17/09/2009 by admin.

To help mark the launch of the 2010 Guiness Book of Records, Sultan Kosen, the world’s newly crowned tallest man is visiting London from Turkey. He is 8 feet tall and has the world’s largest hands and feet.  Beneath the shadow of Big Ben, Sultan says he came to find Love.

Congratulations Sultan and best of luck with your endeavour. We’re most interested in our appearance because in our novel (page 76) we mention that heavy rhythmic thuds echoing across the fields of Hertfordshire could be down to Jack O’ Legs, a Weston Giant and Hertfordshire Legend, marching across the countryside. 

In fact the thuds were due to Sarah and Julia using an old single-axis cart as a make shift see-saw.  A game that led Malachi to say, “Life is full of ups and down’s - the trick is to keep everything in balance”, which was all about living in harmony with nature.

Posted in Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q13 Have you ever been mistaken for someone else?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

21/08/2008 by admin.

Steve Parry, former British swimmer Bronze medalist turned BBC reporter, has been mistaken for the record-breaking Olympics swimmer Michael Phelps by fans in China.  Parry, who resembles Mr Gold in shape, build and protuding ears was mobbed by a crowd of 100 fans.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/7569430.stm

Posted in Q13 Have you ever been mistaken for someone else? | No Comments »

07/07/2008 by admin.

Readers of The Haymakers Survey will know the significance of 7 July in the story in helping to bring the ‘action now on nature’ message to the world. They’ll also know of the specific role played by Sir Peter Scott, founder of the WWF and designer of the panda emblem used by the charity.  Our story also features two identical characters - Ben Whittingbury and Captain Richard Lewin.

Curious then that a 12 year old Giant Panda, rescued from a recent quake zone in China, has given birth to twins.  They’re the first pandas to be born in captivity in 2008. Here’s the video. Warning - high cuteness factor!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7492999.stm

Meanwhile couples in London have today tangoed in silence to promote a sense of ‘compassionate togetherness’ . Wearing headphones as they danced on seven bridges and seven railway stations, it reminded Ben and Julia of their silent tango to Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, as recorded in our story. Shall we dance…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7F2X3rSSCU

Maybe some were dancing in memory of lost loved ones, for it seems the spectacular sight of red poppy fields are becoming a rare-sight in Britain.  Numbers have declined dramatically over the past century because of the wildspread use of weedkillers.  Conservation charity, Plantlife, say, “It’s very sad poppy fields have become such a rarity, as they have provided the inspiration for many famous paintings.” The plant is synomous with remembrance as thousands grew on disturbed ground near the trenches during World War I.

Posted in Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q50 Do you miss someone you love?, Q37 Do you know how to have fun?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted?, Q13 Have you ever been mistaken for someone else?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q.2 Are you an art lover? | No Comments »

29/01/2008 by admin.

The South-East of England is to get its very own ‘Angel of the South’ to mark the opening of the new Eurostar terminal at Ebbsfleet in Kent. The sculpture - which will be as high as Nelson’s Column - will be designed by an artist selected from one of a shortlist of five including the Turner Prize winner Mark Wallinger (of bear costume fame).   The sculpture is set to be the bodest commission since the ‘Angel of the North’ was built 10 years ago.  The statue, below, was made from steel, so symbolic of the industrial revolution.

The ‘Angel of the South’ is due to be finished by 2010.  It will be built on a hilltop to celebrate the new station and development of the Ebbsfleet Valley, where it will be visible from rail, road and air.  Given the location, perhaps they ought to model it on the woman at the heart of the Haymakers and call it Lucy!  At this time of climate chaos, what better symbol to adopt than an icon for Mother Nature personified, complete with blue ribbon and the words, “Now is the time for action!” Mr Wallinger, are you up for the challenge?

Robert and James Lewis are set to become the first set of identical twins to win international caps in for Wales in senior rugby. They will line up for the Welsh against England in the IRB Sevens World Championships taking place in Wellington, New Zealand.  The youngsters currently play for Ebbw Vale in the Principality Premiership.

Their opponents will surely being seeing double!  If only Ben Whittenbury and Captain Richard Lewin could see you now.

A 2,000 feet-wide asteriod has flashed passed the Earth, missing it by just 333,000 miles, which in space terms is no distance at all, as it was just outside of the moon’s orbit.  The asteriod was called TU24.  There was no chance of impact, but it was still a close call for our home.

Posted in Q68 Does the Earth have a spirit?, Star Question - what happened to the blue ribbon?, Q35 Do you trust your instincts?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion?, Q13 Have you ever been mistaken for someone else?, Q.2 Are you an art lover? | No Comments »

20/11/2007 by admin.

A new map released by Visit Britain, ‘On The Trail of Britain’s Fairy Folk’  gives people the chance to go to some of the most famous places in folklore known for some mysterious inhabitants - fairies!  They include the legend of the piper who made fairies dance in Kelso, Scotland.   Perhaps the next edition will feature the Nimley Bourne stream? Time will tell!   

The company behind Britain’s national lottery say the luckiest three numbers are:  25, 31 and 38.    Question 25 is - Do you believe in fairies? Interesting!  The number 13 was officially the unluckiest number.   

Posted in Q40 Can you play a musical instrument?, Q38 Have you built a house of cards?, Q31 Are you a charitable neighbour?, Q25 Do you believe in fairies?, Q13 Have you ever been mistaken for someone else? | No Comments »