In memory of Seve 1954-2011

In memory of Seve 1954-2011

Severiano Ballasteros
Was spectacular and unorthodox.
He danced a jig when he won;
He made golf fun.

Severiano Ballasteros, known universally just as "Seve" has died at the age of 54. He was a great golfer who made golf exciting to watch; he conveyed his enthusiasm in such a way that everyone who watched him play shared the thrills with him every inch of the way.

Matthew Edwards

The Dream of Napoleon

Napoleon's grave on St Helena

Napoleon died in exile on the island of St Helena 190 years ago today on 5 May 1821, although it was several weeks before the news of his death reached Europe. His body was initially buried on the island in a willow grove as shown in the illustration above taken from 'A Series of Views Illustrative of the Island of St Helena' by James Wathen, 1821 before it was transferred to Paris for reburial in 1840.

Jon Boden's song blog A Folk Song A Day features The Bonny Bunch of Roses as the song for today - a song about the enduring memory of Napoleon, but an earlier recording, for 15 August 2010 featured The Dream of Napoleon. 
This song came from the singing of the Norfolk fisherman, Sam Larner, and it expresses the myth of Napoleon as a liberator from tyrants. It may have been safer to express such views after Napoleon's death, but nevertheless it does give some evidence of one strand of English radicalism that looked to Napoleon for inspiration.

"Ye princes and rulers whose station ye bemean
Like scorpions ye spit forth venem and spleen
But liberty all over the world shall be seen
As I woke from my dream cried Napoleon."

Ships and shanties in Liverpool

There were more ships and shanty singers at the waterfront festival on the May Bank Holiday Monday, and once again the sun was out so there were huge crowds attending and enjoying the spectacle. I enjoyed hearing the Young'uns, and was bowled over by their refreshing, and invigorating (and occasionally downright silly!) approach. They sing some of their own songs which are very good, besides more traditional material.I also enjoyed hearing Bernie Davis and Keith Price sing as Liverpool Packet aboard the Zebu - it was great to hear shanties sung on a real ship.

Running Man; street sculpture opposite King's Dock

Bernie Davis and Keith Price (Liverpool Packet) aboard the Zebu

Oosterschelde in Canning Half-tide Dock

The amazing Mekkanacul Morris Men

TS Pelican at Liverpool

The Young'uns at the Maritime Museum

Sir Henry Cooper 1934-2011

 Sir Henry Cooper 1934-2011

In fond memory
Of Our 'Enry;
A gent by universal repute,
And never a Brut.

© Matthew Edwards 2 May 2011

Sir Henry Cooper, former British and Commonwealth heavyweight boxing champion, has died aged 76. He was a lovely man, kind, honest and gentle to the core - except in the boxing ring where his fierce left hook once floored Cassius Clay (as Muhammad Ali was known at the time of their fight in 1963). He won some fame after his boxing career ended from advertising Brut deodorant.