British History – Page 20

On this day in history….10th December 1979

On this day in history : 10th December 1979 – Eddie Kidd, motorcycle stunt rider, makes a death-defying leap across an 80ft gap, above a 50ft sheer drop over a viaduct….

The jump was made at the River Blackwater in Malden Essex, on a 400cc Yamaha motorbike, as part of the 1981 drama film ‘Riding High’ – in which Eddie plays the part of Dave Munday, a young motorcycle messenger who is bored with his life and job and so starts to train for a major competition….

Born on the 22nd of June 1959, Eddie started his career as a stunt performer at the age of 14; he holds many world records for jumps – of which he made over 12,000 during his career…. He has worked as a stunt double on many films, including for Pierce Brosnan in ‘Golden Eye’, Timothy Dalton in ‘The Living Daylights’ and Val Kilmer in ‘Top Secret’….

Jumping over cars at the Royal Oak Football ground, Harwich in 1984 – John Wray, published by Harwich & Dovercourt CC BY-SA 2.0

In 1993 American daredevil (and son of Evel Knievel), Robbie Knievel, challenged Eddie to a world title ‘jump off’ competition – which took place in Mississippi, USA…. Each rider had to make three jumps, with the length of each totalled together to make the overall winner…. The competition was televised as ‘The Daredevil Duel; Knievel vs Kidd’…. Eddie won by 6 feet and the title still stands with him today…. It was also in 1993 that Eddie jumped over the Great Wall of China…. Despite all this, he didn’t obtain his UK motorcycle licence until 1995….

Eddie Kidd and Robbie Knievel, Daredevil Duel (via YouTube) – Fair use

It was on the 6th of August 1996 that tragedy was to strike…. Eddie attended the ‘Bulldog Bash’ at Long Marston Airfield, Stratford-upon-Avon ~ one of the largest motorcycle festivals in Europe….and during which he performed a 49ft jump…. In comparison to some of his previous stunts this was relatively tame; all went according to plan….he completed the jump and landed on two wheels…. However, as he landed his chin struck the petrol tank of the bike and he was knocked unconscious….and therefore, was unable to stop the bike from crashing…. Eddie sustained serious head and pelvic injuries….he was in a coma for 3 months – and was left paralysed with brain damage….

Eddie’s career took bravery and determination….qualities obviously ingrained deeply within his character…. On the 29th of June 2007 he opened the Beyond Boundaries Live 2007 Exhibition at Sandown Park, Esther; once again he was riding upon a motorbike…. On the 17th of April 2011, leaving his wheelchair at the starting line and using a special walking frame, Eddie embarked on the London Marathon…. 50 days later, on the 6th of June, he completed it…. A truly remarkable feat ~ one in which he raised £75,000 for the charity Children With Leukaemia….and still today Eddie continues to fundraise for worthy causes….

On the 17th of July 2012 Eddie carried the Olympic Torch through Lewes in East Sussex…. It was also in 2012 that he was awarded with a well deserved OBE – for his services to charity….

British History, Uncategorized

On this day in history….9th December 1960

On this day in history : 9th December 1960 – The very first episode of Coronation Street is aired at 7pm on ITV – and is watched by 7.7 million people….

The soap, which was first broadcast in black and white, was only ever meant to have run for 13 episodes – but is now Britain’s longest running soap, having been aired nearly 10,000 times….

The brainchild of scriptwriter Tony Warren of Granada TV, the idea was at first rejected by the TV station’s founder, Sidney Bernstein…. However, producer Harry Elton persuaded Bernstein to run a 13 part pilot series….within 6 months it had become the most watched TV show in Britain…. It has since become a true British institution and part of our culture – even the Queen watches! Many fans around the world can also view it; it has been shown in Australia since 1963 and from 1964 in New Zealand…. It can be seen in Canada, the USA, South Africa and the Republic of Ireland…. Satellite channels make it available in countries such as Cyprus and Malta – and also in Asia and the Middle East….

The soap focuses on the everyday life of working class folk in Weatherfield, a fictional town based on Salford, Manchester…. In its fictional history The Street was built in 1902 as a tribute to the Coronation of King Edward VII….

Cast of Coronation Street, 1960 – Fair use

The very first words spoken in the first episode – “Now the next thing you’ve got to do is get a sign writer in” – were by the character Elsie Lappin as she handed over the reins of the corner shop to Florrie Lindsey…. Also in this first episode Elsie Tanner nags her 18-year-old son, Dennis, who has just served a prison sentence, to get a job…. She also discovers her daughter, Linda, has split up with her husband…. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Ken Barlow argues with his father, Frank, at the dinner table…. The rebellious Ken was later to cause outrage in a 1961 episode when he uttered the first swear word of the soap – “bloody” – which received 83 complaints from viewers….

Ken Barlow in the first episode, 1960 – Fair use

The most watched episode ever was on Christmas Day 1987 – when 26.6 million tuned in to watch Hilda Ogden say “goodbye” to the Rovers…. Not bad viewing figures considering the negative reception it had from the media back in 1960…. The Mirror reported on it as “doomed from the outset”….as it objected to the depressing view of terraced houses with their smokey chimneys ~ and the dreary signature tune…. Even Granada’s general manager said he “couldn’t find a single redeeming quality” about it…. But obviously the British public thought differently….

British History, Uncategorized

On this day in history….8th December 1980

On this day in history : 8th December 1980 – John Lennon is shot dead outside his New York apartment…. He was 40-years-old….

John Lennon in 1980, shortly before his death – Jack Mitchell, derivative work CC BY-SA 3.0

Just before 11pm John and his wife Yoko Ono arrived at their luxury apartment building, the Dakota, on Manhattan’s Upper West Side – opposite Central Park…. They were returning home after spending several hours at the Record Plant recording studios….

The Dakota, Upper West Side, Manhattan, New York City – Ajay Suresh CC BY 2.0

Earlier in the day Mark David Chapman, a 25-year-old security guard from Honolulu, Hawaii, had asked John for his autograph…. John obliged by signing the copy of the album ‘Double Fantasy’ offered to him…. Chapman then made his way to the former Beatles’ apartment building to wait for him….

As John and Yoko approached the building Chapman fired his Charter Arms .38 Special revolver five times, from a distance of 9 or 10 feet away…. John was hit in the back 4 times…. He staggered up the steps to the building before collapsing…. Jay Hastings, the building’s concierge rushed to help him, yelling at Chapman – “Do you know what you’ve done?” – to which Chapman calmly replied – “Yes, I just shot John Lennon”…. Chapman made no attempt to escape….he removed his hat and coat, having dropped the gun, in preparation for the arrival of the police…. Two police officers arrived within a couple of minutes, having heard shots…. Chapman put up no resistance to his arrest…. Two more police officers arrived and seeing the severity of John’s injuries decided not to wait for an ambulance – but carried him to the squad car and drove him to hospital…. John Lennon was pronounced dead at the Roosevelt Hospital….

Main entrance of the Dakota, where John Lennon was shot – David Shankbone CC BY-SA 3.0

Police artist sketch of the murder – New York City Police Department – Fair use

Chapman claimed he had heard voices in his head telling him to kill John; in 1981 he was imprisoned to a life sentence in Attica Correctional Facility, Buffalo, New York…. He first became eligible for parole in 2000 – since then parole has been denied ten times….

Mug shot of Mark David Chapman – Fair use

British History, Uncategorized

On this day in history….7th December 1783

On this day in history : 7th December 1783 – William Pitt (the Younger) becomes Prime Minister, at the age of just 24….

William Pitt the Younger – John Hoppner – Public domain

Pitt was born on the 28th of May 1759, in Hayes, Kent…. He was the son of William Pitt, the Elder, Earl of Chatham – and another powerful politician who had served as Prime Minister…. Pitt the Elder led Britain to great victory in the Seven Years’ War but lost office soon after….and began to prepare his son for a position of future power….

The young Pitt suffered bouts of illness throughout his childhood – possibly as a result of the stress of being pushed by his father…. However, he worked hard at his studies (Pitt was educated at home as his father did not advocate the public school system) and at the age of 14 he entered Cambridge University….

Pitt graduated Cambridge when he was 17, after the death of his father…. He took advantage of the system of the time – being from a wealthy family he did not have to take an examination to graduate…. On leaving university he decided to go into public service….

Pitt was elected to Parliament at the age of 21….in 1782 he became Chancellor of the Exchequer for the Conservative Party…. After the defeat in the House of Lords of the East India Bill, King George III dismissed the then coalition government and asked Pitt to form a new government…. William Pitt the Younger served as Prime Minister until 1801….and then again from 1804 until his death in January 1806…. He held office throughout the period of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars and was fundamental in shaping British politics….

Monument to Pitt the Younger by J.G. Bubb – situated in the Guildhall, London…. This huge monument faces one of equal size in tribute to his father, William Pitt the Elder. Photo courtesy : Stephencdickson CC BY-SA 4.0

British History, Uncategorized

On this day in history….6th December 1994

On this day in history : 6th December 1994 – The Queen gives the go ahead for exploratory oil drilling underneath Windsor Castle….

Studies had shown that there could be up to £I bn of oil lying beneath the castle….which at the time was still undergoing repairs after the fire that had ripped through it two years previously, in November 1992…. It was proposed that drilling would take place some 500m away from the castle walls, in Home Park – the expectation being that drilling would reach a depth of 300m and would take about 8 weeks…. The prediction was that it was a 1 in 3 chance of oil being found….

Of course, this announcement was met with outrage by some local councillors, members of the public and conservationists alike…. Quotes such as “turning into a Berkshire version of Dallas” were bandied around….causing the media to conjure up the name “Dallas-on-Thames”….

Despite the controversy, one month later Berkshire County Council approved the plans – by nine votes to three…. Canuk Explorations, the Canadian company behind the scheme, was granted a six year licence…. Plans were that the first exploration well was to be sunk in the summer of 1996…. If oil were to be found it could be extracted laterally, by drilling up to four miles away…. But in order for this to happen further permission needed to be sought….

As it was the initial exploratory drilling plans were delayed by Canuk….investors and backers were showing signs of cold feet…. When the six year licence expiry date came near the Department of Trade and Industry did not renew it – giving no reason as to why this decision….