30/11/2009 by admin.

Heavy rain and winds have felled the House of Commons Christmas tree from its perch under Big Ben.  The 50ft tree was dislodged yesterday but contractors failed to get it back up and were scrambling to do so today. The tree is traditionally donated by the Forestry Commission from a sustainable forest. A Commons spokeswoman said: “The tree has been dislodged only once whilst it was in the process of being erected. Heavy wind and rain is thought to be the main cause. There is no risk to the public.”

Curious that this should happen outside Parliament and beneath Big Ben, given the importance of the evergreen Tree of Life named Yggdrasil in our tale. Our readers will know that the tree is also dubbed ‘The Goblin Tree’ because despite its benevolent nature the tree actually hosts our darkest fears.  In our story Lucy Ebbs warns that should it tumble then life is becoming out of balance with potential serious adverse consequences. Mmmn… but its only a tale.

Posted in Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q67 Have you ever decorated a tree?, Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted? | No Comments »

04/09/2008 by admin.

Our readers will know of the power of peanuts in our tale to stir up a discussion on environmental issues.  Elsewhere on our site you’ll find Sarah’s messages made from peanuts!  It’s therefore with strange co-incidence that we report the death at aged 91 of the animator Bill Melendez, who drew Charlie Brown, Snoopy and other Peanuts characters.  He was the only person given permission by the creator of the Peanuts comic strip, Charles Schulz, to animate his work.  He produced some 70 TV specials, including a Yuletide Charlie Brown Special in 1965.

Good grief! Here’s Sarah’s peanuts tribute to Bill … 

Charlie Brown is a loveable loser, a child possessed of endless hope and determination.  Curiously, one of the key characters is Lucy!  She first appeared on 3 March.  Lucy’s often mean and cynical and is famed for teasing and belittling Charlie Brown with cruel comments and acts. Here’s Lucy famously analysing Charlie Brown…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h38srxvt6qE&feature=related

Charlie was also famed for saying, “Why can’t I have a normal dog like everyone else?” which may amuse Malachi.

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q67 Have you ever decorated a tree?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life?, Q.3 Do you have a good imagination? | 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 »