Human Interest – Page 642 – SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR)

Thomas Parr (1483-1635 CE) – Oldest Man in England! (16.8.2015)

16/08/2015 Adrian (釋大道)

‘At Great Wollaston, just off the road from Shrewsbury to Wales, stands a small thatched cottage, birthplace and home of the oldest Englishman who ever lived. Thomas Parr was born in 1483. He lived to see ten monarchs on the throne, from the Plantagenet Edward IV, through all the Tudors to the Stuart Charles I. He joined the army at 17, returning when he was 35 to run the family farm. He married for the first time when he was 80, had an affair and an illegitimate child when he was 100 and married again at 122. When he was 152, the Earl of Arundel took him up to London to meet Charles I, who asked for the secret of his long life. ‘Moral temperance and a vegetarian diet,’ he replied. Unfortunately, the foul stench of London polluted his lungs, which had thrived on Shropshire air, and he died in November 1635. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.’

Berry Pomeroy Castle – South Devon – 4.8.15

06/08/2015 Adrian (釋大道)

After the Norman victory of 1066 CE in Britain, the warriors of the indigenous British kept-up a fierce resistance to the Norman presence for decades. The Normans spread-out across the land, and built very strong fortified houses and castles. These structures allowed the Norman occupiers to live in relative safety against the continuous threat of British attack. This castle building skill marked a significant evolution in the building of militarised structures in Britain, and there was very little the indigenous British warriors could do against the high and smooth stone walls, deep water-filled moats, and steep inclines.

Tamar Otter & Wildlife Centre – North Cornwall – 1.8.15

05/08/2015 Adrian (釋大道)

The Tamar Otter & Wildlife Centre has Wallabies, Peacocks, Fallow Deer, Muntjac Deer, various species of owls, and many different types of ducks and birds roaming free. This assortment includes Giant British Rabbits, and of course, Asian and British Otters – the Asian Otters particularly make a tremendous noise and are very playful around mealtimes! Sometimes, the Fallow Deer, (which are led by a magnificent stag), wander over to visitors and are happy to be hand-fed with food available for purchase from the Centre. Obviously the nearer to opening time, the more willing the hungry Deer are to come close.

Sir Goldsworthy Gurney & Bude Castle 30.7.15

31/07/2015 Adrian (釋大道)

Bude Castle is not a ‘castle’ as such, but a modest stately home situated in Bude – north Cornwall – that was once the home of Goldsworthy Gurney (1793-1875). Goldsworthy Gurney was born in Padstow (Cornwall) and was something of a genius. He was educated at Truro Grammar School, and despite not going to university, he apprenticed with a local medical doctor, learning how to be a general practitioner, and eventually inheriting the practice as a surgeon before he was 20 years old. However, he longed to experience life in London – one of the most progressive cities in the world – and in 1820 he and his family relocated to the city.

The Ruins of Penhallam Manor – Northeast Cornwall – 30.7.15

31/07/2015 Adrian (釋大道)

Although only the foundations exist dating to 13th century renovations, (the home was eventually abandoned in the early 15th century), they reveal expert stone-masonry, architectural design, and building craftsmanship, as well as over-all expertise in positioning of the stricture and the good use of natural terrain, (the local river, for instance, was diverted to form the water in the encircling moat). The area of Penhallam was awarded to the de Cardinham family from France, and Penhallam Manor apparently served as one of their stately homes – such was the family’s importance in the new Norman social order in Britain. English Heritage maintain the site – which is free to enter for the general public. The ruins lie in a forest clearing that is about a 15 minute walk from the small car park (which is designed for 5 cars). It is a beautiful place to visit.

Arthurian Centre – Camelford – Cornwall: 28.7.15

29/07/2015 Adrian (釋大道)

The Arthurian Centre is located in Camelford, Cornwall. It is an educational centre specialising in all details surrounding the history, myths and legends surrounding the story of King Arthur. The centre is situated on a large country estate that has the river Camel running through it. The area is partly fields and partly forests, and as visitors exist the Arthurian Centre, they are led on a 500m trail through the countryside to find the ancient Arthur Stone which has been dated to around 540CE by the Irish Ogham script found engraved upon it

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