R2OK!

Rachel · Guest

Just in case you can't make it to Dorchester for the grand opening of Wellies - here is a preview of things you probably wouldn't see if you did come.

Wellies to be...

MadeinSurrey · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:12 pm Post subject:

Grat pics Rachel, I feel I know Dorchetser quite well now!
_________________
MiS

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

What can I say? Simply bootiful Cool

Lovely tree-lined avenues, but they need pruning don't they? (our chap told me that all the councils have cancelled all the work and contracts because they've run out of money, and any reserves are frozen in Iceland).

There was a colony of white doves like that close by one of the branches I used to work at. They would be feeding like that when I arrived to open up first thing (8.30), but there would be too much pedestrian traffic for them to hang around for long. I wonder if they are still there - shall have to investigate one morning.

Shame about the poster in the window of Judge Jeffreys!

The Tutankhamen Exhibition. I remember it well!

Hats off to Dorchester! How can he fail to turn up there?
_________________
Ron

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6851

Great pictures, Rachel....thanks

I saw the Tutankhamen Exhibition exhibition a few years ago in London..and the face of death... Shocked

...quite scary... Very Happy

Rachel · Guest

Cool beans! Thanks. I'm pleased that you like the pictures and glad that I went out with my camera yesterday - cos it's bucketing down today. Oh Ron, don't mention the trees and pruning- we have a "Trees Officer" here but guess what? Yep- trees are nothing to do with him. What a great job! It’s almost that time of year when we lose our TV picture – as soon as the leaves come back on the conker trees in our road- no more TV until October. Don’t mention satellite – we’ve had them round – no signal! Cable?– nope- we’ve just moved over to electric street lights.

I took about 120 pictures yesterday but posted only a random selection of the town centre area.

The first time I came to Dorchester for a visit (1980s) I arrived on the top deck of a double-decker bus from Weymouth, and I could see immediately that the place has a sense of humour - just the place for me, I thought to myself. All the big care-homes were (and still are) on the left hand side of the main road into town (from the south), and on the other side of the road, is a massive cemetery. (It’s gynormous) Not only that, there's a rather conveniently situated pedestrian crossing between the two. That’s efficiency for you! You can just imagine being taken to see a care-home by your children – Oh look mum, lovely views over the ….oh…:- I guess it’s good to know where you are going.

The bank in the picture is the home of the Mayor of Casterbridge ( they make a big thing of it when you go in there), also featured in the book, the building with the clock, which is the Corn Exchange – the Mayor was the top dog when it came to corn- they still have the Farmers’ Markets in there to this day. The Doves – it was quite odd really, cos as I was walking up to them, there was a load of grey pigeons there too – but when I lay down to take the picture, all the grey pigeons flew away- leaving just the Doves. Cool beans!! I thought.

I’ve not been to the Tutankhamun Exhibition- Becky – even though I walk past it almost every day. (I promise to go in there this year) Not been to the Dinosaur Museum either. The face of death- Dorchester is shrouded in death – there was the Christian Martyrs, they were hung drawn and quartered for .. well, for being Christians, and the Tolpuddle Martyrs, they got got off quite lightly in comparison – they were just hung or sent for transportation. Dorchester was also the place where people were sent for hanging from pretty much all over the Westcounty, and also where people were held pending transportation. It’s full of charm.

Hubby tells me that I should have taken pictures of Max Gate – the house where Thomas Hardy lived and wrote, which is actually just over there, at the end of my road and up a bit, and Hardy’s Cottage where he was born, but that’s quite a walk out of town- so I’ll save those for another time. The other big thing around here is Maiden Castle – the first week hubby and lived here we walked over to Maiden Castle – cos I wanted to see what was in it; it’s a giant earthworks castle – it’s about two miles along a narrow track to get to it – and all the while I was fondly imagining what it would be like inside( and I have quite an imagination- so it was gonna be good)- I was quite excited really: – we climbed to the top (eventually) and I was so disappointed to get there. It’s just a big hill with a flat top – there’s nothing there except a great view of how far you have to walk, to get back to civilisation. Doh!

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

Brilliant, Rachel. Have you thought of doing guided tours? You'd have everyone enthralled and you'd make a mint! Very Happy

_________________
Ron

Mark Mayhew · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2897

Excellent pictures.

I agree with Ron Rachel-there is a definetly great new career waiting for you-go and get it.

Rachel · Guest

Thanks guys- not a career choice I'd thought of, but as my dear old dad used to say - just do what you do and enjoy it Smile

I always wanted to be a weather-girl when I was young. Smile

MadeinSurrey · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 5:08 pm Post subject:

You'd make a smashing weather person, Rachel Wink

_________________
MiS

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19379 Location: Cheshire

MadeinSurrey · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:58 am Post subject:

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

Rachel · Guest

Thanks Helen, I can't remember the weather peoples' names from when I was 10 but I used to watch Tyne Tees as well so maybe it was the same people. Wincy Willis is the first weather-girl that I can remember - I thought - I could do that. I wrote to the Met Office when I was 15 - they wrote back with lots of advice on how to get a job there but it just never happened the way I thought it might.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19379 Location: Cheshire

Rachel · Guest

Ah the mid 60s - a tad early for me- Jack Scott is the weatherman I most recall. 70s/80s.

Bringing the thread back on track...let's hope it's a nice sunny day when (if) Chris and Foxy come to Dorchester to open Wellies. I'm not keen on being out in the rain.

sheltster · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 61

Barbara Edwards is the first female weather forecaster I can remember
_________________
Chris Evans' Breakfast - doesn't sound quite as good as Chris Evans' Drivetime but good nonetheless!

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

She was the first female weather forecaster (I did mention her above, before deleting). As I recall she caused not a little comment, not because she was a woman per se, but because she was perceived to be rather plain and unglamorous.

Bert Foord and Jack Scott were the first weathermen I remember.
_________________
Ron

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

Today's the day!

_________________
Ron

colby · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 1216

Why does the newspaper feel her age to be a necessary component of the story? It's ridiculous.

Whilst I have to congratulate them on rising from the ashes of the Woolworths mismanagement fiasco, we shouldn't forget that the new store is still a business that has to make a profit, so it's down to the people of Dorchester to continue to spend money in the store way after the publicity has subsided.

Although it will be busy today, I guess there'll be loads who stay away for fear of coming into contact with a certain Chris Evans, and I can't say I blame them.