#new builds Guildford

[cazzyf1]

Mike Hawthorn's Last Interview

From a magazine called 'Sports Car Wheel' published in August 1959

Mike Hawthorn picks the next champion - by Michael Priestley

A few hours before Britain's newly acclaimed Grand Prix Champion was killed in his green 3.4 Jaguar on the Guildford bypass, Surrey, England, our London correspondent Mike Priestley dropped in on our behalf to chat with his old friend. The two 'Mikes' discussed the future of the sport. We print this interview with respectful homage to a great driver and a nice guy who decorated the sport with his shining achievements and warm personality.

"Mike!" I asked as I pulled up outside the Farnham garage which bears the proud name 'Mike Hawthorn, Tourist Garage Ltd'. "What's the idea of retiring under 30?"

Mike Hawthorn gave me the familiar boyish grin I knew so well, a grin he often used to mask a hurt, and he had so many during his dazzling career.

"I don't know the real reason," he said, "I had to make up my mind whether to carry on racing or give up and run a business. I had reached the top, which is good for business, but after a while I would get worse, and people would soon forget."

"This business is growing. There is more and more work to do. We have had the new showroom for 15 or 18 months, but we still want new workshops."

At his garage, Mike sold Ferraris, Jaguars, Standards and Triumphs. His father, Leslie Hawthorn, owned the garage until he was killed in a road crash a few years ago. Hawthorn's mother and a family friend ran it together so that young Mike could carry on racing.

Some people said Hawthorn left the track to get married. Mike gave me a stock answer. "You'll get nothing out of me on that. It's definitely 'No comment'"

Surrounded by paintings of himself in action, Hawthorn confirmed that he would never race again on any track. But he was toying with the idea of doing the odd speed trial and rally now and again.

"I am obviously going to miss racing," he said, "Particularly when I go to a meet and see the Grand Prix cars on the grid."

Other racing, he said, didn't have the same attraction for him. Unlike Stirling Moss, he was never very interested in sports cars, although he drove plenty of them with great success.

"Frankly, I raced for the fun of the game," said Hawthorn. "I have to admit I never took it seriously like Stirling. I'd say I was lucky to get the championship by a single point."

What he most enjoyed was a battle royal with the masters of the sport. A wheel-to-wheel "dice" with Fangio meant more to him than all the fame and fortune he earned. "I made no elaborate plans to win the championship," he said, modestly. "I wanted to win, of course, but I'm afraid I never gave it much thought until the newspapers started building it up."

Although his success have been varied and numerous, Hawthorn won only three Grandes Epreuves. Even in his championship year, he scored only one outright win. Circumstances were often against him. When Mercedes swept the board, he was with Ferrari. When the Italians had regained supremacy, he had moved to B.R.M. In 1957, he rejoined Ferrari, only to find himself outpaced by the Maseratis and Vanwalls.

Hawthorn's memories of the past eight years must have been bitter-sweet indeed. He lived through high success and bleak failure, good health and bad, friendly publicity and cruel vendettas.

The press was wildly enthusiastic about Hawthorn in the early days, but later he was to learn that there is another side to publicity. In 1955, newspapers branded him as a draft dodger - for the thinly-veiled reason that National Service was in the news at the time - and the whole subject turned into a party squabble in Parliament.

Although the charges were later proved unfounded, the shameful attacks continued abated. One newspaper even started off again when Hawthorn returned home to attend his father's funeral.

Outside in the showroom, I saw two very interesting old cars. One was the Riley tuned by his father and driven by Hawthorn at the outset of his dazzling career. It was being completely rebuilt. The other was the sports Alfa-Romeo which won the 1934 Le Mans.

A notable absentee was Hawthorn's championship Ferrari, which he wanted to keep at Farnham. However, for reasons that must be more Latin than logical, Ferrari refused to let him have it, and the car will probably end its days in bits and pieces.

With the weight of the business on his broad young shoulders, Hawthorn admitted to finding time too short. He seemed preoccupied as he talked The biggest problem of his new life, he said, was the prospect of buckling down to it. He liked the gay life surrounding the sport, and his autobiography "Challenge me the race" contains several references to "Fantastic parties" "monumental hangovers" and other high jinks.

"I do like the idea of leading a quiet life," he admitted, not very convincingly. "But it looks as if it'll be difficult at the moment."

The conversation turned to the qualities desirable in a race track driver. "Let's get it clear from the start," Mike explained. I'm not the fearless type. I've been scared white on the track more often than I can remember, but what really scares me is being a passenger. When I'm being driven, I get really scared. At 40 or 50 mph, I suppose I'm all right, but after that, I go to pieces."

"Judgement and good reflexes are, I suppose, the first essential of a racing driver," he went on, "and I suppose you have to have IT. What's IT? Well it's a blend of good judgment and good reflexes - kind of fifth sense that comes into operation on the track. You could be the bravest man alive, and not get anywhere in racing without IT."

Hawthorn has another thing in common with most other racing drivers. He is superstitious, but not unusually so. He has never liked number One, and since his great friends Peter Collins and Luigi Musso were killed in cars bearing number Two, he had dodged that number also. Hawthorn refused the number Two at Morocco. Gendebien said he was not superstitious and took it. He was nearly killed in a serious crash.

"I like anything with a five in it," said Hawthorn, "I call that a comfortable number," He has never carried a "lucky" charm for fear of losing it.

The Hawthorn family originally lived in Yorkshire, but Leslie Hawthorn decided to move to Farnham to be near the Brookland circuit. It was there that young Mike saw his first race and the die was cast.

Right from the time when he "drove" an old Jowett on the starter motor - he was only eight at the time - he dreamed of racing. He had one priceless asset; his father, who knew the game inside out, both as driver, an engineer, and helped him all the way.

Mike Hawthorn, tinkered about with old motorbikes and modest motor cars, until his father acquired a couple of Rileys. Father and son entered for the 1950 Brighton Speed Trials. Leslie came second in the 1500 c.c. class. Mike won the 1100 c.c. class.

His real break came when a family friend, Bob Chase, brought a new Cooper-Bristol and let Hawthorn race it on condition that his father looked after it.

Hawthorn's debut at the Easter meeting at Goodwood in 1952 was fantastic. He beat such British experts as Abecassis, Wharton, Poore and Hamilton. Then he relentlessly trounced Fangio himself, when the master was also driving a Cooper-Bristol. After that, Mike never looked back, although bad luck was often to harry him.

After getting a fourth place in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spain, in 1952, Hawthorn went to Modena, Italy, to be tested by Ferrari. Unfortunately, he crashed his Cooper there, and, although he was not badly hurt, he felt groggy and unfit to race for a long time.

Ferrari signed him up for 1953. This was the year that Hawthorn drove his finest race, becoming the first Britisher to win the classic French Grand Prix since Sir Henry Segrave triumphed there in 1923.

As a first-year boy in the Ferrari team, he thus beat the great Fangio after a marathon duel, and soundly defeated Farina and Ascari.

Observers thought it was one of the most thrilling races ever, to see Fangio, the "Grand Old Man" of motor-racing, and then audacious "new boy" battling it out, using every clean trick in the book, for 150 miles - Hawthorn finally winning by a second.

Although he won the Sebring 12-Hours and the Le Mans 24 Hours and several other races, 1954 and 1955 were ill-fated years for Hawthorn.

Firstly, there were the disgraceful attacks on him over his Military Service commitments, which finally ended only when he was later rejected as medically unfit because of his kidney trouble and burns.

In 1955 there was more bad publicity when he was involved in the ghastly crash at Le Mans which killed over 80 people. No one was officially blamed after a long investigation, but some people tried to make the mud stick on Hawthorn.

To complete two dreadful years, Hawthorn's beloved father, Leslie, was killed in a road crash in England while Mike was in Italy In 1954.

In 1956, Ferrari decided that Hawthorn couldn't drive for him and Jaguar at the same time, so Mike bade him farewell for the time being and became a 'freelancer'.

It was in the fast but unreliable B.R.M that Hawthorn had his most fantastic racing car crash and escaped with an injured ankle. The car got out of control at 100 m.p.h at Goodwood, cartwheeled several times end over end, and finished upside down with a front wheel torn off. Hawthorn was back with Ferrari, with whom he stayed until his retirement.

The Vanwall won the Manufactures' World Championship this year, and because the British car was, by large and large, superior to the Ferrari, Hawthorn;s championship win was all the more admirable.

He didn't exactly 'nurse' his Ferrari, as had been suggested, but he showed a high degree of 'Mechanical sympathy' and this probably won him the world laurels, informing for a moment his supreme skill and fire.

In spite of the death of Peter Collins and Luigi Musso in Grand Prix racing last year, Hawthorn insisted that it is the safest form of racing there is. That is why he was against the new Formula One, which says that GP cars must conform to set standards of minimum weight and maximum power.

"It means putting a less powerful engine in the same weight chassis. With power you can get out of trouble by putting on throttle. If you reduce the power, nothing is going to happen when you put your foot down to regain control," he told me.

Outside of racing, Hawthorn's interests were limited, both by time and inclination. He sometimes reads thrillers, war books and historical works, but he has no enthusiasm for the Arts or politics. However he had a passion for flying. In 1957 he brought a lightweight Vega Gull which he piloted "quite a lot".

He often used it to get from track to track in Europe. At Hamburg, when Peter Collins and his American wife were on board, the engine failed just after take-off. Mike pulled off the impossible. He made a forced landing on the main runway, down-wind.

Afterwards he found out that a Convair liner had landed at the same time, on the same runway- from the opposite direction. "I didn't see it at all," reminisced Hawthorn. "Guess I was born lucky that way,"

He hoped to do some air racing one day, he said, but he didn't know anything about it at the time. The idea just appealed to him. Motor racing was always the consuming passion of his life, because his childhood was filled with race track impressions; his father being an automotive engineer and racing driver in the golden days of Brooklands.

Hawthorn's private transport was a Jaguar 2.3 which he has "modded" up to series production racing standards. "I can't think of any other car which can meet my needs as well," he explained. "It is good value for money it goes extremely fast. It corners quite well, and there is plenty of room, what more could you want?"

Discussing who would be the next world champion, Hawthorn tipped Phil Hill "Stirling moss is the best driver racing today," he said, "but I think a combination of Phil Hill and Ferrari will do it,"

As I prepared to leave, Mike apologised for being so busy, shook hands, flashed a cheerful grin and dashed away to a business appointment. He was still wearing a sports jacket.

As a nod to the business career ahead of him however, the wonder boy of the track had relinquished his characteristic bowtie for a more conservative and business-like neck-wear. This I took to be the first sign of Mike's "knuckling down" to the job ahead.

[watchnrant]

A Bold Twist on History: Why My Lady Jane is a Hidden Gem in the World of Fantasy

My Lady Jane is a defiant breath of fresh air in the world of historical fantasy, embracing its bonkers nature with unapologetic enthusiasm. This series takes the rulebook of realism, tosses it out the window, and instead opts for a wild ride that blends history, fantasy, and romance into one delightful package. The show doesn’t just flirt with the boundaries of reality; it gleefully dances right past them, making a Black man the King of England and introducing shapeshifters as part of the social fabric. This bold move pays off beautifully, inviting viewers to suspend disbelief and simply enjoy the ride.

What sets My Lady Jane apart is not just its entertainment value but its sharp wit. The protagonists are a joy to follow, with Jane and her fellow female characters serving as the true heart of the show. Jane herself is fantastic—her earnestness is both endearing and occasionally irritating, but always compelling. Surrounding her are standout characters like her cunning, sex-positive mother, Lady Frances, and her fiercely independent sister, Lady Margaret, who exudes a strength and determination that would give even Lady Lyanna Mormont a run for her money.

The series doesn’t just rely on its characters to make an impact; it excels in world-building and plot twists, all presented with a satirical sense of humor. The tone is a unique blend of modern feminism and historical toxic masculinity, creating a fresh take on the period drama genre. It’s a show that doesn’t shy away from revising history, much like Dickinson or The Great, and in doing so, it crafts a narrative that feels both contemporary and timeless.

However, the show isn’t without its faults. At times, the blend of genres and tones may feel jarring to some viewers, and not all of the humor lands perfectly. The pacing can also be uneven, with some episodes feeling slightly stretched while others race through pivotal moments. But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise delightful series.

For those who enjoy a mix of romance, action, and wit in their shows, My Lady Jane delivers in spades. The chemistry between Emily Bader and Edward Bluemel is nothing short of magnetic, their love story evolving from enemies to lovers with a perfect balance of spice and sweetness. Their portrayal of Jane and Guildford is so compelling that you can’t help but root for them, even as they navigate the treacherous waters of political intrigue and personal growth.

The show’s historical twists add tension and excitement to the narrative, making it more than just a simple retelling of history. It’s a femme-centric romp that flips the script on traditional damsel-in-distress stories, showing what happens when women take control and defy the patriarchal constraints of their time. My Lady Jane is outrageous, audacious, and delightfully bawdy—a show that isn’t afraid to be dirty and daring.

That said, this show might not be for everyone. Fans of more traditional period dramas or those who prefer their fantasy with a bit more realism may find the show’s irreverence off-putting. But for viewers who appreciate a fresh, bold take on history with a heavy dose of humor, My Lady Jane is a gem.

Although My Lady Jane was one of the best-reviewed new shows this year, it sadly failed to find a broad enough audience. The series received a 91% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, yet it never landed on Nielsen’s Top 10 weekly streaming rankings for originals. Despite the initial online buzz, it didn’t translate into enough viewers, leading to the show’s quiet exit.

In my opinion, insufficient marketing and the overshadowing by other, more heavily promoted series prevented My Lady Jane from reaching the wider audience it deserved, ultimately contributing to its untimely cancellation. It’s a real shame, because this show had all the elements of a hit: humor, heart, and a unique blend of magic. From the clever reimagining of history to the standout performances, My Lady Jane was special in many ways. For those who did find it, My Lady Jane remains a gem—one that will be missed but fondly remembered.

[scotianostra]

I pride myself in knowing my Scottish history, and especially Edinburgh, not boasting but among my friends on Facebook  I know more than average, Alistair Dawson and Mark McDonald are up there with me, and then there is the main man  in the first pic here, Colin Cargill. Colin took me for lunch on Monday, Haggis Neeps and Tatties at the Guildford Arms, it was delicious. We took a wee walk after to Old Calton Burial Ground on Waterloo Place, that's the one you see when crossing North Bridge, with the obelisk that is The Martyrs Monument, which remembers Scots who  strived for political reform in the 18th century. Anyway, Colin told me the history of the graveyard, after the part of Edinburgh we know as the New Town was built you still had to go through slum areas on the Canongate and High Street to get there, this was until they built a road, which ran/runs from Portobello, London Road. This  now splits at Montrose Terrace going up Regent Road to what is now Waterloo Place, they had a problem here as the graveyard barred their way to Princes Street. They solved this by building the road right through it in 1818. Don;t worry the graves on that part were dug up and moved down Regent Road to a "new" site,  now known as New Calton Burial Ground. Now until Monday it amazes me that I did not know that on the other side of Waterloo Place, next to Howies restaurant is a small part of Old Calton Burial Ground, I can't for the life of me know how I missed this, having more or less walked past the gates on Calton Hill, literary hundreds of times, the entrance is tucked between the rear of Howies and The Parliament House hotel. It's the wee road that comes out at Calton Road/Leith Street is, The Black Bull pub sits there. So it shows that coming up for 58 years old I am still learning things about the city I love. Colin is a guide on the Tour buses you see around Edinburgh, one of the few with a live guide, rather than a recording and headphones. He is also involved with Edinburgh World Heritage an independent charity that aims to ensure the city's World Heritage  status benefits everyone. Colin has also guided tours through Greyfriars Kirkyard, working closely with, now correct me if I wrong Colin, Dr Susan Buckham Graveyards Project Manager with the charity. Colin has invited me to jump on the tour bus with him sometime in the spring, I look forward to doing so and grabbing pics from a perspective I would not normally enjoy.

[newnewz]

Explore your dream home and office spaces with Motia |3 BHK flats and commercial shops for sale in Zirakpur

Motia Group has been in the forefront of the Luxury Real Estate Market, providing residents from all walks of life with magnificent homes and exotic business destinations. Motia Group provides commercial shopes for sale in Zirakpur in a variety of commercial building projects. Motia Group’s ongoing commercial areas include Motia’z Guildford Square, Motia HUYS, and Motia’z Royal Business Park. High Street and Motia Plaza are two of their completed commercial spaces.

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2. Motia HUYS: Motia HUYS is the Motia Group flagship project. The desirable residential property includes a commercial complex. It offers you to an attractive and economical shopping experience in a bustling setting in the city core. Motia HUYS, their latest commercial project in Peer Muchalla, is elegantly built and located within walking distance of the residential area. It is comprised of high-quality amenities like as food joints, grocery stores, chemist stores, salons, mobile & electronics shops, and Bank/ATMs.

3. Motia’z Royal Business Park: Motia’z Royal Business Park is an ongoing project that includes a business hub and an integrated township on the Delhi-Chandigarh National Highway 22 — one of Punjab’s largest business parks. Royal Business Park in Zirakpur includes business shops for sale on 3 acres of land. The business park is equipped with hotels, restaurants, banquet halls, and the infrastructure required to support increasing firms. Motia’z Royal Business Park also features on-site parking, 24 hour security, and power backup. The Royal Business Park is easily accessible by car and has well-designed office spaces with a large super built-up area.

4. High Street, Zirakpur: High Street Commercial Units is the sole commercial establishment in and near Zirakpur’s vast residential sector on VIP Road. This internationally styled commercial zone’s architecture and design achieve an elegant ambience, providing the retailer with an ideal platform for his brand and the customers with a unique holistic shopping experience.

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[cambergaragedoor]

Garage Doors Guildford: Choosing the Right Option for Your Home

Finding the right Garage Doors Guildford can be daunting, especially with various styles, materials, and technologies on offer. Whether you’re considering upgrading your existing door or installing one in a new build, Guildford residents have a wealth of choices. Here, we’ll explore the key aspects of selecting new Garage Doors Guildford and discuss options, benefits, and considerations for long-term investment.

Why Choose New Garage Doors Guildford?

Upgrading your garage door is an investment that goes beyond aesthetics. A modern Garage Door Guildford can:

Enhance curb appeal

Increase property value

Improve security

Offer insulation benefits

Reduce maintenance costs

Let’s dive deeper into these advantages.

Types of Garage Doors Available in Guildford

Selecting the right garage door type is crucial. Options in Guildford are diverse, with each style offering unique features:

Up-and-Over Garage Doors

Advantages: Simple operation, economical.

Disadvantages: Requires space to swing open, limited insulation.

Sectional Garage Doors

Advantages: Excellent insulation, smooth vertical opening.

Disadvantages: Often pricier due to their advanced mechanisms.

Roller Garage Doors

Advantages: Space-saving, secure, durable.

Disadvantages: Higher initial cost, limited customisation.

Side-Hinged Garage Doors

Advantages: Classic appearance, easy access.

Disadvantages: Requires space on both sides, moderate insulation.

Each type offers distinct benefits, so understanding your needs is key when considering new Garage Doors Guildford.

Materials for Garage Doors

The choice of material can impact the cost, durability, and appearance of your garage door. Here are popular options:

Steel: Known for durability and strength. It’s a common choice for homeowners in Guildford who want a secure door.

Aluminium: Lightweight and resistant to rust, though it offers less insulation.

Wood: Provides a traditional, natural look. However, it requires regular maintenance to withstand the UK climate.

GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic): Offers a balance of durability and low maintenance, ideal for coastal areas.

Composite: Combines different materials for added strength and insulation.

Choosing the right material will affect the longevity and functionality of your Garage Doors Guildford.

Key Features of New Garage Doors Guildford

For homeowners seeking new garage doors Guildford, certain features stand out:

Automation: Opting for a motorised door can provide added convenience and security. Many new garage doors Guildford include options for remote access and smartphone control.

Insulation: If your garage is attached to your home, an insulated door can help maintain indoor temperature, reducing energy bills.

Safety Features: Anti-pinch technology, manual release, and sensors help ensure safe operation.

Customisation Options: Many manufacturers offer doors in various colours, finishes, and textures, allowing you to match your home’s aesthetic.

Warranty and Aftercare: Ensure that your chosen supplier offers a warranty and support for your new garage doors Guildford.

Benefits of Upgrading to a New Garage Door

Upgrading to new garage doors Guildford offers a range of benefits:

Energy Efficiency: Modern doors provide better insulation, reducing heat loss.

Improved Security: Newer doors often feature anti-theft technology, offering peace of mind.

Enhanced Aesthetics: Modern garage doors come in a variety of designs, helping to improve your home’s appearance.

Reduced Maintenance: With advancements in materials and finishes, new doors require less upkeep.

Choosing a Garage Door Installer in Guildford

Selecting the right installer is as important as choosing the door itself. Consider these points:

Experience and Reputation: Look for an installer with extensive experience and positive reviews from local Guildford residents.

Product Knowledge: A knowledgeable installer can provide guidance on the best options for your property and budget.

After-Sales Support: Check if they offer maintenance and repair services post-installation.

Warranty: Ensure that your chosen provider offers a warranty on both parts and labour.

Tips for Maintaining Your New Garage Doors Guildford

Once installed, maintaining your new garage doors Guildford will ensure longevity and efficient operation:

Regular Cleaning: Keep the door free from dirt and debris.

Lubricate Moving Parts: Lubricate hinges, springs, and tracks every six months.

Inspect for Wear and Tear: Check for signs of rust, cracks, or warping.

Test Safety Features: Regularly test sensors and manual release systems.

Professional Maintenance: Arrange for professional maintenance annually to ensure optimal performance.

Choosing the Right Design for Your Home

When selecting garage doors Guildford, it’s important to match the style of your home. Here are some design options to consider:

Traditional: Wooden doors with classic panelling suit period homes and cottages.

Modern: Minimalistic aluminium or steel doors complement contemporary homes.

Rustic: A composite material door with a wood-grain finish adds a rustic touch to country properties.

Bold Colours: Many homeowners opt for colours like navy blue, charcoal grey, or forest green to make a statement.

Cost of New Garage Doors in Guildford

The price of new garage doors Guildford varies depending on the type, material, and features. Here’s a general cost breakdown:

Basic Steel Up-and-Over Door: £500–£1,000

Insulated Sectional Door: £1,500–£3,000

Roller Door: £1,000–£2,500

Customised Composite Door: £2,000–£4,000

Installation Process

Here’s what to expect during installation:

Site Inspection: The installer will measure your garage opening and assess any specific needs.

Door Selection and Customisation: After discussing options, you’ll choose the design, material, and colour.

Preparation: The old door is removed, and any necessary adjustments to the framework are made.

Installation: The new door is fitted, and all mechanisms are tested.

Final Checks: The installer will verify that the door operates smoothly and demonstrate usage and maintenance tips.

By carefully selecting new garage doors Guildford, homeowners can enhance their property’s security, energy efficiency, and aesthetics. Choosing a reputable installer ensures that your investment lasts for years, adding both functionality and style to your Guildford home.

[advancesport]

At Advance Sport, we believe fitness is a journey that looks different for everyone. Our gyms in Woking are more than just workout spaces—they are vibrant communities where everyone is encouraged to challenge themselves, build their strength, and reach new personal milestones.

[ctyhomeptyltd]

Laminate Flooring Sydney

When it comes to durable and stylish flooring options, Laminate Flooring Sydney by CTY Home Pty Ltd offers a perfect solution. Whether you’re renovating or building a new home, laminate flooring is an affordable yet high-quality option that enhances the look and feel of any space.

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For all your Sydney Laminate Flooring Services needs, trust CTY Home Pty Ltd to provide expert advice and high-quality products that transform your space into something truly special.

Get in Touch

Contacts

0424 673 976

Email

rdrocket.hr@gmail.com

Location

Guildford NSW 2161

[babakahteshamipour]

Scavenging the Abject is a lab developed by Selina Hammer, Ramona Gomez and Babak Ahteshamipour in the context of the Chapters I and II of Queering Nature: The Quest, an Art and Game Design Research Residency by Random Kingdom. The lab explores the concept of abjection [1], the horror and banishment of decay, rot and collapse from anthropocentric-technocratic discourses that seek immortality through non-human beings and the non-organic that embody abjection, addressed as scavengers in the context of the lab. Scavengers eat the rotten flesh, collecting abjected matter — what is rejected and cast aside. Through this act, they nurture, restore, and reintroduce it into the cycle of life, where all things grow, bloom, wither, and fade.

The scavengers introduces us into the realm of blackened ecology and the world-without-us: "the world-without-us is the subtraction of the human from the world. [...] the world-without-us lies somewhere in between, in a nebulous zone that is at once impersonal and horrific."[2]; there is no meaning, intention or linear narratives with ends in nature [3]. Nature that does not recognize a division between a human and non-human world. In fact there is no such thing as nature. Nature is a construct, an other, created by extractivist discourses with the intention of conquering it. The world can exist without us; anthropocentrism finds that depressive. It is not about us.

Blackened ecology re-examines the non-human and redefines it, perceiving it as autonomous and indifferent to the human species, as a world-in-itself. It doesn't aim to contain it, interpret it or simulate it for the benefit of anthropological discourse; but most importantly it doesn't profit from it. Blackened ecology additionally aligns with queer ecology's values of non-binary and rhizomatic approach towards the universe: as a singular totality that is made up of an assemblage of beings that coexist with each other in non-hierarchical structures.

To understand the world-in-itself [4] we need to imagine the world-without-us. We exist in the world but perceive it as not-us, as an other. Despite this separation, we cannot exist outside of the world, we embody it. Since the world-in-itself refuses to be contained within anthropocentric discourse, it becomes abjected, as something occulted, horrifying and untamed. Catastrophic geophysical and organic phenomenons such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, tornadoes, pandemics, organ dysfunctions, wound infections and rotting corpses are manifestations of this occulted world. [5]

The broken sidewalks, abandoned buildings, contaminated sewers, discarded electronics, the flora and fauna that blooms from cracks of concrete, the insects, bacteria and fungi that feed on the urban wastes are all manifestations of the occulted world. Utilizing these unassuming resources can help us reconsider what ecology stands for by re-integrating decay to provide a more universal and inclusive perspective for healing, nourishment, compassion and comprehension. Watch the grimoire animation here.

Watch the cards animation here.

Notes:

[1] "[...] what is abject, on the contrary, the jettisoned object, is radically excluded and draws me the place where meaning collapses", Julia Kristeva, Powers of Horror, 1941, Columbia University Press, New York, Guildford, Surrey, p. 2

[2] Eugene Thacker, In The Dust of the Planet, 2011, Zero Books, John Hunt Publishing Ltd., Laurel House, Station Approach, Alresford, Hants, SO24 9JH, UK, p. 10

[3] "Blackening embraces the purposelessness thoroughly: there is no purpose, no goal nor end in nature; there is not even negation, there is nothing, only a final endstille. The obliteration of the observer leads to the removal of purpose, with no mind present to intend.", Niall Scott, Blackening the Green, Scott Wilson, Melancology: Black Metal Theory and Ecology, 2013, Zero Books, John Hunt Publishing Ltd., Laurel House, Station Approach, Alresford, Hants, SO24 9JH, UK, p. 75

[4] "The hiddenness of the world is not just the world-in-itself, for the world-in-itself is, by definition, absolutely cut off from us as human beings in the world (the world-for-us). When the world-in-itself becomes occulted, or “hidden,” a strange and paradoxical movement takes place whereby the world-in-itself presents itself to us, but without ever becoming fully accessible or completely knowable. The world-in-itself presents itself to us, but without simply becoming the world-for-us; it is, to borrow from Schopenhauer, “the world-in-itself-for-us.”, Eugene Thacker, In The Dust of the Planet, 2011, Zero Books, John Hunt Publishing Ltd., Laurel House, Station Approach, Alresford, Hants, SO24 9JH, UK, p. 48

[5] "The corpse (or cadaver: cadere, to fall), that which has irremediably come a cropper, is cesspool, and death; it upsets even more violently the one who confronts it as a fragile and fallacious chance. A wound with blood and pus, or the sickly, acrid smell of sweat, of decay, does not signify death. In the presence of signified death-a flat encephalograph, for instance-I would, understand, react, or accept. No, as in true theater, without makeup or masks, refuse and corpses show me what I permanently thrust aside in order to live. These body fluids, this defilement, this shit are what life withstands, hardly and with difficulty, on the part of death. There, I am at the border of my condition as a living being. My body extricates itself, as being alive, from that border. Such wastes drop so that I might live, until, from loss to loss, nothing remains in me and my entire body falls beyond the limit — cadere, cadaver.", Julia Kristeva, Powers of Horror, 1941, Columbia University Press, New York, Guildford, Surrey, p. 3

[jcmarchi]

Baldur's Gate 3 Dev Larian Opens New Studio As Development On Two 'Very Ambitious' RPGs Continues

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/baldurs-gate-3-dev-larian-opens-new-studio-as-development-on-two-very-ambitious-rpgs-continues/

Baldur's Gate 3 Dev Larian Opens New Studio As Development On Two 'Very Ambitious' RPGs Continues

Larian Studios, the team behind last year’s Baldur’s Gate 3, has opened a new studio in Warsaw, Poland. Larian Studios Warsaw is the developer-publisher’s seventh studio worldwide, and joins others in Barcelona, Dublin, Gent, Guildford, Kuala Lumpur, and Quebec. 

“With two very ambitious RPGs now starting development, what better way to see our visions realized than by growing our team and opening a 7th studio in the heart of Poland’s lively gaming scene,” the company’s announcement post on X (formerly) Twitter reads. 

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As for what those two RPGs are, don’t expect a sequel to Baldur’s Gate 3. Despite winning countless awards last year, including Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2023, Larian’s CEO revealed back in March that the studio is done with both Baldur’s Gate 3 – so no expansions – and the Baldur’s Gate series in general. 

Over on a separate blog post about Larian Studios Warsaw, the company talks about its plans with seven worldwide studios open now. 

“Larian Studios set up base in one of the greatest RPG development hubs in the world – Poland, where we opened our doors in the historic city of Warsaw,” the blog post reads. “Like its sister studios across the globe, Larian Studios Warsaw is dedicated to fostering an environment where developers can thrive creatively and reclaim their agency. Systems-heavy RPGs need best-in-class developers; that’s why we’ve put the people who build those systems at the center of our culture.” 

For more, read Game Informer’s Baldur’s Gate 3 review, and then find out why it’s on Game Informer’s list of the top 10 RPGs to play right now. 

What kind of RPG do you hope Larian Studios makes next? Let us know in the comments below!

[richardjlockleyhobson]

The inception of it was a murder at the village of Lower Quinton, just outside of Stratford-upon-Avon, in which a tramp was murdered by, I think villagers, and his body dragged along so that the blood could fertilise the crops …​ 

There is no English village that has not played host to at least one significant historical event, and I have it in mind that I have known something of Walton’s murder for quite-some-time, though I really can’t be sure. I have it in mind that the incident is infamous and that everyone knows something of it, but in truth, that really depends on to whom you speak and what circles they move in.

Alternatively, if it were not for prolific playwright and novelist John Bowen, I may well have never heard of Charles Walton, a farm labourer whose mutilated body was found among the hedgerows of Firs Farm, Lower Quinton, on the evening of the 14th of February, 1945.

Over time, the details of Walton’s murder have become other things and as it is, you could be forgiven for thinking that Bowen’s comments were in reference to the circumstances of David Rudkin’s 1962 play Afore Night Come, not Robin Redbreast.

John once told me that Robin Redbreast was partly inspired by (and partly filmed in) Old Lodge Farm, which lies roughly 9 miles north-east of Banbury. John purchased the property sometime during the latter half of 1970 and was resident there until his death, in 2019.

It's sometimes difficult to reconcile the lightness of John’s character with the darkness that can be found in key-works such as Robin Redbreast and A Photograph. That said, Robin Redbreast, to which our attention is drawn, is relatively straightforward in comparison to its malevolent sibling, A Photograph. A Photograph is far from straightforward and the late appearance of Mrs. Vigo (Freda Bamford), last seen standing in front of Old Lodge Farm, seven years earlier, asks more questions than it answers. ...​ 

— John Bowen is quoted in conversation for inclusion as an “extra” on the BFI’s 2013 DVD release of Robin Redbreast.

— Robin Redbreast (TV Drama). Written by John Bowen and directed by James MacTaggart. Produced as part of the British Broadcasting Corporation’s Play for Today anthology series. Originally transmitted on the 10th of December, 1970. Though I understand that, due to a nationwide power-outage, the final minutes of the program were not transmitted and as a consequence, Robin Redbreast was repeated on the 25th of February, 1971.

A theatrical version of Robin Redbreast was staged by the Guildford Theatre Co., 15th of October 1974, at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford.

— A Photograph (TV Drama). Written by John Bowen and directed by John Glenister. Produced as part of the British Broadcasting Corporation’s Play for Today anthology series. Originally transmitted on the 22nd of March, 1977.

— Afore Night Come (Play). Written by David Rudkin and first staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company, 7th of June, 1962, at the New Arts Theatre Club, London. Directed by Clifford Williams.

Revived, as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 1964 season at the Aldwych Theatre, London, Afore Night Come was performed in repertory, along with, amongst others, Pinter’s The Birthday Party, Beckett’s Endgame and Weiss’ The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade. …​ 

But the author, it soon transpires, is up to something very different: the slice-of-life introduction and the carefully documentary setting are only the bait which leads audiences cheerfully into his trap … The strength of the play lies in two things: the inexorable theatrical logic with which it carries us from its simple realistic opening to the weird, primitive ritual of its climax; and the efficacy of the play on a literal as well as a metaphorical level … Accepting, then, that such things might happen and sometimes do, Afore Night Come builds up a minutely credible picture of how one such case might come about. In this countryside the dark gods still walk (Rudkin’s first favourite adult reading - after Just William and Arthur Ransome - was Hardy, which may have something to do with his view of rural life) and superstitions die hard. Strangers are mistrusted, the weak go to the wall and anything out of the ordinary (barrenness, insanity) is as like as not the fault of something unnatural, someone with the evil eye. — John Russell Taylor, Anger and After, A Guide to the New British Drama, University Paperbacks are published by Methuen & Co., 1971

I have two copies of John Russell Taylor's Anger and After. The aforementioned, revised, with an additional chapter, By Way of Experiment and an earlier edition, inscribed, by the author, to no one in particular, ... A first edition - my goodness, it's practically an historical exhibit - Still, as T. S. Eliot didn't say, as we get older we don't get any younger - John Russell Taylor - October 1970 ...​ 

Somewhere in the archives, I have a copy of John’s play Little Boxes, first published by Methuen & Co. in 1968. The book is dedicated to David Cook, John’s long term partner and inscribed​, ... To Bill and Anna - a wonderful Jane! With love John Bowen.

The “Anna” here of course is Anna Cropper, whose portrayal of Robin Redbreast’s protagonist Nora Palmer, anchors us, when required. Her stoicism in the face of such uncertainty is admirable. The “Bill” here is William Roache, an actor most associated with the character of Ken Barlow in the long-running television drama, Coronation Street. At the time, William and Anna were husband and wife, married in 1961 and divorced in 1974.

Little Boxes consists of two interrelated yet separate plays, The Coffee Lace and Trevor. Making its debut at the Hampstead Theatre Club on the 26th of February 1968, before transferring to the Duchess Theatre, later the same year. Although the characters differ, John’s intention was for the cast of one play to perform the other. In The Coffee Lace Anna plays the role of Miss Peel and in Trevor, Jane Kempton.

It is not usual for those that write for television, film or even theatre, to form associations with particular actors and John was no exception. As well as working with Anna, John’s television plays frequently featured actor John Stride. Stride plays the role of Mark Antony in Heil Caesar! (1973), Michael Otway in A Photograph (1977) and Paul in The Ice House (1978).

We have of course met Nora Palmer before. Prior to the unsettling events of Robin Redbreast, prior to a contemplative glass of brandy with Madge and Jake, Nora, script editor for an independent television company, could be found drinking tea with Peter Ash, host of The Living Arts, a “cultural feature” screened monthly at participating cinemas.

The Birdcage was first published by Faber in 1962 and for the most part, concerns itself with the shifting sexual politics of the time, often informed by John’s own experiences and that of those around him. Three years later, what remains of Nora and Peter’s relationship is given due consideration, in Robin Redbreast’s opening scene. …​ 

The space between, the end of one thing and the beginning of another, time is taken-up. Letters, phone-calls, emails, etc. Fac et aliquid operis, ut semper te diabolus inveniat occupatum (engage in some occupation, so that the devil may always find you busy).

Warwickshire County Records Office. Warwickshire and West-Mercia Police. The Metropolitan Police. Warwickshire County Coroner’s Office. Stratford-upon-Avon Herald. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Methuen, Routledge, Harlequin. I have been ably assisted.

As a consequence of this and other preoccupations, stacks of clear plastic storage boxes take-up space in what would otherwise be a perfectly good second bedroom in my medium-sized apartment. …​ 

Wednesday 25/01/2017. The National Archives. A cold morning’s walk through Chiswick, over Chiswick Bridge and along the Thames Path.

The Public Records Office at Kew was designed by English architect John Cecil Clavering for the Office of Works. Clavering is perhaps better known for his work with the Weedon Partnership, designing a series of Odeon Cinemas at Kingstanding, Sutton Coldfield, Colwyn Bay and finally Scarborough. Opened in 1977 and renamed in 2003, the building is a fine example of what is commonly referred to as Brutalist architecture.

My possessions are transferred to a clear plastic bag, an extremely unflattering photograph is taken and a pass produced, a Reader’s Ticket. By prior-arrangement, an item of interest will find its way to an orange-tinted acrylic locker, one of many, alphanumeric, corresponding to a seat within the Reading Room.

MEPO 3/2290 contains the Central Officer’s Special Report 201/45/30 and other, related documentation. Fragile documents cannot be separated out, without the potential for damage. Documentation is comprehensive. That said, reference is made to photographs, taken at the scene and a map, showing the location of Walton’s body, but these things are conspicuous by their absence.

I move to another part of the room to make copies of Chief Inspector Fabian’s original report, by way of an overhead camera. The National Archives’ document scanning service. The resulting .jpeg files are then uploaded, emailed out and, as I return MEPO 3/2290 to the front desk, an elderly woman has a coughing-fit and is escorted from the room. ...​ 

Thank you for your recent email. The National Archives is the archive of records generated by UK central government departments and selected for preservation under the 1958 Public Records Act (and subsequent amendments). The MEPO 3 series contains correspondence and papers of the Metropolitan Police Commissioner's Office and The National Archives’ document reference MEPO 3/2290 contains the full document as accessioned by us. If any photographs were present in the original file they were not selected for permanent preservation under the act. I note from the file description that the murder took place in Stratford upon Avon. Therefore, this case would have been dealt with by the local constabulary and if there are any further surviving records relating to the case they would be held locally. Therefore I would suggest contacting Warwickshire County Record Office in the first instance for informed advice on what historic records may have been deposited with them and secondly, Warwickshire Police directly. I hope this information is helpful. — Steven Cable, Remote Enquiries Duty Officer, The National Archives

National Archives Disclaimer. This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual(s) to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient and have received this email in error, please notify the sender and delete the email. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message and attachments that do not relate to the official business of The National Archives are neither given nor endorsed by it.

Thank you for your email, Warwickshire case files that are over 50 years old were kept at our Warwickshire Police HQ. After enquiring with the relevant department, I have been informed that following a flood a few years back, all files were either destroyed or badly damaged and therefore unable to be viewed. Please accept my apologies, we will not be able to provide you the information you require. — Kieren Bodill, Operational Communications Assistant, Corporate Communications, Warwickshire and West Mercia Police …​ 

Sunday 17/12/2017. The civil parish of Quinton, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England.

1 h 24 min (66.3 miles) via M5. Fastest route, the usual traffic. Get on M5 in South Gloucestershire from A4018. 8 min (3.4 mi). Follow M5 to A46 in Tewkesbury. Take exit 9 from M5. 37 min (40.5 mi). Continue on A46 to your destination in Lower Quinton. 38 min (22.5 mi). Lower Quinton.

Four Thatches, opposite All Saints and before The Firs, which is curious as, from the street, there would appear to be only Three. Walton and his niece Edith Walton (Goode) having occupied the middle cottage, or second from the left, from Friday Street, if there are to be Four. Further along, The Firs, once the location of Alfred Potter’s farm, now a cul-de-sac of detached houses. Properties were registered in 1988.

Walking back along Main Road from The Firs, turning off onto Goose Lane. Halfway along Goose Lane, Lower Quinton turns to Upper Quinton. Goose Lane, The Green and Hill Lane. Hill Lane gives way to a tree-lined track that takes you up onto farmland, up onto Meon Hill’s northern slopes.

I lose my footing and find myself cast to the ground. To mud, to infrequent patches of snow, my Ilford HP5 Plus single-use camera, which I had fished out of my rucksack at The Firs, flung from my hand. Returning now, with care, I find a crab-apple tree amongst the hedgerows. ...​ 

Fourteenth February 1945 - In a field on Firs Farm, Quinton R.D. - Charles Walton - Male - 74 years - of 15, Lower Quinton, Stratford-on-Avon R.D. - Farm Labourer - Shock and haemorrhage due to grave injuries to the neck and chest caused by a pitchfork and a trouncing hook - The injuries having been inflicted by some person or persons unknown (wilful murder) - Certificate received from G. F. Lodder, Coroner for the County of Warwick, inquest 20th March 1945 - Twenty Second March 1945 - Wallace Ellis, Registrar

The 1939 Register is a useful resource for family, social and local historians. As the 1931 census for England and Wales was destroyed by fire during the Second World War and no census was taken in 1941, the 1939 Register provides the most complete survey of the population of England and Wales between 1921 and 1951.

Charles Walton, 12 May 1870, General Labourer, Widowed, Lower Quinton, Stratford-on-Avon R.D., Warwickshire, England. Edith Goode (Walton), 23 May 1911, Unpaid Domestic Duties, Single, Lower Quinton, Stratford-on-Avon R.D., Warwickshire, England.

Alfred J Potter, 01 Oct 1903, Farmer, The Firs Lower Quinton, Stratford-on-Avon R.D., Warwickshire, England. Lilian E Potter, 01 Jun 1905, Unpaid Domestic Duties, Married, The Firs Lower Quinton, Stratford-on-Avon R.D., Warwickshire, England. Grace M Richards, 21 Sep 1913, Unpaid Domestic Duties, Married, The Firs Lower Quinton, Stratford-on-Avon R.D., Warwickshire, England.

Hillground. Identifying the precise location of Hillground will be more difficult I am afraid, as there is no one reliable source for field names. If there are tithe, estate or enclosure maps for an area then the name might appear on the map or accompanying survey, but even where there are names shown, these can of course change over time. As this area has historically been part of Gloucestershire, we don't have many relevant maps. I have found one for which I include details below, but you may wish to contact Gloucestershire Record Office to see if they hold any relevant records. CR1635/350. Small leather bound volume, 6¾" × 9", containing plans and surveys of the following property on the Weston estate; the surveyor is not named - includes Meon Hill Farm in 1832, with a table of the annual state of cultivation, 1831-1855. — David Hodgkinson, Public Service Team, Warwickshire County Record Office …​ 

Society has long-since organised itself in such a way as to make murder almost impossible to get away with. Between the residue of premeditation and the act itself, few murders go unsolved and the majority of murderers are brought to book, within a reasonable period of time.

The details of Walton’s murder are disturbing, upsetting, and although a thorough investigation was undertaken, Charles’ murderer was never found.

As far as Chief Inspector Robert Fabian of the Metropolitan Police was concerned, the only viable suspect was Alfred J Potter, owner of Firs Farm and Walton’s most recent employer. However, regardless of how much Fabian liked Potter for the murder, insufficient evidence and a lack of motive meant that this particular line-of-enquiry was unlikely to result in a conviction. And even if it had, such a conviction would have been considered unsound. ...​ 

201/45/30. 7th April, 1945. Commander E. R. B. Kemble, R. N., Chief Constable of Warwickshire, County Constabulary, Warwick. Dear Kemble, here is a copy of our report and statements in the case of Charles Walton. I am sorry we have had no luck so far, but you never know, something may well still turn up. I hope you are fit. Do look in and see me next time you come to London. Yours sincerely, R M H

The very thorough enquiries made in this case have, so far, uncovered no evidence on which action can be taken. There is suspicion against the farmer Potter, chiefly because of discrepancies in his statements affecting what he says he saw of the murdered man at a time which must have been shortly before the murder. There are, apparently, no finger impressions on the weapons used. The most positive factor, at present, seems to be the missing watch. It may be that the victim’s trousers were undone by the murderer searching for a money belt. If robbery be the motive, the offender is likely to be a person with local knowledge, although this may not be so. — Superintendent Thomas Basil Thompson, Central Officer’s Special Report 201/45/30, April 1945 …​ 

Somewhere in the archives I have a photograph of Detective Superintendent Alec Spooner, head of Warwickshire’s Criminal Investigation Department. Spooner is pictured revisiting the scene of Walton’s murder and it is said that he did so on several occasions.

In 1949 Robert Fabian retires, having attained the rank of Detective Superintendent. Fabian had garnered some notoriety whilst working with the Metropolitan Police and subsequently, became something of a celebrity. In 1956, Robert appears as a castaway on Roy Plomley’s Desert Island Discs, his luxury item, an umbrella and that same year, he parts-company with Winifred Letitia, his wife of 32 years.

Between 1950 and 1954, Naldrett Press published two books by Fabian, Fabian of the Yard and London After Dark. In 1970, Pelham Books published The Anatomy of Crime and In 1954, Fabian of the Yard was adapted by the British Broadcasting Corporation, their earliest foray into Police Procedural Drama.

Robert was undoubtedly a gifted and intuitive detective and I am sure that it was important for him to have felt that he had given a good account of himself. However, I suspect that the disappointment of never having caught whomever was responsible for Walton’s murder had preyed on his mind. …​ 

Anybody can become a witch. All you have to do is to recite an ancient spell that will conjure up the devil. You then dip a quill pen in blood from your veins and sign an agreement selling him your soul. He gives you a silver coin in token, and leaves with you a cat, a bird and a black dog which will act as your fiendish servant and obey your commands. Such is the ritual of black witchery, and you should be warned that it is an offence under the Witchcraft Act of 1735, which is still unrepealed upon the statute books. When you have become a witch you can put the evil eye on your neighbours, make their cattle die, their crops rot.You do not believe such nonsense, and neither do I, yet in the picturesque Tudor village of Lower Quinton, its thatched roofs golden among the Cotswold hills, they speak of witches with a wry grin and many people will not pass from Bidford down Hillborough-Lane for fear of a headless horseman and a ghostly woman in white. — Robert Fabian, Under the Shadow of Meon Hill, Fabian of the Yard, Naldrett Press, 1954 ...​ 

...​ 

The Murder of PC 222 William Hine on 16th Feb 1886, is the longest outstanding unsolved murder that I have been made aware of, and not the Murder of Charles Walton. Kind Regards. — Kieren Bodill, Operational Communications Assistant, Corporate Communications, Warwickshire and West Mercia Police

I’ve had a look at RAF Cooks’s printed research (a copy of which we hold in our library), and specifically exhibited pages of newspapers; principally the Stratford Herald, 26 February 1886. This tells how the body of PC Hine was found in the Warwick and Napton Canal, near a curve in the canal about a quarter of a mile from the Wharf Inn (coming back from the direction of Banbury). According to the accounts, PC Hine was attacked and possibly/probably murdered in a field leading from a footpath known as The Lanket (Stratford Herald), ‘300 yards from his house near the centre of the village’ (Warwickshire Advertiser, 20 February 1886). In the field (which is called White’s field in Cooks’s narrative, but I didn’t spot it being specifically named in the Herald and their version of the inquest) were found PC Hine’s helmet and handkerchief, and footprints, signs of a struggle and blood. So, his body was found in the canal (also referred to as the Oxford Canal in one account), but the murder likely took place in the above mentioned field, and his body was then dragged on a hurdle to the canal. — Amanda Williams, Archivist, Warwickshire County Record Office

Firstly I looked at the 1939 register for Charles Walton and his neighbours in order to cross reference with the electoral register for that year. Unfortunately the record office does not hold the 1939 electoral register containing the parish of Quinton (presumably held by Gloucestershire Archive Service) and there are no registers for the war years. This being said, I looked at our first available electoral register (1950) and began to look for the names of the neighbours from the 1939 census and many were still in residence. The results of these searches using the 1950 electoral register show that the Stanley Family lived at Elmhurst, which still exists, and is the next property to the Four Thatched Cottages. Working backwards from the Stanley family to Charles Walton, cross referencing the names on the census with the electoral register we have the Hayward family living at No. 17 Lower Quinton; the Beasley family have moved, now in the occupation of the Rose family; No. 15 is not listed; Ellen Bowden and the Stowe family are at No. 14 Lower Quinton (1 Church Street on the census). We then move onto residents of Friday Street with the Nicholls family living at 23/24 Friday Street. This would indicate that Nos. 14-17 were the now Four Thatched Cottages with No. 14 being the end cottage on the corner of Friday Street and Main Street with the house of Charles Walton being the second cottage from the corner. So in conclusion 15 Lower Quinton is one of the cottages on the corner of Friday Street and Main Road. — Karen Moulder, Public Service Team, Warwickshire County Records Office

I have had a look, and Alfred J. Potter, farmer, date of birth 16/10/1903 is listed as living at The Firs, Lower Quinton, Warwickshire, England. I could not identify any similar sounding places in the 1939 Register. This seems to confirm your suspicions - and also seems to indicate that the farm was known as ‘The Firs’, as well as ‘Firs Farm’, from at least 1939. — Becky Hemsley, Public Service Team, Warwickshire County Record Office

Michael Bakewell (BBC) “With me now is the person who knew him most and best, his niece Mrs. Goode. Mrs. Goode, Charles Walton was living with you at the time of the murder” Edith Goode “Yes” Bakewell “Do you think there was any chance that witchcraft played any part in his death at all?” Goode “No. I think erm, the papers made a lot of it, erm, and I lived with him all my life and I’ve never known such things, I think it’s ridiculous really the things that were said” Bakewell “What did you think about the theories in the newspapers?” Goode “What the papers said was very disturbing, because none of it was true” Bakewell “Warwickshire is supposed to be one of the great centres of witchcraft, did you ever meet a witch or know anything about witchcraft?” Goode “No, never. I’ve never heard of it. I never remember them talking about witchcraft until this came along”

Old Man’s Terrible Injuries - Inflicted with Billhook and Pitchfork - Tragic Discovery at Quinton - Warwickshire police are investigating what may prove to be a murder of a particularly brutal character. On Wednesday night, following a search, the body of a 74-year-old farm labourer, Mr. Charles Walton, of Lower Quinton, was found with terrible injuries in a field on Meon Hill, where he had been engaged in hedge-laying. A trouncing hook and a two-tined pitchfork are said to have been embedded in his body. Mr. Walton, who lived with his niece, was a frail old man. He suffered considerably from rheumatism and walked with the aid of two sticks … Mr. Walton spent his whole life in Quinton, and was known to everyone. The tragedy has shocked the locality. A neighbour told the Herald that he was a quiet, inoffensive old man, one of the best you would meet in a day’s march, and he was not likely to have had any enemies in the village. He always had a cheery word for everyone, she said. It seems impossible to impute any motive for murder. Miss Walton is engaged to a Stratford man, and following the discovery of the tragedy left her home for Stratford. Last night the police were continuing their inquiries and had visited a camp in the area. Later it was stated that the police regard the crime as the work of a lunatic or someone maddened by drink. — Stratford-upon-Avon Herald, 16th of February, 1945

It is curious that the first story the papers told was that Walton was killed at a Black Mass at midnight, a wonderful story to conjure up scenes of horror, when people noticed that if Walton was killed at a Black Mass at midnight on St. Valentine’s Eve, it was curious that so many people saw him alive and well the next day; so the story was hastily changed. She now said that “he was killed exactly at Mid-day on St. Valentine’s Day”. Now it so happens I was one of the people consulted at the time of the murder, as to the possibility of its being a ritual murder, or a sacrifice. I said it can’t be a sacrifice because, what use is an old cripple for a sacrifice? All races I know of want something young and vigorous. Because I was consulted I was told certain things not usually known, and I presume they are still police secrets, so I don’t mention them. But I can say he was alive and well after mid-day, so this second story is all moonshine. Although, if I am right, in one sense Charles Walton was a human sacrifice; he was a victim of the long campaign of witch-hunting that has been waged throughout the centuries; and the modern purveyors of fear and folly may well take it to their consciences. — Gerald B. Gardner, The Meaning of Witchcraft, 1959

After all, newspaper sensations are a very easy target for criticism, so easy that they are hardly worth shooting at. A new one appears regularly every week, duly makes its contribution to the gaiety of nations, and then comes in very useful for wrapping fish. However, when things are said which may affect the investigation of an unsolved murder, the matter becomes more serious. To unmask irresponsible sensationalism is then a public duty. This mysterious and terrible crime, which shattered the peace of a beautiful, secluded little village in the Cotswolds in 1945, has been the subject of wild speculation, and dark hints of witchcraft and ritual murder. — Gerald B. Gardner, The Meaning of Witchcraft, 1959

— These considerations are dedicated to playwright and novelist John Griffith Bowen. 5th of November, 1924 – 18th of April, 2019.

[grantgoddard]

Attempted murder on the Waterloo express? : 1971 : Bagshot railway station

 Kapow! There was an explosion. Before I even grasped what had just happened, I could see I was covered with shards of glass. What was that noise? The train window I was sat next to had suddenly vanished and was in pieces on me and the seat. Luckily, I had not been looking towards the window at the time, otherwise my face would have been injured. Luckily, because it was winter, I was wearing an army surplus hat with furry earflaps that had protected my head and ears. Luckily, I was wearing a coat over my school blazer, gloves and long trousers that had shielded me, these winter woollies necessary because trains’ heating systems rarely functioned adequately.

I caught the ten-past-eight number 28 train every day for seven years from Camberley station to my school half-an-hour away in Egham. It was part of a commuter route propelling workers on the one-hour journey into London’s busy Waterloo terminus. Travelling to school this way felt like stepping into Narnia through the wardrobe door of our suburban British Rail station. Journeys were populated by strange characters not present in my normal day-to-day homelife. The station platform was awash with bowler-hatted, suited gentlemen carrying leather briefcases and rolled-up umbrellas. Women were a rare sight. Humourless station staff in uniforms shouted announcements about delays in the tone of army drill sergeants. Bumptious Terry-Thomas ticket inspectors walked through train carriages, looking down their noses at our thick green cardboard season tickets as if we were interlopers on their Orient Express.

At least the trains on our line were relatively modern electric rolling stock. As a small child, I recall standing at the top of the open footbridge over Camberley station, looking down at the signal box beside the level crossing and feeling clouds of smoke envelope me from a steam train passing underneath. Or was that a ‘Railway Children’-inspired false memory, acquired from reminiscences by my grandfather who had worked unloading timber for local building firm ‘Dolton, Bournes & Dolton’ in the goods yard beside the station? He had been made redundant in the early 1960’s for the yard to be replaced by a new ring road and Camberley ‘bus station’, in reality no more than a line of bus stops and tiny shelters without a waiting room. After my afternoon arrival in Camberley by train to await the hourly 39B (40 minutes past every hour) or two-hourly 34A bus (15 minutes past even hours) for the final two-mile journey home, I would have to walk over to the railway station lobby and sit opposite the ticket window to keep warm and dry.

My schoolfriends and I were the Pevensie children of Camberley, rendezvousing every morning at the very rear of the station’s eastbound platform that could accommodate only four carriages, despite our train normally being eight. When the train driver pulled up close to the signal at the top of the platform, we could just about clamber up to open the first door of the fifth carriage from the platform’s sloping end. Those rear four carriages became our playground because, until the train reached Ascot station’s longer platform, we had that section entirely to ourselves. No other passengers, no train staff. We could be as loud and unruly as we wanted. We would walk down the corridor to sit at the very rear of the train because, eventually alighting at Egham station’s full-length platform, we would be right next to the exit gate.

When the incident happened that morning, the train had slowed down to pull into Bagshot station and was about to cross the Guildford Road viaduct, a massively tall structure of four arches built in 1878. On either side of this bridge carrying dual train tracks were high embankments with steep, near vertical sides. On the north side, below the railway, was a vast tract of land owned by ‘Waterers Nurseries’ since 1829 to grow and sell plants. Before reaching that was Bagshot Infant School, set back from the embankment, on School Lane that ended in a footpath passing under the embankment towards Bagshot Green farm on the south side. At the time, undeveloped land stretched on both sides and (unlike now) the embankment was not bordered by trees.

Could a person have thrown a stone from the north side to make the train window next to me shatter? Unlikely because the embankment on which the train passed was too steep to stand upon. If the culprit had stood further away, below the embankment, a rock could not have reached the height necessary to make contact with the train, nor would it have retained sufficient momentum to smash the window with enough force for it to have not merely cracked, but to have shattered in its entirety.

What kind of projectile could have caused such damage? A powerful gun of some kind could have generated the necessary velocity and momentum for its bullet to shatter the thick glass window. A gunman (or woman?) would have needed practiced skill to aim upwards from the land below the embankment, or possibly to have lain half-way up the embankment adjacent to the footpath (now 'School Lane Field'). In either case, it would have required planning and experience to succeed in such a challenging topography next to the train route. Since only two trains per hour travelled in either direction, this act could not have been a spur-of-the-moment impulse.

Why was the window I had sat beside targeted? As the train decelerated to enter Bagshot station, the rear carriages would have passed at a slower speed, making them an easier moving target than the front ones. Us schoolboys were habitually the only passengers anywhere in those rear four carriages, making my head the one visible sign of on-board life amongst dozens of otherwise empty train windows. That implies that my window must have been purposefully selected as the intended target. It was a dark winter morning and the internal carriage lighting would have made my outline visible from outside the train.

So where did the bullet land? Only one thing was certain: it had not hit me, otherwise I would not be here to tell the tale. Did we look to see if a bullet had passed over my head and become embedded in the carriage’s structure? No. In that pre-‘CSI’ era, forensic science remained an unknown foreign land. From watching weekly television detective shows, all we understood was that ‘McCloud’ cracked cases by riding his horse down Broadway, ‘Columbo’ used his raincoat and ‘McMillan’ solved crimes by getting into bed with sweatshirt-wearing wife Sally. In the aftermath, I had not even deduced that I had likely been targeted by somebody shooting a gun. That is how unworldly I must have been, though I had always enjoyed the pellet-gun target shooting stall at the fair's bi-annual visits to Camberley Recreation Ground.

So how DID I react to this dramatic event? Did I scream? Cry? Sob uncontrollably? No, I simply stood up, brushed off the glass fragments that had covered me, and our little group moved to an adjoining carriage where the breeze through the vacant window would not make us feel colder. Even had we wanted to, there was nothing we could have done immediately. There were no train staff in those rear carriages and, once the train stopped in Bagshot station, its platform was too short to get out. Only once we reached Ascot was the platform long enough to deboard. So, did we? No, because if we had raised the alarm, we realised the fickle finger of fate might have pointed to us bunch of schoolboys for having broken the window. Which British Rail jobsworth would have believed our story that someone laying on a grassy knoll in Bagshot must have targeted me for assassination?

Leaving the train at Egham twenty-five minutes later, we could see the void where the window had exploded in front of our eyes. Nobody else seemed to have noticed the gaping hole or had bothered to halt the train to investigate. If they had, we might have arrived late for school that day. That would have been a fate worse than death. We had already brushed aside the incident and were more concerned with the school day ahead of us. Once I returned home that evening, I did not even bother mentioning to my parents what had happened. Only years later would I realise what a close call I had experienced that winter morning at the age of thirteen.

For us kids, trekking from one end of Surrey to the other every weekday on public transport, strange events would occur regularly in this otherworld. Our trains were sometimes cancelled, or rerouted through stations that were unknown to us, or suspended when someone jumped to their death off the footbridge at Egham station. In the latter case, some of us would watch morbidly for the arrival of emergency services whose crew had to scoop up the person’s bloodied remains spread along the tracks by a speeding train. Our unspoken attitude was: almost anything could happen on our way to and from school … and often did. It was a daily expedition into a world beyond ours, populated by weird adults to whom we appeared to be invisible.

Once a year, during ‘Royal Ascot’ week in June, our train would fill with bizarrely overdressed racegoers with strange toff accents and extremely loud voices who carried bottles of alcohol, swayed precariously and occasionally were sick on the carriage floor. They were much worse behaved than we had ever been, their conversations often ribald and filled with profanities. Did anyone chastise them, force them off the train or tell them to act respectfully in front of us children? Not at all! They did precisely what the upper classes are wont to do with their own children: they ignored us totally and appeared completely unembarrassed by their own behaviours.

I recalled the Bagshot train incident when, half a century later, I went for a run through rural France on a bright summer morning. There was no traffic and no visible human activity as I ran down the middle of a tarmacked road flanked on both sides by flat agricultural land. The only noise was birdsong until … a high velocity bullet whizzed above my head from left to right. I stopped running, turned in the direction from which it had come and shouted profanities (in English) at the top of my voice. Without my glasses, I was unable to see far enough into the distance to spot the culprit. This was no accident. I could not have been mistaken by a hunter for an animal. I was clearly visible on a ‘departmental’ road, not in the middle of woodland. But I had been the only object moving in this static landscape and that seemed sufficient to unwittingly make me a target.

If I were superstitious, I might be worried about ‘third time lucky’.

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[cathservices]

To Extend or Upsize? Deciding the Fate of Your Guildford Home

Guildford, with its charming streets, historic architecture, and vibrant community, is a highly sought-after location for homeowners looking to settle down in the heart of Surrey. However, as families grow and needs change, many homeowners are faced with the dilemma of whether to extend their existing home or upsize to a larger property. In this article, we'll delve into the pros and cons of both options, helping you navigate the decision-making process and determine the best course of action for your Guildford home.

Let's start by discussing the option of extending your Guildford home. With property prices on the rise and a limited supply of larger homes available, extending your existing property can be an attractive alternative to upsizing. According to research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), the average cost of a single-storey extension in the UK ranges from £1,200 to £2,100 per square meter, making it a cost-effective way to add extra space and increase the value of your home.

One of the main advantages of extending your Guildford home is the ability to tailor the space to your specific needs and preferences. Whether you're looking to create a larger kitchen, add an extra bedroom, or build a home office or gym, a carefully planned extension can provide the additional space and functionality you desire without the hassle of moving to a new property. Additionally, extending your home allows you to stay in the neighborhood you love, maintain existing relationships with neighbors, and avoid the stress and upheaval of relocating.

However, extending your Guildford home is not without its challenges. Planning regulations, building permits, and construction costs can add complexity and expense to the process, and it's essential to work with experienced architects, builders, and contractors to ensure the project is completed to a high standard. Additionally, the disruption caused by construction work and the temporary loss of outdoor space during the building process can be inconvenient for homeowners and their families.

On the other hand, upsizing to a larger property offers its own set of advantages and benefits. With a larger home, you'll have more space to accommodate a growing family, entertain guests, and pursue hobbies and interests. According to research by Zoopla, the average price of a four-bedroom property in Guildford is £738,704, making it a feasible option for homeowners looking to upsize without breaking the bank. Additionally, moving to a larger property allows you to start fresh and design a home that meets your current and future needs.

However, upsizing comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. The cost of purchasing a larger property, including stamp duty, legal fees, and moving expenses, can be significant, and it's essential to carefully weigh the financial implications before making a decision. Additionally, moving to a new property means leaving behind familiar surroundings, schools, and amenities, and it's essential to consider the impact on your family's lifestyle and routine.

So, how do you decide whether to extend your Guildford home or upsize to a larger property? Ultimately, the decision will depend on your individual circumstances, budget, and long-term goals. If you love your current home and neighborhood and simply need more space, extending your property may be the ideal solution. However, if you're looking for a fresh start and have the financial means to upsize, moving to a larger property may be the better option.

In conclusion, deciding whether to extend your Guildford home or upsize to a larger property is a significant decision that requires careful consideration of various factors. By weighing the pros and cons of each option, consulting with professionals, and evaluating your needs and preferences, you can make an informed choice that's right for you and your family. Whether you choose to extend your existing home or upsize to a larger property, Guildford offers a wealth of opportunities and possibilities for homeowners looking to create their dream home in this charming Surrey town.

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Navigating the Path to Homeownership: New Home Purchase Mortgage in Surrey with Vidit Paruthi, Mortgage Professional

In the picturesque city of Surrey, embarking on the journey to homeownership is an exciting prospect. For those looking to turn their dream of owning a new home into reality, the expertise of a seasoned professional is invaluable. Enter Vidit Paruthi, Mortgage Professional – your trusted guide in securing the perfect new home purchase mortgage in Surrey.

The Surrey Advantage

Surrey, with its diverse communities, beautiful parks, and excellent amenities, is a sought-after location for those seeking a place to call home. As the city continues to grow, so does the demand for new homes. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or looking to upgrade to a larger space, navigating the complex landscape of mortgage options requires a skilled professional like Vidit Paruthi.

Vidit Paruthi: Your Mortgage Ally

Vidit Paruthi is more than just a mortgage professional; he's your ally in the journey towards homeownership. With a deep understanding of the Surrey real estate market, Vidit brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, ensuring that his clients make informed decisions when it comes to securing a new home purchase mortgage.

Tailored Mortgage Solutions

One size doesn't fit all when it comes to mortgages, and Vidit Paruthi understands this well. His approach is rooted in providing tailored solutions that align with the unique needs and financial circumstances of each client. Whether you're a young family, a professional seeking a condo, or an investor exploring opportunities in Surrey, Vidit works diligently to structure the right mortgage for you.

Expertise in Surrey Real Estate

Surrey's real estate market is dynamic and constantly evolving. Vidit Paruthi stays ahead of the curve, keeping a close eye on market trends, interest rates, and new developments. This expertise allows him to guide clients through the complexities of the Surrey real estate landscape, ensuring they secure a new home purchase mortgage that suits both their short-term and long-term goals.

Why Choose Vidit Paruthi?

1. In-Depth Market Knowledge

Vidit's in-depth knowledge of the Surrey real estate market is a significant advantage for clients. Whether you're eyeing a property in Fleetwood, Newton, or Guildford, Vidit can provide valuable insights into the local market conditions, helping you make well-informed decisions.

2. Personalized Service

Vidit Paruthi prides himself on offering personalized service to every client. Buying a new home is a significant milestone, and Vidit ensures that the mortgage process is smooth and stress-free. From the initial consultation to the closing of the deal, you can expect dedicated and personalized attention.

3. Access to a Network of Lenders

As a seasoned mortgage professional, Vidit Paruthi has cultivated strong relationships with a network of lenders. This network allows him to access a diverse range of mortgage products and negotiate favorable terms on behalf of his clients. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, Vidit can connect you with the right lender for your needs.

4. Transparent Communication

Transparency is a cornerstone of Vidit Paruthi's service. He ensures that clients have a clear understanding of the mortgage process, terms, and conditions. By fostering open and honest communication, Vidit builds trust with his clients, making the journey towards homeownership a collaborative and informed experience.

Conclusion

Embarking on the exciting journey of purchasing a new home in Surrey requires a trusted ally who understands the nuances of the real estate market and the intricacies of mortgage financing. Vidit Paruthi, Mortgage Professional, emerges as the go-to expert in Surrey, offering personalized service, in-depth market knowledge, and a commitment to helping clients secure the ideal new home purchase mortgage.

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, Vidit Paruthi is dedicated to guiding you through the process with expertise and care. Choose Vidit Paruthi as your partner in Surrey real estate, and let the path to homeownership be a seamless and rewarding experience.