby
Q2. Dymchurch
(N.B. for question one, Rev Richard Harris Barham wrote his stories under the pen name of Thomas Ingoldsby, they are possibly looking for the author's real name as the answer, as opposed to the nomme d'plume. For question two, some references claim that E.Nesbit and Tommy Tucker, built a house in the village of St Mary's bay near Dymchurch but this lies to the east of St Mary in the Marsh and other sources claim that the Nesbits holidayed in Sycamore house in Dymchurch proper, which does lie north east of St Mary in the Marsh. The Eastender, is taking a punt on the answer being Dymchurch).
The initial clues most likely place us in the town of Lydd, which lies in the marshes, in the county of Kent. The quote "The world according to the best geographers is divided into Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Romney Marsh" , is said in some references, to originate from a Rev Richard Harris Barham, who wrote under the pen name 'Thomas Ingoldsby' and published a collection of what are described as burlesque horror stories, set in the Romney Marshes, c 1840, The collected works were known as 'The Ingoldsby Legends'. Some of Barham's biographies claim that he was one of the founders of the Garrick club c 1832 (he also founded a club called the 'Wig Club').
The longest church in the county of Kent, is said to be, in some references, "All Saint's Church", in the town of Lydd. It's dimensions are given as, one hundred and ninety nine feet long, with a tower around one hundred and thirty two feet high. The master of 'The Discovery', Thomas Edgar (born 1745) which was captain Cook's ship on his voyages of exploration between 1776 and 1780, is reportedly buried in the churchyard there. From the OS map, it looks like Lydd has a firing range south west of it and this could be where the explosive Lyddite (made in part from Pycric acid), was tested before being used in anger, during the first world war. There was a battle between two kings for control of Kent c 798 ad, they were called Coenwulf of Mercia (father Cuthbert) and Eadberht III Praen. It seems that Coenwulf had to get permission from the pope to move against Eadberht, as he was some sort of 'made' guy and couldn't be touched. I could'nt find any references detailing where this struggle took place but Eadberht lost and had his eyes put out and his hands cut off, by a victorious Coenwulf. The OS map does show locations near Lydd marked as Swamp Level Crossing, Sheep Wash and Sheepfold.
A hamlet northeast of Lydd, which lies two miles or so inland, is most likely St Mary in the Marsh and it is in the churchyard here, that some sources claim that the author Edith Nesbit (b 1858 - d 1924) is said to be buried. Edith's second husband was known as Thomas 'The Skipper' Tucker. Nesbit herself was allegedly a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and active in founding the Fabian society.Some references indicate that there is a plaque on Sycamore house, commemorating the author, in the village of Dymchurch, which is around two miles north east of St Mary in the Marsh and Nesbit and her family were said to have rented this place, while holidaying there.
The third author (b 1885) is most likely to be Russell Thorndike, he wrote some books about a swashbuckling vicar called Dr Syn, which were set in the area of Dymchurch and the Romney Marshes. The first one seems to be called 'Dr Syn: A Tale of the Romney Marsh'. They sound very entertaining and the Eastender may download one to his Kindle, if he can find them in the archives.
Where Was I?
Q1. Rev Richard Harris Barham aka Thomas Ingoldsby
Q2. Dymchurch
(N.B. for question one, Rev Richard Harris Barham wrote his stories under the pen name of Thomas Ingoldsby, they are possibly looking for the author's real name as the answer, as opposed to the nomme d'plume. For question two, some references claim that E.Nesbit and Tommy Tucker, built a house in the village of St Mary's bay near Dymchurch but this lies to the east of St Mary in the Marsh and other sources claim that the Nesbits holidayed in Sycamore house in Dymchurch proper, which does lie north east of St Mary in the Marsh. The Eastender, is taking a punt on the answer being Dymchurch).
The initial clues most likely place us in the town of Lydd, which lies in the marshes, in the county of Kent. The quote "The world according to the best geographers is divided into Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Romney Marsh" , is said in some references, to originate from a Rev Richard Harris Barham, who wrote under the pen name 'Thomas Ingoldsby' and published a collection of what are described as burlesque horror stories, set in the Romney Marshes, c 1840, The collected works were known as 'The Ingoldsby Legends'. Some of Barham's biographies claim that he was one of the founders of the Garrick club c 1832 (he also founded a club called the 'Wig Club').
The longest church in the county of Kent, is said to be, in some references, "All Saint's Church", in the town of Lydd. It's dimensions are given as, one hundred and ninety nine feet long, with a tower around one hundred and thirty two feet high. The master of 'The Discovery', Thomas Edgar (born 1745) which was captain Cook's ship on his voyages of exploration between 1776 and 1780, is reportedly buried in the churchyard there. From the OS map, it looks like Lydd has a firing range south west of it and this could be where the explosive Lyddite (made in part from Pycric acid), was tested before being used in anger, during the first world war. There was a battle between two kings for control of Kent c 798 ad, they were called Coenwulf of Mercia (father Cuthbert) and Eadberht III Praen. It seems that Coenwulf had to get permission from the pope to move against Eadberht, as he was some sort of 'made' guy and couldn't be touched. I could'nt find any references detailing where this struggle took place but Eadberht lost and had his eyes put out and his hands cut off, by a victorious Coenwulf. The OS map does show locations near Lydd marked as Swamp Level Crossing, Sheep Wash and Sheepfold.
A hamlet northeast of Lydd, which lies two miles or so inland, is most likely St Mary in the Marsh and it is in the churchyard here, that some sources claim that the author Edith Nesbit (b 1858 - d 1924) is said to be buried. Edith's second husband was known as Thomas 'The Skipper' Tucker. Nesbit herself was allegedly a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and active in founding the Fabian society.Some references indicate that there is a plaque on Sycamore house, commemorating the author, in the village of Dymchurch, which is around two miles north east of St Mary in the Marsh and Nesbit and her family were said to have rented this place, while holidaying there.
The third author (b 1885) is most likely to be Russell Thorndike, he wrote some books about a swashbuckling vicar called Dr Syn, which were set in the area of Dymchurch and the Romney Marshes. The first one seems to be called 'Dr Syn: A Tale of the Romney Marsh'. They sound very entertaining and the Eastender may download one to his Kindle, if he can find them in the archives.
Where Was I?
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