14/09/2009 by admin.

Today we’re celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Sir Peter Scott, proclaimed by some as the ’Patron Saint of Conservation’.  Sir Peter led a remarkable life and, amongst his many achievements and talents he was one of the founder members of the Worldwide Fund for Nature and designed the organisation’s famous Panda logo. 

It’s yet another example of an anniversary linked to our project - perhaps the most wonderful of all! Sir Peter was a born leader and communicator, he inspired the world to treasure its wildlife long before environmental groups were established. We’re so thrilled that the anniversary of his birth should occur during the period of our Watch as Sir Peter has a cameo role in our story - making a spontaneous visit to Keeper’s Cottage to wish us well on our venture, especially Ben in his self-appointed role as Nature’s Champion! 

In Gloucestershire, there’s a celebration of his paintings in a ’Nature in Art’ Exhibition. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4lkKcHiJQ0&feature=related

Posted in Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q68 Does the Earth have a spirit?, Q42 Do you enjoy drawing?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion?, Q.2 Are you an art lover?, Q.1 Does your life have a purpose? | No Comments »

27/06/2009 by admin.

The Royal Academy of Arts is presenting an exhibition of the works of the critically acclaimed artist J W Waterhouse.  The collection of public and private works is the first of its kind since the 1970s.  The wonderful collection includes ‘The Lady of Shalott’ a work close to the heart of Ben and Julia Whittenbury as described in the conclusion of our free online novel sample. 

The exhibition is another strange coincidence which seems to vindicate Ben’s claim that Julia has a kind of ‘third eye’ although Julia is too conceited to admit to her insightful abilities.

Ben and Julia plan to visit and have until mid-September to do so. Why not pay the Academy a visit? Here’s the link to relevant page on their website:

http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/waterhouse/

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q42 Do you enjoy drawing?, Q.6 Do you believe in fairy tales?, Q.2 Are you an art lover? | No Comments »

18/01/2009 by admin.

Sadly, the much loved TV presenter, Tony Hart has died, aged 83.

For some 50 years, the presenter inspired children to paint and draw.  He designed the original Blue Peter badge and developed the delightful animated clay character, Morph.  His shows included Vision On, Smart and Hartbeat.  Fellow artist, Rolf Harris, described Hart as a, ‘talented and gentle man”.  In an interview last year, Tony said not being able to draw after suffering two strokes as, “The greatest cross I have to bear.”

We admire Tony so much as an ambassador of one of the three aspects of our project represented by hearts - Art! Thank you Tony for all the joy and fun you brought to so many.  Your creativity and vision lives on.  Lets celebrate…

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iVR83ooN0gc&feature=PlayList&p=D1C0D633D6A90070&playnext=1&index=2

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UcCHRW8G9yY&feature=related

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jSMRPKM1evk

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q78 Do you want to be part of the picture?, Q42 Do you enjoy drawing?, Q37 Do you know how to have fun?, Q.3 Do you have a good imagination?, Q.2 Are you an art lover? | No Comments »

29/07/2008 by admin.

In Humberside, England, a young romantic named Robert ploughed a proposal for his sweetheart to marry him. The message read ‘Sarah Marry Me’.  He then flew his surprised girlfriend of 10 years over the field. Sarah was amazed, and shed a few tears. She accepted at once, saying the magic words, ‘I do’. 

The Blakesware Set must be delighted. Our Sarah hopes that one day someone might do something similar for her!

Another celebration - The National Areonautical and Space Administration (NASA) are celebrating 50 years since they were established.  The highlights are many - orbiting the Earth, landing on the Moon and adventures into our solar system.  The most famous quote remains, ‘One step for a man, one giant step for mankind,’ and echoed in The Haymakers Survey.  NASAs motto is ‘For the benefit of all’.  NASA’s Office of Education’s motto is ‘Shaping the Future’. 

We recommend a visit to NASA’s website to witness all they’ve achieved.

 http://www.nasa.gov/50th/home/index.html

We come down-to-Earth with a visit to the West Midlands and a safari park to rejoice at the sight of six rare white lion cubs, which is remarkable since according to African legend white lions are a lucky charm and only come along once every 100 years.   Take a peep at the darling cubs…

Word for word, letter for letter, their names are Star, Haze, Neptune, Ariel, Oberon and Ophelia. Fortunately, none are made of stone, unlike Uncle John Plumer’s lion head statue!

Posted in Q65 Have you ever wished you could fly?, Q70 Do you like to look at the stars?, Q79 Have you ever looked into the shadows?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q42 Do you enjoy drawing?, Q41 Do you like surprises?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q25 Do you believe in fairies?, Q29 Could you live without machines?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you? | No Comments »

11/04/2008 by admin.

Jonas recently discovered this amazing video from Thailand of an elephant called Hong painting her ’self-portrait’. On a first viewing we were speechless.  take a look…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LHoyB81LnE

We just had to find out more about the elephant involved. Whilst doing so it became clear to us that although there are many elephants listed on the site below who have been trained to use a paint-brush, none come anywhere near this beautiful animal.  Curious that an animal renowned for ’never forgetting’ should paint itself holding a flower! Is this Mother Nature’s way of alerting us of the need to show her more respect? We think it is.

http://www.elephantart.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=69

Posted in Q66 Do you have a favourite flower?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q42 Do you enjoy drawing?, Q17 Can you speak another language?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted?, Q.2 Are you an art lover? | No Comments »

28/03/2008 by admin.

A team of British animators has created a computer-generated model of a human heart so realistic it could transform surgical training. Every vessel and valve has been reproduced with remarkable accuracy.

The animators are following in the footsteps of Leonardo de Vinci, the Renaissance artist, whose depictions of the way the heart valves open and close, the muscles expand and contract and blood flows in and out remain so precise that his drawings influenced the operations are conducted by surgeons.

India’s Virender Sehwag has hit the fastest recorded triple-century in Test cricket history on day three of the first Test againt South Africa in Chennai. Sehwag reached 100 (for Art) before lunch and 200 (for Love) after, before reaching 300 (for Nature) from just 278 balls in the evening session.  he becomes only the third batsman to score 300 twice in Test cricket.  “You have to play your shots and maintain your run rate,” said the batsman, after a magnificent performance.

The oldest known recording of the human voice was aired on BBC Radio 4 and led to the presenter having a fit of giggles.  Apparently the 160 year old recording of Clair de Lune by Debussy was likened to a bee buzzing about in a bottle.  The amusing mishap by Charlotte Green was welcomed by many listeners…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7310000/newsid_7318200/7318249.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&asb=1&news=1&bbcws=1

Posted in Q49 Do you ever think about the old days?, Q56 Do you believe rules are there to be broken?, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q46 Do you value a good education?, Q42 Do you enjoy drawing?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life?, Q37 Do you know how to have fun?, Q.2 Are you an art lover? | No Comments »

11/09/2007 by admin.

In Dorset, England, tree surgeons have found a bizarre discovery in the branch of a 200 year old tree felled by the council because it posed a safety risk.  They found the image of a minature tree caused by a natural wood rot blemish. So, we have a tree close to the birth place of Samuel Coleridge - he of the Albatross fame - and planted at the time Charles Lamb wrote his journal. Is this a clear message to humanity to Stop Deforestation?  We think so!

Sadly, crimes against wild birds in the UK rose by more than 50% last year, including against rare birds of prey.  Threatened species such as redkite, hen harriers and goshawk have suffered shooting, poisioning, trapping and nest destruction.

The famous Terracotta soldiers from China have arrived at the British Museum, London.  The warriors - which date from around 200BC - where part of an 8,000 strom army of statues commissioned by China’s first emperor Qin Shi Huang.  It’s believed they were made to guard him in his afterlife.  

Posted in Q47 Do you know your history?, Q67 Have you ever decorated a tree?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q42 Do you enjoy drawing?, Q39 Do you believe in magic?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q11 Do you believe in justice? | No Comments »

03/09/2007 by admin.

The hands of the famous Big Ben clock are showing two different times - 12 o’clock and 7:40. That’s the doomsday hour and the time of today’s sunset! Those of you familiar with our story will know how significant the sunset is for The Haymakers Survey.  It’s another clear message from Mother Nature that time is running out unless we change our ways.  

As if to prove the point, the latest edition of the Times World Atlas published today includes redrawn coastlines, lakes and reclassifications of features. It’s all change since the last edition four years ago and is due to the effects of climate change and ill-conceived irrigation projects.   

Further afield, we can now see the universe from the ground as never before thanks to a new telescope called Lucky!  We can thank our lucky stars!

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q70 Do you like to look at the stars?, Q42 Do you enjoy drawing?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted?, Q.4 Have you ever wanted to stop the clock? | No Comments »