Tag: urban

Local Tilford History!

Surrey: Tilford Local History – Village Hall & Medieval Bridge! (25.5.2026)

The temperature rose to 32 degrees today – and I believe this is the highest recorded temperature for May on record for the UK. It is said that when the Romans occupied Britain – 1st century BCE-5th century CE – it was much hotter in Southern England than it is today. Indeed, so hot was it that the Romans regularly cultivated grapes. Since those heady days – the temperatures have cooled in the UK – and 32 would be more usually experienced for a few days in mid-August – not late May. We waited to late afternoon to take the dogs to a nearby woods near Tilford village – so as to not overheat their paws on the overly hot ground. We stayed in the shade – but I did get photographs and footage of a village hall built in the 19th century – and an old bridge – which looks medieval to me! Cricket was being play on the Green – and I like a good game of cricket. It is complicated and very Confucian in nature!

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A Cuckoo Pecks the Tree Outside Our Bedroom Window!

Sutton: A Woodpecker Outside Our Bedroom Window! (6.11.2025)

Whilst getting ready for school – our youngest daughter (Kai-Lin) – heard a “knocking” outside our bedroom window in our first-floor flat (the window is more or less in-line with the treetops nearby). When Gee pulled-back the curtain (it was around 8 am) to everyone’s surprise – there was what looked like a juvenile Woodpecker attempting to develop a head of steam through its inexperienced pecking! Normally, we only ever hear these birds “out of sight” as it were, but even then, only at a considerable distance (usually in woodland or nears forests) – but I have never seen such a rural bird landing within a city context.

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Stain-Glass Window Exhibition - 2025

Sutton: St Nicholas Church – Stones & Stained Glass Exhibition! (8.9.2025)

Sutton is now part of Greater (South-West) London (formerly East Surrey) – and Churches are viewed (rightly or wrongly) as a type of museum, although I think St Nicholas is still in use despite Church attendance being very small across the UK. Our view (as non-Christians) is that these places should be properly and respectfully preserved – and the faithful be allowed to worship in them. On the other hand, as the Church of England is funded through general taxation (regardless as to whether the worker is Christian or not) – ALL people (providing the behave) should be able to frequent the building. We also love the squirrels, pigeons, rats, and mice which live in the graveyard.

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Lovely Ketton - Perhaps We We Were an Episode of the "Prisoner"!

UK: Dialectically Walking Through the Quaint Village of Ketton (Northants)! (5.8.2025)

Recently, I spent a week in the Northants countryside. Fresh air, good food, wide open spaces, a garden, things to do, and everybody saying “hello” – and “good morning” – and meaning it! Coming from a London suburb, the general rule of thumb is “silence” – when meeting people you do not know just in case they want to rob or rape you. There is also the ever-present threat of someone you don’t know asking for “money” or “food”, etc, all things that are not allowed within cities. My children are taught to remain well-behaved by the school when meeting others – to be “quiet” so as not to attract the unwanted attention of others. Walking through the picturesque village of Ketton last Saturday (1.8.2025) was interesting, as well-meaning groups of old ladies loudly greeted us like they knew us – all ready to help at a moment’s notice – we were even invited to a Church Service within ten minutes of arriving! 

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China: New Law Assists Visually Impaired Citizens! (2.9.2023)

In Beijing, Liao Juan, an associate professor at Capital Normal University’s School of Management, said the law closely addresses the demands and expectations of the elderly and the disabled in terms of system design, establishing standards, and construction requirements.

She said the process of formulating the law is the best example of how the nation’s top legislature responds to public needs.

To implement the law and make it work effectively, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said it will give stronger support to technological innovation in constructing accessible services.

The use of new technologies to guide the blind, along with voice control and speech recognition, will be encouraged, the ministry said, adding that it will also require enterprises to “bridge the digital gap” to ensure the elderly and disabled enjoy technological convenience.

The China Disabled Persons’ Federation has promised to organize visits to accessible facilities and provide feedback to relevant departments.

The federation also said it will compile and publish more books in Braille and provide versions for those with poor vision.

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