The Daily: July 23
Duchess of Cambridge related to Beatrix Potter
It had been revealed that Kate Middleton is distantly related to Beatrix Potter. Kate’s great-great-great Uncle was Dr Arthur Lupton, the Leeds University pro-chancellor, whose brother-in-law was Lord Ashton, who was the first cousin of Beatrix Potter. The connection is furthered by the fact that Rupert Potter (Beatrix’s father) was taught at Manchester College by Dr James Martineau, Kate’s ancestor, who was also well acquainted with Queen Victoria. It is therefore unsurprising that the Duchess of Cambridge made Peter Rabbit the theme to celebrate Prince George’s first birthday. In addition to this, art historian Michael Reed states that ‘Beatrix had given the Middleton family a number of her own drawings, including four for Kate’s blood cousins, sisters Elinor and Elizabeth – who were the daughters of Dr Lupton.
Commonwealth Games opening ceremony tonight
The Commonwealth Games are set to open tonight in Glasgow, which will be broadcast on BBC One at 8pm. David Zolkwer is the artistic director for the ceremony tonight and although it is thought that it will not be as surprising and awe-inducing as the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony, it will be more organized and ordered than Rio’s World Cup kick-off. Over 3,000 volunteers will gather this evening Celtic Park to help make the show run smoothly while Clare Balding, Gary Linker, Hazel Irvine and Huw Edwards will be amongst those attending the climax of the Queen’s Baton Relay as Her Majesty officially opens the games. Around 4,500 athletes will compete from 71 nations in this 20th edition of the games which will run until the 3 August. While Mo Farah, Bradley Wiggins and Tom Daley will be holding the fort for Team GB, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Mark Cavendish and Katarina Johnson-Thompson will be unable to compete this year.
The British Pier turns 200
This month, British Seaside Piers will celebrate their 200th birthday, as on 26 July 1814, the Ryde Pier on the Isle of White opened. Ryde Pier was originally built as a landing stage in order to get boat passengers on to dry land at low tide. However, it was rapidly adopted by the public as a new thrill of walking out to sea suspended above the crashing waves. This was the commencement for holiday sea-side visits in the Victorian era, compounded by the development of trains allowing those living in the city to easily travel all over the country. Additionally, a trip to the sea allowed city-workers a breath of clean, healthy air, away from the grunge and drudgery of industrial work in the city. Although many piers have been destroyed by weather, fire, maintenance cost and changing fashions, the seaside pier in general has helped shape the British holiday heritage and is now a vital part to our history.
Prom5 Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich pleases critics
The Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich played for the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday 21 July. This performance marked the last appearance of David Zinman in his role as Chief Conductor of the Tonhalle Orchestra, in which he has formed a relationship with the orchestra which has bloomed over the past nineteen years. The performance in itself ‘flowed naturally’ as ‘nothing was exaggerated...yet in their quiet understated way the performances offered plenty of illumination as well as joy’. This not only made the Prom enjoyable and entertaining for the audience but for those performing as well. The technique of solo violinist Julia fisher is said to have been flawless, highlighting the high class of talent from the orchestra within the performance. The Orchestra performed three pieces: Richard Strauss’ Till Eulenspiegel, a Dovrak violin concerto and Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, providing a varied and contrasting, yet complimentary, repertoire.
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s beach retreat for sale
Former U.S. President Franklin D Roosevelt’s holiday home on Golden Beach, Miami is for sale. The architecture of the building is surprisingly modern, and with a guide price of £7.57 million it is said to fit for any modern day “high-flyer”. This villa was built by Carlos Zapata in 1994, but the site was reportedly the location of his “winter White House”, where Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor would stay for some winter sun. Luxury Real Estate agent Andrea Polo states that the Roosevelt’s villa ‘was already a striking design, but then it was renewed by Zapata. All furniture and internal fixings are new, but quite a lot of the structure is original’. With Golden Beach being one of the smartest addresses in the state, along with the political history of the land, this villa is undoubtedly a fabulous holiday find.
It had been revealed that Kate Middleton is distantly related to Beatrix Potter. Kate’s great-great-great Uncle was Dr Arthur Lupton, the Leeds University pro-chancellor, whose brother-in-law was Lord Ashton, who was the first cousin of Beatrix Potter. The connection is furthered by the fact that Rupert Potter (Beatrix’s father) was taught at Manchester College by Dr James Martineau, Kate’s ancestor, who was also well acquainted with Queen Victoria. It is therefore unsurprising that the Duchess of Cambridge made Peter Rabbit the theme to celebrate Prince George’s first birthday. In addition to this, art historian Michael Reed states that ‘Beatrix had given the Middleton family a number of her own drawings, including four for Kate’s blood cousins, sisters Elinor and Elizabeth – who were the daughters of Dr Lupton.
Commonwealth Games opening ceremony tonight
The Commonwealth Games are set to open tonight in Glasgow, which will be broadcast on BBC One at 8pm. David Zolkwer is the artistic director for the ceremony tonight and although it is thought that it will not be as surprising and awe-inducing as the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony, it will be more organized and ordered than Rio’s World Cup kick-off. Over 3,000 volunteers will gather this evening Celtic Park to help make the show run smoothly while Clare Balding, Gary Linker, Hazel Irvine and Huw Edwards will be amongst those attending the climax of the Queen’s Baton Relay as Her Majesty officially opens the games. Around 4,500 athletes will compete from 71 nations in this 20th edition of the games which will run until the 3 August. While Mo Farah, Bradley Wiggins and Tom Daley will be holding the fort for Team GB, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Mark Cavendish and Katarina Johnson-Thompson will be unable to compete this year.
The British Pier turns 200
This month, British Seaside Piers will celebrate their 200th birthday, as on 26 July 1814, the Ryde Pier on the Isle of White opened. Ryde Pier was originally built as a landing stage in order to get boat passengers on to dry land at low tide. However, it was rapidly adopted by the public as a new thrill of walking out to sea suspended above the crashing waves. This was the commencement for holiday sea-side visits in the Victorian era, compounded by the development of trains allowing those living in the city to easily travel all over the country. Additionally, a trip to the sea allowed city-workers a breath of clean, healthy air, away from the grunge and drudgery of industrial work in the city. Although many piers have been destroyed by weather, fire, maintenance cost and changing fashions, the seaside pier in general has helped shape the British holiday heritage and is now a vital part to our history.
Prom5 Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich pleases critics
The Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich played for the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday 21 July. This performance marked the last appearance of David Zinman in his role as Chief Conductor of the Tonhalle Orchestra, in which he has formed a relationship with the orchestra which has bloomed over the past nineteen years. The performance in itself ‘flowed naturally’ as ‘nothing was exaggerated...yet in their quiet understated way the performances offered plenty of illumination as well as joy’. This not only made the Prom enjoyable and entertaining for the audience but for those performing as well. The technique of solo violinist Julia fisher is said to have been flawless, highlighting the high class of talent from the orchestra within the performance. The Orchestra performed three pieces: Richard Strauss’ Till Eulenspiegel, a Dovrak violin concerto and Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, providing a varied and contrasting, yet complimentary, repertoire.
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s beach retreat for sale
Former U.S. President Franklin D Roosevelt’s holiday home on Golden Beach, Miami is for sale. The architecture of the building is surprisingly modern, and with a guide price of £7.57 million it is said to fit for any modern day “high-flyer”. This villa was built by Carlos Zapata in 1994, but the site was reportedly the location of his “winter White House”, where Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor would stay for some winter sun. Luxury Real Estate agent Andrea Polo states that the Roosevelt’s villa ‘was already a striking design, but then it was renewed by Zapata. All furniture and internal fixings are new, but quite a lot of the structure is original’. With Golden Beach being one of the smartest addresses in the state, along with the political history of the land, this villa is undoubtedly a fabulous holiday find.