08/11/2009 by admin.

Our regulars will know we’ve been following the fortunes of Lucie Jones on this year’s X-Factor. Sadly, we have to report that Lucie has been voted off the show at the expense of the controversial twins - John and Edward (Jeward).  Despite putting in a wonderful performance Lucie came in the bottom two in the public vote, probably because the public thought she was safe. In the sing-off she performed ‘One Moment in Time’ whilst the twins did ‘Rock DJ’. Although Lucy was far and away the better performer, Simon Cowell, the lead X-Factor mogul chose to put the decision to the public vote. Lucie had received the least votes so had to bid a tearful farewell at the expense of a couple of lads who can’t sing yet have attracted celebrity status through immense media attention.

Lucie’s eviction and the manner of it comes as no surprise to us.  “Does humanity have the X-Factor?” is a poser within our novel.  Lucie’s plight - Mother Nature in our tale - is perilious yet people assume she’ll be fine and complacency will be our downfall. Even Lucie’s final song ‘One Moment in Time’ was significant given the run up to COP15.  Will we seize that moment in time? Are we going to set Mother Nature free?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4b0uQJc6y0

A further coincidence is that Lucy Jones is also a seismologist at the US Geological Survey currently working on a multi-hazards demonstration project developing a new programme to integrate hazards science with economics and emergency response to incease community resiliency to natural disaster.  She also serves on the California Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council - ominous?

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q69 Do you put off to tomorrow what you could do today?, Q11 Do you believe in justice?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life?, Q.5 Do you believe in fate? | No Comments »

07/11/2009 by admin.

We’re delighted to report that the British heavyweight boxer David Haye has enjoyed an incredible ‘against the odds’ truimph over the 7ft plus Russian giant, Nikolai Valuev.  The Londoner was 11 inches shorter and 7 stone lighter than his opponent. The bout went the full 12 rounds with David winning on points. He becomes the first British heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis retired in 2003.  The victorious boxer described his victory as a ‘dream come true’.

We see this as a message of hope in the run up to the climate change conference in Copenhagen. Why? As mentioned in an earlier posting, the boxer is nicknamed The Hayemaker!  Well our story records how the black boxer Bill Richmond, the unofficial world champion from the 18th century, participated in the Blakesware Set and was dubbed ‘The Haymaker’ by the Duke of Wellington.  Bill had a symbolic role in the direction of the Blakesware Set - take a look at the rear of our journal extract. http://www.thehaymakerssurvey.com/Journal.php  proclaiming ‘Now is the time for action, set Mother Nature free’. 

World leaders at COP 15 take note - this is Haymaker magic! As William Wordsworth says in the video, “Don’t throw away this chance” - search for the specific video  http://www.youtube.com/cop15 

Posted in Q80a Do you keep a diary?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

26/10/2009 by admin.

This year’s 12 X-Factor finalists include the very talented Lucie Jones.  At the weekend during a live performance on the show of the song ‘My Funny Valentine’ a rose coloured petal landed on her head.  During the judges comments, Simon Cowell told her she had the petal in her hair so she could remove it. 

Its another example of world events linked to the name Lucy that relate to our story.  Its a remarkable coincidence given Charles Lamb begins his journal with an account of how he would lay down a path of flowers for his beloved Lucy! (page 225).  What’s more, later in the journal Charles reveals how he receives a Valentine’s message - presumably from Lucy. (page 382).  Here’s the performance with the petal in her hair (see 3.33) on the video…

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

Another curious link is Charles’ dream (page 444) about ‘Footprints in the sand’ and how Lucy walks barefeet along the sandbanks of the Nimley Bourne (page 408) to show that ‘humanity is out of step with nature - that we walk with heavy laboured steps.  Our curiosity is simple since ‘Footprints in the sand’ was Lucie Jones’ debut song on the X Factor.  Also, in week 2 of the show Lucie sang ‘How will I know’ which is about finding out if she is loved!  So the big question for us is do we love Mother Nature enough?

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q.8 Do you crave a better life?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

13/10/2009 by admin.

Boxing fans are licking their lips at the prospect of WBA Heavyweight Champion David Haye stepping into the ring on 7 November to take on the Russian giant Nikolai Valuev. The encounter is being dubbed David vs Goliath as the British boxer’s opponent is a towering 7ft 2in tall.

What’s this got to do with the environment and climate change? Well our readers will know all about the role played by Bill Richmond the uncrowned boxing champion who helps train Charles Lamb to develop a fighting spirit to help promote the cause.  The boxer also features in the Blakesware Set, contributing questions to the Survey.  So, its with much interest that we monitor the rise of David Haye and his next bout - David vs Goliath. We see this as symbolic of the struggle between the environmental campaigners and the opponents.  Come on the Haymakers!

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

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 »

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 »

02/07/2009 by admin.

Footage has been released of Michael Jackson in rehersal for the ‘This is It’ tour. 

The video which - was his last ever performance  -has a poignant haunting edge to it given the unexpected death of the pop icon.  We wonder did the King of Pop unwittingly leave a timely reminder to all of humanity?  Why so? Well, the performance concludes with the superstar and his fellow dancers revealing the same palm signal to that recorded in Royston Cave and explored by Charles Lamb in his journal.   The hands are also mentioned by ‘The Emperor’ as a clear warning about our treatment of this planet: Stop! Stop! Stop!

Here’s the link to the footage…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8131776.stm

And here’s a picture of Royston Cave with the hand prints.

One of Michael’s hits was ‘Earth Song’.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOnL5c8LMqM&feature=related

In his words, “Did you ever stop to notice this crying Earth is weeping sure.”

R.I.P Michael - We love you!

Posted in Q61 Have you ever worn fancy dress?, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q47 Do you know your history?, Q40 Can you play a musical instrument?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q33 Do you believe in life after death?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

21/06/2009 by admin.

Novel Spoiler 

Our tale concludes with the unmasking of the role of ‘The Emperor’ in overseeing all the activity and, presumably, the events unfolding on our Watch.  The Emperor’s main goal is to encourage us into urgent action to address the pressing environmental challenges - speed is of the essence!

How curious then that the BBC car programme Top Gear has ‘revealed’ the identity of the Stig, the mystery driver who tests high-performance vehicles against the clock. 

The Stig removed his helmet for the first time in a moment that shocked and surprised the audience.  The person behind the white mask was the seven times Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher.  Its unclear whether he’s the real Stig but all the same the coincidence is uncanny given society’s ongoing love affair with the car and the implications for the environment at a time of looming climate chaos.

So, on the Summer Solstice, let’s celebrate the work of The Emperor….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJZh7oKD08A&feature=related

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q72 Are you a good time keeper?, Q41 Do you like surprises?, Q29 Could you live without machines?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

15/05/2009 by admin.

Norway has emerged victorious with record 387 points in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Singer and violinist Alexander Rybak romped home with the simple high-energy ditty ‘Fairytale.’  He wrote the song himself saying, ”I had a story to tell and I guess people liked that story.”

Coincidental then given the role of the Scandanavian, Hans Christian Anderson, in our story and his fairytale telling.  We also have the ‘Shadows’ poem, which was all about belief in fairies! Above all, we have the presence of Yggdrasil - the magical tree of life from the forests of Norway. Clap hands if you believe!

Congratulations Alexander. Sarah really likes the song. Here’s the winning performance…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8JRtGMBUz0&feature=related

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q40 Can you play a musical instrument?, Q25 Do you believe in fairies?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion?, Q.6 Do you believe in fairy tales? | No Comments »

20/04/2009 by admin.

Susan Boyle has become an overnight sensation thanks to her performance on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ of ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ from the West End musical ‘Les Miserables’.  The unique beauty of Susan’s voice caught everybody by surprise - leaving the judges and audience open-mouthed in awe.  It proved beyond doubt never to judge a book by its cover for Susan’s appearance, humble manner and dress sense conflict with the ideals of an image obsessed fashion conscious world.

To date Susan’s performance has been witnessed by some 100,000,000 people on You Tube - with people the world over showering her with praise and saying how moved and inspired they were by the experience.  Its truely remarkable.  In her opening comments, Susan said she longed to emulate Elaine Page.  Well, Susan’s idol has said “Susan’s performance has captured the hearts of everyone who saw it, me included.”  Elaine said Susan is a a role model for everyone who has a dream and is now touting the idea of the pair singing together.

‘I Dreamed a Dream’ is a solo sung during the first act of Les Mis. Most of the music is soft and melancholy, but towards the end becomes louder and taut with frustration and anguish; as she cries aloud about the wretched state of her life and her unfair mistreatment. The lyrics are about lost innocence and broken dreams - an ironic twist of fate give her thrust into the limelight.  There’s hope for Ben Whittenbury yet and Julia is intrigued given her dreams and those of Charles Lamb recorded in our novel.

For anyone yet to witness her performance here’s a link…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY  

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q43 Do you believe in happy endings?, Q41 Do you like surprises?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »