#Bruce Abbot imagine

[toomanyrobins2]

Mr. Bruce Wayne

Summary: An orphan all her life, Y/N is simply too old to remain at The Bowery Home any longer. That is where an anonymous patron has swooped in to send her off to college and all he requires…a monthly letter of her academic progress.

Based off the book and musical “Daddy Long Legs”

Pairing: Bruce Wayne x Reader

last part // series masterlist // next part

27th May

Bat man, Esq.

Dear Sir: I am in receipt of a letter from Mother Waller. She hopes that I am doing well in deportment and studies. Since I probably have no place to go this summer, she will let me come back to the asylum and work for my board until college opens. I HATE THE BOWERY HOME.

I'd rather die than go back.

Yours most truthfully,

Y/N Abbott

Cher homme chauve-souris(French for Batman),

Vous etes un brick!

Je suis tres heureuse d'about the farm, parsque je n'ai jamais been on a farm dans ma vie and I'd hate to retourner chez The Bowery, et wash dishes tout l'été. There would be danger of quelque chose affreuse happening, parceque j'ai perdue ma humilité d'autre fois et j'ai peur that I would just break out quelque jour et smash every cup and saucer dans la maison. Pardon brievete et paper. Je ne peux pas send des mes nouvelles parceque je suis dans French class et j'ai peur que Monsieur le Professeur is going to call on me tout de suite.

He did!

Au revoir, je vous aime beaucoup.

Y/N

Bruce was at his desk and he was laboring over the blank sheet of paper. Similar pieces were littered across his desk and all of them a similar message, and yet, sounding wrong each time.

Dear Miss Abbot,

I put pen to paper with some trepidation but with the feeling after your last letter that I really do owe you some sort of response…

With that, another piece of paper was crumpled and tossed away. Throwing himself back against his chair, Bruce groaned, “How does one say, I want to write you back, but I don't know what to say? How can I explain that I'm not really old? That I am not at all the man you have imagined and I am definitely not the one you expect?” Getting up from the desk, Bruce began to pace and gesture wildly, “Of course, I write in contravention of my own rules of engagement which forbid any sort of communication from me. But last month, I was guilty of sending you a bouquet of flowers, so perhaps the damage is already done. It's getting very hard to abstain from a response, especially as a man who loves to correspond. I am longing to interject my observations and bursting with opinions and advice.”

Clark and Alfred were sitting on the couch, watching as Bruce had a prolonged temper tantrum. The former turned to Alfred, “Do you think he remembers we are still here?”

The grey-haired man laughed, “The world may never know, Master Kent.”

“How many letters is he at now?”

“He’s started 23. He’s managed to complete 0.”

Clark hid his laughter in his coffee, “Maybe he should just give up on writing a letter and just show up.”

Bruce whirled around and pointed at his friend, “Clark, that may not be a bad idea.”

“Oh, so you do know that we are in the room.” Clark pushed off the couch and pushed Bruce into one of the chairs, “I know you’re losing it now, because you have never thought my ideas were good.”

“No, this will work! I will drive up to the college one of these afternoons and introduce myself. I may not be ideal, but I should be able to manage. Although, I'm not good at friendship–as you know–I'm not good at attachment, or family, or commitment. I roundly despise my relations but she’s met Harriet, so she will understand. After all, my uncle is the reason for my low expectations. 

Alfred stepped in to offer some advice, “Perhaps, it isn't wise to reveal yourself just yet. Why not meet Miss Abbott first as the man you really are? Why not introduce yourself as Harriet’s relation?”

“Because, it’s insane!” Clark couldn’t believe what he was hearing, “You’re going to meet your sponsee and hide your true identity all because you can’t manage to write a letter?”

“Yes!”

Clark ran a hand through his hand and turned to Alfred, “Surely you can see that this is madness.”

“Of course, but you are the one who planted the idea. Now, you will have to deal with the consequences.” The older man walked out of the study with a grin on his face.

30th May

Dear Batman,

Did you ever see this campus? (That is merely a rhetorical question. Don't let it annoy you.) It is a heavenly spot in May. All the shrubs are in blossom and the trees are the loveliest young green—even the old pines look fresh and new. The grass is dotted with yellow dandelions and hundreds of girls in blue and white and pink dresses. Everybody is joyous and care-free, for vacation's coming, and with that to look forward to, examinations don't count.

Isn't that a happy frame of mind to be in? And oh, I'm the happiest of all! Because I'm not in the orphanage anymore; and I'm not anybody's nursemaid or typewriter or bookkeeper (I should have been, you know, except for you).

I'm sorry now for all my past badnesses.

I'm sorry I was ever impertinent to Mother Waller.

I'm sorry I ever slapped Freddie Perkins.

I'm sorry I ever filled the sugar bowl with salt.

I'm sorry I ever made faces behind the Trustees' backs.

I'm going to be good and sweet and kind to everybody because I'm so happy. And this summer I'm going to write and write and write and begin to be a great author. Isn't that an exalted stand to take? Oh, I'm developing a beautiful character! It droops a bit under cold and frost, but it does grow fast when the sun shines. That's the way with everybody. I don't agree with the theory that adversity and sorrow and disappointment develop moral strength. The happy people are the ones who are bubbling over with kindliness. I have no faith in misanthropes. (Fine word! Just learned it.) You are not a misanthrope are you? I started to tell you about the campus. I wish you'd come for a little visit and let me walk you about and say:

‘That is the library. This is the gas plant. The Gothic building on your left is the gymnasium, and the Tudor Romanesque beside it is the new infirmary.' 

Oh, I'm fine at showing people about. I've done it all my life at the Bowery Home, and I’ve been doing it all day here. I have honestly. And a Man, too! That's a great experience. I never talked to a man before (except occasional Trustees, and they don't count). Pardon, Batman, I don't mean to hurt your feelings when I abuse Trustees. I don't consider that you really belong among them. You just tumbled on to the Board by chance. The Trustee, as such, is fat and pompous and benevolent. He pats one on the head and wears a gold watch chain. However—to resume:

I have been walking and talking and having tea with a man. And with a very superior man—with Mr. Bruce Wayne of one of the first Houses of Gotham. Harriet’s cousin, in short (in long, perhaps I ought to say; he's as tall as you.) She tells me that he is the last of his family. The Wayne family is one of the founding families of Gotham.  He's her father’s sister’s son, but she doesn't know him very intimately. Mr. Wayne’s mother was Harriet’s aunt. You’ll notice my use of the past term. Harriet informs me that Mr. Wayne’s family was killed when he was a child. 

I have always thought that my situation was a sad one, and yet, I find my heart breaking for Mr. Wayne. While I have no memories of my parents, he has eight years of knowing how much his parents loved him. Knowing what could have been seems more heartbreaking than not knowing at all. I can at least pretend that my parents were horrible and mean, or they died and there was no one else to take me.

Sadness aside…being in town on business, he decided to run out to the college and call on Harriet. It seems he glanced at her when she was a baby, decided he didn't like her, and has never noticed her since. I can’t say I disagree with him. Anyway, there he was, sitting in the reception room very proper with his hat and stick and gloves beside him; and Harriet and Barb with seventh-hour recitations that they couldn't cut. So Harriet dashed into my room and begged me to walk him about the campus and then deliver him to her when the seventh hour was over. I said I would, obligingly but unenthusiastically, because I didn’t think I would care much for those related to the Kanes. But he turned out to be a sweet lamb. 

He's a real human being—not a Kane at all. We had a beautiful time; I've longed for an uncle ever since. Do you mind pretending you're my uncle? I believe they're superior to grandmothers. Mr. Wayne reminded me a little of you, Batman, as you were twenty years ago. You see I know you intimately, even if we haven't ever met! He's tall and thinnish, tired eyes, and the funniest underneath smile that never quite comes through but just wrinkles up the corners of his mouth. For someone who looks so uninterested in the world, he had a way of making me feel right off as though I’d known him a long time. He's very companionable. We walked all over the campus from the quadrangle to the athletic grounds; then he said he felt weak and must have some tea. He proposed that we go to College Inn—it's just off the campus by the pine walk. I said we ought to go back for Harriet and Barbara, but he said he didn't like to have his cousins drink too much tea; it made them nervous. So, we just ran away and had tea and muffins and marmalade and ice-cream and cake at a nice little table out on the balcony. The inn was quite conveniently empty, this being the end of the month and allowances low. 

We had the jolliest time! But he had to run for his train the minute he got back and he barely saw Harriett at all. She was furious with me for taking him off; it seems he's an unusually rich and desirable uncle. It relieved my mind to find he was rich, for the tea and things cost sixty cents apiece. This morning (it's Monday now) three boxes of chocolates came by express for Harriet and Barbara and me. What do you think of that? To be getting candy from a man!

I begin to feel like a girl instead of a foundling. I wish you'd come and have tea some day and let me see if I like you. But wouldn't it be dreadful if I didn't? However, I know I should. Bien! I make you my compliments.

'Jamais je ne t'oublierai.'

Y/N

PS. I looked in the glass this morning and found a perfectly new dimple that I'd never seen before. It's very curious. Where do you suppose it came from?

Lois raised an eyebrow, “You felt weak and needed tea? You hate tea.”

Bruce refused to look up from his meal. “We walked a lot.”

“You walked a lot and felt weak?”

Bruce finally set down his utensils and rested his chin on his folded hands, looking annoyed, “Are you going to rehash every detail of the letter?”

Clark laughed, “She’s just focusing on the most amusing bits. You had tea with your sponsee while hiding your true identity. Claiming weakness, even though you are in perfect health and didn’t even visit Harriet. Oh, and let’s not forget you sent her chocolates.”

“I sent all of them chocolates.”

Lois smiled knowingly, “Only because you couldn’t send them just to her without raising suspicion.”

“Why did I agree to dinner with the two of you?”

Clark shrugged, “We are the only ones you have to talk to about this.”

“How sad for me.”

9th June

Dear Batman,

Happy day! I've just finished my last examination in Physiology. And now: Three months on a farm!

I don't know what kind of a thing a farm is. I've never been on one in my life. I've never even looked at one (except from the car window), but I know I'm going to love it, and I'm going to love being free. I am not used even yet to being outside the Bowery Home. Whenever I think of it, excited little thrills chase up and down my back. I feel as though I must run faster and faster and keep looking over my shoulder to make sure that Mother Waller isn't after me with her arm stretched out to grab me back. I don't have to mind anyone this summer, do I?

Your nominal authority doesn't annoy me in the least; you are too far away to do any harm. Mother Waller is dead forever, so far as I am concerned, and the Kents aren't expected to overlook my moral welfare, are they?”

No, I am sure not. I am entirely grown up. Hooray! I leave you now to pack a trunk, and three boxes of tea kettles and dishes and sofa cushions and books.

Yours ever,

Y/N

PS. Here is my physiology exam. Do you think you could have passed?

@inluvwithladybug

@pierres-new-spectacles

@kity-k4t

@sassymemesfanficfestival

#toomanyrobins #✉️ #Batman #Batman imagine #Batman x reader #Bruce Wayne #Bruce Wayne imagine #Bruce Wayne x reader #robert pattinson #robert pattinson x reader #robert pattinson imagine #battison #battison imagine #battison x reader #batfamily #batfamily imagine #batfamily x reader #batfam #Batman au #Bruce Wayne au #batfam imagine #dcu #dc imagine

[scotianostra]

On May 25th 1624 the town of Dunfermline, with the exception of the abbey and a few buildings, burned to the ground accidently during a military muster.

You can only imagine the state of mind of the baillie’s son who, on this day in 1624, having misfired a musket into one of 17th century Dunfermline’s many thatched roofs, saw the entire town burn to a cinder over the course of four hours. Among the few buildings left standing was Abbot House. The records of many Scottish towns refer to this great fire but strangely it doesn’t seem to appear in Dunfermline’s own burgh records.

Most of the damage was done to the area to the north of the High Street where Bruce Street is today and Queen Anne Street, Cross Wynd, the upper New Row and the Maygate were all badly affected. The day was stormy and the houses to the south of the High Street appear to have been saved by a strong wind blowing the flames in the opposite direction.

The magistrates of Dunfermline sent petitions to every town and parish in Scotland for ‘public benevolence’ and received sizeable contributions from Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Perth. It is likely every parish sent something. Prince Charles (later King Charles I) gave a substantial amount, inspired perhaps by the fact that Dunfermline was the town of his birth.

I found what amounts to a news report of the day from the Perth Chronicles…..

“Thair wes ane great fyre in Dunfermling, that brunt almaist the haill toun in four houris space. Thaireafter, upone thair supplecation, voluntar contribution wes grantit thame throchout the kingdom. Thair wes collectit (in Perth) above lxx. merkis.” Mur. Chron. Perth, vol. i. pp. 24, 25……

The Aberdeen Records has the following minute on Dunfermline fire:- “

Anno, 1624 - Dunfermline, the town of, destroyed by accidental fire, 25th May, consumed 220 tenements, occupied by 287 families, their whole perishing, with 500 bolls of grain in barns. The town, containing 700 communicants, and 320 children under six years of age, said to be completely ruined. Voluntary contribution for their relief, ordered by the head court of Aberdeen, convened for the purpose; 1600 merks, collected by voluntary contribution as the town’s benevolence, paid to the commissioner appointed for receiving it, for which he granted a receipt.

It seems we were known to be charitable almost 400 years ago as we are today. The pic is a sketch showing the extent of the fire.

On May 25th 1624 the town of Dunfermline, with the exception of the abbey and a few buildings, burned to the ground accidently during a military muster.

You can only imagine the state of mind of the baillie’s son who, on this day in 1624, having misfired a musket into one of 17th century Dunfermline’s many thatched roofs, saw the entire town burn to a cinder over the course of four hours. Among the few buildings left standing was Abbot House. The records of many Scottish towns refer to this great fire but strangely it doesn’t seem to appear in Dunfermline’s own burgh records.

Most of the damage was done to the area to the north of the High Street where Bruce Street is today and Queen Anne Street, Cross Wynd, the upper New Row and the Maygate were all badly affected. The day was stormy and the houses to the south of the High Street appear to have been saved by a strong wind blowing the flames in the opposite direction.

The magistrates of Dunfermline sent petitions to every town and parish in Scotland for ‘public benevolence’ and received sizeable contributions from Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Perth. It is likely every parish sent something. Prince Charles (later King Charles I) gave a substantial amount, inspired perhaps by the fact that Dunfermline was the town of his birth.

I found what amounts to a news report of the day from the Perth Chronicles…..

“Thair wes ane great fyre in Dunfermling, that brunt almaist the haill toun in four houris space. Thaireafter, upone thair supplecation, voluntar contribution wes grantit thame throchout the kingdom. Thair wes collectit (in Perth) above lxx. merkis.” Mur. Chron. Perth, vol. i. pp. 24, 25……

The Aberdeen Records has the following minute on Dunfermline fire:- “

Anno, 1624 - Dunfermline, the town of, destroyed by accidental fire, 25th May, consumed 220 tenements, occupied by 287 families, their whole perishing, with 500 bolls of grain in barns. The town, containing 700 communicants, and 320 children under six years of age, said to be completely ruined. Voluntary contribution for their relief, ordered by the head court of Aberdeen, convened for the purpose; 1600 merks, collected by voluntary contribution as the town’s benevolence, paid to the commissioner appointed for receiving it, for which he granted a receipt.

It seems we were known to be charitable almost 400 years ago as we are today. The map is a sketch showing the extent of the fire.

#scotland #scottish #fifer #fire #history

[bxnnxrxd]

Bruce abd Thor had bonded in a way that was beyond his scientific understanding. He knew magic was just science his world had not mastered. Earth or Midagard had many differences but there were also similarities. He had not expected to be swept off his feet by the man he had silently just eat he’d for years. The only time he wasn’t quiet was on Sakaar. Thor had said he had a surprise, an abbot cement of sorts. Since his clothes were dirty abd he wanted to fit in, not stand out so much, he changed into Asgardian garb. However, Bruce garnered attention.

Bruce was waiting patiently now on one of the many balconies that overstretched the spire in the middle. He was admiring the new views in the sky, something he hadn’t seen yet himself. Hulk had but not him. He was dressed not in a warrior’s fashion even though Thor seemed so proud to dignify him as such. He knew on his own that was something vastly important. Bruce, chose his clothes well.

Instead of a warrior he had the look of a safe, a look that resembled Greek and Roman senators. One long bit of robes adorned him, mostly silver in color and glistening. Lavender was hand stitched beautifully with symbols from Asgard, oddly enough without his knowing being about wisdom and greatness. I too of that was the more lavender robe that cut lie a vest at the top and stretched to the floor. Bruce stood out all the more, those colors so complimenting, iridescent in beauty. Bruce never saw himself as beautiful but there he stood, his curls shining a bright brown and his olive skin radiating a glow. Bruce was happy, he had not been for such a long time he thought he’d forgotten it. That happiness shone through like the brightest sun, eminating from all sides of his form. Bruce glistened.

Asgard was beautiful, more so than he imagined. There was damage still from their last battle here but things were being rebuilt. The landscape was stunning, this place oozed elegance. Amusingly enough, Bruce was worried. He doubted himself in the clothes that made him look like an angel. He lacked self confidence when it came to his appearance, and he just hoped he looked as nice as he could for Thor to see. It was his version of a surprise.

#blueeyesblazing #Midgardian Ambassador

[dcnatural]

What Hides In The Dark

Anonymous requested: Hello. May I request a imagine about Tim Drake being a werewolf and only his S/O can calm the wolf down if he lose control (this purely inspired by a fic lol).

Word Count: 1423 

Pairing: Werewolf!Tim x Reader

Rating: Mature

Synopsis: Your boyfriend, Tim Drake, is a werewolf, and when he escapes, it’s up to you to make sure he’s safe

The full moon was high in the Gotham sky, it’s pale silver glow illuminating the city bellow. The streets were silent at this time of the night, save for the occasional rumbling of a passing car. Most law abiding citizens would never, under any circumstance, leave their houses after the sun disappeared below the horizon. The nights belonged to the criminals and the vigilantes.

And to you. You didn’t belong to any of the two categories, but you still had your place in the darkened streets. Always lurking somewhere in the middle of the good and the bad, you wandered by this cursed city way past midnight, looking for the beings of shadow and fear. If the vigilantes kept the city safe from thieves and murderers, you kept it safe from demons and monsters.

Despite sharing the cover that the darkness offered, the worlds of nature and magic barely ever crossed paths. It wasn’t your duty to fight serial killers, and it wasn’t Batman’s duty to send ghosts back to where they had come from. You didn’t even know if he acknowledge the parallel battle happening in the city.

Your mission had been passed to generation after generation of your family. Your bloodline possessed the rare ability to see behind the mask of reality, and considered their sacred duty to keep the supernatural at bay. You lived to protect the others from what they couldn’t see.

But sometimes, fate had a funny way of uniting people. Murderer by day, werewolf by night, Kyle Abbot had proven himself a menace in all forms. It was investigating Abbot that you first ran into Robin. The chemistry was explosive. You didn’t believe in love at first sight before, but it was the only way to explain what had happened in the moment your gaze crossed his. 

The two of you had a lot in common: both were warriors fighting the battle against the darkness, living a secret life surrounded by mysteries and lies. Neither of you had many friends, and in each other, you and him found companionship. You should have known better. You should have seen it coming. For you knew that no good things happened when magic and nature mingled.

During the fight, the werewolf’s claws pierced Robin’s suit, scratching the skin. After the police had Abbot under custody, you immediately treated Robin’s wounds. But it was too late, the damage had been done: in the next full moon, he would be transformed into a wolf and there was nothing you could do to stop that. In a strange way, his new condition brought the two of you closer. You began to meet him daily, going out every day after class. He trusted you with his real identity, and you trusted him with yours.

In the days leading to his first shifting, you arranged a safe space, a place he could stay when his bones cracked to accommodate his new form, and his hair grew to cover his whole body. You kept Tim company during the full moons. You protected him and prevented him from doing harm to others. Even in his irrational wolf form, he began to bond with you: his animal self becoming loyal to you.

But even the best engineered cages sometimes fail, and that's how you found yourself running around Gotham, following the trail of bloody footprints staining the gray concrete. You found him cornered against the wall of a dead end, a huge wolf with reddish-brown fur, jaw open, revealing the sharp fangs, and claws ready to attack. Blocking the entrance of the alley, there was a man wearing a black suit with a blue, bird-shaped design in his chest. He wielded escrima sticks, ready to defend himself from the creature.

“Dick!”, you shouted, not needing to see the man’s face to recognize him as Tim’s adoptive brother. “Don’t hurt him!”

Nightwing turned, and the moment his eyes left the wolf, the animal jumped on top of him, it’s weight bringing him down.

“Tim! No!”, you commanded, voice slightly unsure. What if he doesn’t listen to me?

But he did. The creature’s head snapped in your direction, eyes glowing yellow like embers. A thick thread of saliva hang from its open mouth, dripping into Nightwing’s cheek.

“Tim”, you tried again, testing if he was indeed reacting to your words. The wolf blinked expectantly. “Please, I need you to back away.”

There was a beat of silence, but then he slowly let go of his older brother. You smiled and nodded at Tim, and gave a tentative step towards him. His fur bristled up and quicker than your eyes could register, he ran past you, disappearing between the buildings and cars.

 Dick pushed himself back onto his feet. “What did you do to my brother?”, he inquired, anger making his skin burn red. He towered over you, and your heartbeat quickened. 

“What?”, you exclaimed. How dare he blame me for this? “How is this my fault?”

He poked your chest with a gloved finger. “He starts dating a witch and suddenly he became a werewolf? I’m pretty sure it’s your fault.”

“I’m not a witch”, you said through gritted teeth. “I can use magic, but I’m not a witch.”

“It doesn’t matter. Just undo whatever you have done.”

“I did nothing!” And then realization hit you. “You didn’t know, did you?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Tim never told you or Bruce that he is a werewolf.”

A unreadable expression took over Dick’s face. “How long? How long has he been like this?”

Your lips curved in a pitiful smile. “Six months. It’s kind of what brought us together.”

He closed his eyes, rubbing a finger in his forehead. You had noticed Bruce did the same thing when thinking. Finally, he sighed. “I’m sorry I accused you. But we need to find him, before someone hurts him.”

“Or he hurts someone”, you completed.

* * *

It took half an hour for you to find Tim again. For a large animal, he was surprisingly good at hiding. Fallen leaves in shades of brown, red, yellow and orange covered the ground of Robinson Park. Chewing noises came from a bush, and you ran the remaining distance. Crouching on the grass, the wolf devoured a blood covered bunny.

You approached him carefully. “Timmy”, you called and once more, he stopped what he was doing to look at you. You took a deep breath and kneeled on the ground, so your face would be level with his. Your actions were measured, you were afraid of scaring him away once more. 

His animalistic gaze held yours and you dared to reach a hand out. It hang awkwardly in air for a second, before Tim moved forward, burying his snout on your palm and licking it greedily. You raised your other hand to caress his ears and he barked, seemingly at ease.

“Good boy”, you whispered.

Nightwing handed you the collar and leash he had picked over during your search. And while you hated having to use those on Tim, you had to agree it was the best way to bring him back to your hideout. 

Making Tim walk back into the cage was complicated, as he would often try to race after passing cars or pick fights with street dogs, but after a long journey, you and Dick managed to successfully secure Tim inside it. You checked the padlock twice, and cast a spell just to be sure, before turning your back to the cage.

“I should go”, Dick said, running the back of his hand along his forehead to clean the droplets of sweat that had formed during the mission. “I’ll talk with him tomorrow.”

“Try not to judge too much. I know it’s complicated and unusual, but he’s still the same person he was before”, you told him before waving your goodbyes. 

Once Dick was gone, you sat on the wooden rocking chair you usually used and stayed awake until the sun rose. You always hated seeing the transition: the cries of pain that escaped Tim’s throat made your heart break. He blinked once, then twice, his brain adjusting to the return of his human senses.

“Hey, you”, you said, rising to open the door.

“Hey”, Tim answered, his voice sore and sleepy. He stumbled onto his feet and hugged you, head resting on your shoulder. “Thank you.”

“What for?”, you inquired.

“For being here. For helping me.”

You smiled and kissed him. “It’s you and me, Tim Wolf. You and me against the world.”

#tim drake imagine #tim drake x reader #red robin x reader #red robin imagine #werewolf!tim #a.k.a. tim wolf #tim drake #au #reader #dc

[tsgcharlottesvillevirginia]

Our Week Scouted – July 12, 2019

LOVE

It’s our favorite to see two of our members come together. Here, Camden from Scarpa is in a gorgeous Dries Van Noten jacket, Frank and Eileen tee, Kowtow Denim High Waisted Jean, a Marla Aaron lock necklace, Gucci sunglasses and a WANT Les Essentials Munro bucket bag. This look, and so much more, are all available at Scarpa. Plus, Scarpa still has their huge summer sale going on and everything is now 60% off. Pop in to scoop up some gorgeous summer looks.  Scarpa | Barracks Road Shopping Center,  2114 Barracks Rd | 434.296.0040  

Camden is featured here at the stunning  Les Yeux du Monde art gallery in front of paintings, from left to right, by Isabelle Abbot, Janet Bruce and Ann Lyne. The current show inside the gallery at Les Yeux du Monde is “Landscape Re-imagined,” a gorgeous collection of paintings featuring 27 artists. Outside, you’ll find the “Summer Sculpture Show,” featuring works from nine artists that dots the grounds. Both shows are running through August 11th, so head out to Les Yeux du Monde to catch this perfect, summer show.  Les Yeux du Monde | 841 Wolf Trap Rd. | 434.973.5566

LISTEN

Looking for a way to fight your case of the Mondays? Head over to Oakhurst Hall, an extension of Oakhurst Inn, on Monday evenings from 5:30-8pm this summer to enjoy live music courtesy of the Brian Caputo Jazz Trio in their newly expanded Chateau Lobby Bar. While there, enjoy libations, small bites and artisanal pizzas from their seasonal outdoor pizza oven.  Oakhurst Hall | 100 Oakhurst Circle | 434-872-0100 | [email protected]

WANT

320 FARMINGTON DR | Charlottesville, VA | Loring Woodriff, 434.466.2992 The details: 6 bedrooms, 6.1 baths, 9.505 square feet, 2.8 acres What we love: We’re agog over this stunning, rare offering in Farmington. This c.1953 Milton Grigg residence is nestled on the quiet end of Farmington Drive and fronts the 17th fairway. There are so many things in this home to get your blood pumping, but the pool area, with its adjacent water features, had us dreaming of lazy days spent in the company of family and friends. 

DINE

Charlottesville’s Restaurant Week is back and running from Friday, July 12 to Saturday, July 20. Click the link above for the listing of all the restaurants, but we’re especially excited about menu at Red Pump Kitchen. For $39 per person, chef Brandon has prepared a three-course meal inspired by the flavors of the summer. Make your reservation today. Seating fills quickly.

Red Pump Kitchen also has their special Full Moon Menu, which consists of a special pizza and cocktail, on Tuesday, July 16. This month’s full moon is named the Buck Moon, after the time when a buck’s antlers are in full growth. Come in that evening to enjoy the Buck Moon Pizza, showcasing pepperoni, burrata and oyster mushrooms. The cocktail special will be the Moon Shot, made of delicious honey habanero moonshine, Aperol, cranberry and lime. 

That evening, raise a glass to a successful event in moon history. July 16th marks the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11′s launch from Cape Kennedy, Florida as it sped on its way to the first successful manned mission to land on the moon.

LEARN

If you’ve ever wanted to learn calligraphy, whether for practical reasons or simply as a creative pursuit, then you’ll want to sign up for the Calligraphy Class at Early Mountain with Jen Maton of If so Inklined on Saturday, July 14 from 1-3pm.  The purpose of the class is to teach the art of modern calligraphy, using the popular pen brand Tombow, while relaxing at the winery. You’lll learn a few basic strokes, upper and lowercase letters and motivational words to live by. This is a fun and relaxing class that’s perfect with a friend. Get your tickets today! 

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[ciathyzareposts]

Darklands: Iron Men

The leader of Hamburg outlines the crimes of robber knight Eberhard Gerle.

        Someone should make a comprehensive study of the criminal archetypes that have come and gone–made obsolete by sociology or technology. The itinerant snake-oil salesman; the train robber; the yo-ho-ho kind of pirate. The Nigerian Prince must be on his way out–too many people have heard of him. We have plenty of robbers, but no more highwaymen. In America, the classic pickpocket is essentially dead except in a few isolated cities, and the stereotypical car thief is hearing the bells toll.

In medieval literature, perhaps no extinct criminal archetype stands out more starkly than that of the raubritter, or “robber knight.” The term’s meaning changed slightly over the centuries, sometimes describing a landowner who abused his power to exact tolls, sometimes describing actual banditry, sometimes (as in the description above) both. But what the term always denotes is a rich person who uses his wealth to purchase armor and castle walls and thus the ability to act with impunity, until he stirs up enough trouble that other rich people with castles and armor decide to deal with him. This is an odd idea–the use of wealth to commit principally physical crimes. Imagine if instead of just ruining the country economically and spiritually, the Waltons and Kochs decided to build “Iron Man” suits and physical fortifications, then go on rampages through villages, knowing that local law enforcement officers would be powerless to stop them. There’s a story in that somewhere.        

My party achieves victory over one of the villains.

          Robber knights form the near-exclusive stable of “bad guys” in Arthurian and other medieval heroic literature, granted with the occasional supernatural twist. The various Green Knights, Black Knights, Red Knights, Sir Bruce Sans Pity, and their lot are all essentially robber knights. Perlesvaus even has a character of of that name (he is defeated by the Coward Knight, who then becomes the Bold Knight). You can’t read an Arthurian story from the 12th to 15th centuries in which the hero does not, at some point, come to a bridge or ford guarded by a mysterious armored figure who refuses to let anyone cross until they pay a usurious toll. The hero naturally thrashes the villain making this demand, but what’s notable is that only someone who can afford the same types of armor, weapon, and steed even has a chance. It’s what T. H. White was getting at when he had Merlyn say:

              What is all this chivalry, anyway? It simply means being rich enough to have a castle and a suit of armour, and then, when you have them, you make the Saxon people do what you like. The only risk you run is of getting a few bruises if you happen to come across another knight. Look at that tilt you saw between Pellinore and Grummore, when you were small. It is this armour that does it. All the barons can slice the poor people about as much as they want, and it is a day’s work to hurt each other, and the result is that the country is devastated. Might is Right, that’s the motto.

               It makes sense, then, that robber knights make up a major villain class in Darklands, essentially occupying the role of pirates in Pirates! They have randomly-generated names and castles, but wherever the game situates them, they’re such a menace to the surrounding area that multiple political and economic leaders will pay you to get rid of them. And just like Pirates!, you can get multiple rewards for defeating the same villain.

The game adds a dose of realism not found in the typical RPG, however, when it comes to the aforementioned use of armor. I haven’t worked out all the math yet–I’ll leave that for a later entry–but it feels like the protective value of armor increases exponentially rather than in the somewhat linear manner used by Dungeons and Dragons-style games. Leather hardly does anything at all, and plate practically makes a man a walking fortress. There are associated encumbrance and agility penalties, but they’re still worth it.                

A secondary application brings up your quest log. I think this is the first RPG that keeps track of quests for you.

           As I began this session, I had received a quest from several people to kill the robber knight Anton Seibt, but an initial foray into Seibt’s territory suggested I was far from the necessary abilities to do that. Thus, I settled into Lübeck for a period of grinding and character development. My quest log showed that I had about a year to kill Seibt and get back to Flensburg before the quest expired.

I visited the alchemists’ and tinkers’ guilds and got permission to train, and I spent some days in residence at the inn, some characters working odd jobs, some training. At night, I occasionally ventured into back alleys, fought thieves, and sold their equipment the next day. My character slowly developed skills in edged weapons. Once I figured out that in the markets, you can scroll past the initial four options displayed for sale, I bought everyone shields and missile weapons. (To fund all of this, I sold most of the potions my alchemist started with.)            

A guild master agrees to teach “Artifice” to my characters.

           Occasionally, I left the city and wandered around outside (I tended to favor healing in camp outside, as it’s free). I escorted a few pilgrims, donated to some poor people, and fought an odd wolf or giant spider. (The thieves in town were better opponents because they leave you things to sell.) I wandered up the road to Schleswig to see if I could get the Seibt quest from even more people, but they wouldn’t see me. When I wanted to get back into Lübeck, I sneaked in or charmed the guards to let me in, hoping to increase one of those two skills. One of the things I like about this game is that skills sometimes increase even when you fail at using them.           

Various options when returning to a city. It costs nothing (as far as I can tell) to try hiding or charming the guards, and has a chance of raising important skills besides.

          For a long time, I was stubborn about Ladislaus, my mentally-damaged cleric. His virtue was so low that it would take years of faking good deeds before a single saint would answer a prayer, and he hadn’t managed to develop much healing skill in only 10 years of monastery service. A couple of points of increases during training didn’t translate to faster healing of my characters; they were still only capable of restoring 1 point of strength a day. Finally, I got fed up, had Ladislaus “retire” (he took one-fifth of my wealth!), and rolled up a more experienced and devout Catholic. Lambert spent four terms as a novice monk, monk, friar, and abbot before joining the party, excelling in virtue, religion, and healing. When my characters rest with him in the party, they restore 2 points of strength per day–which, believe me, makes a big difference. He also starts with knowledge of three saints and an actual chance that they’ll respond to prayers. I just had to build up his skill with a weapon for a while.            

Having sent Ladislaus into retirement, I create a new holy figure with more experience.

            The grinding period was hard. Health regenerates so slowly that you spend more days resting than adventuring. You can’t afford to do it all at comfortable inns, so you have to go outside, but there you run the risk of bandits, wild animals, or just being run off the local lord’s land. Paying for training is also expensive and doesn’t guarantee your skill will actually go up each session. There seem to be a lot of skills you can’t train–at least, I haven’t found trainers yet. Everyone wants a piece of your hard-earned money. You have to pay to enter cities (if other mechanisms fail). You have to pay if you get caught on the streets at night. You have to pay if you’re caught camping on someone else’s land. Except for common thieves, new parties die against practically everyone and everything.

But, slowly, things started to get better, particularly when I made enough money to buy some better armor for everyone. Until then, Maximian–who started with brigantine armor–hardly ever took any damage in combat while everyone else got slaughtered.          

Improving my situation at an armor shop.

          I’ll make a few complaints about combat while I’m thinking about it, reserving greater analysis for a future entry in which I have more experience. 1992 was the first year in general for “real time combat with pause,” and we’ve seen it in both Darklands and Legend. It would, of course, become more famous in the Infinity Engine titles of the late 1990s. Darklands is superior to Legend in that it allows you to issue orders while paused. Right now, there’s not much I can do but attack.

I am having a few problems. First, I want Maximian to bear the brunt of most combats, but no matter how far in the lead I put him, enemies just happily walk around him to engage the weaker characters. Second, the characters don’t do what I tell them to do when it comes to attacking particular enemies. They remain stubbornly engaged with whoever is closest to them even if I repeatedly tell them to go attack someone else. In short, I find it hard to prioritize particular enemies and protect my weaker characters.        

The weaker characters hang back while Maximian goes to engage the enemy. I know half of them will just walk around him and attack the other characters anyway.

        The game is also a bit annoying in its adherence to realism with missile weapons and line-of-sight. I have my third and fourth characters equipped with missile weapons, but they hardly ever have a clear shot at an enemy because the lead characters are in the way. The process of picking up missiles from the battlefield, redistributing them, and re-equipping them is also a bit annoying. Finally, I don’t like the way that the treasures found post-combat are so relentlessly predictable. It would be nice to occasionally meet a back-alley thief whose father had willed him a decent-quality long sword. Instead, thieves always carry falchions or clubs and always have leather armor for the vitals and cloth (which doesn’t sell for anything) for the non-vitals. Other enemies seem similarly predictable.             

We sneak through the robber knight’s castle. At least we’re not the only ones betraying the Guest Right.

          Back to the story. After about half a year passed, I was at the point where I could defeat several bandit parties per night and didn’t even have to rest for a week afterwards. I decided to try my luck against Anton Seibt again. “Try my luck” is the operative phrase because for whatever reason, everything I tried succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. Acting friendly to his men prevented me from having to fight any engagements during my approach to his castle. When I got to the castle, I knocked on the door and he invited me in for the evening. Later, I chose to have my party go to bed, but then get up and sneak to Seibt’s room, and again it worked. The result is that when I finally confronted him in his room, we fought a four-on-one combat instead of one that involved his warriors. It was almost too easy.            

My party gangs up on Seibt in his chambers at night.

         When he died, I looted plate armor from his corpse and gave it to Maximian, passing the brigantine and chain down the line. It uses almost all my encumbrance, and I couldn’t therefore wield the two-handed sword I also recovered from the robber knight. I gave that to Lambert, but using it tires him out quite fast, and I suspect it’s better to keep Lambert equipped with a one-handed weapon.             

With plate armor for his vitals and chain armor for his limbs, Maximian is just shy of a full load.

            Now the fun part. I returned to Lübeck and got rewards from both the obserte and the Fugger representative. I continued up the road to Flensburg, where I’d started, and got even more money from the Fugger, but for some reason the erbvogt (mayor) had nothing to say to me even though the little quest application insists I had the same quest from him.          

Claiming a reward for killing Anton Seibt.

         In any event, the three rewards loaded me up with more money than I’d even dreamed about before–the equivalent of about 18,000 pfenniges when I’d struggled to top 2,000 before. I bought horses for everyone and splurged on some alchemical ingredients, although none of the shops in Denmark seem to sell the specific ingredients that Viridia needs for the spells that she knows.           

Both my purse and local fame grow.

         The only other quest I had was to get the “Tarnhelm” from a pagan altar southwest of Magdeburg. I decided to head in that direction because it would put me closer to the center of the empire, with more easy access to other locations. On the way, I stopped at several cities, and in the course of meeting with various representatives, got the same quest from several of them to destroy the robber knight Eberhard Gerle, who was hanging out east of Paderborn. I also picked up some minor “fetch quests.”            

Wolves are unhappy with my acquisition of the Tarnhelm.

          The Tarnhelm quest wasn’t difficult. I simply wandered in the area of Magdeburg until I received a notice that I found a pagan altar. After picking up the helm, I had to deal with a pack of wolves, and which point the game indicated that the unholiness of the area had been lifted. I’m not keen to walk all the way back up to Flensburg just to return the helm. I can tell that I’ll be wishing for a fast travel option before the game is through.

          At one point, I stumbled upon the house of some kind of seer. She warned me of secret covens of witches growing in power but said that my party was too inexperienced to deal with them. She advised me to “go forth and train, seek experience, adventure, and fame,” and then return. The problem is, I forgot to note where the house was. Is that going to be an issue?

           Miscellaneous notes:

I keep encountering alchemists on the road. They travel with guards and demand all your alchemical ingredients when you encounter them. If you refuse, you find yourself in combat with their guards, who I have thusfar been unable to defeat without a death. They’re very annoying.

The terrain changes color and texture to denote the changes in seasons. Right now, as 1400 turns to 1401, snow covers the ground. At one point, the game forced me to stop and hole up for a few days to wait out a blizzard.

            Note the frozen landscape in January. There’s a castle to the east of my party, but I can barely make it out.

          My colorblindness, or some other factor, makes it difficult for me to see many of the features in the environment. For instance, note the castle to the east of my party in the shot below. I had to really “where’s Waldo” the screen to find it.

For one of the miscellaneous quests, picked up in Braunschweig, the Fugger representative wants me to help prove that his family is of royal lineage by retrieving a crown from an old tomb. I feel like one of the Pirates! editions had a similar quest, where a random governor wanted help proving that he had royal blood.

           A common MicroProse theme.

        Both times I defeated the robber knights, the game brought up a message indicating that the party was going to loot the castles’ treasuries. In both cases, nothing got added to my wealth. I guess maybe they weren’t very good robber knights.

Horses are treated weird. They show up in inventory, and I guess you have to assume they’re being “used,” but you never see them. I hope they’re speeding up my travel. 

             I bought a “superb” horse for my knight, but just regular pack horses for everyone else.

            I finished this session by finding Eberhard Gerle’s castle just east of Paderborn. Surprisingly, the exact same strategy I used at Anton Seibt’s worked here, and Gerle was soon dead. I have no fewer than five people prepared to reward me for the deed, and I also have to figure out if I’m going to try to equip any of my other characters with his looted plate or sell it. Either way, it feels like my money problems are almost over, quite early in the game. Perhaps alchemical ingredients will sap most of it. 

For the next sessions, I really need to get a grip on alchemy, praying, combat, and equipment–starting with re-reading the relevant sections of the manual. (Some of my commenters have offered a lot on these issues, but I’ve mostly stopped reading comments on previous entries because it seemed like they were getting spoilerish.) I’ll practice with those as I continue to build my fame across the empire.

          Time so far: 14 hours

        source http://reposts.ciathyza.com/darklands-iron-men/

#retro games #dos games #retro #crpg #adventure #amiga #oldcomputers #8bit #16bit #blog #repost

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Celebrity deaths in 2018: Famous faces lost this year from Zombie Boy to Ellie Soutter and Dale Winton

http://www.internetunleashed.co.uk/?p=29621 Celebrity deaths in 2018: Famous faces lost this year from Zombie Boy to Ellie Soutter and Dale Winton - http://www.internetunleashed.co.uk/?p=29621 2017 was a tough year, as we said goodbye to some of our best known and well-loved figures - from Sir Bruce Forsyth and Keith Chegwin to John Hurt and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson. And the losses have continued into 2018 with famous names from Verne Troyer to Ken Dodd, Avicii to Dale Winton, and Jim Bowen to Leslie Grantham sadly passing away. Fans have shared their memories and fellow stars paid tribute as they remembered those we have lost. Here's a look at all of the celebrities we've lost in 2018 so far who have inspired generations. AUGUST Zombie Boy Rick Genest, aka Zombie Boy (Image: REUTERS) Rick Genest, the heavily tattooed model known as Zombie Boy, died aged just 32 on August 1. He was known for his head-to-toe tattoos and starred alongside Lady Gaga in her Born This Way music video in 2011. His body was found in his apartment in the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood in Montreal, Canada, on Wednesday. Gaga said the death is "beyond devastating" and revealed he had taken his own life. Read More JULY Ellie Soutter Ellie Soutter has died at the age of 18 Team GB snowboarder Ellie Soutter took her own life on July 25, her 18th birthday, the British Olympic Association confirmed. Soutter killed herself in a remote wooded area near her home in Les Gets, France, her heartbroken family has confirmed. Soutter claimed Team GB’s only medal at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Erzurum, Turkeyin 2017. Her father, Tony Soutter, said "This cruel world took my Soul mate and "Bessie" from me yesterday on her 18th birthday. "I was so proud of the beautiful young woman she had turned into. Ellie I will miss you more than you could have ever imagined. Rest in peace you little Champion!" Read More Clive King David Clive King was born in Richmond, Surrey in 1924. In 1926 he moved with his parents to a farm in Kent, alongside which was an abandoned chalk-pit, which later became the setting for Stig of the Dump. Author Clive King, best known for his children's book Stig Of The Dump, died aged 94 on July 10, publisher Puffin books said. A statement said: "It is with sorrow that the family of Clive King, author of several popular children's books, including the much-loved classic Stig Of The Dump, announce that he passed away in the county of Norfolk where he had made his home on 10 July 2018, aged 94. "He is survived by his widow Penny and three children. The family have requested privacy at this time and our heartfelt condolences are with them." Read More Richard Swift Richard Swift died aged 41 on July 3. The producer, solo musician and multi-instrumentalist was best known for being a member of the Shins and the Arcs. A post on Swift's Facebook page read: "All the angels sing 'Que Sera Sera.'" Swift's Black Keys bandmate Dan Auerbach shared on Instagram: "I will miss you my friend." In June this year it was reported that Swift had been to a hospital with a 'life threatening condition.' Read More Alan Longmuir Alan Longmuir (Image: Daily Record) Alan Longmuir, the founder member of the Bay City Rollers died on July 2 following a short illness. The Edinburgh-born musician died in hospital at the age of 70 surrounded by loved ones after being flown home from Mexico two weeks ago where he had contracted an illness. Known as the "tartan teen sensations from Edinburgh", the Bay City Rollers started back in the 1960s. In 1976 Alan was replaced by rhythm guitarist Ian Mitchell, a man ten years his junior. He returned to the group in 1978. At the height of their fame, of course, the Scottish pop rockers could barely move without being mobbed by a tartan-clad army of teenage girls – screaming for their favourite Roller, begging for autographs and singing along to their smash hit Shang-A-Lang. Read More Dame Gillian Lynne Dame Gillian Lynne (Image: PA) Dame Gillian Lynne, whose credits included the hugely successful Cats and Phantom Of The Opera musicals, died on July 1, aged 92. Her husband, the actor Peter Land, said the renowned choreographer passed away at the Princess Grace Hospital in Marylebone, London. A major influence on dance and musical theatre, Lynne was best known for her work with Andrew Lloyd Webber. She also directed more than 50 productions on the West End and Broadway and received two Olivier Awards. In June, Lord Lloyd Webber renamed his New London Theatre as The Gillian Lynne Theatre - the first West End theatre to be named after a woman. Read More Peter Firmin Peter Firmin, creator of the kid's television series The Clangers, in 1999 (Image: Toby Melville/PA) Clangers co-creator Peter Firmin died on July 1 at the age of 89. The show's production company Coolabi said in a statement: "We are sad to announce that the artist Peter Firmin has passed away at his home in Kent after a short illness. He was eighty-nine. "During a career spanning over six decades Peter worked with great skill in a remarkably wide variety of creative disciplines as a fine artist, craftsman and author. "Of all his work he will probably be most fondly remembered for the characters he co-created and made. "With Ivan Owen he created the cheeky fox Basil Brush, and with his long-time business partner, Oliver Postgate, working as Smallfilms, he devised, created, painted, drew and built the marvellous and diverse worlds of Bagpuss, Clangers, Ivor the Engine, Noggin the Nog and Pogles Wood." Read More JUNE Steve Ditko The legendary comic book artist and co-creator of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange with Stan Lee, died on June 29 at the age of 90. “Steve Ditko was one of the most amazing creators in the history of comics, and showed us there is a hero in all of us. Our hearts go out to his loved ones, and everyone who knew him,” DC Comics said on Friday. While working at Marvel in 1962, Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Lee approached Ditko with an idea for Spider-Man and it was Ditko who gave the superhero his iconic suit, red-and-blue colors and web shooters. Read More Matt Cappotelli Matt Cappotelli has passed away aged 38 Former WWE star Matt Cappotelli died on June 29 aged 38. Cappotelli, who won WWE reality show Tough Enough, passed away after battling brain cancer. He had first been diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2005 before getting the all clear two years later. However, last year he had to undergo emergency surgery after the cancer returned. Read More Joe Jackson The patriarch of the Jackson family, and manager of the Jackson 5, died on June 27 at the age of 89 of cancer. He was the brains behind the Jackson 5 and in 2002 was awarded a proclamation in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the Best Entertainment Manager of All Time. Read More Carlos Lopez Jr Carlos Lopez Jr Carlos Lopez Jr died on June 25 at the age of 35. Carlos starred in Operation Repo, from 2012 to 2014 , and had several other small roles in TV shows like iCarly and CSI: Cyber. Operation Repo is an American TV show that dramatises supposed real-life stories of car repossession. Most recently, he portrayed a CIA station chief in Tom Cruise film American Made. Carlos also served in the army, reportedly completing a 27 month tour of combat with the 82nd Airborne. Read More Richard Harrison Richard Harrison (Image: Channel 5) Richard Harrison, the star of TV show Pawn Stars, died on June 25 at the age of 77. Better known as 'Old Man' on the show, Richard died surrounded by his family, his heartbroken son and co-star Rick confirmed with an Instagram post. "He passed away this morning surrounded by those he loved," wrote Rick. "He will be tremendously missed by our family, the team at Gold & Silver Pawn and his many fans the world over. He was my hero and I was fortunate to get a very cool ‘Old Man’ as my dad. Read More Vinnie Paul (Image: REX/Shutterstock) Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul passed away on June 22 aged 54. "Vincent Paul Abbott aka Vinnie Paul has passed away. Paul is best known for his work as the drummer in the bands Pantera and Hellyeah," a statement said on the Pantera Twitter account. "No further details are available at this time. The family requests you please respect their privacy during this time." The cause of death is currently unknown. Texas-born Vinnie co-founded the heavy metal band in the 1980s along with his late brother "Dimebag" Darrell Abbot. Read More Sophie Gradon Sophie Gradon (Image: ITV/PA) The 32-year-old model and former Love Island contestant passed away on June 21. The former reality star, who hailed from Newcastle, was crowned Miss Great Britain in 2009 and was also a former Miss Newcastle. Sophie's boyfriend Aaron Armstrong wrote "I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever ever and always". She made history on Love Island as one half of the show's first same-sex couple after she coupled up with Katie Salmon. Read More Peter Thomson Peter Thomson (Image: REUTERS) Five-time Open champion Peter Thomson died on June 20 at the age of 88. The legendary Australian had been suffering from Parkinson's disease and died at his home in Melbourne, Golf Australia said. Thomson won his first Open Championship title in 1954 - becoming the only player in the 20th or 21st century to win the tournament three years in succession. He also enjoyed impressive victories in 1958 and 1965 and was later inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Read More Big Van Vader (Image: Handout) WWE legend Big Van Vader died on June 18 at the age of 63, according to his Twitter account. Real name Leon White, he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2016 with doctors giving him two years to live. His Twitter account tweeted: "It is with a heavy heart to inform everyone that my father, Leon White, passed away on Monday night (6/18/18) at approximately 7:25pm." A second post, added: "Around a month ago my father was diagnosed with a severe case of Pneumonia. He fought extremely hard and clinically was making progress. Unfortunately, on Monday night his heart had enough and it was his time." Read More Leslie Grantham Leslie Grantham starred in EastEnders for many years (Image: Daily Mirror) EastEnders star Leslie Grantham died on June 15 aged 71 following a battle with cancer. The actor was most famous for portraying iconic character 'Dirty' Den Watts on the long-running BBC soap. Leslie also hosted game show Fort Boyard on Channel 5 and penned children's book called Jack Bates And The Wizard's Spell. Read More Errol Pickford Errol Pickford (Image: REX/Shutterstock) Former Royal Ballet principal dancer Errol Pickford died on Wednesday June 13, aged 51. Born in Perth, Australia in 1966 he originally trained as a gymnast before moving to the UK and practicing ballet at the Hammond School and The Royal Ballet School. He joined The Royal Ballet in 1984 and quickly excelled, becoming a soloist in 1986, first soloist in 1989 and principle in 1991. He had a version of Romeo and Juliet created especially for him by celebrated dancer and choreographer Kenneth MacMillan, and made history by becoming the first ever Western dancer to partner Bolshoi ballerina Nina Ananiahvii at the Armenia Gala in London's Covent Garden. The performance was even broadcast on TV. Read More Jackson Odell Jackson Odell had a role in TV comedy Arrested Development (Image: Getty Images North America) Jackson Odell, star of The Goldbergs, died on June 8 aged 20 Jackson starred in several hit TV shows including iCarly, Arrested Development and Modern Family. He was also a talented songwriter, penning a number of tracks for the movie 'Forever My Girl' including the the song 'Wings of an Angel', performed by Lauren Alaina. Read More Eunice Gayson Eunice Gayson was the very first Bond girl (Image: Hulton Archive) Eunice Gayson, the first ever Bond girl, died on June 8 aged 90. She was originally offered the part of Miss Moneypenny in Dr No, but the role eventually went to Lois Maxwell while Eunice became the super spy's love interest for the first two James Bond films. She later starred in a number of Hammer Horror films, and appeared on TV shows including The Saint and The Avengers. Read More Anthony Bourdain Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain died on June 8, aged 61. CNN, who he worked for, confirmed the news in a statement and revealed the cause of death as suicide. Bourdain had been in France working on an episode of his award-winning series Parts Unknown. His close friend, French chef Eric Ripert is reported to have found Bourdain unresponsive in his Strasbourg hotel room. Bourdain first shot to fame with the release of his book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures In The Culinary Underbelly, which became a New York Times bestseller. Read More Alan O'Neill Alan O'Neill (Image: WireImage) Sons of Anarchy star Alan O'Neill has died at the age of 47. The Irish-born actor is most famous for his role as Hugh in Sons of Anarchy, but his career dates back to the 1990s. He also played Keith McGrath in Fair City and starred in UK crime drama Inspector George Gently in 2009. Alan had also been cast in an upcoming movie called Charlie Lives. Read More Peter Stringfellow Peter Stringfellow (Image: PA) Peter Stringfellow died on June 7, aged 77, after a battle with cancer. The nightclub mogul, who had wanted to keep his illness private, died after spending time in hospital, a spokesman said. "It's very sad news. He passed away in the early hours of this morning. It was kept very private, he didn't want to tell. He wanted to keep it a secret," his publicist said. The iconic nightclub owner's name was put on the map after the Beatles played at his venue in April 1963. Read More Peter Stringfellow dies after secret cancer battle Kate Spade (Image: REX/Shutterstock) Iconic handbag designer Kate Spade died on June 5 at the age of 55 in a suspected suicide, say police. Sources said the mother-of-one left a note but the contents are unclear. Kate was mum to daughter Frances Beatrix, 13 and was married to Andy Spade. Her tragic death has shaken the fashion world to the core, as professionally Spade seemed to be going from strength to strength. She was a firm favourite with royals and the Hollywood elite. Read More MAY Jerry Maren Mandatory Credit: Photo by Unimedia Images/REX/Shutterstock (1051508bp) Jerry Maren, one of the last surviving munchkins from the 1939 film 'The Wizard of Oz' Hollywood Christmas Parade, Los Angeles, America - 29 Nov 2009 The Wizard Of Oz's 'oldest Munchkin' Jerry Maren died on May 24 at the age of 98. The American actor, who starred opposite Judy Garland in the 1939 classic, died after years of suffering from dementia. His major appearance in the film comes when he hands Judy Garland's Dorothy an oversized lollipop, and producers picked him to stand in the middle of the Munchkin trio. He had caught their attention with his singing and dancing talent, and fame soon followed. Read More Glynn Edwards Glynn Edwards (Image: REX/Shutterstock) Minder actor Glynn Edwards died on May 23, aged 87. The actor - who also starred in Zulu alongside Michael Caine - was best known for his role as Dave 'the barman' Harris who owned the Winchester Club in ITV's Minder. Read More Philip Roth (Image: REUTERS) Pulitzer-prize winning writer Philip Roth passed away on May 22 aged 85. The writer died from congestive heart failure, his close friend Judith Thurman told The New York Times. Roth was both hailed and derided for laying bare the neuroses and obsessions that haunted the modern Jewish-American experience. Read More Hugh Dane (Image: NBCUniversal) Hugh Dane, star of The Office, Bridesmaids and The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, died on May 16 at the age of 75. Paying tribute to him with a clip of Hank and Dwight in The Office, co-star Rainn Wilson tweeted: "RIP Hugh Dane, aka Hank the security guard. He was one of the greats. So kind, funny, talented. We will all miss him. Donations can be made in his name to innercityculturalcenter.org." Hugh had been acting for nearly 30 years of his life, starting out in 1990 with a small role in the TV series Hunter. Read More Ray Wilson Ray Wilson walks out on to the pitch at Wembley Stadium in May 1963 (Image: mirrorpix Daily Mirror) England World Cup winner Ray Wilson died on May 15 aged 83. The outstanding left back, who spent most of his career with Huddersfield Town and Everton, is most famous for being part of the successful 1966 national side under Sir Alf Ramsey. Read More Jlloyd Samuel Jlloyd Samuel (Image: AFP/Getty Images) Former Aston Villa defender Jlloyd Samuel died in a car crash on May 15, aged 37. Samuel's Range Rover was involved in a crash with a van in High Legh, Cheshire, after he had dropped his children off at school. The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association confirmed the devastating news on their official Facebook page. Read More Tom Wolfe Tom Wolfe (Image: Redferns) Author and journalist Tom Wolfe died on Monday May 14 at the age of 87. Agent Lynn Nesbit confirmed the pioneer of journalism died from an infection in a Manhattan hospital. Famous for his psychedelic novel Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, the author will be remembered for his literary flair. Read More Margot Kidder Margot Kidder as Lois Lane (Image: Rex) Superman actress Margot Kidder died on Sunday May 13, aged 69. The actress who played Lois Lane in the 1978 hit film Superman passed away in her home, TMZ reported. Margot starred opposite Christopher Reeve in 1978's Superman and also in the 3 sequels. The star was still working up to her death, starring in "The Vagina Monologues" on Broadway. She was married three times and leaves a daughter. Read More Joe Tilley Joe Tilley The UK reality TV star who shot to fame on Jungletown was found dead at the foot of the Fin del Mundo's waterfall, End of the World, in Colombia. The search team have suggested he fell to his death. He starred in a Viceland television documentary called Jungletown – which featured American entrepreneur Ondi Timoner and hundreds of young people trying to build the world's "most sustainable modern town" deep in the Panamanian jungle. Read More Dame Tessa Jowell Dame Tessa Jowell MP Labour veteran Dame Tessa Jowell died after a year-long cancer battle aged 70. The former Blair minister succumbed to a gliobastoma multiforme brain tumour that was diagnosed last May. Dame Tessa's frontbench career lasted almost 20 years and she has been hailed as an "inspiration" with "unflinching tenacity." Former prime minister Tony Blair led emotional tributes saying: "There was no-one like Tessa and no-one better. I will miss her more than I can say." Read More Cathy Godbold Cathy Godbold has died at the age of 43 (Image: Facebook) Cathy Godbold, the Australian actress who starred in hit soap Home and Away, lost her battle with brain cancer on May 4 at the age of 43 - more than ten years after she was first diagnosed. Cathy played Meg in the soap during the 1990s and nobody can forget the iconic scene that saw her lose her battle with Leukaemia while she watched the sun rise for the last time in her boyfriend Blake Dean's arms. Despite her real-life terminal diagnosis, Cathy was upbeat in her final weeks, according to a close friend. Read More APRIL Michael Martin Michael Martin (Image: BBC) Former House of Commons Speaker Michael Martin died on April 29 after a short illness, aged 72. Michael Martin - latterly Lord Martin of Springburn after the Glasgow constituency he represented from 1979 to 2005 - was Speaker from 2000 to 2009. In October that year, the former Labour MP joined his predecessor as speaker, Baroness Boothroyd, on the crossbenches. Read More Michael Anderson Michael Anderson, Mike Todd and Frank Sinatra on the set of Around the World in 80 Days. (Image: MGM) Film director Michael Anderson died on April 25 aged 98. The British star was best known for his work on World War Two epic The Dam Busters and classic sci-fi movie Logan's Run. Before his death, Anderson was the oldest living person to have received a best director nomination at the Oscars for Around the World in 80 days. Read More Verne Troyer (Image: Getty Images Europe) Actor Verne Troyer, star of Austin Powers, died aged 49 on April 21. There was a statement on his Instagram page making reference to "depression and suicide." "Depression and Suicide are very serious issues," the statement read. "You never know what kind of battle someone is going through inside. "Be kind to one another. And always know, it’s never too late to reach out to someone for help." Read More Avicii Tim Bergling was just 28 (Image: WireImage) Swedish DJ Avicii has died in Muscat, Oman on April 20 at the age of 28. A representative for Avicii announced the news in a statement: "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii. He was found dead in Muscat, Oman this Friday afternoon local time, April 20th. "The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time. No further statements will be given." Avicii was behind best-selling EDM hits including Levels, Hey Brother and Wake Me Up with Aloe Blacc. Read More Dale Winton Dale Winton TV presented Dale Winton died aged 62 on April 18 2018. His long-term agent Jan Kennedy said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm the passing of Dale Winton who died at home earlier today. "While we know many will share this terrible loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy at this time of grief." Read More Bruno Sammartino (Image: Focus on Sport) Legendary WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Bruno Sammartino died, aged 82, on April 18 2018. Sammartino, who held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship title for more than 11 years, passed away at his home in Pittsburgh. WWE wrote on their website: "WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino passed away at age 82. "WWE extends its condolences to Sammartino’s family, friends and fans." Bruno Sammartino dead: WWE Hall of Fame legend passes away, aged 82 Barbara Bush Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now Former US first lady Barbara Bush died on April 17, aged 92. Mrs Bush had reportedly been battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure, and had been in and out of hospital. The wife of former president George HW Bush, 93, and mother of ex-president George W Bush, 71, was being cared for at her home in Houston, Texas. She died surrounded by her family after deciding not to return to hospital following a series of recent hospitalisations. Read More Harry Anderson Actor Harry Anderson died on April 16, at the age of 65. The sad news of his death was announced by his son, Dashiell Anderson, who told TMZ that he had died of natural causes. Harry starred in TV horror movie It as the adult Richie Tozer - but will perhaps be best remembered for his recurring role as con man Harry 'The Hat' Gittes in sitcom Cheers. Read More Pamela Gidley The Twin Peaks actress died peacefully at her home in New Hampshire on April 16. Former child model Gidley first starred in a skateboarding movie Thrashin before finding fame with Twin Peaks. R. Lee Ermey The actor R. Lee Ermey, best known for his starring role in the film 'Full Metal Jacket', died on April 15 aged 74. His manager Bill Rogin confirmed the death on Sunday night in a tweet saying: "It is with deep sadness that I regret to inform you all that R. Lee Ermey ("The Gunny") passed away this morning from complications of pneumonia. "He will be greatly missed by all of us. "Semper Fi, Gunny. Godspeed." Read More Alex Beckett Alex Beckett starred in play The Way of the World (Image: REX/Shutterstock) Alex Beckett died aged 36 . The Welsh actor was best known for his role as Barney Lumsden in the BBC's award-winning Twenty Twelve and W1A. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London, before graduating in 2003. He starred in one episode of Emmerdale as PC Tony Read in 2006 and also appeared in The Bill in 2008. Alex was also a star of the stage - appearing in multiple productions over his career. Read More Timmy Matley Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now Irish singer Timmy Matley passed away on April 11 aged 36, following a two year battle with skin cancer. Matley found fame as a member of the five piece singing group, The Overtones in 2010. Read More Eric Bristow (Image: Manchester Evening News) Darts legend Eric Bristow died at the age of 60 on 5 April . Known as the Crafty Cockney, Bristow was a five-time BDO world champion. PDC Chairman Barry Hearn led the tributes to Bristow, saying: “Eric will always be a legend in the world of darts and British sport. "He was a tremendous player and a huge character and even after his retirement fans would travel for miles to meet him and see him play." Read More Ray Wilkins England International Ray Wilkins with wife Jackie and son Ross in 1984 (Image: Bob Thomas/Getty Images) Chelsea and Manchester United legend Ray Wilkins died on April 4 aged 61 . Midfielder Wilkins helped United lift the FA Cup in 1982 during a 160 game spell at Old Trafford and earned 84 England caps. He also had a standout career at Stamford Bridge where he won the Player of the Year award in 1976 and 1977 before becoming assistant manager to Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea for their 2009/10 Premier League winning campaign. Read More MARCH Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Nelson Mandela with wife Winnie in 1963 just before he was sentenced to life imprisonment. (Image: Camera Press Digital) Nelson Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela died at the age of 81. The news came less than three months after Winnie was rushed to hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a kidney infection. She was married to former South African President Nelson for 38 years, including the 27 years he served in jail. During his lengthy incarceration, Winnie campaigned tirelessly for his release and for the rights of black South Africans, suffering years of detention, banishment and arrest by the white authorities. Blamed for the killing of activist Stompie Seipei, who was found near her Soweto home with his throat cut, she was convicted in 1991 of kidnapping and assaulting the 14-year-old because he was suspected of being an informer. Winnie and Mandela separated in 1992 and he sacked her from his cabinet in 1995 due to allegations of corruption. Despite their divorce in 1993 and Nelson's second marriage in 1998, they remained close until his death. Bill Maynard Bill Maynard (Image: PA) Heartbeat actor Bill Maynard died at the age of 89, shortly after breaking his hip in a fall off his mobility scooter, his family confirmed. Bill, real name Walter Williams, was best known for playing Greengrass in Heartbeat. Jacqueline Reddin, who is also an actress, told the Press Association: "He was larger than life and he just loved showbiz." Bill Maynard dead: Heartbeat's Greengrass' family pay tribute to 'larger than life' star who died in hospital after falling off mobility scooter DuShon Monique Brown DuShon Monique Brown (Image: Getty Images North America) Actress DuShon Monique Brown, who starred in American dramas including Prison Break and Chicago Fire, died at the age of 49. Just a few days previously, the actress had checked herself in to hospital after suffering chest pains. She was given tests and later released. It's thought she died of a suspected heart attack. Jim Bowen Jim Bowen Broadcaster and comedian Jim Bowen died on March 14, aged 80, his wife Phyllis confirmed. She announced the sad news to BBC Radio Lancashire. Jim was best known as the host of darts show Bullseye, joining as presenter in 1981 and working there until the programme ended in 1995. Read More Professor Stephen Hawking Professor Stephen Hawking (Image: PA) Acclaimed scientist and author Stephen Hawking passed away on March 14 aged 76 . Heralded as one of the smartest minds to grace the world, his book a Brief History Of Time became one of the best selling books in the field of astrophysics. Suffering from ALS, Hawking was confined to a wheelchair and had to use a voice simulator to talk. He made appearances in many TV shows including The Big Bang Theory and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Read More Craig Mack Craig Mack signed to Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Entertainment record label in the 1990s (Image: WireImage) Hip hop star Craig Mack died on March 12 aged 41 . The rapper was best known for his hit 1994 track Flava In Your Ear, the remix of which featured a young Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes early on in their careers. Read More Hubert de Givenchy Hubert de Givenchy at his Paris design house in 1955 (Image: Picture Post) French fashion phenomenon Hubert de Givenchy died on March 10 aged 91 The legendary clothing designer founded the House of Givenchy in 1952 and created outfits for the likes of US First Lady Jackie Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn - including Hepburn's iconic dress from Breakfast at Tiffany's. Read More Sir Ken Dodd Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now Sir Ken Dodd died at the age of 90 on March 11. The comedy legend had recently been forced to cancel all dates on an upcoming tour as he recovered from a serious infection. Doddy, famous for his long stand-up shows, as well as his Diddy Men and tickling stick, died just days after leaving hospital. He married Anne Jones, his partner of 40 years, on Friday at their house, which was also the one he was born in. He died two days later on Mother's Day Read More Trevor Baylis Trevor Baylis' invention of a wind-up radio won him acclaim (Image: TMS) Trevor Baylis died on March 5 at the age of 80 Baylis was known for inventing a radio that could be powered by winding a crank for several seconds, instead of using batteries or mains electricity. In 2015 Baylis was appointed CBE for services to intellectual property, and was previously awarded the OBE for his radio design. Read More Sir Roger Bannister Sir Roger Bannister with his old running shoes (Image: PA) Sir Roger Bannister, the first athlete to run a sub-four minute mile, died on March 3. A statement released on behalf of Sir Roger's family said: "Sir Roger Bannister, died peacefully in Oxford on 3rd March 2018, aged 88, surrounded by his family who were as loved by him, as he was loved by them. "He banked his treasure in the hearts of his friends." Bannister, aided by Sir Christopher Chataway and Chris Brasher as pacemakers, achieved the feat by running three minutes 59.4 seconds at the Iffley Road track on May 6, 1954. Bannister, who also won a Commonwealth and European Championship gold medal that year, went on to become a leading neurologist. Read More Davide Astori Davide Astori (Image: Getty Images Europe) Fiorentina announced on March 3 that their captain, Davide Astori , had died at the age of 31. The Italian international, with 14 caps to his name, was found dead at the La di Moret hotel in Udine, ahead of the Viola's meeting with Udinese on Sunday. Astori, who started his career at AC Milan, enjoyed a 12-year career in Serie A. He spent six years with Cagliari, making 174 appearances for the Sardinians during a six-year spell. Read More Patrick Doyle Patrick Doyle was a member of band Veronica Falls (Image: Redferns) Talented drummer Patrick Doyle died on March 3, according to his record label. Indie star Patrick, who had been a member of bands Veronica Falls, Boys Forever, The Royal We and Sexy Kids, most recently released music under his band Boys Forever with record label Amour Foo, who confirmed the news online. Taking to Twitter, the label's official account stated: "I'll remember you. Goodbye Patrick X," along with a photo of the musician. Read More David Ogden Stiers David Ogden Stiers (Image: B3972) M*A*S*H actor David Ogden Stiers passed away on March 3, aged 75, after a battle with bladder cancer. The actor, best known for his role as Major Charles Winchester on the classic TV show, joined in season six and went on to receive two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1981 and 1982. In 1984 he earned another Emmy nomination for his supporting role as William Milligan Sloane in the NBC miniseries The First Olympics: Athens 1896. After finishing on M*A*S*H in 1983, he went on to appear in a number of other TV shows including Murder, She wrote, Frasier, Matlock, Touched by an Angel, Star Trek: The Next Generation and North and South. Read More FEBRUARY Emma Chambers Emma Chambers Comedy actress Emma Chambers passed away on February 24 from natural causes. Best known for her role as lovable but dim Alice in The Vicar Of Dibley, she played the part across the show's five series and special mini episodes for Comic Relief. Chambers also starred on the big screen in romantic comedy Notting Hill. Read More Eddy Amoo Eddy Amoo with brother Chris and bandmate Dave Smith (Image: Publicity pic) Singer Eddy Amoo died on February 23 aged 74 . Amoo was a member of the pioneering 70s UK soul band The Real Thing alongside his brother Chris Amoo and friends Dave Smith and Ray Lake. The group were famous for hits like You To Me Are Everything, Feel the Force and Can’t Get By Without You. Read More Billy Graham Graham preached to an estimated two billion people during his lifetime (Image: REUTERS) Reverend Billy Graham, the American evangelist who became one of the world's most influential preachers, died on February 21 aged 99. The Southern Baptist minister counselled every US president from Harry Truman to Barack Obama, and had a close relationship with the Queen. Read More Reg E Cathey Reg E Cathey appeared in many iconic TV shows (Image: REX/Shutterstock) Actor Reg E Cathey died on February 9 aged 59 following a battle with lung cancer. With a distinctively deep voice, Cathey appeared in a variety of critically acclaimed TV shows. His most notable roles include BBQ restaurateur Freddy Hayes in Netflix's House of Cards , political advisor Norman Wilson in HBO's The Wire and prison boss Martin Querns in jail drama Oz. Reg also starred in a number of Hollywood movies, including Se7en and The Mask early on in his career, and portrayed Franklin Richards in 2015 superhero film Fantastic Four Read More John Gavin Actor John Gavin, known for his work in "Psycho", passed away on February 9, 2018 in Beverly Hills (Image: Moviepix) Flim actor John Gavin died on February 9 aged 86 following a long battle with leukaemia. In 1960 Gavin starred as Julius Caesar in the Stanley Kubrick classic Spartacus, and later went on to be cast in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho as Sam Loomis, lover of Janet Leigh's character Marion Crane. John also came close to playing James Bond , signing up to star as the super spy in Diamonds Are Forever after George Lazenby left the role. However, studio executives then replaced him with Sean Connery . Read More John Mahoney (Image: Los Angeles Times) Frasier star John Mahoney passed away on February 4 at the age of 77. The Blackpool-born star played the beloved dad Martin Crane in the hit US sitcom for its full 11-year run. He also worked as a voice actor and performed on Broadway. He passed away in hospice care in Chicago. Read More Dennis Edwards Dennis performs with The Temptations during NMAAM 2016 Black Music Honors in 2016 (Image: Getty Images North America) Dennis Edwards , former lead singer of legendary soul music group The Temptations, died on February 2 aged 74. The Grammy winner passed away in hospital just one day before his 75th birthday following complications from meningitis. Edwards lent his vocals to the band's biggest hits, including Papa Was a Rollin' Stone and I Can't Get Next To You. Read More JANUARY Mark E. Smith Mark E Smith of The Fall performing on stage in 2013 (Image: Redferns) Mark E. Smith , frontman of avant-garde band The Fall, died on January 24 aged 60. Smith founded the iconic post-punk group in 1976 after he attended a concert by the Sex Pistols. The musician had been the only constant member of the band, with a line-up that has changed numerous times over its 40-year history. Read More Jack Ketchum Horror writer Jack Ketchum was the recipient of four coveted Bram Stoker Awards American actor and horror writer Jack Ketchum died on January 24 at the age of 71 from cancer. Born Dallas Mayr but working under a pseudonym, Ketchum's novels won him a slew of awards, with many of his books being adapted into films. As well as a writing career spanning decades, Jack appeared in a handful of films based on his work. He played Teddy Panik in 2006's The Lost, Carnival in 2007's The Girl Next Door and twice as Dallas Mayr in Red and Offspring. Read More Connie Sawyer (Image: NBCUniversal) The American star dubbed Hollywood's hardest working actress, passed away in her retirement home at the age of 105 on January 23. A glittering career that spanned six decades, she appeared in fan favourites such as ER, Seinfeld and Will & Grace, as well as many more. She starred alongside the likes of Frank Sinatra, Meg Ryan and Sophie Tucker and got her first film role at the age of 49. Read More Jimmy Armfield England football star Jimmy Armfield died on January 22 after a long battle against cancer. The former Blackpool great - who played 43 times for his country - was 82. He played 627 games overall between 1954 and 1971, and later managed Leeds United and Bolton Wanderers after retiring from playing. Read More Howard Lew Lewis (Image: BBC) The comedian Howard Lew Lewis died aged 76 on January 20 in Edinburgh, displaying early signs of dementia. Lewis starred in Maid Marian and Her Merry Men, Brush Strokes and Blackadder. Actors Tony Robinson and Chris Rankin both took to social media to share their sadness at his passing. Fredo Santana Fredo Santana died aged 27 (Image: Instagram/Fredo Santana) American rapper Fredo Santana, real name Derrick Coleman, died on January 20 at the age of 27. The star was a cousin of rapper Chief Keef. His debut album Trappin Ain't Dead was released in 2013 and featured a collaboration with Kendrick Lamar. Fredo also appeared in Drake's video for Hold On, We're Going Home, playing a man who kidnapped Drake's girlfriend. Read More Simon Shelton Barnes The actor who played Tinky Winky, the handbag-carrying Teletubbie in the BBC children’s series, died on January 17, just four days after his 52nd birthday. The uncle of Inbetweeners actress Emily Atack once said that being in the Teletubbies was “a bit like the Beatles or Take That of television”. As well as his work on Teletubbies, Simon played the terrifying Dark Knight in the 1990s CBB C show Incredible Games. Read More Jessica Falkholt (Image: piamiller/Instagram) Home and Away star Jessica Falkholt died on January 17 aged 29. Her death came three weeks after the devastating Boxing Day crash which killed her family. The Home and Away actress died six days after her life support was withdrawn. The close-knit Falkholt family were thought to be driving home to Sydney along the Princes Highway after a short festive break when their car was involved in the devastating head-on collsion. Jessica appeared as Hope Morrison in the Aussie soap Home and Away in 2016. The up and coming actress also starred in the upcoming supernatural thriller Harmony, set to be released in 2018. Read More Moya O'Sullivan (Image: Network 10) Neighbours star Moya O'Sullivan died aged 91 on January 16. Best known for playing Marlene Kratz, she was dubbed 'Australia's favourite mum and grandmother'. A popular figure, a tribute in The Sydney Morning Herald read: "Much loved by all, especially by her brother Peter, sister-in-law Kaaren, aunt to Mark, Cait and Bridget, great aunt to Phoebe and Ursela, grandmother to Harriet and James. "Also Andrew and Sarah. Bless her eternal soul." Ed Doolan Ed had previously spoken about his battle with dementia on a BBC One Inside Out West Midlands documentary (Image: Publicity picture) Legendary BBC radio presenter Ed Doolan died peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of January 16. The star had been battling vascular dementia since 2013. Ed started his career in radio at BRMB (now Free Radio Birmingham) in 1974 before moving to BBC West Midlands in 1982. He was awarded the MBE for services to broadcasting and charity and was also the recipient of a Sony Gold Award. Read More Peter Wyngarde Peter Wyngarde on the set of TV show Jason King in 1971 (Image: Daily Mirror) Actor Peter Wyngarde died on January 15 at the age of 90 The star was best known for his role as sleuth Jason King in Department S and its spin-off Jason King. He also starred in the 1980 Flash Gordon movie as metal-masked villain General Klytus. Peter also starred in the very first British gay drama, South, which aired on ITV in 1959 and was met with a backlash of furious homophobic abuse from the public and media at the time. Read More Dolores O'Riordan Dolores O'Riordan was the lead singer of The Cranberries Cranberries star Dolores O'Riordan died on January 15 aged 46. As the lead singer of Irish rock band The Cranberries, she rose to international fame in the 1990s with their debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? She also released two solo albums, and appeared as a judge on the Irish version of reality singing competition show The Voice. Read More Cyrille Regis Cyrille Regis playing for West Bromwich Albion (Image: Bob Thomas Sports Photography) West Brom and Coventry legend Cyrille Regis died on January 14 aged 59 after suffering a heart attack. The former striker was a pioneer for black footballers in the late 1970s. Regis won five caps for England and was awarded an MBE in 2008. Cyrille Regis in his own words: Late football star on racism, his England debut and life as the underdog Hugh Wilson Hugh Wilson worked on Police Academy (Image: Copyright (c) 2014 Shutterstock. No use without permission.) Hugh Wilson died on January 14 at the age of 74. The director was well known for making films such as Police Academy and The First Wives Club. He also created the acclaimed sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati and won awards for his work, including an Emmy in 1988 for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series. Read More Keith Jackson Sports broadcaster Keith Jackson was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1999 (Image: Getty Images North America) Keith Jackson, the voice of American college football, died on January 12 aged 89. The legendary broadcaster spent 56 years covering the sport before his final game in 2006. Jackson served on American channel ABC Sports, and became synonymous with his trademark line "Whoa, Nellie." Read More Bella Emberg Bella Emberg (Image: Mirrorpix) Blunderwoman comedy star Bella Emberg died on January 12 at the age of 80. She found fame in the 1980s, most notably alongside Russ Abbot, with whom she shared a comedy partnership. Emberg also starred in TV shows as diverse as The Lily Savage Show and Doctor Who. Last summer she spoke exclusively to the Daily Mirror about her career in a fascinating interview. Read More Doreen Tracey Doreen joined The Mickey Mouse Club as one of the Mouseketeers in 1955 (Image: Getty) Doreen Tracey, one of the original Disney Mouseketeers, died on January 10 at the age of 74. The performer had battled cancer for two years, but sadly developed pneumonia as a complication. At the age of 12, Doreen became one of the child stars of The Mickey Mouse Club, the popular TV show which aired between 1955 and 1959. Read More Eddie Clarke Eddie Clarke (left) with drummer Phil Taylor and Lemmy Kilmister, the original members of Motorhead (Image: Redferns) Heavy metal star 'Fast' Eddie Clarke died on January 10 aged 67 following a battle with pneumonia. Guitarist Clarke was one of the founding members of Motorhead and the last surviving member of the band's original line-up. Read More Tommy Lawrence Tommy Lawrence showing off his new suit ahead of Liverpool's tour of the US in 1964 (Image: Daily Mirror) Former Liverpool goalkeeper Tommy Lawrence died on January 9 aged 77. Known as "The Flying Pig" by Reds fans, the Scot made 390 appearances for the Reds over 14 years in the first team. Lawrence hit the headlines in 2015 when he was stopped by a reporter in the street and asked for his memories of the 1967 derby match between Liverpool and Everton, with the interviewer unaware that he had played in that very match. Read More Jerry Van Dyke Jerry Van Dyke was the younger brother of Dick Van Dyke (Image: Getty) Comedian Jerry Van Dyke died on January 5 at the age of 86. Jerry made his television debut on The Dick Van Dyke show, later appearing on The Judy Garland Show and Coach, with his final TV role being for The Middle in 2015. He is survived by his wife Shirley, three children, and older brother Dick Van Dyke. Read More John Young Young was the Command Module pilot on the Apollo 10 lunar orbital mission in May 1969 (Image: SSPL via Getty Images) Astronaut John Young, the ninth man to walk on the Moon, died on January 5 aged 87. The former U.S Navy Test pilot became one of only 12 people ever to set foot on the surface of the Moon on a mission in 1972. Young is one of the most accomplished astronauts in the history of the US space program. He flew into space twice as part of the mid-1960s Gemini program, twice on the Apollo lunar missions and twice on space shuttles in the 1980s. Read More Jon Paul Steuer Steuer appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation when he was younger (Image: trekonlinegame/Twitter) Star Trek actor Jon Paul Steuer died on January 1 aged 33. With an acting career that began at the age of 3, Steur eventually landed the role of Alexander Rozhenko, son of Lieutenant Worf, on Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1990. Later on, he starred in TV series Grace Under Fire as Quentin Kelly Steur went on to become a musician and restaurateur under the name Jonny P Jewels. Read More id Source link

[samanthasroberts]

Fife Tourist Information & Travel Guide

Source: Flickr

Wherever you are from, we wish you a warm welcome from Citylocal Fife, ‘the business directory in Fife’ based near the Royal Burgh and City of Dunfermline and covering all the ancient Kingdom.

WELCOME to the Kingdom of Fife!

If you are visiting Fife by road from the North or South, then we apologise for taking your money for the privilege of crossing the bridge(s); and rest assured we wouldn’t do that if Dunfermline were still the Capital of Scotland instead of the young upstart, Edinburgh. It does however indicate that the Scottish Parliament places more value on Fife than Edinburgh.

Dunfermline is a city with many easily accessible and interesting attractions, from its ancient 12th-century Abbey to the restored 15th-century Abbot House where you can enjoy a snack and drink in its cosy café, or you can choose to explore the bustling High Street and once you have finished your retail therapy you can relax and absorb the atmosphere in ‘Oolahs’, a modern and well appointed café in the High Street.

Andrew Carnegie the world famous industrialist and philanthropist was born in Dunfermline in 1835, and as you explore the City you will find his ‘ghost’ is everywhere, no more so than in his family home, a humble weaver’s cottage which been preserved and extended to include a museum of his life.

Only a few minutes drive from Dunfermline, you will find several villages worth visiting, Culross (another Royal Burgh) to the West, is in my view the most interesting, and when you walk along the narrow cobbled streets you can imagine yourself back in the 16th or 17th century. The village is kept in first class order, and the pan-tiled houses with their crow-step gables have been sympathetically restored. There is plenty to see and do for both adults and children, and if time is short I would suggest that your priority is The Palace (built between 1597 and 1611) which was the home of Sir George Bruce, an enterprising merchant and coal baron. Its original interiors feature some magnificent painted woodwork and ceilings, and it has mediaeval gardens to the rear. The Palace has its own first class tea rooms, and ‘The Red Lion‘, a local pub, has an excellent restaurant with a varied and very reasonably priced menu.

Limekilns and Charlestown although not on the same scale as Culross are also both picturesque coastal villages, with their own character and history, and are well worthy of a visit, especially in the summer months. There is a good selection of beer and meals available at the ‘Ship Inn’ in Limekilns, and ‘The Elgin Hotel’ in Charleston is also worth a visit. In our next edition we will cover the towns of Aberdour, Burntisland, Inverkeithing Kinghorn and Kirkcaldy as we move up towards the East Neuk on the way to St Andrews.

Source: http://allofbeer.com/2017/04/23/fife-tourist-information-travel-guide/

from All of Beer https://allofbeer.wordpress.com/2017/04/23/fife-tourist-information-travel-guide/

[jimdsmith34]

Fife Tourist Information & Travel Guide

Source: Flickr

Wherever you are from, we wish you a warm welcome from Citylocal Fife, ‘the business directory in Fife’ based near the Royal Burgh and City of Dunfermline and covering all the ancient Kingdom.

WELCOME to the Kingdom of Fife!

If you are visiting Fife by road from the North or South, then we apologise for taking your money for the privilege of crossing the bridge(s); and rest assured we wouldn’t do that if Dunfermline were still the Capital of Scotland instead of the young upstart, Edinburgh. It does however indicate that the Scottish Parliament places more value on Fife than Edinburgh.

Dunfermline is a city with many easily accessible and interesting attractions, from its ancient 12th-century Abbey to the restored 15th-century Abbot House where you can enjoy a snack and drink in its cosy café, or you can choose to explore the bustling High Street and once you have finished your retail therapy you can relax and absorb the atmosphere in ‘Oolahs’, a modern and well appointed café in the High Street.

Andrew Carnegie the world famous industrialist and philanthropist was born in Dunfermline in 1835, and as you explore the City you will find his ‘ghost’ is everywhere, no more so than in his family home, a humble weaver’s cottage which been preserved and extended to include a museum of his life.

Only a few minutes drive from Dunfermline, you will find several villages worth visiting, Culross (another Royal Burgh) to the West, is in my view the most interesting, and when you walk along the narrow cobbled streets you can imagine yourself back in the 16th or 17th century. The village is kept in first class order, and the pan-tiled houses with their crow-step gables have been sympathetically restored. There is plenty to see and do for both adults and children, and if time is short I would suggest that your priority is The Palace (built between 1597 and 1611) which was the home of Sir George Bruce, an enterprising merchant and coal baron. Its original interiors feature some magnificent painted woodwork and ceilings, and it has mediaeval gardens to the rear. The Palace has its own first class tea rooms, and ‘The Red Lion‘, a local pub, has an excellent restaurant with a varied and very reasonably priced menu.

Limekilns and Charlestown although not on the same scale as Culross are also both picturesque coastal villages, with their own character and history, and are well worthy of a visit, especially in the summer months. There is a good selection of beer and meals available at the ‘Ship Inn’ in Limekilns, and ‘The Elgin Hotel’ in Charleston is also worth a visit. In our next edition we will cover the towns of Aberdour, Burntisland, Inverkeithing Kinghorn and Kirkcaldy as we move up towards the East Neuk on the way to St Andrews.

source http://allofbeer.com/2017/04/23/fife-tourist-information-travel-guide/ from All of Beer http://allofbeer.blogspot.com/2017/04/fife-tourist-information-travel-guide.html

[adambstingus]

Fife Tourist Information & Travel Guide

Source: Flickr

Wherever you are from, we wish you a warm welcome from Citylocal Fife, ‘the business directory in Fife’ based near the Royal Burgh and City of Dunfermline and covering all the ancient Kingdom.

WELCOME to the Kingdom of Fife!

If you are visiting Fife by road from the North or South, then we apologise for taking your money for the privilege of crossing the bridge(s); and rest assured we wouldn’t do that if Dunfermline were still the Capital of Scotland instead of the young upstart, Edinburgh. It does however indicate that the Scottish Parliament places more value on Fife than Edinburgh.

Dunfermline is a city with many easily accessible and interesting attractions, from its ancient 12th-century Abbey to the restored 15th-century Abbot House where you can enjoy a snack and drink in its cosy café, or you can choose to explore the bustling High Street and once you have finished your retail therapy you can relax and absorb the atmosphere in ‘Oolahs’, a modern and well appointed café in the High Street.

Andrew Carnegie the world famous industrialist and philanthropist was born in Dunfermline in 1835, and as you explore the City you will find his ‘ghost’ is everywhere, no more so than in his family home, a humble weaver’s cottage which been preserved and extended to include a museum of his life.

Only a few minutes drive from Dunfermline, you will find several villages worth visiting, Culross (another Royal Burgh) to the West, is in my view the most interesting, and when you walk along the narrow cobbled streets you can imagine yourself back in the 16th or 17th century. The village is kept in first class order, and the pan-tiled houses with their crow-step gables have been sympathetically restored. There is plenty to see and do for both adults and children, and if time is short I would suggest that your priority is The Palace (built between 1597 and 1611) which was the home of Sir George Bruce, an enterprising merchant and coal baron. Its original interiors feature some magnificent painted woodwork and ceilings, and it has mediaeval gardens to the rear. The Palace has its own first class tea rooms, and ‘The Red Lion‘, a local pub, has an excellent restaurant with a varied and very reasonably priced menu.

Limekilns and Charlestown although not on the same scale as Culross are also both picturesque coastal villages, with their own character and history, and are well worthy of a visit, especially in the summer months. There is a good selection of beer and meals available at the ‘Ship Inn’ in Limekilns, and ‘The Elgin Hotel’ in Charleston is also worth a visit. In our next edition we will cover the towns of Aberdour, Burntisland, Inverkeithing Kinghorn and Kirkcaldy as we move up towards the East Neuk on the way to St Andrews.

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/2017/04/23/fife-tourist-information-travel-guide/ from All of Beer https://allofbeercom.tumblr.com/post/159893179182

[scotianostra]

On May 25th 1624 the town of Dunfermline, with the exception of the abbey and a few buildings, burned to the ground accidently during a military muster.

You can only imagine the state of mind of the baillie’s son who, on this day in 1624, having misfired a musket into one of 17th century Dunfermline’s many thatched roofs, saw the entire town burn to a cinder over the course of four hours. Among the few buildings left standing was Abbot House. The records of many Scottish towns refer to this great fire but strangely it doesn’t seem to appear in Dunfermline’s own burgh records.

Most of the damage was done to the area to the north of the High Street where Bruce Street is today and Queen Anne Street, Cross Wynd, the upper New Row and the Maygate were all badly affected. The day was stormy and the houses to the south of the High Street appear to have been saved by a strong wind blowing the flames in the opposite direction.

The magistrates of Dunfermline sent petitions to every town and parish in Scotland for ‘public benevolence’ and received sizeable contributions from Edinburgh,  Aberdeen and Perth. It is likely every parish sent something. Prince Charles (later King Charles I) gave a substantial amount, inspired perhaps by the fact that Dunfermline was the town of his birth.

I found what amounts to a news report of the day from the Perth Chronicles…..

 “Thair wes ane great fyre in Dunfermling, that brunt almaist the haill toun in four houris space. Thaireafter, upone thair supplecation, voluntar contribution wes grantit thame throchout the kingdom. Thair wes collectit (in Perth) above lxx. merkis.” Mur. Chron. Perth, vol. i. pp. 24, 25……

The Aberdeen Records has the following minute on Dunfermline fire:- “

Anno, 1624 - Dunfermline, the town of, destroyed by accidental fire, 25th May, consumed 220 tenements, occupied by 287 families, their whole perishing, with 500 bolls of grain in barns. The town, containing 700 communicants, and 320 children under six years of age, said to be completely ruined. Voluntary contribution for their relief, ordered by the head court of Aberdeen, convened for the purpose; 1600 merks, collected by voluntary contribution as the town’s benevolence, paid to the commissioner appointed for receiving it, for which he granted a receipt.

It seems we were known to be charitable almost 400 years ago as we are today. The above map is a sketch showing the extent of the fire.

A wee bit more on the fire here https://www.dunfermline.tours/bruce_street/1624-the-great-fire-of-dunfermline/

#Scotland #scottish #dunfermline #firefighter #tragedy #history

[allofbeercom]

Fife Tourist Information & Travel Guide

Source: Flickr

Wherever you are from, we wish you a warm welcome from Citylocal Fife, ‘the business directory in Fife’ based near the Royal Burgh and City of Dunfermline and covering all the ancient Kingdom.

WELCOME to the Kingdom of Fife!

If you are visiting Fife by road from the North or South, then we apologise for taking your money for the privilege of crossing the bridge(s); and rest assured we wouldn’t do that if Dunfermline were still the Capital of Scotland instead of the young upstart, Edinburgh. It does however indicate that the Scottish Parliament places more value on Fife than Edinburgh.

Dunfermline is a city with many easily accessible and interesting attractions, from its ancient 12th-century Abbey to the restored 15th-century Abbot House where you can enjoy a snack and drink in its cosy café, or you can choose to explore the bustling High Street and once you have finished your retail therapy you can relax and absorb the atmosphere in ‘Oolahs’, a modern and well appointed café in the High Street.

Andrew Carnegie the world famous industrialist and philanthropist was born in Dunfermline in 1835, and as you explore the City you will find his ‘ghost’ is everywhere, no more so than in his family home, a humble weaver’s cottage which been preserved and extended to include a museum of his life.

Only a few minutes drive from Dunfermline, you will find several villages worth visiting, Culross (another Royal Burgh) to the West, is in my view the most interesting, and when you walk along the narrow cobbled streets you can imagine yourself back in the 16th or 17th century. The village is kept in first class order, and the pan-tiled houses with their crow-step gables have been sympathetically restored. There is plenty to see and do for both adults and children, and if time is short I would suggest that your priority is The Palace (built between 1597 and 1611) which was the home of Sir George Bruce, an enterprising merchant and coal baron. Its original interiors feature some magnificent painted woodwork and ceilings, and it has mediaeval gardens to the rear. The Palace has its own first class tea rooms, and ‘The Red Lion‘, a local pub, has an excellent restaurant with a varied and very reasonably priced menu.

Limekilns and Charlestown although not on the same scale as Culross are also both picturesque coastal villages, with their own character and history, and are well worthy of a visit, especially in the summer months. There is a good selection of beer and meals available at the ‘Ship Inn’ in Limekilns, and ‘The Elgin Hotel’ in Charleston is also worth a visit. In our next edition we will cover the towns of Aberdour, Burntisland, Inverkeithing Kinghorn and Kirkcaldy as we move up towards the East Neuk on the way to St Andrews.

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/2017/04/23/fife-tourist-information-travel-guide/

[scotianostra]

On May 25th 1624 the town of Dunfermline, with the exception of the abbey and a few buildings, burned to the ground accidently during a military muster.

You can only imagine the state of mind of the baillie’s son who, having misfired a musket into one of 17th century Dunfermline’s many thatched roofs, saw the entire town burn to a cinder over the course of four hours. Among the few buildings left standing was Abbot House. The records of many Scottish towns refer to this great fire but strangely it doesn’t seem to appear in Dunfermline’s own burgh records.

Most of the damage was done to the area to the north of the High Street where Bruce Street is today and Queen Anne Street, Cross Wynd, the upper New Row and the Maygate were all badly affected. The day was stormy and the houses to the south of the High Street appear to have been saved by a strong wind blowing the flames in the opposite direction.

The magistrates of Dunfermline sent petitions to every town and parish in Scotland for ‘public benevolence’ and received sizeable contributions from Edinburgh,  Aberdeen and Perth. It is likely every parish sent something. Prince Charles (later King Charles I) gave a substantial amount, inspired perhaps by the fact that Dunfermline was the town of his birth.

The fire started around noon and continued until four pm, a fierce storm of wind fanning it from the north-west. I found what amounts to a news report of the day from the Perth Chronicles.....

  "Thair wes ane great fyre in Dunfermling, that brunt almaist the haill toun in four houris space. Thaireafter, upone thair supplecation, voluntar contribution wes grantit thame throchout the kingdom. Thair wes collectit (in Perth) above lxx. merkis." Mur. Chron.

  The Aberdeen Records has the following minute on Dunfermline fire:-

 "Anno,  1624 - Dunfermline, the town of, destroyed by accidental fire, 25th May, consumed 220 tenements, occupied by 287 families, their whole plenishing, with 500 bolls of grain in barns. The town, containing 700 communicants,  and 320 children under six years of age, said to be completely ruined.  Voluntary contribution for their relief, ordered by the head court of  Aberdeen, convened for the purpose; 1600 merks, collected by voluntary contribution as the town's benevolence, paid to the commissioner appointed  for receiving it, for which he granted a receipt."

It seems we Scots were known to be charitable almost 400 years ago as we are today. The pic is a sketch showing the extent of the fire.

#Scotland #scottish #fire #Fife #dunfermline #history