22/10/2011 by admin.

In 1484, a scurrilous note was pinned to the door of St Paul’s Cathedral. It read quite simply, “The Catte, the Rattee and Lovell our dogge rulyth all Englande under a hogge.”  The brief, cryptic, satarical poem lampooned some of the highest born in the land, including Richard III who feared the poem would be used as proganda to lead a rebellion. 

In our novel Malachi warns us of the significance of the poem, perhaps directed at the inept way in which leaders across the globe are able to adopt a truely sustainable approach to living - being weighed down instead by economic crisis and war in the Middle East. 

Its fascinating then that an Occupy camp has set up outside of St Paul’s Cathedral. The group, Occupy London Stock Exchange, are protesting about the way financial institutions have mismanaged affairs in recent years.  Their presence has led to the cathedral being closed to visitors for the first time since the end of the Second World War.  The decision was taken for health and safety reasons. 

A spokesperson for the group, who gave her name as Lucy, said, “It was felt by everyone that we really wanted to stay and continue with the protest. This protest is massive, it affects everybody, everyone’s watching at home right now. It’s not just about a few people who have got some tents in St Paul’s, it’s not a stunt, it’s not a spectacle.”

Remember readers - in Charles Lamb’s Journal, Lucy’s the name of Mother Nature. Perhaps there’s a deeper spiritual message to all of this - that we should turn away from greed, money and possessions and live to saviour the beauty of the Earth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0qQyW0W0Rw

Posted in Q62 Have you ever helped the poor?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q51 Have you ever taken part in a protest?, Q36 Should a good life cost the Earth?, Q28 Have you ever lived in poverty?, Q33 Do you believe in life after death?, Q22 Do you love our Earth? | No Comments »

09/09/2009 by admin.

In a live TV event magician Derren Brown successfully predicted the six numbers for the UK National Lottery.  The numbers predicted were 2, 11, 23, 28, 35 and 39. Let’s see what happened.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmxua_V1AcM

Whatever artistry was involved its curious that this event should have occured during the Watch since Charles Lamb’s journal records two incidents of a magician predicting double numbers correctly. Whilst our very own Sarah witnessed numbers being predicted by a magician (page 154) prior to offering her questions for The Haymakers Survey, including double one - Snakes Eyes - which could be number 2 or 11 depending on how you look at things.

We also smiled because number 39 came up: Q39 is ‘Do You Believe in Magic?’ What were the odds? We have to ask who is the real magician? LOL!  This leaves 23, 28 and 35. Q23 about the laws of physics - probability?  Q28 about poverty, which is why many people do the National Lottery and Q35 about trusting instincts. So, do you believe the trick was real or fake?

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q39 Do you believe in magic?, Q35 Do you trust your instincts?, Q23 Do you believe all the laws of physics?, Q28 Have you ever lived in poverty?, Q.8 Do you crave a better life? | No Comments »

22/06/2009 by admin.

In our story, Charles Lamb’s journal records the significance of a blue ribbon taken from Lucy Ebbs’ hair in helping to flag the needs of Mother Nature. How surprising then that Oxfam Campaigners are asking people to demand action on climate change until their ‘Blue in the Face’.

A host of celebrities agreed to have their face painted blue to show their support for the global movement determined to take action on climate change; people like Fatboy slim, Jarvis and VV Brown. Its all part of the run up to the Copenhagen event in December when world leaders will come together to agree a new global climate deal.  The video in the link will be shown at Glastonbury.

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/festivals/index.html

The less brave at heart might want to follow Lucy’s lead and wear a blue ribbon instead?  Forget-her-Not?

Posted in Star Question - what happened to the blue ribbon?, Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q51 Have you ever taken part in a protest?, Q31 Are you a charitable neighbour?, Q28 Have you ever lived in poverty? | No Comments »

06/01/2009 by admin.

The childrens’ clothing chain Adams has become the latest victim of the Credit Crunch with 111 stores going into administration.  A further 160 stores remain open whilst efforts continue to find a buyer for the business.

So far we’ve not passed any comments about the state of the economy as the UK heads into recession. However, we’re interested in the plight of Adam given the child’s perilious plight as recorded by Charles Lamb. It’s also curious that 111 of its stores should face closure as Malachi mentioned the number associated with Nelson as part of his messages to our society about the need for reform.  So, do we have a covert link that indicated the tenuous position we are now entering? We believe so especially as the stores demise follows that of the long established Woolworths or Woolies (remember were wool comes from) and Whittards the coffee store (Whittards and Whittenbury sound so familar).  Still, could e something or nothing - you decide.

Posted in Q38 Have you built a house of cards?, Q34 Have you ever restored something?, Q28 Have you ever lived in poverty?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst? | No Comments »

22/09/2008 by admin.

Summer? What summer? The season officially ended yesterday - in an ironic blaze of sunshine.  But the warm weather could not save this year’s summer from a place in the worst top ten on record. There was 14 inches of rain and 464 hourse of sunshine - 7% less than the average.  As mentioned earlier on our ‘Watch’ August was a particularly gloomy month.  The poor weather was blamed on a jet-stream of fast winds high over Britain which blocked warm weather arriving from Southern Europe.  All very interesting given Mary Shelley’s role in our story and the reference to ‘A year without a summer’ which led to her writing the famous Frankenstien story.

Meanwhile, the number of fake £1 coins in circulation has doubled over the past 5 years, and now stands at nearly 30 million.  A Survey conducted by the Royal Mint revealed some 2% of £1 coins are now fake.  There are ways to tell a forgery from the real thing, you just need to know what you’re looking for. This curious to us given our discovery of coins from the Maundy Ceremony and Julia’s observation, “Are the coins genuine?’ Coincidence?

And finally, habitat loss is contributing to the worldwide decline of populations of common birds, with Birdlife International reporting fa fall in numbers of 45% of Europe’s common birds.  Farmland birds were the worst affected with the number of European Turtle Doves falling by 79%.  The study shows that environmental degregation is having a major impact, not just on birds but on bio-diversity in general.  Readers may recall how Emma Isola and Ralph Emerson sing a lament to the newly weds, Captain Lewin and Lady Katharine on Christmas Eve, which is all about two Turtle Doves!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCB4-JWZ1kQ&feature=related

Posted in Q65 Have you ever wished you could fly?, Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q33 Do you believe in life after death?, Q28 Have you ever lived in poverty?, Q10 Have you ever seen a ghost?, Q.3 Do you have a good imagination? | No Comments »

18/07/2008 by admin.

The world statesman Nelson Mandela celebrates his 90th birthday today.

As a lawyer and activist he campaigned against South Africa’s apartheid regime. Accused of trying to overthrow the government, he spent nearly 30 years in prison. After his release in 1990, he went on to receive the Nobel Peace Prize and to become his country’s first black president.

Here’s a video of the highlights from the celebration concert in London…

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sWaYWA4hTwo&feature=related

Here’s a picture of the ambassador for justice and equality holding the FIFA World Cup after South Africa was announced as host for the 2010 competition.  Now, what was it Malachi said about the World Cup?

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q28 Have you ever lived in poverty?, Q11 Do you believe in justice?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

15/05/2008 by admin.

Levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere have hit record levels. 

Scientists in Hawaii say levels of the climate change gas had hit 387 parts per million (ppm), the highest level for 650,000 years.  Levels of CO2 have been rising since 1958 and the rate of growth is increasing, rising by more than 2 ppm most years since 2000.  The level is just a few years away from what many regard as the tipping point of 400 ppm, when experts say the world will start heating up dangerously. 

Timely then that Madonna should release her new song, ‘Four Minutes to Save the World’, especially as her work, ‘Hey You’  was captured early in our Watch.  Here’s the video link:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5-BJY00nHI

More curious though is her YouTube message - what was it Malachi said to the world about humans obsession with cleanliness! Take a look (video contains a swear word)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCkwYuoqnyo&feature=related

Meanwhile, HRH Prince Charles has spoken of an urgent need to stop deforestation of the tropical rainforests.  The Prince asks for us to make the connection between felling of the Amazon, and the poverty of the local people.  He suggests investment in the local people is a like an insurance policy for the world; preventing climate chaos from escalating.  Acting against deforestation is a dramatic way to take action that will have an immediate impact, whilst other solutions are explored.  Listen:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7402104.stm

Posted in Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q39 Do you believe in magic?, Q21 Have you ever hugged a tree?, Q28 Have you ever lived in poverty?, Q.4 Have you ever wanted to stop the clock? | No Comments »

14/04/2008 by admin.

Research by the National trust shows that global warming is already bringing a huge amount of change to the British coast.  Increased flooding and erosion will force some species away from their habitats - but others may be attracted by the higher temperatures.  Rising sea levels could drown freshwater pools and isolate mud flats and marshes, forcing wading birds and terns out of their homes.  Shingle beaches used by grey seals to raise their pups could be isolated.

World food prices have become so high that hundreds of thousands of people in a large set of countries could starve, warned the head of the International Monetary Fund.  The rising costs of basic crops, such as wheat and and rice, are a global problem, reaching record levels.  Poor harvests and a shift to crops for biofuels are being blamed for the peak.

Meanwhile, NASA has released new stunning images of Phobos - one of Mars’ moons! Readers may recall that Ben speculated on the presence of Mars and its moons on the night Malachi unearthed Lucy’s locket! Creepy? 

Posted in Q70 Do you like to look at the stars?, Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q53 Do you prefer to keep warm?, Q28 Have you ever lived in poverty?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst? | No Comments »

26/03/2008 by admin.

As if to symbolise our ‘throw-away’ society, a plastic space warrior has found its way to the incredibly isolated Pacific island of Midway. 

The little figure must have been at sea for months. It was found during a beach clean-up.  We talk about “throwing away” but in reality “away” can mean a place like Midway. And the cost is grisly. The island is littered with the bodies of albatrosses that haven’t made it. Their stomachs are brimming with plastic.  This has a poignant ring of Samuel Coleridge’s, Rime of the Ancient Mariner, where the Captain slays the albatross and it returns to haunt him!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7320000/newsid_7326500/7326581.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&asb=1&news=1&bbcws=1

Meanwhile, further South, an ice-shelf is on the verge of breaking-up much faster than experts had predicted.  A chunk of ice the size of the Isle of Man has started to breakaway.  View the story here…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7310000/newsid_7313600/7313662.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&asb=1&news=1&bbcws=1

This, as in Bangladesh, a plague of rats is threatening 150,000 villagers in isolated communities with starvation.  Legend has it that the events only happen every 50 years or so.  What did Malachi warn about the rat? Mmm.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7310000/newsid_7314300/7314308.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&asb=1&news=1&bbcws=1

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q35 Do you trust your instincts?, Q28 Have you ever lived in poverty?, Q11 Do you believe in justice? | No Comments »

15/03/2008 by admin.

An eye-catching all-white squirrel has been caught on camera in the village of Wye in Kent. Although the odds of an albino squirrel are 1 in 100,000, the Garden of England seems to be awash with them all of a sudden.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/southerncounties/community/white/critters.shtml

How strange given the role of squirrels in the Haymakers Survey and Lucy’s words about pure white capturing all the colours of the rainbow spectrum.

Remember too there have been several rare albino breeds of animals recorded in our watch. Ought the ‘white squirrel of Wye’ be better described as the ‘white squirrel of why?’ in honour of ‘The Haymakers Survey’, especially as the Hay-on-Wye literature festival is coming up in the spring!

A mystery donor has given £5.5m towards the BBC Sport Relief  Appeal!  The generousity of the gift was over-whelming, by far the largest donation to a charity telethon ever in the UK, helping to change lives here and in the poorest  countries in the world. 

Posted in Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q39 Do you believe in magic?, Q31 Are you a charitable neighbour?, Q28 Have you ever lived in poverty?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »