BBC School Report
Local | National | International | Sports
Over the past term in world studies we have been reporting and researching news. 4 of each class were chosen for the BBC school news report. On Thursday the 15th of March I was lucky to be chosen to take part in the BBC school news report. Over the day we had been researching local news, we edited, filmed, interviewed and researched recent news. It has been a very exciting day as well as stressful. It has taught me and our group some very useful skills for the future. With help from members of staff (Mr Mayes, Mr Dyer, Miss Fordham and Miss Sherwood) we managed to travel to costa and interview a number of residents inside Tiverton as well as store manager. We asked questions about economy and how it has affected Tiverton not just in a bad way but also good.
Once filming all this we took it back to the editing room for us to put it all together and cut parts etc. This was very tough with a deadline of 4pm, but luckily we worked as a team and managed to finish it in time. It was then put on the Blundell’s BBC School Report page; if chosen, some will be put on the BBC website.
This day was great and I hope it will carry on in the future.
Local News
Bashed and Smashed
Recently businesses have been targeted with a number of break-ins. Windows have been smashed and money boxes stolen from shops like Twyford Photography which was breached on 4th of March. Banburys was also targeted with entry being gained through the rear side windows, luckily nothing was stolen but many damaged.
Houses have been broken with high priced products being taken, it’s time for the police to take further action as Tiverton can’t hold on for much longer. Police spokesman Bill Pascoe said anyone with information on these crimes should call the number 101.
Mandi takes leap of Faith and pops out the question
On February 29th a Devon resident plucked up the courage to ask her close friend to marry her on the traditional leap year. Mandi, (43), has known Steve (54) for around 30 years. He left his job in Stockport to jigsaw furniture project in Barnstaple. Mandi has epilepsy so she can have up to six seizures a day. So Steve is there to help her.
We hope it all goes well for them in the future.
Played by the Tip
Local man, Shaun Newman saved a guitar at the local Mid-Devon tip. It was worth £5 before he knew it was 100 years old, made by a Spanish master and has been described as “the find of a lifetime.”
Local guitar maker used all his knowledge to bring the wreck back into a playable condition. It was built by Salvador Ibanez, a Spanish maker. Shaun gave his opinion of it being made in 1898 to 1906 in the Ibanez workshop near San Francisco.
The guitar had been found badly damaged when it was brought to Shaun for vital refurbishment. With a large split running down the length of one side.
It is now being priced at £4,000 pounds. This super instrument was reckoned to be played on the Paris music scene.
The Russell, the Run for Fun
The Russell is an annual school event which was held on the 5rd of March, starting at Blundell’s Prep School and is named after Jack Russell an old Blundellian, who was a teacher here at Blundell’s in 1879. Interestingly he also bred the dog, the ‘Jack Russell’.
The whole of Blundell’s School ran a muddy and tiring cross country course that is laid by Mr Guy the co-ordinator of the course. Families also ran if they wished taking part in this year’s Russell which was the 132nd that has been held at Blundell’s. Over 35 people not in Blundell’s ran.
An old Blundellian, Ruth (GH 91-93) won the medal category under 40, a former parent, Martin won the under 50-55, and Mary who is a current grandmother won the over 55.
Year 7 and 8 ran 2.4 miles, the senior boys, 5.8 and the senior girls, 4.9 miles. Only the top 6 runners from each year in each house ran the full course and over 500 pupils from ran.
The 5 houses, Old House, Petergate, Francis House, North Close and Gorton House all competed against each other for 1st house. NC and GH are girl houses and FH, OH and Petergate, are boys houses. GH and OH won the Russell overall.
The Berry Barker Balance Cup for Endeavour was given to a pupil after the Russell who had great determination and great improvement. This year, it was given to someone in North Close.
The SH winners were Archie and Tabby. The senior winners were Brad and Charlotte.
The money which was raised from the sales of food and drinks went to the Exeter Leukaemia fund.
The Exeter Leukaemia Fund is for Cancer. They started in 1987, and help to improve patients’ lives that have blood conditions. They have spent £4.5 million helping peoples’ lives. One of their centres sees 300 patients a week.
Ennea says, “The Russell was fun, and looked forward to mainly, as there would be no more cross country for the rest of year 8.”
Rafe said, “I really enjoy running the Russell because it is a social event.”
Ed said, “I really enjoyed the Russell and I made the most of it because it was the last one for year 8 and I knew I had big ones to come!”
National News
Beacons to be Lit for the Diamond Jubilee
Thousands of beacons are going to be lit all over Britain this year, to mark the Diamond Jubilee, celebrating Elizabeth II’s 60th year in charge of the UK and the Commonwealth. The aim is to light over 2,012 beacons on 4th June, during the weekend of celebrations for the Jubilee.
Britain has a long history of lighting beacons, using them to celebrate coronations, jubilees and even royal weddings. The last time beacons were used to celebrate a royal event was in 2002, with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. They were also used to celebrate the Silver Jubilee, in 1977, and in 1999, to mark the new millennium.
Devon currently leads the way with registered beacons, with 85 beacons registered all over the county, out of 1,800 in the UK. Also, there will be beacons lit on three of the Duke of Westminster's estates, and in the town of Flash, Staffordshire, where the pupils from the highest school in Britain will light a beacon. The Queen will light the National Beacon in London at 10:30pm that night. The rest of the thousands of beacons around the country will be lit from 10 – 10:30pm.
Churches and castles will be lighting their own beacons up and down the country as well. There will beacons along the battlements of the Tower of London and St James' Palace, and there will be 60 beacons on Hadrian's Wall, with each beacon representing a year of the Queen's reign. Caravan sites will also be lighting their own beacons.
Towns and cities that are twinned with other cities that are abroad are being encouraged to invite citizens of their twin to come to the UK and join in the celebrations. This could bring a well-needed boost to tourism over the Diamond Jubilee weekend.
Many other events are taking place as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. On Saturday 2nd, the Queen will watch the Epsom Derby, and on Sunday 3rd, the Big Jubilee Lunch will take place, where everyone is encouraged to go to a street party or lunch. On Monday 4th there will be a concert at Buckingham Palace, and finally, on Tuesday 5th, there will be a service will be held at St Paul's Cathedral, followed by a carriage procession. After the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the Queen will be given a special book, listing all of the beacon sites that took part in the event.
The Brit Awards
The BRIT awards are held every year to celebrate the Great British music. A couple of weeks before the ceremony they pick a few nominees for each category and they then get invited to the event where the public will vote their favourite. The winner from each category will receive a trophy of a London guard.
The 2012 Brit awards were held on the 21st February 2012. This was the 32nd edition of the annual pop awards. The ceremony was held for the second time at the O2 Arena in London, and was presented by James Corden.
The categories included British male solo artist, British female solo artist British breakthrough act, British group, British single, and MasterCard British album of the year, international male solo artist, international female solo artist, international group, and international breakthrough act.
The following categories are a not decided by the public but - Outstanding contribution to music, critics’ choice and British producer.
Leading the nominations was Ed Sheeran with four, Adele and Jessie J had three, followed by Bon Iver, Aloe Blacc, Coldplay and Florence and the Machine with two. Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston received remembrance tributes due to both musicians passing away in 2011 and 2012. Adele received two awards, best British album and also British female. Ed Sheeran also won two awards for best British male and British breakthrough.
Leading the nominations was Ed Sheeran with four, Adele and Jessie J had three, followed by Bon Iver, Aloe Blacc, Coldplay and Florence and the Machine with two. Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston received remembrance tributes due to both musicians passing away in 2011 and 2012.
Adele received two awards, best British album and also British female. Ed Sheeran also won two awards for best British male and British breakthrough.
The brit awards 2012 came right in the middle of the London fashion week which did not stop the ladies in the competition dressing their best.
On the right is a picture of Rhianna wearing a Givenchy halter-neck...in GOLD! She paired it with brown leather gloves, strappy gold heels and Solange Azagury Partridge fine jewellery.
Adele was stunningly classy as always, making the signature colour of the night look amazing. She opted to wear a pair of eye-catching earrings and go easy on the rest of her accessories – we love the decision.
Even though the girls were looking stunning the boys were on fire too!
We are looking forward to next year’s awards. We love THE BRITS!
The Diamond Jubilee!
The diamond Jubilee celebrates the Queen’s 60 years of reigning England. This took place on the 6th of February. There has only been one other diamond Jubilee and that was Queen Victoria.
Elizabeth became Queen after her father, King George VI died quietly in his sleep at Sandringham House ages 56.
Queen Victoria wanted a quiet Golden Jubilee 10 years before the Diamond Jubilee and then he realised that the people were interested in it.
From telling the nation at about just the age of 14 to a touching tribute to Prince Phillip to mark their golden wedding anniversary, she was expressing her grief after the death of Princess Diana and speaking to the Gaelic during her first visit to Ireland, nearly every speech that she has said has marked a milestone in her reign.
Before the Queen became Queen she was a princess and she did a children’s hour long message to the evacuees at the age of 14 in 1940. This is what she said:
“I am speaking to friends and companions who have shared with my sister and myself many a happy Children’s Hour. Thousands of you in this country have had to leave your homes and be separated from your fathers and mothers. My sister Margaret and I feel so much for you, as we know from experience what it means to be away from those you love most of all.”
On her 21st birthday in April 1947 in Cape Town she had the opportunity to speak to all people of the British Commonwealth and Empire, whatever race they came from, wherever they live, and whatever language they speak. She then said let me begin by saying thank you to all the thousands of kind people who have sent her kind messages with goodwill. This was a happy day for her and it also bought her many serious memories.
We interviewed some people on what they thought.
What do you think of the Diamond jubilee?
I think it’s very exciting the queen does a very good job and that it will be a good year of celebration.
Do you think that Queen Elizabeth is a good queen?
Yes, but I don’t like her children very much, but I think she works very hard and that she is very dedicated to her job.
Would you change anything she does?
Yes, I think some of the places should be opened and although Buckingham Palace is open is very pricey to get in and that it should be free of charge.
Literacy Standards Plummet
Reading standards have not improved since 2005. Sir Michael Wilshaw has prepared a speech which he will give on Thursday. He will be calling on 11 year olds targets to be raised. He claims that our standards should be higher. Teaching Unions say big changes have been made in the last two decades.
Teaching unions have accused Ofsted and the Government for playing fast and loose with international data. Sir Michael who took up the job of chief inspector in January told News night “Standards in literacy and reading went up since 1995 and 2005.
Sir Michael said that one in five children are not reaching level four by the end of primary school. This means that they will not be able to access the secondary school curriculum and they may find it hard to get jobs.
He points out that nearly half (45%) of those who achieved the expected standards did not get at least a C grade in their GCSE. The proportion of children achieving at least level 4 in English has risen since 1995, when 49% made the grade. Last year, 82% did so, up from 80% the year before, which was the same as 2007.
L’Oreal Paris Advert
The L’Oreal Paris Advert has been banned because the results were misleading and they had been airbrush. The actress who was on the advert was Rachel Weisz. The MP that complained and banned it was Jo Swinson. Its proper name is L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Repair 10. Rachael Weisz is banned from Britain’s Advertising Standards. They did not actually take away too many wrinkles they actually just made her skin look smoother and more even.
Personally we all think that it should have been banned because if you’re going to buy the product you don’t want to waste money on a product that doesn’t have any effect or result on your face. We think that they should make their adverts come across more natural and how it actually works. A lot of people would be disappointed with L’Oreal Paris and may not ever use their products again which would be a huge loss to L’Oreal Paris.
And also really wrinkly people will use it thinking it is good but then when it doesn’t work they can’t get a refund because they’ve already used it. It also may occur the same with non-wrinkly people.
We think that the price is a bit of a rip of in our opinion at the price of £9.99 at 50ml and £16.00 for 100ml.
It's not just women that wear anti-wrinkle cream. Gerald Buttler has told someone that he wears it himself!!!
There are quite a few brands that sell anti-wrinkle like Garnier, Clarins, and many more. There are often sold in pharmacies or somewhere like Boots.
I don’t see why L’Oreal Paris would have put an advert on TV to try and get people to buy it. I think it’s stupid! Don’t buy a face cream if it doesn’t work because it’s a waste of money.
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| This is Rachael Weisz in real life. |
This is her when she’s airbrushed in the ad. |
Red Arrows
On the 8th of November, former Red Arrow Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham, 35, was recently killed after being ejected from his plane on the ground at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.
Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging had just taken part in an air show in Bournemouth, where the 33-year-old's wife was among the thousands of spectators. She said “"Jon was everything to those that knew him, and he was the best friend and husband I could ever have wished for there was nothing bad about Jon. He loved his job and was an exemplary pilot. Watching him today, I was the proudest I've ever been. 
I loved everything about him, and he will be missed."
Witnesses said that Jon split off from the group and even though he had no control he tried to guide the jet into a field near by the local village, Throop. When the police went to investigate, there were huge ruts in the ground and pieces of the jet were found scattered far away from each other on the ground.
The actual jets nose was found in the river Stout, away from the village and people.
Flt Lt Kristy Stewart was the first woman to be a part of the red arrows.left the red arrows team after the deaths of Sean Cunningham and Jon Egging she decided to resign; she joined in 2010 but decided to leave because of the events of the 2011 season and the deaths of her fellow arrows. But she will be posted to another role in the RAF but her departure does not lead to disciplinary issues or her gender.
A defence source said, “Not many people outside of the Red Arrows will understand the pressure and busy schedule that the team endure through a season.”
All fellow arrows team members respected her and said she was just as good as they were. Although some people would think women could not do that job.
She will not fly for up to six months though they haven’t agreed on an official period yet.
As a former number 9 arrow as the first lady to become Red Arrows member many people will be disappointed with her decision. As 33 year old she still has lots of time to be a keen member again.
The red arrows are training to fly as seven after recent tragedies. There is a new pilot assigned to replace the two pilots that died in accidents last year. The Red Arrows are usually based at RAF Scampton, but they are currently in Cyprus where they train there each year.
Richard Baker, a photographer that spent nine months with the arrows said it was quite unique to only see seven aircraft in the air.
Flt Lt Sean Cunningham, who was 35, was killed on the 8th November; he was ejected from his plane while on the ground at their base.
Sean Cunningham’s death came less than three months after Flt Lt Jon Egging. He was 33 when he came to his death. He was flying at an air show in Dorset when his plane crashed. Richard Baker the photographer said there would be great pressures in and between the team at the time of the accidents. It would have been tough to have to go through all of these horrific incidents and have to carry on.
Flight Lieutenantt Kirsty Stewart, 33 completed two seasons with the Red Arrows before she left the team. They have endured some of the hardest months of their careers.
Why do people dress up their pets?
Many people from the UK and the US dress up their pets. In the market today, clothing for pets is growing. There are two sides to this story. People have predicted that by the end of 2012 we would have spent over £30 million, and £35m by 2015.
There is a different market from the UK than the US. In the UK more people buy winter coats for their dogs for the dogs benefit, but in the US there tends to be a large market on clothing for pets that is for dressing up.
In the big shops in the UK they only sell the basic clothing, whereas in the US they sell wide ranges, from unicorn outfits to v-neck t-shirts. Some of the top pet clothing shops such as Vivienne Westwood and Ben de Lisa have made pet clothing designs, while a large store, Harrods has an annual fashion show called Pet-a-Porter.
A side of this story is for a good benefit. Such as, riders who are hacking out may put a fluorescent blanket over their horse, so that they are able to be seen. The essential pieces of clothing for pets, such as a coat, are not selling as much, though fancy outfits are high in the market. Many people buy these outfits for photo shoots. Some experts have said that clothing for pets can be good for short haired dogs.
There are therapy jackets, than can comfort and sooth your dog. These can help your dog from getting irritated skin when they go on walks, and can boost your pet’s confidence. This is because they are tight, so feels like they are having a big hug. They can also protect stitches, and if they are wet after a walk, they dry the dog, and are warm so your pet will not get freezing.
There are also clothing that are for cats benefits. These can be sun glasses that help their sight problems.
The RSPCA, have told owners that dressing up pets is not for the looks, but for the dog’s needs. Dressing up pets is not a wrong or a right. It all depends whether the dog enjoys the attention, and tolerates it, though if not, this is not ideal.
The RSPCA also have mentioned that people who dress up their pets could be prosecuted, so this action is legal. The animal welfare charity has stated that dressing up pets is harmful.
“It is cruel to your animals and they should not be treated like humans, by dressing up your pet. You could make them feel uncomfortable and insecure,” says Ella Davenport.
“Pets do not choose to wear clothes, they may find it uncomfortable, and would not be able to communicate with humans to tell them they do not like it. It is just about fashion, not about the dog,” said Hannah Le Gassick.
“I am for dressing up pets because it doesn’t affect their lives as they don’t feel anything, and it is for fashion and keeps them warm.”
“It depends what extreme dressing up pets your thinking about. I don’t mind dressing up my pet once in a while as it is funny, but I’m not too sure about my dog,” said Imi Sanders Dutton.
“I put my cat in a Santa Claus suit with a little mini hat, and my cat liked it because of the attention, and it was very funny,” said Henry Sloman.
International News
12.76 Carat Pink Diamond Found in Australia by Rio Tinto
The pink diamond is very similar to the diamond given to Queen Elizabeth II for her wedding present during the 1950s. Estimated, to find a diamond like this, it would take roughly 26 years. The diamond has recently been valued at £25millon, and is the largest diamond ever found in Australia.
Pink diamonds were originally celebrated in the Pink Panther movie series; a favorite to all. The original colour of the diamond depends on the molecular structure distortion when the jewel forms in the earth’s crust. The price of the jewel also depends on how well the item has been polished. Sometimes, a diamond can lose 50% of its size when going through the polishing process. This diamond will apparently take up to 10 days to cut, polish and finally graded. This process will be taken in the hands of Richard How Kim Kam, who has worked of the Argle Diamond Company for 25 years. He said recently “I'm going to take it very carefully. I know the world will be watching.” The most money ever spent on a pink diamond stands at £29million; it weighed 24.78 carats and was bought by the British billionaire jeweller Laurence Graff, 72.
The stone has been named the Argyle Pink Jubilee. The manager of Argyle Diamond Company earlier quoted "I remain very hopeful, but I doubt that we will see anything quite like this again. It is also a very clean, large diamond so it is entirely unique," said Josephine Johnson.
The Williamson Pink collected in her Majesty’s floral broach-The Cartier contains the 23.6 carat pink diamond given to The Queen by Dr. Williamson. During the year 1947, some miners at the Williamson Mines, Mwadui, Tanzania found on the surface, a dazzling diamond. It was here that Dr. Williamson gave the priceless 23.6 carat diamond to Princess Elizabeth, which is where this jewel now lays as the centerpiece of her floral broach for her wedding to Prince Phillip. It was also cut by Briefel and Lemer of London in 1948.
Lastly, diamonds are extremely valuable, and it is impossible to cut through one without another diamond. They are an extremely strong material as well as valuable to all.
Pink diamond can be found in shades form rose to purple-reds. The price is determined by the intensity of colour and can occasionally be sold up to $1,000,000 a carat.
Costa Concordia
Hello and welcome to the Blundell’s school news report. 
Today’s headlines; The Costa Concordia springs an oil leak and four bodies found, The chimp that’s smarter than humans and Argentina complains about the UK.
On the 13th of January 2012 at 9:30 pm, the Costa Concordia struck a rock off Tuscany’s Giglio Island. The captain, Francesco Schettino, has been accused of multiple manslaughter and leaving the boat before all passengers were evacuated. About a week ago the sunken cruise ship sprang an oil leak. Divers have been working on stopping the oil to cause a natural disaster. They have currently put a temporary bung in the hole. Four more bodies have been recovered from the ship. One of the bodies is thought to be a girl of about five, and the rest of the bodies are all adults.
Francesca Maffini told AFP news agency that the bodies were in a state of decomposition.
On the 28th February 2012, The Costa Allegra is being towed to the main island in the Seychelles, rather than a nearer island, and is not now due to arrive until Thursday.
A fire in the ship's generator room on Monday caused it to lose all power.
The ship is from the same fleet as the Costa Concordia, which capsized off the Italian coast in January, killing 32.
A statement from the ship's owners Costa Cruises said that after checking with maritime experts, it had decided that the planned disembarkation on the smaller-but-nearer Desroches Island could not go ahead.
The Costa Allegra is now being towed by a French fishing boat it said the facilities on the island were inadequate to cope with the arrival of so many people. The statement also said it was not safe enough for the ship to dock in the small port and for guests to get ashore. The ship will now be towed around 250km (155 miles) further to the island of Mahe, which is home to the capital and largest city, Victoria.
Two tugs approaching the ship are expected to help it arrive there on Thursday.
The company said helicopters would ensure the continuous supply of food and "comfort items" including torches.
The vessel has no air-conditioning or cooking facilities and an emergency generator powering the radio "could fail at any minute", the Italian coast guard says.
Earlier, Costa Cruises stressed that the Allegra - which had been drifting about 32km (20 miles) from Alphonse Island - was steady and conditions were safe. No-one has been injured, officials said.
Of the 636 passengers and 413, crew on board, 135 of them were Italians and 127 French, along with nearly 100 Austrians, 90 Swiss and 31 Britons. The company says it is liaising with the passengers’ families via their emergency contact numbers, the company has reached two thirds of the of the passengers families. All the crew member’s families have been contacted. Families in the U.K. can contact their relatives by using this number; 020 7940 3300.
The Oscars 2012
On the 29th of February 2012 the 84th Annual Oscars took place. Four and half million people watched it (nearly double last year) and there were a total of nineteen thousand Facebook posts and four million tweets that talked about it. Emma Stone (The Help) and Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady) were voted worst dressed by an E Entertainment poll while Gwyneth Paltrow was voted best dressed. So the predictions and been made, the nominees summoned and the dresses analysed furiously but there was still the awards to come! The first award was for cinematography and that went to Robert Richardson for Hugo. Hugo also won art direction which was a close run thing as it was up against The Artist and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Costume Design went to Mark Bridges for The Artist. The Iron Lady’s Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland won the Academy Award for makeup. The film starring Meryl Streep as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher won against Albert Nobbs and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Film Editing went to Angus Wall for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and Sound Editing went to Phillip Stockton for Hugo as did Sound Mixing. Visual Effects also went to Hugo. Best Documentary went to Saving Face and best original song went to Bret McKenzie for The Muppets – Man or a Muppet. Best Adapted Screenplay went to The Descendants and Best Original Screenplay went to Midnight in Paris. Best Animated Film went to Johnny Depp’s Rango and Best Foreign Language Film went to Iran’s The Separation. This was the first Oscar for an Iranian film to win. Best Supporting actress was awarded to Octavia Spencer for The Help. She beat Berenice Bejo (The Artist), Jessica Chastain (The Help), Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) and Janet McTeer (Albert Nobbs). Best Supporting Actor was awarded to Christopher Plummer for The Beginners. Best Actress went to Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady. She beat Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs), Viola Davis (The Help), Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Michelle Williams (My Week With Marilyn). Best Actor went to Jean Dujardin (The Artist). He beat Demian Bichir (A Better Life), Brad Pitt (Moneyball), George Clooney (The Descendants) and Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy). Best Director went to Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist. He beat Alexander Payne (The Descendants), Martin Scorsese (Hugo), Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris) and Terrence Malick (The Tree of Life). And of course, the one we’ve all been waiting for. Best Picture goes too… The Artist!
Race to the Bottom of the Mariana Trench
The Mariana Trench is almost 7 miles deep in the Pacific Ocean in between Australia and Japan; it is one of the most remote places left on the earth. 
Only 2 men have ever been down to the bottom of this on this trench, and this was over fifty years ago in 1951. Four teams of sub-mariners have decided that they want to have a race to the bottom of the trench.
These are the four submarines belonging to the four teams racing down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench:
THE TRITON SUB
This USA Company have built a 3 man submarine, which they estimate will take 120 minutes to reach the floor of the trench. It is designed to have a 360-degree view of the ocean, and is said to have 112 hours of air supply! Currently its deepest-diving vehicle.
If you should want to go down in the Triton sub then it would cost you £159,000!
THE VIRGIN SUB
This could be (if successful) the only one man machine to reach the bottom of this trench. Its design is based on a plane’s structure, with wings and a tail fin. It holds 24 hours of oxygen and will take approximately 140 minutes to reach the floor.
This sub is backed by Richard Branson, the creator of Virgin.
DOER SUB
This submarine is still being designed. The team of this submarine claims that gathering scientific facts are more important than coming first in the race.
One thing that we do know about the design is that it has two robotic arms that would collect some of the scientific samples. It is estimated to take around 90 minutes to reach the bottom of the Mariana Trench, and hold 72 hours of air.
THE MYSTERY SUB
As the name suggests, this sub is a mystery to every one apart from famous Hollywood Film Director, James Cameron and all of his crew as it is backed by him, although one thing we know is that It will be fitted with 3D, high-definition cameras and a vast lighting array, to gather the best recording of this deep, dark spot.
The Avatar and Titanic Director is keeping his plan a secret for now although we do know that he plans to pilot the sub himself down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench.
At the moment Richard Branson and James Cameron are favourites to win. This is most likely because they are the only two well know faces in the competition! It is said that James Cameron may be in the lead but there is no knowing which way it will turn. Anyone can still win!
World's Tallest Man
This telephone box is roughly the same height as the world’s tallest man. There are not many originals left and soon there could be someone taller than the tallest man in the world as he has stopped growing.
Sultan Kosen has stopped growing at the height of 8ft 3in. Mr Kosen of Turkey has stopped growing after he was treated in the US to control the production of growth hormone.
He received treatment at the University of Virginia Medical Centre in 2010 for a disorder called acromegaly. It is usually caused by a tumour in the pituitary gland. The equipment was flown in from Sweden for his larger skull the doctors said.
According to the Richmond Times, Mr Kosen was put on a new medication that could potentially help control the production of growth hormone and stop his continued growth.
University officials now say that Mr Kosen has stopped growing. The treatment will be noted in Guinness World Records.
"He's done very, very well, fortunately," said Dr Jason Sheehan, a University of Virginia Brain surgeon.
Here we are at our local school sanatorium know asking what they think on this incredible story.
His feet size are 28 roughly the size of a 30cm ruler. Born 10 December 1982 in Mardin, Turkey) he holds the Guinness World Record for tallest living male at 2.51 m (8 ft 3 in). His height makes him walk with crutches.
Kösen lives with his parents, three brothers and sister, who are all of normal height. He was unable to complete his schooling because of his height and works part-time as a farmer. Despite his height he claims to enjoy a normal lifestyle and enjoys playing computer games with his friends. He describes the advantages of being tall as seeing a great distance, being able to help his family with domestic jobs such as changing light bulbs and hanging curtains. He lists disadvantages as not being able to find clothes (inside leg measuring 44.5 inches (113 cm) and sleeve length measuring 38 inches (97 cm) that fit or finding it extremely hard to fit into an average-sized car.
HIS HANDS ARE 11.2 INCHES as big as me and Hugh’s hands put together.
Sports News
Johnson OK after Very Heavy Fall on the 2nd day at Cheltenham
Wishful Thinking got up unharmed after a heavy fall on the 2nd day of Cheltenham. He was in the lead going to the second fence of the Queen Mother’s champion chase. Wishful Thinking hit the fence right by the rail, his legs went in and Johnson was flipped over straight into the white collapsing barriers.
All the photographers were there right by the white railings and it’s thought that the noise of the 15 cameras distracted the horse as he came over the fence. The horse ‘belly flopped’ into the railings hitting a French photographer.
As Johnson was flying through the air it is reported that both of them were screaming loudly.
Wishful Thinking came away unshaved and got up straight away but white sheets were put around Johnson and the photographer for quite some time.
There was a circle of viewers around the horse as he got up and the photographer was jammed under the horses behind and is in hospital for leg injuries.
Johnson wants to run today but he will get a check-up from the doctor before his race.
Photographers are well known for standing far too close to the fence and journalists say it was always going to happen.
This fall was not the only annoying thing that has happened over the past 2 days 5 horses have been put down, which has launched official enquiry. Since 2007 13 horses have died which is a huge amount and there is still 2 days left of the festival.
England fly back after series whitewash
The England cricket team have rescued their tour after being beaten 3-0 in the test series against Pakistan. However the tables turned when they then won the one day series 4-0 and beat Pakistan 2-1 in the nail biting T20’s.
It was a complete disaster in the Test Series. The Pakistan bowlers ripped some of the world’s great batsman apart especially Saahid Ajmil with his Teesarers. Not a good first Test Series after being named the Number 1 test team in the world for Andrew Strauss’s men. The England bowlers showed some fight, especially the GREAT Monty Panesar playing his first Test having been dropped after that Titans performance in the Cardiff 2008 Ashes Series.
There were some weird decisions in the Test Team, but this would have been my team:
- Alistair Cook (Essex)
- Andrew Strauss (Middlesex)
- Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire)
- Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
- James Taylor (Nottinghamshire)
- Ravi Bopara (Essex)
- Matt Prior (Sussex)
- Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
- Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)
- James Anderson (Lancashire)
- Monty Panasar (Sussex)
However, the actual team was:
- AJ Strauss
- AN Cook
- IJL Trott
- KP Pietersen
- IR Bell
- EJG Morgan
- MJ Prior
- SCJ Broad
- GP Swann
- CT Tremlett
- JM Anderson
The need for spinners was great, but the England selectors failed to pick two spinners from the off. There may have been a chance of winning had we had played the great Monty. Another issue was Eoin Morgan he is a one-day player and should not be selected for the Test Team, something he said himself should not have happened.
After that, it was the One Day Series with the likes of Jos Buttler and Craig Kieswetter heading from the county of Somerset to join England, this was a new force and raring to go. Under the captaincy of Alistair Cook the team looked good. Jade Dernbach, Samit Patel and Steve Finn were also team mates.
Pakistan looked a big force with Shahid (Boom Boom) Afridi and Umar Akmal back. However, Abdul Razzak refused to play because of his involvement in the Bangladesh Premier League.
On paper Pakistan would win but it didn’t happen. Captain Cook said otherwise with his century in the first game then another and another, backed up by the brilliant SOMERSET wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter. Steve Finn was like a horse galloping into bowl getting a considerable number of wickets each game. The likes of Afridi and Akmal failed to bat well and England stormed to victory in each game. It was nice to see Kevin Pieterson get back to his flying form.
My Team
- Craig Kieswetter (Somerset)
- Alistair Cook (Essex)
- Kevin Pieterson (Hampshire)
- Ravi Bopara (Essex)
- Eoin Morgan (Middlesex)
- Jos Buttler (Somerset)
- Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire)
- Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire)
- Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
- Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)
- Steven Finn (Middlesex)
Actual Team:
- AN Cook
- KP Pieterson
- JR Trott
- RS Bopara
- EJG Morgan
- C Kieswetter
- SR Patel
- SCJ Broad
- GP Swann
- JM Anderson
- ST Finn
And then it was on to the glitz and glamour of the T20 series. The Dubai Ring of Fire was alight in all its glory, Jos Buttler was back after injury and Alistair Cook was staying on after his form in the ODI’s.
It was the first game and England looked like they were back in the slumps of the Test Series. The bowlers showed some recovery but it was too late England were 1-0 and reeling. But this guy called Kevin Pieterson rescued England and they went 1-1. It was down to the final game of the series and the final ball. Pakistan captain Misbah Al-Haq was on strike and England captain Stuart Broad was bowling, Pakistan needed 6 to win. Broad bowls and knock out his middle peg and England win.
They win the series battle 2-1 an amazing comeback after losing the most important series, the test series, 3-0 they showed grit and determination to demolish Pakistan in their biggest strength.
My England T20 team
- Craig Kieswetter
- Alex Hales
- Kevin Pieterson
- Ravi Bopara
- Jos Buttler
- Jonny Bairstow
- Eoin Morgan
- Stuart Broad
- Graeme Swann
- Steve Finn
- Jade Dernbach
Actual England T20 Team
- Kevin Pieterson
- Craig Kieswetter
- Ravi Bopara
- Eoin Morgan
- Jonny Bairstow
- Jos Buttler
- Samit Patel
- Stuart Broad
- Graeme Swann
- Jade Dernbach
- Steven Fin
So it was a very eventful series in the United Arab Emirates. The Number one Test Team went down 3-0 but came back in the One Dayers.
England’s Next Series is against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka so more sub-continent conditions and the need of spinners. The England batsman if they dig in they will score heavily on hard flat pitches. Of course they will the likes of Sachen Tendalker, Sanith Jarisaryia and Kumar Sangakara were brought up on these types of wickets. So bring on the SPRING.
England Squad for Sri Lanka:
AJ Strauss (captain, Middlesex), JM Anderson (Lancashire), IR Bell (Warwickshire), RS Bopara (Essex), TT Bresnan (Yorkshire), SCJ Broad (Nottinghamshire), AN Cook (Essex), SM Davies (Surrey), ST Finn (Middlesex), MS Panesar (Sussex), SR Patel (Nottinghamshire), KP Pietersen (Surrey), MJ Prior (Sussex), GP Swann (Nottinghamshire), JC Tredwell (Kent), IJL Trott (Warwickshire)
So England drop, Eoin Morgan because he wants to go and play in the IPL, take 3 spinners and 2 wicket keepers. Who knows what will happen but all we know the Captain STRAUSS will lead them out and Jonathan Agnew will open the Test Match coverage.
Rocket Flies Again in Germany
Ronnie O’Sullivan, possibly one of the most naturally talented players ever, came from behind to beat Stephen Maguire and win the German Masters in Berlin.
He grew up and still lives in the Manor Road area in Chigwell, Essex. Getting his first century at the age of ten it’s not surprising he managed to pull back the frames. Despite having glandular fever he still won.
The former world number one, just one frame away from a first-round exit on Thursday, won Sunday's final 9-7 to land his first ranking title since September 2009.
Maguire scored three centuries on his way to a 5-3 lead and took the first frame of the evening session - but O'Sullivan finished strongest, getting five frames in a row to take control of the 30-year-old Scot.
O’Sullivan said: "All credit to Stephen, because he's had a great tournament.
Ronnie O’Sullivan not too long ago thought he had depression and was considering retiring from snooker but now things have settled down and after his win in Germany he decided that snooker was where he belonged and did not want to leave the game.
Ronnie now has a loving family and has decided he will no longer travel around the world on tours because he wants to spend more time with his family.
Ronnie O’Sullivan won 50,000 Euro top prize.
The match started with four consecutive centuries, and finished with nail-biting drama as O'Sullivan won the last frame on the colours to capture his first full ranking title since the Shanghai Masters in September 2009.
I interviewed my friend Thomas Mortiboys and he said that Ronnie O’Sullivan is his idol and wanted to play as well as him and liked his confidence and fighting spirit.
Here are a few questions for you to think about.
- Do you think Ronnie O’Sullivan will win another title?
- When do you think he will retire?
- Will his fastest 147 ever be beaten?
Overall I believe that Ronnie O’Sullivan is a great player and is a legend.
Skiing/snowboarding
Jumping
Skiing is an amazing sport and snowboarding is also an amazing sport to do. A lot of people like to do jumps when they do these sports and tricks. It is very interesting what people do when they go skiing or snowboarding. You can do jumps in snow parks which are normally on the mountain. These are made purposely and are very fun, but can be hard. Some resorts have lots of snow parks. You can go on downhill tracks which have jumps, but they are normally drop offs. There are always piste tracks which have natural jumps. All these types of jumps are very fun and cool. You can always do lots of different types of jumps and cool tricks. I hope you start to do jumping.
Skiing
Skiing is accelerating sport and challenges your braveness and if you are an adrenalin person you will love. Skiing is fast becoming one of the best sports and lots of families like it for a holiday. Also the winter Olympics is very popular and lots of people watch it.
Questions
- Have you ever skied before and was it good?
- Which country did you ski at?
- Was it exciting?
- Did you find it scary?
- What was the best thing about it?
- What was the worst thing about it?
These are the questions we asked the people we videoed.
In skiing you can go off-piste which means you go down scary and rough terrain. It is very frightening and you have to be very good to do it.
So you have now listened to what I have said now go and try it yourself.
Snowboarding is a really easy sport to pick up if you have good weight shifting and strong ankles it is easier then skiing to do tricks and freestyle if you love adrenalin and going quick down a mountain if you like deep snow snowboarding is much easier all you need to do is pull your front foot up and lean back but don’t lean to far back or you will hurt yourself. Also if you are on skies in deep snow and you fall over you can lose your skies and spend hours looking for them. But with a snow board it is strapped to your feet but you could twist your ankle easier.
Team Vauxhall 888: Will They Be in the BTCC Next Year?
So, after a breath taking 2011 BTCC season, the teams go back to the drawing board, to start work on the 2012 car... However, a few teams may not be going back to the garages, as they may not be in the season next year. One team in particular is Vauxhall 888 Racing. Early in 2010, 888 lost a few of their sponsors, in particular the Holiday Inn. This meant that they had to make huge draw backs in the team. Low on money, they had to think fast and had to find a new driver. The problem was that the old driver, Fabrizio Giovanardi, got paid to drive. After though, low on money, 888 had to find a driver who didn’t need paying. And after a bit of hunting, they found James Nash. He drove the car for most of 2010 and then the whole season of 2011. I actually went and saw the last race of 2011, and Vauxhall 888 finished the season 5th in the table. So will they be in it next year? And the answer to that question is yes. The team have new sponsors, so they will be coming back to the 2012 season with a brand new car. Will James Nash still be driving... nobody knows.
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| Above, James Nash driving the 2010/11 car, hitting the apex. |
Above, Fabrizio Giovanardi in the 2009 car, getting some air. |
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Terry Looses Captaincy to Controversial Decision
John Terry has been stripped of his captaincy for a second time this year. Many people in the official areas agree completely, and say that he’s had long enough!
Terry was called over by the Football Association chairman David Bernstein to announce the decision of the FA board. This puts the FA on a collision course with manager Fabio Capello, he told the FA he still wanted Terry to be his captain at the European Championships in the summer.
Terry will now take some time to consider whether he wants to play for his country in the summer, hopefully he will not be rushed into it.
Capello will now have to appoint a new skipper, however Rio Ferdinand, who replaced Terry last time, is not wanting to step in this time round. Terry is to stand a trial on July 9, as he is accused of being racist towards Rio's brother, who is Queens Park Rangers defender.
Interview: Terry Supporter (Archie)
This is the second time Terry has lost the England captaincy in controversial circumstances, but this time Capello was not part of the decision!
Speaking to a loyal Terry supporter was interesting as it shows how many people are on the side of Capello. On the other hand, there have been alleged racist remarks towards Anton Ferdinand. And this must look bad for Terry and any views that the FA have on him.