TULIPS FROM AMSTERDAM

17/01/2014 by borderroamer

The Belfast Telegraph Holiday World show is on this weekend at the King’s Hall in Belfast. But this time it is not in the main building. It is in the Pavilions at the rear of the main hall. Usually I would come across a number of exhibitors from County Monaghan such as Castle Leslie but there was no sign of them. The Nuremore Hotel in Carrickmacross was listed in the map of stands but when I visited the stall there was another group of hotels (Maldron) there instead. I did come across Flavour of Tyrone and the Clogher Valley Caravan Park, both of which have been of assistance to the William Carleton international summer school.

The show runs at the RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin next weekend January 24th-26th.

CROSSRAIL UPDATE

16/01/2014 by borderroamer

Image of new rolling stock: Crossrail website

When I wrote about Crossrail earlier this week I did not know that the £14.5 billion project was officially at the half-way stage. I had quoted the November statistic that Crossrail’s seven giant tunnelling machines were approaching 25 kilometres out of 42 kilometres of new train tunnels that will link East and West London. Another 14 kilometres of new passenger, platform and service tunnels are being constructed below the new Crossrail stations.

Today the British Prime Minister David Cameron accompanied by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson visited the site of Europe’s largest infrastructure project. Mr Cameron said:-

“Big infrastructure projects like Crossrail are vital for the economy of London and the rest of Britain. They are the foundation-stone on which business can grow, compete and create jobs – a massive 55,000 jobs in the construction phase of this project alone“.

The rolling stock and depot contract is expected to be awarded in Spring 2014. Delivery and testing of trains is scheduled to start in 2017 ready for the opening of the new Crossrail tunnels to passengers in late 2018. It will transform train travel across London and South-East England, delivering faster journey times, boosting London’s rail capacity by 10% and bringing an additional 1.5 million people to within 45 minutes travel of the capital’s major business centres. Over 200 million passengers will travel on Crossrail each year.

The Prime Minister and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport Stephen Hammond went 25 metres below ground to view progress at Crossrail’s Tottenham Court Road site. They were joined by apprentices and commuters who will benefit from the new east / west railway, along with Crossrail Chairman Terry Morgan CBE, Crossrail Chief Executive Andrew Wolstenholme OBE and Transport Commissioner Sir Peter Hendy CBE.

Mr Cameron said Crossrail is one of the government’s priority projects as set out in the National Infrastructure Plan.

David Cameron visits Crossrail Photo: gov.uk website

Crossrail: key facts

Crossrail will add 10% capacity to London’s rail network and its services are due to start in 2018. It will serve 38 stations, connecting Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west with Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east via central London. The economic benefits from Crossrail are spread across the country. It is estimated that Crossrail will generate at least 75,000 business opportunities and support the equivalent of 55,000 full time jobs around the UK. 3 out of 5 businesses currently winning work on the project are based outside London and over half (58%) are small and medium sized enterprises. In addition to Crossrail, 61,000 jobs are created around the country annually through TfL’s investment programme. When Crossrail opens it will increase London’s rail-based transport network capacity by 10%, supporting regeneration and cutting journey times across the city.

BUS AND CROSSRAIL

14/01/2014 by borderroamer

Routemaster bus RM1204 at Westbourne Park garage Photo: © Michael Fisher

I have written before about Routemaster buses and the modern version introduced by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson and built by Wrightbus in Ballymena. I mentioned that the original buses were still being used on the heritage route No.9. Tower Transit are the operators since June 2013 and the buses run from Kensington High Street to Trafalgar Square.

Routemaster bus RM1204 at Westbourne Park garage Photo: © Michael Fisher

I was therefore delighted to spot RM 1204 all on its own in a corner at Westbourne Park garage (X) in West London, as I strolled along the towpath alongside the Paddington arm of the Grand Union Canal, a walk I described yesterday. I should explain that I did not enter the garage at any stage but remained on the public footpath in order to take these photographs.

Routemaster bus RM1204 at Westbourne Park garage Photo: © Michael Fisher

Buses on the route operate every twenty minutes and the journey from start to finish takes up to half an hour. Kensington High Street (Holland Road) – High Street Kensington Station – Royal Albert Hall – Knightsbridge Station – Hyde Park Corner Station – Green Park Station – Pall Mall – Trafalgar Square. On 13th November 2010, route 9H was extended from the Royal Albert Hall to Kensington High Street and curtailed to Trafalgar Square (instead of running from Aldwych). The extension was at the request of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, which wanted to boost the number of visitors to the High Street (source: Wikipedia).

Towpath at the Paddington Arm, Grand Union Canal Photo: © Michael Fisher

As I looked into the garage from the towpath I could see that major engineering works are in progress. It seems that the multi-million pounds Crossrail project has for the past four years taken up a large proportion of the Westbourne Park yard for its huge tunnel-boring machines, Phyllis and Ada. This is the exit where the spoil is taken away by rail for disposal elsewhere. Crossrail’s seven giant tunnelling machines are (November 2013)approaching 25 kilometres out of 42 kilometres of new train tunnels that will link east and west London. Another 14 kilometres of new passenger, platform and service tunnels are being constructed below the new Crossrail stations.

Image of new rolling stock: Crossrail website

Boat moored near Little Venice Photo: © Michael Fisher

THE PADDINGTON ARM

13/01/2014 by borderroamer

Paddington Arm at Blomfield Road Photo: © Michael Fisher

The Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal accessed at Great Western Road near Westbourne Park and heading towards Little Venice is a nice area for a walk in West London.

Bridge at Little Venice Photo: © Michael Fisher

On reaching Little Venice at Westbourne Terrace Road there is a bridge over the canal with the Paddington Borough crest on both sides.

Crest on bridge near Little Venice close to Warwick Avenue Photo: © Michael Fisher

Not far from the bridge at Clifton Villas you will find Clifton Nurseries in the midst of a residential area. It has a nice café in the conservatory.

Clifton Nurseries Photo: © Michael Fisher

SACRED HEART WIMBLEDON

12/01/2014 by borderroamer

Sacred Heart Church, Wimbledon Photo: © Michael Fisher

It has been a very important weekend for the Sacred Heart parish in Wimbledon, South-West London, founded by the Jesuits over 100 years ago. It was revealed over a year ago that the Society of Jesus was to hand over administration of the parish to the Archdiocese of Southwark. This is largely because of the lack of manpower owing to a shortage of vocations in the Jesuits in Britain. It was then announced that the new Parish Priest would be Monsignor Nick Hudson, a Rector of the English College in Rome. This was an inspired choice.

Mgr Nick Hudson is congratulated by parishioners after his first Mass as new PP Photo: © Michael Fisher

Fr Nick is from the parish. His family lived just a few streets away from the church where he was baptised and ordained, as he reminded parishioners at his first Mass last night (Saturday). His parents passed away a few years ago but I remember them and his older brothers who were with me at school in Wimbledon College SJ (which he also attended) and in the local cubs and scout group. It is one of the largest Catholic troops in England and has the papal colours of white and gold in its necktie.

Mgr Nick Hudson is congratulated after his first Mass as new PP Photo: © Michael Fisher

Monsignor Hudson also announced that with the assistance of his new curate and with the help of some of the Jesuits who will continue to reside in the parish, the number of Sunday and weekday Masses and confession times will be unchanged.

Mgr Nick Hudson new PP Sacred Heart Wimbledon Photo: © Michael Fisher

On Friday night a special Mass was held at which the Archbishop of Southwark Peter Smith inducted Monsignor Hudson as Parish Priest. In his homily he paid tribute to the role played by the Jesuits since 1877 when a member of the Courtauld family Edith Arendrup lived at Cottenham Park and invited the Jesuits to start a Mass centre in her house. She then provided the funds for the magnificent church at Edge Hill.

Archbishop Peter Smith inducts Mgr Hudson as Parish Priest Photo: Southward Archdiocese website

Archbishop Peter Smith inducts Mgr Hudson as Parish Priest Photo: Southwark Archdiocese website

The Mass was followed by a reception at the parish hall when presentations were made to the Jesuit priests. So far it appears that the transition has worked smoothly. Thanks are due to all the Jesuits who ministered there over the years but it is good to know that they will still be associated with Wimbledon (eg Jesuit Missions) for some time.

WIMBLEDON

11/01/2014 by borderroamer

Today (Saturday) I am making my first visit of the 2013/14 season to Kingsmeadow in London. My club AFC Wimbledon are taking on Torquay who are languishing one from bottom of League 2, just above Northampton. I hope the Dons will build on their success of last week which followed a run of close defeats or draws. AFC Wimbledon are 14th in the table at the moment. On the way from Birmingham last night (Friday), the train stopped momentarily at Milton Keynes Central station but thankfully it was soon on its way out of Franchise town! I lunched in the hospitality suite before the game.
AFC Wimbledon 0 Torquay United 2
A very disappointing first half (last 15 minutes of) but better signs with a different formation in 2nd half. Good support for Torquay (400). They managed to make their presence felt and went away very happy with three points secured. A small section of Dons fans booed the team as they went in at half time having conceded two sloppy goals in the 15 minutes before the break. Very bad defence let in the second goal certainly. Back to the drawing board by manager Neil Ardley and a consideration of a fresh formation as the first half line-up did not work (albeit with the late withdrawal of Harry Pell).

HOWARD WALDRON 1949-2013

10/01/2014 by borderroamer

Howard and Marie at a wedding in Ambleside 2009

This afternoon we are saying farewell in Birmingham to a dear friend who my wife and I have known for nearly forty years. Howard Waldron passed away peacefully at St Mary’s Hospice just after Christmas, aged 64. He had been ill for a few months. To his wife Marie (Toner) and family (Catherine and Michael) our deep sympathy. Marie is from Carlingford, Co.Louth where her mother is living. Her nephew is the Ireland international and Leinster rugby player Devin Toner. I reproduce here the order of service at the Robin Hood crematorium and I am publishing part of the tribute I gave during the ceremony.

Howard Waldron & Evelyn Fisher, Malham Tarn May 2011 Photo: © Michael Fisher

Howard was a lecturer in economics for many years in Birmingham, Coventry and at the time of his retirement, in Stratford-upon-Avon College, where he was very involved in latter years with the recruitment of international students from China. He will be greatly missed. I never met anyone who could analyse the economic situation or the state of the £ with such a gift for making it understandable to the ordinary citizen (let alone students!). Rest in peace dear friend and may you find the path to heavenly eternity. Your common sense approach to everything will be sorely missed by all. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dilís.

Order of Service: Howard Waldron RIP

ORDER OF SERVICE

Entrance Music Benedictus (The Armed Man) by Karl Jenkins

Welcome and Opening Prayer by Reverend Chris Turner

A Young Howard

Tribute by Peter Toner, brother of Marie

Tribute by Lynn Nuttall, Stratford College

Music: The Long and Winding Road by The Beatles

The long and winding road/That leads to your door/Will never disappear,/I’ve seen that road before.

It always leads me here,/Leads me to you door.

The wild and windy night/That the rain washed away/Has left a pool of tears/Crying for the day.

Why leave me standing here?/Let me know the way.

Many times I’ve been alone/And many times I’ve cried,/Anyway you’ll never know/The many ways I’ve tried.

But still they lead me back/To the long and winding road,/You left me waiting here/A long, long time ago.

Don’t leave me standing here,/Lead me to your door.

But still they lead me back/To the long and winding road,/You left me waiting here/A long, long time ago.

Don’t leave me standing here,/Lead me to your door.

Marie & Howard Waldron

Poem: Epitaph On A Friend read by Catherine Waldron

An honest man lies here at rest,/The friend of man, the friend of truth;

The friend of age, and guide of youth:/Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,

Few heads with knowledge so inform’d;/If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;

If there is none, he made the best of this.

Tribute by Jim (Matthew Boulton College, Birmingham)

Music: The Parting Glass sung by Eoin Gaffney (Malahide)

Of all the money that e’er I had, I’ve spent it in good company

And all the harm that e’er I’ve done, Alas it was to none but me.

And all I’ve done for want of wit/ To memory now I can’t recall.

So fill to me the parting glass, Goodnight and joy be with you all.

A man may drink and not be drunk, A man may fight and not be slain.

A man may court a pretty girl/ And perhaps be welcomed back again.

But since it has so ought to be/ By a time to rise and a time to fall,

Come fill to me the parting glass, Goodnight and joy be with you all.

Of all the comrades that e’er I had, They are sorry for my going away,

And all the sweethearts that e’er I had, They would wish me one more day to stay.

But since it falls unto my lot/ That I should rise and you should not,

I’ll gently rise and I’ll softly call, Goodnight and joy be with you all. Goodnight and joy be with you all.

Howard Waldron RIP

Tribute by Michael Fisher in memory of our many walks together:

A Little Poddle (leisurely amble) by Ann Bristow from the Alfred Wainwright Society Poetry Competition 2011

It’s just a little poddle/ To the left then round that bend/ Up to the top/ Then down/ Then up/

Til we come back down again

***********************************************

It’s just a small leg stretcher/ To break us in/ And then/ Tomorrow we’ll do a big walk/

And sort boys out from the men

****************************************************

We’ll stop just in a minute/ And then we’ll have a rest

Come on now keep on going/ The view’s just past this crest

********************************************************

We’ll lunch upon the summit/ With a panoramic view

Then down we’ll go to have a pint/ And maybe a crisp or two

****************************************************

It’s just a little poddle/ A nice round walk with views

And somehow all the better/ For having good friends go with you!

Judge’s comment: ‘Brings back memories of family walking and persuading others there’s not far to go. Read it with a big smile.’

Bolton Abbey by William Wordsworth

From Bolton’s old monastic tower
The bells ring loud with gladsome power;
The sun shines bright; the fields are gay
With people in their best array
Of stole and doublet, hood and scarf,
Along the banks of crystal Wharf,
Through the vale retired and lowly.
Trooping to that summons holy.
And, up among the moorlands, see
What sprinklings of blithe company!
Of lasses and of shepherd grooms,
That down the steep hills force their way
Like cattle through the budding brooms;
Path, or no path, what care they?
And thus in joyous mood they hie
To Bolton’s mouldering Priory.

So in reflecting on Bolton Abbey, Malham, Ambleside, Keswick, Powerscourt, York and all those joyful expeditions in England and Ireland and in the family’s case much further afield, I hope that even in the face of death, my words this afternoon can be those of thanksgiving.

Howard & Marie (middle) at Powerscourt May 2010 Photo: © Michael Fisher

We are thankful for Howard, who shared his life with us. A dear friend, for whom love and family were so important. A wanderer, whose life was lived with vigour. We give thanks for the struggles of life and for the triumph of character over trial, of courage over difficulty, and of belief over sorrow.

May God grant us such strength in the memory of Howard that we may be thankful for the gift of life given to each of us. In our hearts, may the loss of Howard be balanced by thanksgiving for a life that in our case was shared with us, ever since we first met here in Birmingham nearly forty years ago. Amen.

Howard, Marie, Evelyn & myself at a wedding in Ambleside 2009

Quiet Reflection: Music: In Paradisum by Fauré

Marie & Howard at Windermere 2009

Prayers and Commendation and Exit Music

Albatross by Fleetwood Mac

Donations, if desired, can be made directly to St Mary’s Hospice

Howard Waldron with friend in the Galápagos Islands Photo: © Marie Waldron

ACROSS THE IRISH SEA

09/01/2014 by borderroamer

Howard Waldron (left) & Dave Ireland at York Racecourse June 2013 Photo: © Michael Fisher

I am taking a trip back in time across the Irish Sea. My first journey for 2014 involves a flight to Birmingham this afternoon (Thursday). A good friend died after Christmas and his funeral is tomorrow (Friday) at Robin Hood Crematorium. My obituary for Howard Waldron (RIP) will hopefully appear after I have spoken at the service.

With Marie & Howard Waldron & Dave Ireland on the walls at York, where we parted for the last time in June 2013 Photo: © Evelyn Fisher

Howard and his (then girlfriend) Marie were among the friends I got to know in Birmingham when I came to work there for BBC Radio Birmingham (now WM) in 1975. Elsewhere on these pages you will find my story about the Boomtown Rats, one of the many Irish groups I got to meet. The Dubliners and Horslips are among the others I interviewed at Pebble Mill, one of the finest broadcasting centres in England, sadly now demolished.

With Howard Waldron at York Racecourse, June 2013

My journey on Friday evening will bring me back to London, where I grew up (1954-67) and where my younger daughter is now based. On Saturday I will get the first chance this season to see my football club AFC Wimbledon in action. They take on Torquay at Kingsmeadow in League 2. At the moment the Dons are in mid-table and hopefully after a good 3-0 win last weekend they can build on that form as the last thing we need is another end-of-season relegation scenario.

As it happens, this is also a very important weekend for the Sacred Heart parish in Wimbledon where I used to live and go to school. After running the parish for over 100 years since they founded it in 1887, the Jesuits are handing over the administration to the Archdiocese of Southwark at a special Mass on Friday evening. The new Parish Priest is Monsignor Nick Hudson, a former Rector of the English College in Rome, who was ordained a priest in Wimbledon. There will still be a Jesuit presence in the parish, however, both at the schools (Donhead and Wimbledon College), at Jesuit Missions in Edge Hill and at a nearby Jesuit residence.

One of the reasons the Jesuits are handing over what was regarded as their most prestigious parish in England and Wales is the lack of voacations. They do not have the manpower to continue serving the normal parish needs. It is therefore interesting that my current parish of St Brigid’s in South Belfast will shortly be welcoming a Jesuit who is at his Tertiary stage, a period of reflection and parish experience that comes after ordination and before he makes his final vows.

Fr Nick Austin is a college professor lecturing in moral theology in London. He is a native of Coventry, an area I explored soon after I moved to Birmingham in 1975, visiting the Anglican Cathedral. It was bombed during the second world war but a new structure was designed for the 20thC and was consecrated in 1962. By coincidence I met at a friend’s house in Wimbledon on another occasion a relative of the late Keith New (died February 2012), who designed some of the stained glass windows for St Michael’s Cathedral. Coventry was also a city where Howard Waldron used to work.

In Bath with Dave Allen, Marie & Howard Waldron March 2013 Photo: © Evelyn Fisher

The wheel will come full circle when I travel to Dublin next week, on my return from England.

TYDAVNET’S TERRY CAVANAGH

08/01/2014 by borderroamer

Terry Cavanagh

Congratulations to Tydavnet’s Terry Cavanagh whose entrepreneurial skills have been recognised by the prestigious Forbes magazine. The County Monaghan native, now based in London, is one of five Irishmen (another being the golfer Rory McElroy from Holywood, County Down) who have been included in their annual ’30 under 30′ worldwide list. There is a montage picture of these ‘young men to watch’ in today’s Irish Times and it looks like Rory’s golf club is hitting Terry on his back somewhere around the shoulder! By coincidence Terry’s parents and aunt were with me in Holywood walking along a short section of the North Down coastal path on New Year’s Day. Terry was included because of his expertise as a video games developer (products such as Super Hexagon and VVVVV). The company he founded is Distractionware. He was home in Tydavnet for Christmas and the New Year.

Five Irish in Forbes '30 under 30' Photo from The Irish Times

Five Irish in Forbes ’30 under 30′ Photomontage from The Irish Times

I started writing about Terry over three years ago when he won a video games ‘Oscar’ for his game VVVVV at the Indiecade festival for independent game develpers in Los Angeles. So here’s a blog I published in October 2010, shortly after my retirement from RTÉ News:

Congratulations to Terry Cavanagh from Tydavnet in County Monaghan on winning an award at the Indiecade showcase for video games in Los Angeles (Culvert City). The game he developed VVVVVV won the most fun and compelling game at the festival. This is how I described his success in the Northern Standard :

“A Monaghan man has achieved international recognition in the computer games world for developing the most fun and compelling video game. Terry Cavanagh from Tullyvogey in Tydavnet picked up the prize at a festival in Los Angeles for independent games creators.

A former pupil of St Macartan’s College in Monaghan, has been making games since he was at school. He moved to the university city of Cambridge in England six months ago as he said he felt isolated in Dublin where there was no “indie scene”.

This award is an important breakthrough for him in a market that is dominated by global companies. Another game developed by him has also proved popular, Don’t Look Back. He has been described by one trade journal as “one of the industry’s brightest up-and-coming independent developers”.

His game VVVVVV was one of 32 games short-listed by 160 international jurors from over 350 submissions in the annual international festival of independent games (IndieCade) held at Culver City outside Los Angeles. It’s the main showcase for independent games developers from around the world, where they can meet collaborators and investors.

While established companies measure their budgets in millions, independents have to raise their own capital, sometimes putting their life savings into projects in the hope of creating a global success.

Terry found it was difficult at first to get financial support for this type of work and was unsuccessful in seeking enterprise funding in Monaghan. But that did not deter him and having arranged a bank loan he was able to embark on his creative projects. He can now boast that his creation is the most fun and compelling computer game on the market this year.

In the game, players imagine themselves as the fearless leader of a team of dimension-exploring scientists, who are separated after inadvertently crashing their ship.

VVVVVV uses smart, interesting puzzles and a strong world and environment, supported by simple visual design combined with awesome music.

The IndieCade festival helps to encourage innovation in interactive media. It includes games producers from Europe, Australia, Asia, Latin America and other countries.

News of Terry’s success in LA delighted his parents in Tydavnet. Peter, a retired Garda, and Patricia, a former psychiatric nurse, were proud he had won his own “Oscar” in what is a very competitive industry.”

BANGOR

07/01/2014 by borderroamer

Beach at Seapark seen from train Photo: © Michael Fisher

With my car being serviced in preparation for an MOT I had no excuse for not walking today. So I took the train out to Bangor and walked along the North Down Coastal Path, part of which I had been on with friends on New Year’s Day when we went to Holywood. This time I walked nine miles all the way back to the point where we began last Wednesday, beside the train station at Holywood. It was a very pleasant dander with great views across Belfast Lough towards Whitehead, Kilroot and Carrickfergus. I took over three hours to complete my journey. The only bit of rain came when I reached Seapark, close to Holywood so I went looking for a place on the High Street to get some lunch and ended up in Coast. The last two miles was the worst because I was walking into a strong wind.

View from train of coastal path near Holywood Photo: © Michael Fisher

Michael Fisher's News

Category Archives: UNCATEGORISED

TULIPS FROM AMSTERDAM

CROSSRAIL UPDATE

Crossrail: key facts

BUS AND CROSSRAIL

THE PADDINGTON ARM

SACRED HEART WIMBLEDON

WIMBLEDON

HOWARD WALDRON 1949-2013

ACROSS THE IRISH SEA

TYDAVNET’S TERRY CAVANAGH

BANGOR

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