Dorsetman

Mary Shelley: A Literary Pioneer Photo Source:en.wikipedia.org Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Mary Shelley (née Godwin; 30 August 1797 – 1 February 1851) was an English novelist, essayist, short story writer, biographer, and travel writer, best known for her novel "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus" (1818), which is considered to be one of the pioneering works of science fiction. Early Life and Influences Shelley was born in London, the daughter of William Godwin, an English philosopher, and Mary Wollstonecraft, an English writer, philosopher, and women's rights activist. Her parents' unconventional marriage and intellectual pursuits, as well as their exposure to the radical political and social ideas of the time, had a profound impact on Shelley's development. At a young age, Shelley was exposed to the works of leading thinkers and writers, including William Shakespeare, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. She also developed a strong interest in science and mythology, which would later find expression in her writing. Frankenstein: A Legacy Unmatched Shelley's most famous work, "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus," was written when she was just 18 years old. The novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a living creature from dead body parts. The creature, initially rejected by its creator, eventually turns on Frankenstein, wreaking havoc and destruction. "Frankenstein" was an immediate success upon its publication in 1818, and it has continued to be read and studied ever since. The novel has been adapted into numerous films, television shows, and stage plays, and it has inspired countless works of art and literature. Other Novels and Writings While "Frankenstein" is Shelley's most well-known work, she wrote a number of other novels, including "Valperga" (1823), "The Last Man" (1826), and "Percy or, The Wandering Outlaw" (1823). She also wrote a number of short stories and essays, and she edited and promoted the works of her husband, the Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Photo Source: Flikr Legacy and Recognition Mary Shelley is considered to be one of the most important and influential writers in the English language. She is a pioneer of the Gothic novel and a founding figure in the science fiction genre. Her work continues to be relevant and engaging, and her legacy is firmly established in the annals of literary history. Her final resting place is not difficult to spot upon entry to St. Peter's Church, located in the town centre of Bournemouth. Photo Source: Pinterest In true gothic romance, she is buried along with her husband's heart which was removed from the funeral pyre on the shores of Viareggio in Italy.

This abandoned banked circuit is located in Buckler's Forest, Crowthorne, Berkshire on the site of the former Transport Research Laboratory. Originally built to withstand cars pounding around at 155mph to test vehicles for road safety in order to road test safety features in a variety of road vehicles. Photo and Text Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/749378762958140/ The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run - Facebook group You can still get access to the track via Old Wokingham Road at Buckler's Forest car park as other parts of the circuit have now been built with residential properties All around the forest, historical details have been reclaimed and restored to become thoughtful new features. What was a man-made hill designed for testing handbrakes is now a quiet picnic spot nestled on the forest’s edge. A banked curve where high-speed vehicles once soared has become a stepped amphitheatre with stunning views. Old green electrical boxes, retained from the era of a transport laboratory, are now home to mini museums, insect habitats and shelters. The old forest fire watch tower still stands as a tribute to the past – looking out over a rejuvenated landscape where both visitors and wildlife can now find tranquility. Text and Photo Source: https://www.macgregorsmith.co.uk/projects/bucklers-forest-crowthorne/

Definitely one of my favourite 'go to places' for a great day out. Superb museum, old race track, Mercedes-Benz World - all in one place! Best to allow a whole day to see everything that is there without rushing around trying to fit it all in

I have been to this museum a couple of times and have to say it is one of my favourites. Not only is the location one of the most scenic villages in the country but the museum is fascinating for anyone visiting as you will always find something of interest, no matter what age you are or if you are not even remotely interested in motoring....there is something for everyone!

Royal Armouries museum based in Portsmouth With over 19 acres of tunnels, ramparts and artillery to explore, Fort Nelson is a space where imaginations can run wild. Overlooking Portsmouth Harbour, this restored Victorian fortress is packed with artillery from across the world. Highlights include a 15th-century Turkish bombard cannon, a gigantic 200-tonne railway howitzer, and the infamous ‘Big Babylon’ Iraqi supergun. There’s plenty for all ages to enjoy, including free family activities, an onsite café and regularly changing exhibitions. https://royalarmouries.org/fort-nelson

Fort Gilkicker, on the eastern part of Stokes Bay, Hampshire, in the UK, is a historic semicircular fort that was built to protect the coastline around Portsmouth. It was designed to defend a deep-sea anchorage as well as the western approach to the harbor of Portsmouth. The current fort was built on top of an earlier military site: an auxiliary battery for Fort Monckton that consisted of an earthen rampart upon which stood 11 guns. However, concerns were raised that the battery might collapse due to the weight of the guns and could be easily overrun by the enemy. Credit: www.friendsofstokesbay.co.uk As a result, construction on Fort Gilkicker began in 1863 and was completed in 1869. In 1871, the design was tweaked slightly so that Fort Gilkicker ended up being built in the shape of a semicircular arc with 22 guns in casemates and five heavy guns located on the roof. It was estimated in 1869 that the fort would cost over £60,000 to complete, but the final construction costs amounted to only £58,766. Author: Pete Ridley – Flickr @ridders The guns were housed in vaulted brick chambers with a granite face that was 14 feet thick to protect them from enemy fire. Behind these casements were barrack rooms for the gun crews, each with a bed and a fireplace. The individual barrack rooms were connected by a verandah, and steps led up to the five guns at the top. Ammunition was stored below the casemates and transported to the guns by means of a lift. Author: Pete Ridley – Flickr @ridders The officers’ barracks was a two-story building at the rear of the fort. Each block included bedrooms, the officers’ mess with kitchen and pantry, and quarters for field officers and servants. On the western side of the fort was a laboratory for loading shells and ammunition, and outside the fort was an artillery store and a blacksmith’s shop. In 1898, talk began about modifying Fort Gilkicker, and by 1906, new coastal defense guns were installed. To house these guns it was necessary for reconstruction work to take place on the magazines, gun emplacements, and the individual barracks. Author: Pete Ridders – Flickr @ridders An earthen bank was also built to cover the exterior wall in an effort to provide further protection for the ammunition stores and also to provide additional camouflage. The cost of such work amounted to about £20,000. By 1907, some of the guns had been removed as they were deemed superfluous. The barrack blocks were also converted into married quarters for Royal Engineers stationed at Monckton. In 1916, an anti-aircraft gun was fitted to Fort Gilkicker to protect the skies during World War I. During World War II, the fort was briefly used as a signal station, but after the war, it fell into disuse again. Eventually, the fort was released from the military in 1956, and instead, the building was used as a plumbers workshop by the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works. Hampshire County Council bought the fort in 1986 and used it to store building materials. However, in 1995, the possibility of converting the fort into modern housing was discussed, and so the fort was emptied in preparation for this. Currently, the former fort is considered a unique example of Victorian engineering. It has been listed as a Class II building because the building is considered significant in the history of coastal defense in the United Kingdom. Author: Pete Ridley – Flickr @ridders In 2012, Askett Hawk developers were in the process of restoring and restructuring the building to turn it into apartments. However, urban explorers were still accessing it in 2015, since plans were not progressing. In late 2016, planning permission was extended for another three years and also adapted to include 22 townhouses and four luxury flats. Unfortunately, these changes never materialized, allegedly due to difficulties in negotiating with Historic England. The fort was put up for sale again in November 2019 with an asking price of £5.5 million. The planning permission is still in place, but it seems buyers are put off by the cost of renovation, which could be as much as £18 million. A huge thank you to Pete Ridley for sharing his photos of the fort. He lives on the south coast of England, not far from Portsmouth. Pete has a passion for travel, especially to places of 20th-century historical significance. You should visit his Flickr account via this link, where you will find more of his photography. Article Source: https://www.abandonedspaces.com/conflict/fort-2.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=tvn&utm_content=42888&utm_campaign=sl-42888-as-tvn-20231126-002672&fbclid=IwAR2tOSYRhYi5bxVRwIBM_v8EKNeEuHh6qylOb17_ZiIPyxH4OPpDhM1FXMo

Shamrock & Rambler was a coach operator based in Bournemouth, England. It was founded in 1924 by the merger of two companies: Shamrock Coaches, founded in 1885 by William J. Whitelock, and Bournemouth Rambler, founded in 1919 by Charlie Pounds. The company was initially known for its tours of the Isle of Wight, but it also operated express services from Bournemouth to London and Southampton. Shamrock & Rambler was one of the first coach operators to use orange and cream livery, which became synonymous with the company. In 1924, Shamrock & Rambler merged with another Bournemouth coach operator, Ransom & Monckton's "Bournemouth Rambler". The merger created a larger and more competitive company, and Shamrock & Rambler quickly became one of the leading coach operators in the south of England. In the 1930s, Shamrock & Rambler introduced its iconic orange and cream livery, which became synonymous with the company. The company continued to expand throughout the 1950s and 1960s, and by the early 1970s, it had a fleet of over 100 coaches. Decline and closure In the 1970s, Shamrock & Rambler began to face increasing competition from the railways and from other coach operators. The company also suffered from the effects of the oil crisis, which led to a sharp rise in fuel prices. In 1972, Shamrock & Rambler was acquired by the state-owned National Bus Company. The company continued to operate under the Shamrock & Rambler name for a few years, but it was eventually merged with other NBC subsidiaries to form Hants & Dorset Buses. Legacy Shamrock & Rambler Coaches was a well-respected company that played an important role in the development of the coach industry in the south of England. The company is still fondly remembered by many people who used its services, and its orange and cream livery remains one of the most iconic sights in British transport history. Image shared from S&R group - unknown credit

For any transport enthusiasts, this is the museum to visit to see cars from the dawn of motoring to the current day. In addition to the motor museum, there is a stately house and gardens, home to the Montagu family.

Francis Rattenbury The Rattenbury murder, also known as 'Murder at the Villa Madeira' was a sensational case that shocked Britain in 1935. Francis Rattenbury, a retired architect, was found bludgeoned to death in his home in Manor Road in Bournemouth, Dorset. His wife, Alma Rattenbury, and her chauffeur, George Stoner, were both accused of his murder. The trial was a media circus, and the public was captivated by the story of adultery, alcoholism, and drugs. Alma Rattenbury was portrayed as a femme fatale, and the trial was seen as a clash between old and new morality. In the end, Alma Rattenbury was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. She served seven years before being released on parole. She died by suicide in 1935. George Stoner was also found guilty of murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was commuted to life in prison, but he was released after seven years to join the British Army during World War II. He died in 1980. The Rattenbury murder remains a fascinating case study of crime, passion, and the power of the media. Article source: Wikipedia