20/11/2009 by admin.

The Environmental Agency has reported record rainfall for England for a 24hr period with 12.3 inches of rain falling in the Lake District,  Cumbria.  The torrential rain has brought unprecedented flooding to the North-West and Scotland, including at Workington, Keswick and Cockermouth. Sadly, a police officer has lost his life, many are sheltering in temporary accommodation and hundreds of homes are without power. The downpour has been described as a ‘Once in a Thousand Year’ incident of Biblical proportions.  

We’re intrigued that the deluge should occur at a place so beloved to William Wordsworth especially as we’ve put together a short video entry for a COP15 competition adapting his poem, ‘I wandered lonely..’.  William features in our story and in Charles Lamb’s journal. One of his closest friends was Samuel Tayler Coleridge whose Rime of the Ancient Mariner includes the lines ‘Water water everywhere, nor any drop to drink’. The poem is discussed in Charles Lamb’s journal and the ‘water water’, line is rehearsed by Malachi - our messenger.   in the run up to COP15 world leaders take heed.

Here’s the link to our video. If you like it please vote for us! The video is called ‘Don’t Throw Away This Chance’.

http://www.youtube.com/cop15

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q60 Have you ever experienced deja vu?, Q35 Do you trust your instincts?, Q30 Did you ever watch the rain on your window?, Q26 Do you take poetry seriously? | No Comments »

16/01/2008 by admin.

In a near repeat of the summer floods of 2007,  Britain is enduring heavy rain and hurricane-force winds once more.  Interestingly, the media are again quoting from Samuel Coleridge’s poem Rime of the Ancient Mariner.    

One of the Fab Four, Sir Paul McCartney, is launching an exhibition of photographs by his late wife Linda to mark the tenth anniversary of her death.   They include a picture of Sir Paul in reflective mood - just like the Thinker. The photos will be exhibited at the Hyman Gallery in London.

Climate change is having a major impact on Britain’s coast, the seas around the coast, and the life in those seas.  The Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership says seas are becoming more violent, causing coastal erosion and a higher risk of flooding.  Higher CO2 levels in the atmosphere are making oceans warmer and more acidic, affecting plankton, fish and birds.  2006 was the second warmest year in coastal waters since records began.  Our wildlife is suffering and the trends are set to increase.

The ‘darkest ever’ matter known to science has been made in a US laboratory.  The material was created from carbon nanotubes.  Researchers say it is the closest thing yet to the ideal black material, which abosrbs light from all angles and over all wavelengths.

Posted in Q60 Have you ever experienced deja vu?, Q79 Have you ever looked into the shadows?, Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q47 Do you know your history?, Q30 Did you ever watch the rain on your window?, Q32 Are you afraid of the dark?, Q.2 Are you an art lover? | No Comments »

08/08/2007 by admin.

A sad day! Environmentalists have confirmed the Yangtze dolphin extinct! It’s the first aquatic mammal to be lost to the world in 50 years. The irony is that the dolphin was revered by the Chinese as the goddess of the river Yangtze.  Question 76

Still, the oldest virus in the world is growing; an 8 million year old bacteria taken from the oldest ice on Earth is now growing in a lab, researchers say. It may prove that ancient bacteria and viruses will come back to life as polar ice caps melt due to global warming, with unknown consequences.  Questions 44 and 73

New York has been hit by torrential rain and high winds, bringing chaos and flooding.  Trees were uprooted and power-lines crashed into trees. Temperatures are expected to reach 100F.  Question 30

Despite the severe warnings from top environmentalists, a survey by a London paper claims that 40% are indifferent or skeptical that global warming is a genuine phenomenon. Many are also shunning a greener life style if it hits them in the pocket and many with no plans to reduce the number of flights taken.  Question 1

Still, Mother Nature keeps trying to convince us – using the number three. A British woman has beaten odds of 200 million to 1 by giving birth to identical triplets, who are now doing well. The mother, called Mae – significant because Charles began his journal in May – had three girls: each given three letter names. Every baby weighed 3.3lb. They were conceived naturally! Question 39

The World of Art is trying its best too – the London auction house, Sotherby’s, has had a record six months die to an art boom. It has already taken more money than in any other full year in history. The Chief Executive said, “These past six months have been historic by every sense.” Question 2

Meanwhile, in New Zealand, parents have named their baby boy, Superman.  They wanted to call him 4Real, but the move has been quashed by officials.  Question 7

Posted in Q44 Is there anything worse than a fly at night?, Q73 Do you like nursery ryhmes?, Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q39 Do you believe in magic?, Q30 Did you ever watch the rain on your window?, Q.2 Are you an art lover?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion?, Q.1 Does your life have a purpose? | No Comments »

04/08/2007 by admin.

On a far more serious note, the Monsoon season in South Asia has been described as the worst in living memory. 20 million people have been displaced. Almost 200 people have died in the floods in the last few days.  Question 30

There’s also research out today in the Journal of Geo-physical research that shows the length of heatwaves in Western Europe has doubled since 1880 and the frequency of really hot days has nearly tripled in the past century. Heatwaves now last 3 days on average, with some lasting up to 13 days. The report says we can expect more of this in the future – with extreme blasts of heat. Question 53

So, in search of hope – Julia suggested we take a look at what the crop circles are telling us. On 26 July, a circle in Wiltshire shows a star-burst – or snowflake design, with five flake-like designs. It’s one of the best we’ve ever seen and so relevant to the Haymakers again, given what happened to Charles when he saw Yggdrasil in the snow. And, Jonas has pointed out that there are five of us who have come together to share our story with the people of the world. There’s also a star in the middle of the circle, which Sarah says should be thought of as Malachi.  Question 12

http://www.cropcircleconnector.com/2007/chute/chute2007.html

Yet, even that circle has been surpassed, for in a place called Sugar Hill in Wlitshire, a circle has appeared on 1 August that has 18 squares or cubes that surround a star. Those of you who have read the full account will know how significant this and is to The Haymakers Survey. What’s more, the squares surround a star and there are 36 x 4 triangles surrounding the squares. Which we read as – “Should a good life cost the Earth?” and “Have you ever wanted to stop the clock?” Take a look at the images that go with the questions. Mmm!  The account of those who visited the site at 10:30 on 2 August was most curious – talk of a strange pulsating light and whooshing electric noise in the sky.  Most odd.

http://www.cropcircleconnector.com/2007/sugarhill/sugarhill2007.html

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q53 Do you prefer to keep warm?, Q30 Did you ever watch the rain on your window?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »