Mytchett Street-Watch to be in the news.

Posted on July 25, 2010 by tripos01

A reporter and a press photographer from the Times Newspaper accompanied Mytchett Street-Watch members on patrol last Thursday 22nd July. Their intention is to run a spread in the Times in the near future. The patrol lasted from 7.00pm to approx 8.30pm.
It was a very pleasant patrol and we talked to a lot of residents. We also engaged with a number of youths who were enjoying themselves showing off their prowess on the skateboard and BMX ramps in Hamesmoor Road Rec. to a number of young girls who were also present. It was highly amusing watching the antics the lads got up to when they realised there was a press photographer present and they might actually get their pictures into the paper! The photographer explained that, for legal reasons, he would not photograph anyone under 16years of age.
I will update when I know the date of publication, watch this space.

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Places To Visit: Silchester Roman Town

Posted on July 25, 2010 by NannyNick

A view of part of the Roman Wall at Silchester

While not being in Surrey Heath, Silchester is somewhere that anyone with an interest in archaeology may like to visit, especially at this time of year.  During July and early August, Silchester becomes a dig site.   The Silchester Town Life Project is a research and training excavation carried out each summer by  archeologists from around the globe plus the help of students from Reading University.

Located about midway between Basingstoke and Reading, Silchester is within driving distance (about 24 miles from Lightwater) of Surrey Heath and I think may be one of the closest sites for Roman remains.

The dig season runs until 8th August 2010 after which the site will be covered over until next year.    A selection of this years Finds so far can be seen on the Finds Diary.

The Silchester site is the location for the Iron Age and Roman settlement of Calleva Atrebatum.  Unlike most large Roman towns in Britain, Calleva Atrebatum was completely abandoned in fifth century A.D.   In places the walls are more than 4 metres high, but inside the walls it appears at first just to be fields, a church and a farm house.  Archaeologists have discovered over the years that there is a lot more to this site below current ground level.    Find out more about the history of Silchester on The Silchester Town Life Project website.

There are several walking routes in the area which are well signposted.  The shortest is a 2.2 mile walk around the Roman Town, which is mostly on the flat making it ideal for families.  Some parts may not be suitable for buggies, so using a backpack/carrier may be best.   Hampshire County Council Walks Leaflet (PDF)

Open Day: Saturday 31 July 2010
The open day offers expert tours, talks, and demonstrations plus a range of children’s activities; typically including tours, a mini excavation, dressing up, finds handling and planning.   Admission and activities are free.

There is a car park off Wall Lane from which all walks on the walking leaflet start.  Google Map

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1st Public Day at Farnborough Airshow

Posted on July 24, 2010 by deachy

The first of two public days got underway today at Farnborough Airshow 2010.

Some of the aircraft from the trade days were not there but except for some die-hard aviation enthusiasts I don’t think many people noticed as there was quite a lot more added to the display to make up for it. For instance a very cool Chinook display.

There was a heavy emphasis on vintage aircraft to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. I could not help feel very patriotic as I walked around the, Spitfires, Hurricanes, a Messerschmitt and the Lancaster Bomber. But of course the fast jets were there too.

The static displays were superb. I could see kids thrilled to be able to get up close the aircraft and in some cases climb aboard. The C17 was a huge hit.

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The star of Farnborough – Vulcan Bomber XH558

Posted on July 22, 2010 by deachy

For many seeing XH558 up close will be worth the entry ticket to Farnborough Airshow alone. For others, perhaps some of our younger residents might never have heard of XH558. Indeed if you ask most young people what a Vulcan is, they are more likely to say someone who comes from the planet Vulcan, like Spock.

xh558_reds

Vulcan XH558 opens the Franborough Airshow with the Red Arrows - Image with thanks Paul Dopson/Flight Global

But for those of us who know the history of the Falklands Conflict will probably associate the Vulcan Bomber with Operation Black Buck. This mission involved flying incredibly long range bombing missions by the Vulcan from RAF Ascension Island with the aim of bombing Argentine held positions on the Falklands.

These missions were a logistical nightmare involving no fewer than 11 air to air refuelling sorties from converted Hadley Page Victor Bombers.

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