NEWS FROM YOUR AREA

Subject: NEWS FROM YOUR AREA Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:10 pm

I thought it might be interesting to post news bits & pieces from our own locations. So here's my opening contribution:

When veterans of the 4th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry sought a home for their old battalion colours they thought Bath Abbey would be the logical place – after all the battalion recruited mainly in and around the city.

But they say they were told the Abbey did not want any more "old flags hanging up".

Saddened by the response, and fired up by the sacrifice of comrades in the World War II battles of the Second Front, veteran Terry Organ went into battle himself.

The former colour sergeant approached Bath and North East Somerset Council to ask whether the colours could be laid up in the Guildhall.

Councillor Bryan Chalker took up their cause and on Friday the colours will be officially handed over at a ceremony which will be attended by many veterans.

They will include survivors of the famous weeklong attack on Hill 112 in the Normandy campaign, an action in which 830 members of the battalion took part and in which there were 525 casualties.

A delighted Mr Organ, 69, who lives in Bath, said: "We are all so pleased by this outcome. People from a non-military background might find it difficult to understand why there is so much emotion attached to this subject. Although the colours did not travel into battle in the way they would have done as a rallying point in days gone by they have just the same significance to us.

"The 4th Battalion was mainly raised in the Bath area, and saw action in Europe as part of the 43rd Wessex Division. They took part in all the battles of the Second Front, from Normandy to the river Elbe, earning battle honours for the regiment.

"To say the remark from the abbey that they did not want any more old flags hanging up was insulting is putting it mildly. Some of the survivors of the attack on Hill 112 are still alive and are delighted that the colours are where they belong, on display in Bath."

Charles Curnock, administrator of the abbey, said: "We do have lots of banners hanging up in the abbey and most are Somerset Light Infantry. But we do have difficulties having to move some.

"When we have concerts some of the flags get in the way and we have to take them down."

The colours were presented to the battalion by King Edward VII on June 19, 1909, in Windsor Great Park, and last paraded before the Queen Mother in front of the Royal Crescent in Bath, in 1979. They were then laid up in cases in a drill hall in Bath. When 6 Light Infantry, the battalion's successor, was disbanded the colours were moved to a drill hall at Taunton.

The ceremony on Friday is for invited guests only, but the colours are now on view to all.

The Somerset Light Infantry began life as the Earl of Huntingdon's Regiment of Foot in 1685 and became affiliated with Somerset in 1782, and will forever be associated with the heroic defence of Jellalabad in the first Afghan War.

Subject: Re: NEWS FROM YOUR AREA Mon Jan 25, 2010 2:12 pm

So that's why there is a Jellalabad Barracks in Taunton.

Admin Posts : 1426 Join date : 2009-09-02 Location : Here

That's very interesting Dave. It's nice to find out little bits of history which actually mean something to us.

Subject: Re: NEWS FROM YOUR AREA Mon Jan 25, 2010 9:57 pm

My son was in the Somerset's. He had a terrible time in Northern Ireland.

Subject: Re: NEWS FROM YOUR AREA Tue Jan 26, 2010 2:56 pm

Great story Dave, My son is trying to get in the army now, after failing to get in the R.A.F reg.

Subject: Re: NEWS FROM YOUR AREA Wed Jan 27, 2010 9:24 am

Here's a Bath story for you Am. Not sure about the holy bit though?

Depp tattooist opens up in Bath

The man responsible for Oscar-winning actor Johnny Depp’s Celtic knot tattoo has opened a studio in Bath.

Kouri Montana has designed tattoos for a host of celebrities, and has opened a studio and training academy to share his skills.

He started drawing cowboys and Indians at the age of three, copying his father’s work, and soon developed a love of art.

After studying fine arts at Cardiff University he has worked in studios all over the world, and exhibited his designs at the Royal Academy in London and in Paris.

Television work also came his way, and it was through MTV that he met Pirates of the Caribbean star Depp.

Following a chat with the actor, Mr Montana designed a Celtic knot and tattooed him.

He said: “Johnny was really nice, and it was a honour to tattoo him.”

Mr Montana has also worked on singer Pink, and Manchester City footballer Craig Bellamy.

His clients travel from all over the world for a piece of his artwork.

One serving soldier in Baghdad will soon be having 50 hours of tattoo work done during his three weeks’ leave in February.

Mr Montana finds his work spiritual, and likes to create unique designs for each of his clients.

He said: “Tattooing is about more than merely inking the skin or decorating, it is very spiritual.

“When the art of tattooing began it was based on spiritual circumstances and I like to believe that I carry it on in the same tradition as my ancestors

“Many tattooists see themselves as part of God’s unfinished world.

“He couldn’t decorate the skin, so he left it to us.”

Mr Montana has several tattoos that he designed and inked himself.

“My tattoos are personal for me, and tell a story.

“Tattoos are very individual, and reflect an individuals life.”

Tattooing is very much a family business, and Mr Montana is joined in his studio by his 29-year-old son Raphael.

He said: “He enjoys it, has grown up with it. It is a way of life for him.

“Raphael did a law degree, but art was always there.”

Montana Studios, in Westgate Buildings specialises in free hand and custom made tattoos.

It is also home to the Montana Tattoo Academy, where artists are trained, and there are plans to open a body piercing service.

Subject: Re: NEWS FROM YOUR AREA Wed Jan 27, 2010 12:04 pm

Subject: Re: NEWS FROM YOUR AREA Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:46 pm

I wonder what he is charging. I bet it's LOADS!

I was in Bath today, doing some teaching at Oldfield School.

Posts : 137 Join date : 2009-12-15 Age : 63 Location : Bath

Good school. My daughter went there. I was in Yeovil today, again. What a shit-hole.

Subject: Re: NEWS FROM YOUR AREA Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:26 pm

Are Bath streets best of British?

Two streets in Bath are in the running to be named the best in Britain in a new awards scheme launched by Google.

The international search engine has started the Google Street View Awards to celebrate its programme of putting 360-degree street level images of urban areas on the web.

Celebrity judges have put together lists of the country's most picturesque streets, best fashion streets and best foodie streets.

The Royal Crescent makes it onto the first list, along with nine other streets - including the Hovis advert setting of Gold Hill in Shaftesbury and The Shambles in York.

Milsom Street is included in a 20-strong fashion street list which also includes the Kings Road in London and Regent Street in Bristol's Clifton.

A public vote will now determine the results in the three categories.

Google teams have done some filming in Bath but the city has yet to appear on Street View, although Bristol is featured.

Shortlisted nominations for each of the award categories have been compiled by a panel of experts from the worlds of food, fashion and travel including TV personalities Julia Bradbury and Jeff Banks, and Bath-based Mail on Sunday travel editor Frank Barrett.

Google says the winner in the picturesque category should be "uniquely British and visually charming."

David Else, lead author of The Lonely Planet Guide to Great Britain, who helped compile the list, said: "I've travelled the length and breadth of the country, and seen many of these streets first hand. The final shortlist reflects the wonderful variety of architecture in Britain, and I hope people have as much fun voting for their favourites as I had visiting them."

Google will work with the winning streets to create a bespoke Google Street View tour, created to highlight the key retailers and points of interest, allowing the world to find out more about the nation's final choices.

Its geospatial technologist Ed Parsons said: "We want to celebrate the beauty and culture of Britain and are really excited about the first ever Google Street View Awards. The awards will showcase some of Britain's best streets across the UK and we hope people will get involved and vote online for their favourite."

You can vote on www.maps.google.co.uk/beststreets between now and February 28, with the results announced next month.

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