Three Natural Resources or mix: Roman Cement; Polyhalite; and Lithium …

 

This post is to satisfy my inner need to write about these rocks, or mixes thereof … equally I don't want to bore you – I'm generous that way, aren't I? – tempt/inform you … but let you do the wandering …

Various crystals - found in Canada

Many scientists had wondered why so many of the Roman buildings are still intact after 2,000 years, while recent ones fall down or 'think about' collapsing …

I'd visited Canterbury Cathedral (in 2015) where repairs were being carried out after part of the stone tracery from the Great South Window had collapsed … details in links.

Scaffolding seen when I visited
Canterbury Cathedral

Recently scientists appear to have found the magic ingredient behind ancient Rome's self-healing concrete … 

A large volcanic Tephra at Brown Bluff,
Antartica - a particularly large tephra

It is believed that Tephra ... a fragmental material produced by volcanic eruption … is the magic ingredient the Romans added into their building mix … allowing damaged areas to self-heal before further building disaster occurred.

Next – Polyhalite – a natural multi-nutrient fertiliser – a by-product from the potash mined under the North York Moors/North Sea.

North York Moors

It's only recently been realised how environmentally valuable Polyhalite is – they use it on the hallowed turf at Wimbledon - four nutrients are found in one product - the Anglo-American site is informative.

The Polyalite layer of rock happens to be of motherlode proportions … the only known deposit being mined anywhere in the world, now shipped where needed as an organic agricultural fertiliser – so this country suddenly can add mining back onto its export list …

Poldice Mine, east of Redruth

Cornwall – which I call my homeland – has, since time recorded, had mines – the Phoenicians from the Levant 3,000 years ago were drawn to the availability of Cornish locally mined silver and tin, the Romans 2,000 years ago also accessed the resources.

Crown Mines Botallack

The Cornish landscape honeycombed with mine shafts is once again being opened up to exploration for essential minerals – copper, tungsten and importantly lithium …

Artisinal miners, Kalio,
Republic of Congo

Maybe we don't like mining our own lands – but surely we 'do it' more ethically, carefully and frugally as far as the environment is concerned – which has to be 'way better' than ripping the earth apart with little care in the world – as happens in for instance the Democratic Republic of Congo … or because of greed insist the populace work in inhuman conditions with little care for their health or lives.

As Ed Conway mentions in his book 'Material World: A Substantial Story of Our Past and Future' … dirty and grimy though mining may be – it is part of the human story.

Ed Conway's book -
that inspired some
of this post

The blurb notes 'Sand, salt, iron, copper, oil and lithium. They built our world, and they will transform our future.'

I have to say I really want to read this book – but am immersed in rather a large number of others – so it'll have to wait – but I will get there … it sounds extremely informative.

Our ancestors were, really, quite wise - I hope we take more note of their ways and knowledge ... 

Anglo-American - 

Polyhalite and Potash - what's the difference? 

The Woodsmith Project - about the new polyhalite fertiliser mine

Canterbury Cathedral Scaffolding tour in 2015 (my blog post)

Julia and Hans Rausing Trust - informative article on the Cathedral and their donation towards saving the window.

Tephra - more info c/o Wiki

Massachusetts Institute of Technology article on Why Roman Concrete was so durable ... 'Riddle Solved' 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Wheatley and Gillray – Georgian artists …

 

The two history talks I gave were about these two Georgian period artists … Francis Wheatley (1747 – 1801) and James Gillray (1756 – 1815) …

Francis Wheatley

We're learning something of the Georgian era (George I to George IV: 1714 - 1830) … which included the sub-period that is the Regency era (when George IV as Prince of Wales was regent during the illness of George III).

Some members of the group opt to give talks on different subjects - I'm usually the one that tends to break the mould … choosing something interests that me, rather than a subject suggested.

Chair Mender

Wheatley (1747 - 1801) was an English portrait and landscape painter, who was brought up in and around Covent Garden … where the poor would hawk their wares …

He had an eventful career when his low point came in 1789 he was elected to the Royal Academy in preference to the King's nominee … that was that – he never secured another commission from the aristocracy.

Preparing for market

His career unravelled … yet in the middle of all the turmoil he had created these 'Cries of London', which were exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1792 and 1795 …

It is thought that his third wife, who became, after his death, Clara Maria Pope, was his model for the female hawkers shown in these paintings. There's a ginger and white terrier that often occurs throughout the series.

Sweet Oranges

Various engravers of the time brought these 'Cries of London' to the public's attention – which have ever since remained in the nation's heart …

The ballad seller

… and prevail as part of our historical culture … featuring on chocolate boxes, biscuit tins and prints often found hanging in the houses of elderly relatives and the seaside hotels of our British childhoods.

James Gillray

Next came James Gillray … a caricaturist and printmaker famous for his etched political and social satires, mostly published between 1792 – 1810.

He's been called “the father of the political cartoon” … and who, along with Hogarth, became the two most influential cartoonists of the era.

L'Assemblee Nationale (1804) -
was called "the most talented caricature
that has ever appeared" partly due to its
admirable likenesses.  The Prince of Wales
paid a large sum of money for it to be 
suppressed and its plate destroyed.

Gillray's targets were the great and the good, not excepting royalty. But his vision is often dark, his wit frequently cruel and even shockingly bawdy: some of his own contemporaries found his work repellent.

John Bull raising Napoleon's
head just after landing in
England (1803)

He changed his art from embracing the French Revolution to being no longer hostile to King George III … creating John Bull, defending the realm from the French and Napoleon …

It just happened that a new book by a young highly applauded historian, Alice Loxton, has come out … of which the convenor of our history group sent me the review … so having ordered her book it awaits my eyes to be read: Uproar!: Satire, Scandal and Printmakers in Georgian London.

The other particularly noteworthy aspect about Gillray - was that he was a skilful writer, taking great pains over the text that accompanied his works …

'Dublures' of Characters (1798)

To sum Gillray up – he was late Georgian Britain's funniest, most inventive, and most celebrated graphic satirist, continuing to influence cartoonists today.

For further reference – should anyone wish to read my talks … I'd be happy to send them to you (they're not long) … together with a list of slides that illustrated both talks.

Spitalfields Life – has further details on Francis Wheatley and his 'Cries of London' together with relevant art works …

There will be various reviews of Alice Loxton's book and articles about James Gillray on the net …. Wikipedia has plenty of Gillray's cartoons.

I will get back to 'Our English Language' … I have lots of books to read first … but posts will occur!

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Barbers and/or Surgeons ... Guilds of ...

 

The wonder of putting finger to keyboard … i.e. to connect brain to producing something fanciful, or perhaps even informative …

Achievement of Arms of the Worshipful
Company of Barber-Surgeons;
Gouache on Cloth.
(possibly early in 1300AD)

This brain does work … but rather more often than not it wanders off … I have so much to write up about – note to self: settle down and get on with them …

Recently I heard a talk from a retired doctor about the work he has been doing out in poverty ridden communities in various places around the world … this particular one was on Ethiopia … working with a team of eye surgeons.

Master John Banister - Anatomical
Tables with figures: c 1580AD

He's worked in in Canada, in, what I term Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa … where there are war-torn communities - refugee camps etc …

He was fascinating … so more to follow – but he's giving a talk to the Worshipful Company of Barbers on his work … which got me thinking about haircuts … I've just had one!

F A Maulbertschs 'The Quack' 1785

… Barbers, in the 1300s, originally aided monks, who, at the time, were the medical men, because Papal decrees prohibited members of religious orders from spilling blood.

Interesting … barbers in addition to hair cutting, hairdressing, and shaving … performed surgery: neck manipulation; cleansing of ears and scalp; draining/lancing of boils, fistulae, and cysts with wicks; bloodletting and leeching, fire cupping; enemas; and the extraction of teeth.

Crumbs – am I not glad I live in today's age!

Royal College of Surgeons - 
Court of Examiners (1894)
by Henry Jamyn Brooks

The Worshipful Company of Barbers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, and ranks 17^th in precedence.

However if we row back in the mind to Roman times c/o Websters Dictionary of Phrase and Fable … the barber's shop has been a centre for the dissemination of scandal, and the talk of the town … I guess no snares appearing in this blogosphere …

Thankfully over time the Royal College of Surgeons promoted and advanced standards of surgical care for patients – both in surgery and dentistry … being established in 1800 …

1st century wall painting from Pompeii
(a family banquet)

While the Barbers Company now principally acts as a charitable institution for medical and surgical causes …

Well that's good my fingers haven't been cut off … and I can apparently still type – thank goodness for modern inventions … such as computers with their keyboards … I won't add instruments of surgical torment … just a few 'pretty' pictures …

Thanks for waiting for me … WEP's Thriller this week is a-coming …

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Order of the Thistle - a Scottish Order of Chivalry ...

 

A simple post today as we ease towards the 'The Final Journey for Her Majesty', RIP Queen Elizabeth II.

She died in Balmoral, Scotland … giving us an opportunity to understand a little more of our ancient history.

Portrait by Julian Calder

The Order of the Thistle is an order of chivalry associated with Scotland.

This is a magnificent photo by Julian Calder, who specialises in portraits … here is Her Majesty up in the heathered landscaped above Balmoral so beloved by her, dressed in the Order of Thistle raiment.

Julian Calder photographer ... 

Information on the Order of the Thistle ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

My Icon for the Commonwealth Games 2022 is the Raging Bull ...

 

It has become the focal point in Birmingham (UK!!) of our Commonwealth Games … where other sports also featured …

Commonwealth Games Seal -
The Friendly Games and most inclusive Games
 - para sportsmen and women also compete

Perhaps before I start this post I'd better explain where I'm coming from … I was a (hockey, tennis and eventually only squash) ball player – definitely not any other sport … especially running …

… but way back in the 'Ark' … I was fortunate enough to get a job working for the British Olympic Association as a clothing administrator (another no – no – clothes do not interest me) – but the lure of the Olympics definitely did … Munich 1972.

Munich Olympic Park - photo
taken in 2014

I've found my bumph on that era – so once Paris 2024 comes around I'll get my act into gear and see what's in the pile … and post some info … for example our Dickensian offices … wooden stair treads worn by 200 years of toil …

It was at this point I became interested in all sports and have been ever since … the nod back to the 1972 era will become obvious in my next post …

I enjoy watching as I can get about doing other things … while people swim, somersault, cycling, run rings round friends, bash balls about … today: move like lightning – my heart is still palpitating after watching the competitors play … way better than our day and in London and Johannesburg where we had some of the best squash players in the world at the club … I'm quite glad I lived through the slower pace of life!

Soweto Kinch - who played
at the Opening Ceremony; there
was a festival going on in and
around the Birmingham area

I wrote three comprehensive posts I 2014 on the Games held in Glasgow … so I won't belabour (a better word than bore!) you with much info here – the Birmingham Games came about, after Durban, South Africa pulled out and the UK accepted the Challenge – we compete as England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Island, Guernsey Jersey and the Isle of Man – not combined under the UK/British banner.

These Commonwealth Games came very soon after the World Athletics Championships had been held at the new Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon … where only athletics was featured … following on in unseemly order due to the pandemic – the Commonwealth Games …

Concept of the new stadium and track
Eugene, Oregon

The new stadium falls under the remit of Oregon University … but I was interested in seeing the new design … also I'd never heard of Eugene as a centre of sporting achievement/excellence – I guess not living in the States allows for this omission of knowledge – not any more …

Showcasing Oregon's lumber in all
its glory - the Eugene concourse

So before another week disappears into the hot ether we're in (or I am in the south of England) – I'd better get this post finished and up … as we're into another sporting event in Munich … the European Championships …

Back to the Commonwealth Games - The Brummie Bull isn't really raging … he's a Steampunk 'concoction' for the 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony/(The Friendly and most inclusive Games – para-competitors too) … and has captured many a person's heart.

The not so (at this moment) Raging Bull

The Opening Ceremony gave us a ceremonial view of Birmingham from its humble beginnings as a Saxon settlement (mid 5^th century), to a market town in the 12^th century, until the 1700s came around …

The gathering place at the start of
the Jewellery Quarter - as it is today

… when the beating heart of the Industrial Revolution began in the 'Midlands' and Birmingham became the city of a thousand trades … including its Jewellery Quarter from the early 1900s …

Imaginery industrial heartland

… nearby over half a century ago … an emerging bard made his appearance ensuring that Stratford-on-Avon would remind us of our creative arts … which now includes a ten-day literature festival.

Creative image for the Raging Bull

Back to the red-eyed, steam-threatening bull as he made his entrance onto the Commonwealth Stage – a creative masterpiece …

… made from re-cycled aluminium tubing, foam and plastic – painted over to resemble metal and armour …

Mike Kelt - Chairman of the Special Effects
team at Artem Design Company

It took sixty workers over five months to create and was pulled into the Alexander Stadium by a gang of female chain-makers representing the Industrial Revolution … the chains were made from very high density foam machined on a computer controlled cutting machine.

Raging Bull arriving for the 
Opening Ceremony

What next for the Raging Bull – well he'd wilt when it rained again … so for now he can be outside … then as a home has been found – he can remain in Birmingham as a cultural icon – somewhere …

The copy-cat dog ...
empathising with
the Raging Bull!

This is long … but there is more – via the links (should you wish to visit) … and I'll elaborate (I hope more succinctly) in my next but one post – as WEP has caught up due next week.

William Blake - dark Satanic world

Life ticks on … I am so glad I live at the coast! Many of my verbs should be in the past tense … days have gone by! I've been somewhat overwhelmed with over commitment this year … so these idle days are helping … everything starts up again towards the end of the month …

The plays of William Shakespeare by
Sir John Gilbert 1849

My posts … Commonwealth Games three posts from August 2014 - the first is here ... they follow on ... 

Artem Special Effects and Innovative Solutions ...

Mike Kelt - c/o BBC talking about the innovative bull ... 

History and Culture of Birmingham ... an interesting overview of Birmingham and its surrounds ... 

Forbes - the new Hayward Field ... 

PS - Apologies for length ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Asparagus …

During this rough time … and having decided I didn’t need a car – the buses were good around town, and the train would get me out and about … but t-h-e-n … a virus would descend …

Botanical - Asparagus officinalis

 … still Eastbourne is fine – and I’ve managed quite easily – walking back with my shopping – there’s not enough to warrant a delivery … and frankly laziness prevails if I went that route … so I’ll slug it back … good for my arm exercises I gather … ?!

But … withdrawal symptoms hit when the asparagus season came to be … usually about six to eight weeks: mid May to near the end of June …

Oh how delicious!!

I looked around in town … not much to be had – and a friend offered to get me ‘stuff’ from Waitrose if I needed – I asked if she’d get me some asparagus … that’s been the order each week recently … decent bundles … I’ve been very grateful.

Toys on Eastbourne seafront ... 

The word got round and living in a converted house with a few flats … one day – I ended up with three lots of asparagus dropped up to the flat … 

Royal Automobile Club - historic roadside telephone box

... and one younger friend is brilliant … she brings me asparagus, broad beans and rhubarb: all fresh at this time of year – I can’t easily get deprived!!

Amazingly for 7 years they used to live on Salt Spring Island off Vancouver Island … small world!  So at some stage … we’ll have some good natters: in the meantime I enjoy her deliveries!

These quotes appear in Wiki … and I thought would amuse you … or your kids or grandchildren … the kind of things that can give families laugh out loud hysterics …

A few stems of asparagus eaten, should give our urine a disagreeable odour …  “Letter to the Royal Academy of Brussels” written in 1781 by Benjamin Franklin.

Gives me a chance to use
'my chamber pot' again ...

Or … perhaps even funnier …

Asparagus “… transforms my chamber-pot into a flask of perfume.” …

Marcel Proust (1871 - 1922)

The track made from the dumper trucks up towards
Beachy Head and the protected site - you can just see
the reef ... 

We’ve moved on a little from complete lock-down … I’ve decided I don’t like people or crowds … my own little world is still my happy space!  I will see what’s happening tomorrow when I go into town.

Frogs have it easy ... they eat what bugs them!
The way at times I've felt like ...I'll stick to asparagus,
while the season lasts ... 

A couple of pics for Ian, who asked after the dumper trucks taking shingle up to the Site of Specific Scientific Interest … getting it in by boat is not possible … because of the reefs and the protected site.

It’s not easy to write up things at the moment … but since we are all human – we need to read more, to understand our cultures from all sides of the discussion …

Take care …

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories