Here in the south east of England we are experiencing a heat wave, We are now on Level 3 of four, with temperatures set to reach at least 32C (89.6F). The Department of Health has issued special advice for the elderly and other people at risk from the heat.
Just imagine what the temperature must be like on the centre court at Wimbledon this week.
The centre court has recently been enlarged and a retractable roof built over the stadium. This must be the first year in Wimbledon history that they have prayed for rain. Their wish was finally granted on Monday afternoon what a shower brought the roof into action. Thus the first match played entirely under Wimbledon's new retractable roof produced a five-set marathon on Monday that finished later than any previous Centre Court encounter in history.
Andy Murray who won the match and has gone on to qualify for the semi final is bidding to become the first British man to win Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936.
Until this week l had never heard of a Hobby. The hobby is part of the falcon family and is very rarely seen in daylight a dwindling species with only 2200 breeding pairs here in the UK.
Keen birdwatcher Clive Newcombe had been enjoying a picnic when this astonishing scene unfolded before his eyes. Mr Newcombe, who has been a keen amateur photographer for 30 years, said the breath-taking shots were a 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience. 'The hobby chased the swift for half-a-minute then pounced on the bird with its sharp talons,' he said.
'A cloud of feathers exploded into the air as a tussle ensued between the two birds but it was always obvious which would win.'
Mollie Sugden passed away last night, those of you "Across the Pond" will be asking who is Mollie Sugden. If l said she was best known for playing Mrs Slocombe in long-running BBC sitcom Are You Being Served?, I am sure you will all know who l mean.
Are You Being Served transformed both Mollie Sugden and co-star John Inman into cult figures in the early 1990s.
"I'm Free Mr Humphies" - who will stroke her pussy now.
29th June 2009
Forty years on we celebrate the Stonewall Riots that took place on 28th June 1969. We have moved along way since then, but then again we still have someway to go. At the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York City. The gay community fought back for the first time against a government-sponsored system that persecuted sexual minorities.
In the 1950 and 1960 most gay people in the US as in the United Kingdom lived in the closet, it was only in the larger cities that there was any form of gay life. Very few establishments welcomed openly gay people. Those that did were often bars, although bar owners and managers were rarely gay. The Stonewall Inn, at the time, was owned by the Mafia. It catered to an assortment of patrons, but it was known to be popular with the most marginalised people in the gay community: drag queens, transvestites, effeminate young men, hustlers, and homeless youth.
Police raids on gay bars were routine in the 1960s, but officers quickly lost control of the situation at the Stonewall Inn, and attracted a crowd that was incited to riot. Tensions between New York City police and gay residents of Greenwich Village erupted into more protests the next evening, and again several nights later. Within weeks, Greenwich Village residents quickly organised into activist groups to concentrate efforts on establishing places for gays and lesbians to be open about their sexual orientation without fear of being arrested.
This was the start of the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.
Two years later, on June 28, 1970, the first Gay Pride marches took place in Los Angeles and New York commemorating the anniversary of the riots. Similar marches were organised in other cities. Today, Gay Pride events are held annually throughout the world toward the end of June to mark the Stonewall riots.
We have never been to Pridefest in Key West, but always watch with interest any developments that take place. In 2003 creator of the original gay pride rainbow flag, Gilbert Baker was instrumental in creating the longest rainbow flag in the world for it's 25th Anniversary. Gilbert Baker spent three months in Key West creating the 1 ¼ mile symbol for the gay community. Two thousand volunteers than unfurled the flag down the length of Duval Street, not just gay people but friends, family and supporters of the gay community in Key West, that certainly tells you something about the special relationship the gay community has with the citizens of Key West.
Pridefest is special to the gay community of Key West, recent rumbling from Key West suggest that Pridefest should become Diversityfest,
Why Why Why.
Fantasy Fest started off as a mainly gay event but has now become very diverse. Pridefest is now the only event solely dedicated to the gay community.
The small village of Sticker in Cornwall only has a population of 1,150, with one shop, a post office, hairdresser, garage and pub. it also has a shortage of suitable young woman for the role of carnival queen this year being held today.
This meant the organisers were forced to throw open the competition to blokes. Up steps a burly, six foot, hairy-chested stunner to be precise. In fact, they think it's a hoot that carpenter Ben Rushton will be taking pride of place in today's summer parade.
Father-of-two Ben, 33, - now nicknamed Benny La Rue - beat five male rivals to take the title after dazzling judges in one of his mum-in-law's cast-off dresses. Ben now known as "Ben Le Rue" said: "My mother-in-law had a dress that was altered to fit. They got me silver four-inch heels from a fancy dress shop - in a size 10. Then they kitted me out in a beehive red wig, handmade gloves, and painted my nails. Claire did my make-up.
Oh Lordy Lordy, look what can happen if you are a gay teenager in Connecticut, this video show horrific abuse of a teenage boy by religious fundamentalists. The 16-year-old boy being verbally abused by adults as he writhes on the floor. The pastor of the Connecticut church where the abuse occurred has defended the practice of "exorcising" gay people.
And l thought we were living in the 21st Century
The Prime Minister has sent good wishes for "the Pride season" to members of the gay community.
"I'm very proud of all that this government has achieved on LGBT rights these last 12 years; from equalising the age of consent, lifting the ban on military service, introducing gay adoption and creating civil partnerships to scrapping section 28, introducing the Gender Recognition Act and banning discrimination at work and in the provision of goods and services," the Prime Minister wrote.
"We won't ever give up on the fight for equality – we are marching with you every step of the way. The Labour government has one simple guiding ideal when it comes to LGBT rights: you can't legislate love."
Pride London will take place next week on July 4th. Seems like we shall be celebrating on "Both Sides of the Pond"
25th June 2009
A lovely day here in Sunny Sussex.
A quick trip around the gay world is order of the day.
Gay monks in Thailand who exhibit camp behaviour are being told to " it down" by Buddhist seniors. New good manners guidelines introduced in some Thai provinces warn gay and trans monks to curb flamboyant actions and stop wearing make up. Senior monk Phra Maha Wudhijaya Vajiramedhi says that the number of monks carrying handbags and wearing tight robes is reaching concerning levels.
Two schools in the American state of Tennessee are being sued for blocking access to gay websites. The lawsuit is being filed by the American Civil liberties Union, which says the ban prevents children from educating themselves about LGBT issues and history. The sites are blocked using a filter that prevents access to adult websites with inappropriate content. But it also blocks some sites that discuss gay culture.
Come this way for Gay Sex. A Dutch park often frequented by gay men for sex is being given signs to warn the public where the cruising areas are. The park, in the southwest of Amsterdam, is putting up the notices to prevent anyone being surprised by the sights they may see. " you don' want to be confronted by a vision of that sort, the signs allow you to avoid specific areas," said a spokesperson.
An American Soldier who did ask and did tell by coming out live on national TV has been sacked from duty. Lieutenant Dan Choi, a National Guard soldier, revealed his sexuality to
chat show host Rachel Maddow, as part of a campaign to repeal the ban on gays serving in the military. But his seniors failed to see the intent, and he was immediately dismissed for ' conduct'
Kids are now jumping on the bandwagon. A nine-year-old American boy has become a gay rights activist after hearing that two of his gay neighbours weren't allowed to marry. Ethan McNamee is organising pro-gay marriage rallies in Denver. He wants his friend' two mothers to be able to marry. Last month, more than 200 people turned up to support McNamee.
Critics say he' too young to understand what he' doing.
A leading Polish councillor has publicly criticised a zoo for buying a gay elephant. Michal Grzes says that public money has been '' on the Ninio the elephant, which clearly prefers male company, as it is unlikely to procreate. The owner of the zoo has hit back, highlighting the fact that at 10- years-old, Ninio has not yet reached sexual maturity, which happens at 14,
so it ' just be a phase'
22nd June 2009
The Summer Solstice - Stonehenge
35,000 people spent the night under the stars on Saturday at Stonehenge to celebrate the summer solstice. There was a carnival atmosphere as pagans, Morris dancers and others gathered at the ancient stone landmark on Salisbury Plain to celebrate the longest day of the year. Crowds began to gather at 7pm on Saturday. There was music and dancing all night and cheers to greet the 4.58am sunrise.
Nearer to home, in fact less than a mile away from us here in Sunny Sussex, around 100 druids from the ANDERIDA GORSEDD group gathered on the Longman of Wilmington.
The Anderida Gorsedd are a Druid group that hold regular open rituals, camps and moots in Sussex. The open rituals began on the Spring Equinox 2000, the dream of Druids Damh the Bard and Cerri Lee to revive the regular celebrations of the old Pagan festivals in the sacred landscape of Sussex. The main site for this being the Longman. After the ritual the druids gather in our local pub "The Giants Rest" for a little light refreshment.
ANDERIDA GORSEDD RITUAL
Your Honour - Naughty - Naughty. A senior judge is being investigated over an alleged affair with a male prostitute. The Judge, who is married with two children, reportedly had a nine-month relationship with a 25-year-old rent boy, allowing him to sit in court and see confidential documents. The Judge voluntarily provided a detailed account of the circumstances to the senior judiciary. The matter has been referred to the Office for Judicial Complaints to consider whether there has been a breach of discipline."
A gay kiss on last Friday's EastEnders (soap opera) was watched by 7.9 million viewers, earning it a 38 per cent share of the total viewing public.
The protests over the Iranian election rubble on. Over 700 protesters gathered in London last week. Now the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has accused his opponents to pandering to the gay vote, despite previously saying gays do not exist in his country.
Two years ago during a controversial World Leaders Forum, Ahmadinejad told students at Columbia University: "In Iran we don't have homosexuals".
However, the president, whose re-election has caused huge protest across the globe, yesterday disproved his own comment. In a statement referring to claims of electoral fraud, Ahmadinejad accused his opponents of "officially recognising thieves, homosexuals and scumbags" in exchange for their votes.
20th June 2009
Older Royals The Queen and Price Phillip arrive in style at Ascot
Royal Ascot comes to an end today. Five days of pomp and circumstance, champagne strawberries, and of course the big hats that this famous horse race meeting is known for.
Younger Royals Princesses Euginie and Beatrice
Each day the Queen arrives, being driven down the course in a horse drawn carriage, Queen Elizabeth, like her late mother is a keen racing enthusiast. This annual race meeting is the highlight of the British Racing and Social calendar.
The dress code for the Royal Enclosure are fairly strict, Ladies are certainly expected to wear knickers.
Tax advice for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trans people published by HM Revenue and Customs has been criticised as unnecessary. The booklet, titled Diversity in HMRC, is to be distributed at London Pride next week. It details advice for those in civil partnerships about their tax allowances and inheritance tax thresholds. It also offers guidance to trans people on claiming pensions under their new or old gender. However, the Taxpayers' Alliance has called it a waste of money.
Now this is a surprise. Pop star Ricky Martin has revealed he is bisexual. His sexuality has been a topic of rumour for the past ten years.
In the middle of the recession here in the UK it is interesting to note that there has been a huge increase in the sale of chocolate, sewing machines and tents. Chocolate sales in Selfridges is up by 80%, while sales of Cadbury Dairy Milk have increased by 115 during the past year. Sewing machines sales at Argos Stores is up by a staggering 500% while leading brands are showing sales up across the board of 50%. Tents, condoms, safes and bicycles are also leading the field. So do you fancy a night camping, wearing your chic homemade clothes, sucking chocolate, before you slip on the condom under the stars.
18th June 2009
Charles Darwin argued that sexual preferences can shape the progress of evolution. I think it's safe to say, however, that he did not anticipate the lesbian albatrosses of Hawaii. Nor bisexual bonobos. Let alone sadomasochistic bat bugs or the gay penguins of New York.
Homosexuality appears to be so widespread among some animal species that it can reshape their social dynamics and even change their DNA, according the results of a recent survey.
"The variety and ubiquity of same-sex sexual behaviour in animals is impressive — many thousands of instances of same-sex courtship, pair bonding and copulation have been observed in a wide range of species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, molluscs and nematodes," write Nathan Bailey and Marlene Zuk of the University of California, Riverside.
Just a few of the findings of "Same-sex Sexual Behaviour and Evolution", Trends in Ecology & Evolution
African bat bugs
Males pierce the bodies of other males as well as females to deliver sperm, a process known as traumatic insemination
Bonobos
Females engage in a lot of same-sex sexual behaviour, including genital rubbing. Males engage in kissing, fellatio and genital massage. Same-sex sexual behaviour may ease social tension in the group
Bottlenose dolphins
Show one of the highest rates of same-sex sexual behaviour in any animal. Male-on–male mounting and genital contact appear to strengthen alliances and provide practice for later opposite-sex encounters
Chinstrap penguins
Penguins in captivity can form long-lasting same-sex pair bonds and engage in same-sex sexual behaviour, including copulation
Toad
Male toads do not discriminate between the sexes and will ) males as well as females. Amplected males, however, produce a call that quickly induces the other male to release
Laysan Albatross
Birds in Hawaiian populations form long-term female–female pair bonds, which include courtship displays, copulation, mutual grooming behaviour and egg incubation
Marine snails
All snails of this species start out male, and have weak sex discrimination. If they pair with another male, then one simply changes sex
Rams
About 6 per cent of domesticated rams display typical male courtship and copulatory behaviour towards other males
Did you know that Michelle Obama wrote to the Queen asking if she could have a tour of Buckingham Palace with her daughters with her daughters, Sasha and Malia on her recent visit of London.
They were shown around the queen's official residence and its gardens and the queen herself greeted them afterward, according to a royal source who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was private.
15th June 2009
Brighton Naked Bike Ride 2009
It is that time of the year when cyclists throw off their clothes with gay abandon and take to the streets of Brighton once again. This year around 700 cyclists shed their clothes to cycle naked through the sea side town to highlight the damage caused to the planet by car dependency.
It was wonderful weather that added to the pleasure not only for the cyclists but also those that choose to spectate and photograph the delights of the day. Lulu took to the streets with her "Box Brownie" and as usual she did not disappoint her fans.
13th June 2009
There is something so intransigently British about hearing the "National Anthem" being played on BBC radio at eight o'clock in the morning. Happy birthday your Majesty. Today is the official birthday of our Queen. Although The Queen was born on 21 April, it has long been the tradition to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday publicly on a day in the summer, when good weather is more likely. To celebrate the occasion Trooping the Colour is carried out by fully trained and operational troops from the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry) on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, watched by members of the Royal Family, invited guests and members of the public.
This year has a very special meaning for Stephanie a long time friend. Her grandson Ryan is taking part in the ceremony. He recentlly passed out as a member of the Household Calvary
.
It is their unique privilege to carry out mounted and some dismounted ceremonial duties on State and Royal occasions which include the provision of a Sovereign's Escort as seen today at the Queen's Birthday Parade.
Perry
Now you must decide who is the most handsome/beautiful. Here we have Dad Perry and Son Randy.
Randy
Perry thought you might be interested in this rather titillating act from the Swedish version of "Got Talent".
11th June 2009
Fifty years ago today the World's first hovercraft made its maiden voyage in the English channel. It was invented through a combination of eccentricity and genius by Sir Christopher Cockerel who first came across the idea by inserting one tin can inside another, pumping in air between the layers an measuring the result on kitchen scales, the contraption floated on a cushion of air.
The First Commercial Hovercraft SRN-1
For years afterwards, the invention was kept top secret, as the government wanted to explore its military potential. But shortly after it was unveiled to the public on this day 50 years ago. A commercial service was launched across the River Dee in 1962. Then by 1968, two giant Hovercraft SRN-4's were plying their way across the English Channel.
Over 33 years of service, the Princess Anne and the Princess Margaret carried about 80 million passengers and cars in what was then the fastest crossing time between England and France.
The channel tunnel came into being and the hovercraft service closed in 2000, The only remaining passenger hovercraft now works between Portsmouth and Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
Hovercraft are still built in the UK, but now provide specialist services to countries like Indonesia and India, where swamps, deserts, mudflats and river deltas are perfect territory for the hovercraft.
Michelle Obama has been here in London with her daughters on a short sightseeing trip. Here she is leaving Westminster Abbey in what even a fashion conscious Duchess can only describe as a rather bizarre outfit, while the men around her look to be in mourning.
According to a leading economics think-tank the recession has been declared over. Yesterday it released upbeat estimates showing that growth in GDP resumed in April and May.
The upbeat verdict that Britain's slump is at an end came from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research after official figures revealed the first gains in manufacturing output for 14 months, adding to a recent spate of signs of recovery.
It may be over but the effects are sure to rumble on for a very long time - Me thinks.
8th June 2009
Danny Le Rue
1927 - 2009
Bob Hope once described Danny Le Rue as "the most glamorous woman in the world", Noel Coward called La Rue "the most professional, most witty and most utterly charming man in the business". Sadly Danny Le Rue passed away last week. It was Danny who make drag respectable in the UK, although he did not like the term drag act and preferred to be called "A comic in a frock".
He opened his own nightclub in Hanover Square in 1964. The venture was a huge success, attracting more than 13,000 members, and shooting him to fame.
Celebrities Judy Garland, Warren Beatty, Shirley Bassey, Noel Coward, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Dame Elizabeth Taylor were all patrons while Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon also enjoyed nights out there.
In the 1970s and 1980s, La Rue was the most famous female impersonator in the world and was at one time the highest-paid entertainer in Britain.
Fortune came and went for Danny. He lost £2million when his partners in a hotel venture in Stratford-on-Avon were arrested. It was a difficult period. The Rolls-Royce and many of his antiques had to go but La Rue bounced back in typically flamboyant style, working 40 weeks a year well into his 70s.
He later said: "I've had success and I've had failure and from failure I have learned more than from success because it makes you really look at yourself… you don't choose to dress up as a tart for a living, so I think my career has been all about destiny."
Danny had Royal Friends, aside from Princess Margaret, he sang at the Queen Mum's 100th Birthday. He played before the Queen at numerous Royal Command performances and in 2002 he was awarded an OBE, joking that he was the first transvestite to be invited to Buckingham Palace.
He was initially coy about his sexuality, always insisting that it was irrelevant. "It's not really part of my work," he once said. "Gay or straight, it doesn't come into it at all."
Later in life he became more open, confirming that for 32 years he had lived with his partner and manager Jack Hanson, until his death in 1974 following a stroke.
In 2006, after suffering a mild stroke himself, La Rue announced again that he was hanging up his dresses for good – but would continue to appear on stage in one-man shows. He spent his final years living in Kent the next county to Sunny Sussex with His beloved companion Annie Galbraith.
6th June 2009
On June 6, 65 years ago, allied forces battled side by side to liberate France. During the D-Day invasion that began that day, American, British and Canadian troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of the Normandy coast as part of the largest single-day amphibious invasion in history.
To this day, members of those same allied forces, local citizens and thousands of spectators from around the world come together in Normandy each year to honour those who fought -- and the thousands who died -- that day.
Being the 65th Anniversary, for many veterans of the second world war this may very well be their last visit to the Normandy beaches to celebrate the landings and mourn the loss of their friends. Some 130,000 allied troops took part in the 1944 landings, The number of Allied casualties during D-Day is guessed to be approximately.. 10,000, containing 2500 dead. British - 2700, Canadians - 946, Americans - 6603.
Prince Charles is attending the ceremonies after a last minute invitation from the French President. British Veterans were shocked that the Royal Family had not received an invitation. Prince Charles is also joined by President Obama, as America's first black president it has brought the part that African American troops played in the landings. They have long been the forgotten heroes of D-Day, the African American military personnel who stormed ashore and risked their lives for a country that still treated them as second-class citizens. African-American soldiers say they enjoyed more freedom in Britain in the 1940s than in the segregated United States.
But with President Barack Obama, the country's first African American commander-in-chief, in France for the 65th anniversary celebrations of D-Day today, black veterans of the segregated US army believe their role is finally being acknowledged.
Congratulations Henry 113 Today
Another celebration taking place today is the 113th Birthday of Britain's oldest man. Henry William Allingham born 6th June 1896, is a World War I veteran. He is the oldest ever surviving member of the British Armed Forces and the oldest surviving veteran of World War I. Henry lives close by here in Sunny Sussex.
4th June 2009
Take a small heart-shaped piece of leather, a handful of iron nails, eight brass pins, a lock of hair, some nail clippings, a pinch of navel fluff and place them in a bottle. Then add a pint of urine, seal the bottle and bury it by your front door — this is the recipe for warding off a witch's curse.
The first such bottle was found in Green London in 2004, since then some 200 have been discovered that still had their contents intact.
This first find has now been analysed and has cast light on the fear of witchcraft in the 17th century. The theory behind the witch bottle was that by placing the items and bodily fluids in a bottle, the evil spell could not only be diverted but would also rebound on the witch.
The analysis took 12 months to complete. Before the salt glaze bottle was opened, it was X-rayed and put through a CT scanner, which showed that its contents included bent iron nails and an unidentified liquid, some of which was drawn off by inserting a syringe through the cork. Tests determined that the liquid was 300-year-old urine and traces of nicotine indicated that it had come from a smoker. The ten nail parings were examined under a microscope and were found to be those of an adult.
Other charms placed in houses to ward off evil spirits are occasionally discovered during renovations, including children's shoes and dead cats. The practice continued into the early 20th century. Witch bottles are much rarer. Scientist's believes that the bottle examined dates from the last quarter of the 17th century.
Hampstead Heath in London is notorious for Cruising, but a little known is that it has an area for nude sunbathing. The area is a small concrete plot next to the changing room at the men's swimming pond.
Now hundreds of campaigners including Julian Clary and human rights protestor Peter Tatchell are backing a scheme to increase the area for nude male sunbathing. A petition with more than 1,000 signatures will be presented to the new Chairman of the Heath today calling for greater space for the naturists.
Great Tits are changing their tune. Researchers have found that the birds adapt to noisy urban environments, changing their song to a higher pitch in order to be heard over the city din. Although the adaptation has been found within a few miles of the countryside, scientists at Aberystwyth University found that rural birds had trouble understanding their urban neighbours.
"Tit townies don't respond as strongly to the country boys song, nor do the country boys respond as strongly to the townies," - No mention of the girlie birds I notice.
1st June 2009
Big Ben is the bell and not the tower as most people believe
Big Ben was 150 years old yesterday and l am not talking about a KWEST dancer here. The name Big Ben is often used to describe the tower, the clock and the bell but the nickname was first given to the Great Bell. 1859 heralded the completion of the Clock Tower, the starting of the Great Clock took place on 31st May and the first time the Great Bell's chimes were heard was on 11th July.
Big Ben measures 2.7 metres in diameter and 2.2 metres in height.
It is 334 steps from the belfry at the top of the tower. Three times a week – on Monday, Wednesday and Friday – the clock is wound up by hand, a process that takes more than an hour because it is not possible to wind while it is chiming. And when it is going a bit fast or a bit slow (which it generally is, that being the nature of mechanical systems) a mechanic places or removes a penny from the pendulum: an old, predecimal penny, of course; adding one speeds up the clock by two-fifths of a second a day.
The bell – or Great Bell, nicknamed Big Ben – weighs 13.5 tonnes (30,000lbs)
The chimes are based on Handel's Messiah, a phrase from the aria I Know that My Redeemer Liveth. They were set to verse and the words inscribed on a plaque in the clock room: All through this hour Lord be my Guide That by Thy Power No foot shall slide
When a bomb destroyed the Commons chamber in 1941, glass was blown out of the south dial but the clock kept going.
Millvina Dean the last survivor of the sinking of the Titanic has died aged 97. She was nine weeks old when the liner sank after hitting an iceberg in the early hours of 15 April 1912, on its maiden voyage from Southampton. The disaster resulted in the deaths of 1,517 people in the north Atlantic, largely due to a lack of lifeboats.
Miss Dean, who remembered nothing of the fateful journey, died on Sunday at the care home in Hampshire where she lived. Her family had been travelling in third class to America, where they hoped to start a new life and open a tobacconist's shop in Kansas City.
Miss Dean's mother, Georgetta, and two-year-old brother, Bert, also survived, but her father, Bertram, was among those who perished when the vessel sank.
