Sunday, 27 May 2007
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
The sound of Wood on Jack
The outdoor bowling season started on May 3 with Verwood Bowling Club second team (Verwood A), having earned promotion last season, playing in division 2 of the Dorset County League and division 3 of the New Forest League.
Moving up to the upper divisions in any sport is always going to be a challenge and this has been the case so far in both Leagues. Hopefully Verwood A can carry on improving in their matches and have another successful season with the aim to keep in the divisions.
If you want to monitor their progress, this can be done by logging on to the following sites.
http://www.kfnorman.f2s.com/leagues.htm
http://www.dorsetcountyba.org.uk/page53.html
Moving up to the upper divisions in any sport is always going to be a challenge and this has been the case so far in both Leagues. Hopefully Verwood A can carry on improving in their matches and have another successful season with the aim to keep in the divisions.
If you want to monitor their progress, this can be done by logging on to the following sites.
http://www.kfnorman.f2s.com/leagues.htm
http://www.dorsetcountyba.org.uk/page53.html
Monday, 21 May 2007
A little piece of family history
Although it's exact age has not been verified it is possible that this piece of stained glass is over 100 years old.Sometime in 1918 relatives on Dad's side of the family, the O'Hara's, moved into 84 Burnthwaite Road, London SW6 and this glass was in the front door and it remained there until the last of them died in March 1989.
When the house was sold it was removed, with the new owners permission and taken to the Poulter family home in West Dulwich, London SE21.
Like any stained glass of this age, when it is removed from a solid frame it is more prone to damage and it is amazing that it stood up to the original removal, transported to West Dulwich, Bexhill in East Sussex and finally to Verwood in Dorset without being damaged.
It has been put back into a frame to keep it rigid and holds pride of place on a wall on the patio.
My wish is that it will eventually be passed on to another generation of the Poulter family who will take care of it for many years to come
Sunday, 20 May 2007
The Imperial Ice Stars are to skating what Cirque du Soleil is to circus.
The Imperial Ice Stars returned to the UK as part of their world tour with a dazzling new production, Swan Lake on Ice.
They are widely regarded as the premier theatrical ice skating company in the world. Their last production, Sleeping Beauty on Ice, played to over 500,000 people in ten countries. Audiences and critics were united in their praise, with the show receiving nightly standing ovations.
Swan Lake on Ice is performed to Tchaikovsky's music by 25 World, European and National Championship skaters, who between them have won over 200 medals.
The world's leading ice director and choreographer, Tony Mercer, has assembled a first class creative team which includes double Olympic figure skating gold medallist, Evgeni Platov and quadruple Olympic gold medallist Alexi Nemov. Together they have created an unrivalled show incorporating all the intricate and thrilling moves seen at the Winter Olympics and feats never seen before in figure skating.
Sumptuous sets have been designed by Eamon D'Arcy, one of Australia's leading scenic designers, with stunning costumes by Albina Gabueva from Moscow's famed Stanislavsky Theatre.
What is also amazing is the performance we attended is played out in a theatre on a normal stage with an ice floor and not a full size ice rink!
For further information about the Imperial Ice Stars see follow up link.
They are widely regarded as the premier theatrical ice skating company in the world. Their last production, Sleeping Beauty on Ice, played to over 500,000 people in ten countries. Audiences and critics were united in their praise, with the show receiving nightly standing ovations.
Swan Lake on Ice is performed to Tchaikovsky's music by 25 World, European and National Championship skaters, who between them have won over 200 medals.
The world's leading ice director and choreographer, Tony Mercer, has assembled a first class creative team which includes double Olympic figure skating gold medallist, Evgeni Platov and quadruple Olympic gold medallist Alexi Nemov. Together they have created an unrivalled show incorporating all the intricate and thrilling moves seen at the Winter Olympics and feats never seen before in figure skating.
Sumptuous sets have been designed by Eamon D'Arcy, one of Australia's leading scenic designers, with stunning costumes by Albina Gabueva from Moscow's famed Stanislavsky Theatre.
What is also amazing is the performance we attended is played out in a theatre on a normal stage with an ice floor and not a full size ice rink!
For further information about the Imperial Ice Stars see follow up link.
Swan Lake - The Story
Swan Lake is a ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky presented in either four Acts, four Scenes (primarily outside Russia and Eastern Europe) or three Acts, four Scenes (primarily in Russia and Eastern Europe), based on a libretto by Vladimir Begichev and (possibly) Vasily Geltser, fashioned from an ancient German legend, which tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse.Swan Lake begins at a royal court. Prince Siegfried, heir to the kingdom, must declare a wife at his birthday ball. Upset that he cannot marry for love, Siegfried escapes into the forest at night. As he sees a flock of swans flying overhead, he aims his crossbow and readies himself for their landing by the lakeside. When one comes into view, however, he stops; before him is a beautiful creature dressed in white feathers, more woman than swan. Enamoured, the two dance and Siegfried learns that the swan maiden is the princess Odette. An evil sorcerer, Von Rothbart, captured her and used his magic to turn Odette into a swan by day and woman by night.
A retinue of other captured swan-maidens attend Odette in the environs of Swan Lake, which was formed by the tears of her parents when she was kidnapped by Von Rothbart. Once Siegfried knows her story, he takes great pity on her and falls in love. As he begins to swear his love to her - an act that will render the sorcerer's spell powerless - Von Rothbart appears. Siegfried threatens to kill him but Odette intercedes; if Von Rothbart dies before the spell is broken, it can never be undone.
The Prince returns to the castle to attend the ball. Von Rothbart arrives in disguise with his own daughter Odile, making her seem identical to Odette in all respects except that she wears black while Odette wears white. The prince mistakes her for Odette, dances with her, and proclaims to the court that he intends to make her his wife. Only a moment too late, Siegfried sees the real Odette and realizes his mistake. The method in which Odette appears varies: in some versions she arrives at the castle, while in other versions Von Rothbart shows Siegfried a magical vision of her.
At this point versions of the ballet diverge. In the original version, Odette and Siegfred, realizing that the spell can never be broken, drown themselves by leaping into the lake. This causes Von Rothbart to lose his power over them, and he dies as a result. But many different endings exist, ranging from romantic to tragic.
In a version danced by the Mariinsky Ballet in 2006, the true love between Siegfried and Odette defeats Von Rothbart, who dies after the prince breaks one of his wings. Odette is restored to human form to unite happily with the prince. This version has often been used by Russian and Chinese ballet companies. In a version which has an ending very close to the original danced by American Ballet Theatre in 2005, Siegfried's mistaken pledge of fidelity to Odile consigns Odette to eternal swanhood. Realizing that her last moment of humanity is at hand, Odette commits suicide by throwing herself into the lake. The Prince does so as well. This act of sacrifice and love breaks Von Rothbart's power, and he is destroyed. In the final tableau, the lovers are seen rising together to heaven in apotheosis. In a version danced by New York City Ballet in 2006 (with choreography by Peter Martins after Lev Ivanov, Marius Petipa, and George Balanchine), the Prince's declaration that he wishes to marry Odile constitutes a betrayal that condemns Odette to remain a swan forever. Odette is called away into swan form, and Siegfried is left alone in grief as the curtain falls.
Tuesday, 8 May 2007
Tuesday, 1 May 2007
MAY DAY
The first day of the month of May is known as May Day. It is the time of year when warmer weather begins and flowers and trees start to blossom. It is said to be a time of love and romance. It is when people celebrate the coming of summer with lots of different customs that are expressions of joy and hope after a long winter.
Although summer does not officially begin until June, May Day really marks its beginning. May Day celebrations have their origins in the Roman festival of Flora, goddess of fruit and flowers, which marked the beginning of summer. It was held annually from April 28th to May 3rd.
Interesting Fact: Although May Day is now the first day of the month of May, before 1752, when the calendar was changed, it was 11 days earlier.
May Day Bank Holiday
The month of May has many traditions and celebrations. For the convenience of the general public many May Day activities have now been moved to the new May Day holiday on the first Monday of the month. This Monday is a bank holiday, a day off school and work.
Many of the May Day celebrations take place at the weekend as well as on the 'May Day' Monday. The weekend is know as bank holiday weekend because it comes with the extra day holiday on the Monday.
How was May Day Celebrated?
It was custom for every one to go a-Maying early on May Day.
Herrick, a 17th century English poet wrote:
"There's not a budding boy, or girl, this day,But is got up, and gone to bring in May."
Decorating Houses
May Day began early in the morning. People would go out before sunrise in order to gather flowers and greenery to decorate their houses and villages with in the belief that the vegetation spirits would bring good fortune.
Washing in the early morning dew
Girls would make a special point of washing their faces in the dew of the early morning. They believed this made them very beautiful for the following year.
May Day Garlands
Young girls would make May Garlands. They covered two hoops, one at right angles inside the other, with leaves and flowers, and sometimes they put a doll inside to represent the goddess of Spring.
In some parts of Britain, May 1st is called Garland Day.
"The first of May is Garland Day so please remember the garland.We don't come here but once a year, so please remember the garland."
May Day Lifting
There was once a tradition in England of 'lifting' where a gang of young men would lift a pretty girl in a flower bedecked chair on May day. Then the girl would choose a boy on May 2nd.
May Queen and other Festivities
The rest of the day was given over to various festivities. There was dancing on the village green, archery contest and exhibitions of strength. The highlight of the day was the crowning of the May Qu
een, the human replica of Flora. By tradition she took no part in the games or dancing, but sat like a queen in a flower-decked chair to watch her 'subjects'.
Maypole Dancing
A traditional May day dance is known as Maypole Dancing. On May day, people used to cut down young trees and stick them in the ground in the village to mark the arrival of summer. People danced around them in celebration of the end of winter and the start of the fine weather that would allow planting to begin.
Maypoles were once common all over England and were kept from one year to the next. Schools would practice skipping round the pole for weeks before the final show on the village greens. The end results would be either a beautiful plaited pattern of ribbons round the pole or a tangled cat's cradle, depending on how much rehearsing had been done.
Many English villages still have a maypole, and on May 1st, the villagers dance around it.
Interesting Fact: The tallest maypole is said to have been erected in London on the Strand in 1661, it stood over 143 feet high. It was felled in 1717, when it was used by Isaac Newton to support Huygen's new reflecting telescope.
Another traditional dance you will often see from May is Morris Dancing
May Day Tricks
In the North of England, the first of May was a kind of late 'April Fooling' when all sorts of pranks would take place and 'May Gosling' was the shout if you managed to trick someone. The response would be:
'May Goslings past and gone. You're the fool for making me one!'
May Day Celebrations today
In some places, May Day celebrations begin at sunset on 30 April. They include lots of floral decorations and processions through towns and villages.
Charlton-on-Otmoor, a village near OxfordA May-Day festival is held involving all the children from the Primary School. It starts with a special May-day song followed by a procession to the church. Everyone wears white and carries garlands of flowers. The girls wear straw bands and posies and ribbons in their hair.In the church, the posies are laid in a great spread below the Rood Screen, which is specially decorated with a Rood-Cross completely wrapped in Yew leaves and branches. After a very full special service, all the children process back to their school with all their families and friends. They dance a number of May-day dances and Maypole ones too before tucking into a great MAY Day feast.
Rochester Sweeps Festival
Rochester's annual Sweep Festival celebrates the traditional holiday that chimney sweeps used to enjoy on 1 May. It was the one time of the year when the sweeps could put away their tools and have some fun.
The Sweeps Festival is a colourful mix of music, dancing and entertainment. An opportunity to see some of the traditional dances and hear the songs which have been past down from generation to generation.
Although summer does not officially begin until June, May Day really marks its beginning. May Day celebrations have their origins in the Roman festival of Flora, goddess of fruit and flowers, which marked the beginning of summer. It was held annually from April 28th to May 3rd.
Interesting Fact: Although May Day is now the first day of the month of May, before 1752, when the calendar was changed, it was 11 days earlier.
May Day Bank Holiday
The month of May has many traditions and celebrations. For the convenience of the general public many May Day activities have now been moved to the new May Day holiday on the first Monday of the month. This Monday is a bank holiday, a day off school and work.
Many of the May Day celebrations take place at the weekend as well as on the 'May Day' Monday. The weekend is know as bank holiday weekend because it comes with the extra day holiday on the Monday.
How was May Day Celebrated?
It was custom for every one to go a-Maying early on May Day.
Herrick, a 17th century English poet wrote:
"There's not a budding boy, or girl, this day,But is got up, and gone to bring in May."
Decorating Houses
May Day began early in the morning. People would go out before sunrise in order to gather flowers and greenery to decorate their houses and villages with in the belief that the vegetation spirits would bring good fortune.
Washing in the early morning dew
Girls would make a special point of washing their faces in the dew of the early morning. They believed this made them very beautiful for the following year.
May Day Garlands
Young girls would make May Garlands. They covered two hoops, one at right angles inside the other, with leaves and flowers, and sometimes they put a doll inside to represent the goddess of Spring.
In some parts of Britain, May 1st is called Garland Day.
"The first of May is Garland Day so please remember the garland.We don't come here but once a year, so please remember the garland."
May Day Lifting
There was once a tradition in England of 'lifting' where a gang of young men would lift a pretty girl in a flower bedecked chair on May day. Then the girl would choose a boy on May 2nd.
May Queen and other Festivities
The rest of the day was given over to various festivities. There was dancing on the village green, archery contest and exhibitions of strength. The highlight of the day was the crowning of the May Qu
een, the human replica of Flora. By tradition she took no part in the games or dancing, but sat like a queen in a flower-decked chair to watch her 'subjects'.Maypole Dancing
A traditional May day dance is known as Maypole Dancing. On May day, people used to cut down young trees and stick them in the ground in the village to mark the arrival of summer. People danced around them in celebration of the end of winter and the start of the fine weather that would allow planting to begin.
Maypoles were once common all over England and were kept from one year to the next. Schools would practice skipping round the pole for weeks before the final show on the village greens. The end results would be either a beautiful plaited pattern of ribbons round the pole or a tangled cat's cradle, depending on how much rehearsing had been done.
Many English villages still have a maypole, and on May 1st, the villagers dance around it.
Interesting Fact: The tallest maypole is said to have been erected in London on the Strand in 1661, it stood over 143 feet high. It was felled in 1717, when it was used by Isaac Newton to support Huygen's new reflecting telescope.
Another traditional dance you will often see from May is Morris Dancing
May Day Tricks
In the North of England, the first of May was a kind of late 'April Fooling' when all sorts of pranks would take place and 'May Gosling' was the shout if you managed to trick someone. The response would be:
'May Goslings past and gone. You're the fool for making me one!'
May Day Celebrations today
In some places, May Day celebrations begin at sunset on 30 April. They include lots of floral decorations and processions through towns and villages.
Charlton-on-Otmoor, a village near OxfordA May-Day festival is held involving all the children from the Primary School. It starts with a special May-day song followed by a procession to the church. Everyone wears white and carries garlands of flowers. The girls wear straw bands and posies and ribbons in their hair.In the church, the posies are laid in a great spread below the Rood Screen, which is specially decorated with a Rood-Cross completely wrapped in Yew leaves and branches. After a very full special service, all the children process back to their school with all their families and friends. They dance a number of May-day dances and Maypole ones too before tucking into a great MAY Day feast.
Rochester Sweeps Festival
Rochester's annual Sweep Festival celebrates the traditional holiday that chimney sweeps used to enjoy on 1 May. It was the one time of the year when the sweeps could put away their tools and have some fun.
The Sweeps Festival is a colourful mix of music, dancing and entertainment. An opportunity to see some of the traditional dances and hear the songs which have been past down from generation to generation.
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