Hidden railway art goes on show

Published 3 days ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Rail passengers in Scotland could face weeks of disruption on Sundays in a union pay dispute. ScotRail, which was nationalised last month, had been relying on overtime working on Sundays due to delays in training new drivers. Last Sunday driver shortages affected 110 services across the country. Aslef denied suggestions that drivers had staged unofficial strike action but it has now balloted its members after rejecting a 2.2% pay offer. Unless there is a breakthrough, it is understood that the scale of disruption this weekend will not be clear until late on Saturday, as planning teams attempt to source driver cover. ScotRail goes back into public ownership David Simpson, ScotRail service delivery director, said: "It is very disappointing that we find ourselves at this stage with Aslef, despite a very … [Read more...] about Rail passengers face Sunday disruption in pay dispute

If you want to reap the benefits of better sleep, increased happiness, a boosted immune system and the ability to manage long-term health conditions, then outdoor swimming might be the hobby for you. Generally, there are two types of outdoor swimming: open water (which refers to events and races) and wild (unsupervised locations in seas, rivers and lakes etc). According to The Outdoor Swimming Society in the last year, 7.5 million people in the UK ventured into the water outdoors and a recent report by Outdoor Swimmer Magazine found that 75% of new outdoor swimmers said they wanted to continue swimming outside throughout the winter. However, as the cold weather sets in, is it still OK to plunge in? ‘You have three elements when it comes to outdoor swimming,’ says Professor Greg Whyte OBE, a world-renowned sports scientist who trained both David Walliams for his 21-mile swim across the English Channel and Davina McCall for her 506-mile ultra-triathlon. ‘Exercise … [Read more...] about Always fancied wild swimming? It has surprising health benefits, even in winter

(CBS News) Many of us end up throwing out food we think is past its prime - a habit that provides Food For Thought according to Tracy Smith: There are no hard-and-fast rules for food expiration dating. Most people don't want to take chances, so once food hits the printed expiration date, they simply toss it out. But tossing it out has become a problem in itself. It's been estimated that up to 40 percent of food produced in the U.S. goes right in the trash. "I can be as picky as everybody else," says Janet Kalish, and she can afford to be. She's no vagrant - Kalish is a New York City high school teacher who got fed up with seeing supermarkets toss out good food. So for the past eight years she's been doing her shopping on the streets. She told Smith, "I would say about 90 percent of what I eat is 'rescued food'" - food that comes from the garbage. And she doesn't need to look very hard. She showed Smith a "pretty close to a perfect eggplant," and loaves of bread still … [Read more...] about Rescuing wasted food to fight hunger

Soutik Biswas Published 22 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Earlier this month, a group of archivists in the western Indian city of Mumbai recovered what now appears to be the only surviving link with the first Indian talking film. Led by Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, an award-winning filmmaker, archivist and restorer, they stumbled upon a vintage machine which had been used to make prints of Alam Ara (Ornament of the World), the 1931 film that has disappeared. The Chicago-made Bell & Howell film printing machine was lying idle in a rented shop selling saris. Originally owned by the film's producer and director Ardeshir Irani, the machine was later purchased by Nalin Sampat, who also owned a film studio and a processing laboratory in Mumbai. "This is the only surviving artefact of Alam Ara. Nothing really survives of the film except this," says Dungarpur. … [Read more...] about Alam Ara: Search for the lost film that gave birth to Bollywood

After fading into obscurity, the late artist Francis Hines is gaining new attention after a car mechanic rescued hundreds of his paintings from a dumpster in Connecticut . Hines, an abstract expressionist, garnered some recognition in 1980 by using fabric to wrap the arch in New York City’s Washington Square in an intricate crisscross pattern. But he kept a low profile and drifted out of the art world’s spotlight, passing away in 2016. The trove of paintings, most using his signature wrapping style, was found a year later — and that’s where the artist's path to rediscovery began. An exhibit of the found art will open May 5 at the Hollis Taggart galley in Southport , Connecticut, which is known for showing the works of lost or forgotten artists. A smaller exhibit will be shown simultaneously at the gallery’s flagship location in New York City . Hines made a good living as an illustrator for magazines and the G. Fox department store, and his personal art was about … [Read more...] about Dumpster find leads to rediscovery of artist Francis Hines

IT HAS been a little while since we had an extract from the long- lost Shakespearean masterpiece, The History of King Tony, or New Labour's Lost, Love, which tells the story of King Tony's struggle to keep control of Britain and to conquer Europe. Today we have a fragment looking at the more human side of King Tony, during one of those rare times when he is on holiday... The scene is a village in Tuscany. Everything is quiet except for thousands of policemen, bodyguards etc, milling round dressed as villagers. Enter King Tony, accompanied by Queen Cherie. Tony: This country has a sweet and garlic air, Which soothes us as it gives us appetite. I love these moments spent in Tuscany, Far from the stress and strain of daily life - Sometimes I dream of giving it all up, And coming here to live in solitude, A hermit in these vine-clad hills and dales! Cherie: I should cocoa! Chance would be a fine, fine thing! You'd rather die, than cease to be a king! King … [Read more...] about Tony, you’d rather die than be not king, sayeth the queen

A casual observer of British politics may have missed that a quiet revolution has taken place in Number 10 , the significance of which has yet to be fully appreciated. Boris Johnson has in recent months replaced his chief of staff , communications director and top civil servant in his private office and scores of other senior advisers in a total overhaul of his inner circle. The shake-up was partly by design – an attempt to draw a line under the “partygate” scandal – and partly a reflection of political weakness and outside demands. It means many of those now by the Prime Minister’s side throughout the day were not there in January. They remain little known or discussed, for now at least. Which leads us to Andrew Griffith. The MP for Arundel and South Downs is by no means a household name, having only entered Parliament in December 2019 election. But this February he was handed one of the most influential roles in Downing Street – director of the Number 10 Policy … [Read more...] about Red Wall voters understand state doesn’t always know best, says Boris Johnson’s policy chief

DESIGN experts are sharing which 10 Dollar Store items can help you get the most bang for your buck while also elevating your at-home style. While dollar stores may not always be your first thought for décor, experts say they should become your go-to spot. There are a number of dollar store items that look like high-end items but only cost around $1, Cynthia Measom writes . Picture frames are one such item. They make a great gift for others, but can also help you change the look of your home. The decorative frames work for art and photos you already have, or can provide a fresh look in your bedroom, bathroom, or office. Frames generally cost $1 or more depending on size and may not always be available online, so it's best to purchase in-store. READ MORE DOLLAR TREE STORIES ON THE CHEAP I used Dollar Tree products to recreate a $30 Amazon item - it took 5 minutes Along with picture frames are small wall art and signs. Dollar … [Read more...] about I’m a décor expert – 10 everyday household items from the Dollar Store look high-end but cost only around $1

BBC presenters are earning up to £20,000 a day by carrying out non-BBC work on the side, according to a register of outside interests. Dan Walker, the BBC Breakfast presenter, hosted two events in a single day, each paying up to £10,000. Huw Edwards appeared at four events in the space of a month, making at least £25,000, although the true figure is hidden and could be much higher. The BBC’s register of external events, released quarterly, shows the levels to which some presenters will go to earn extra money. On a Friday in February, Walker, 45, hosted a daytime event for Best Companies, interviewing employers about their “workplace engagement” levels. Within hours, he was hosting a second event, details of which were not included on the register. But each assignment paid £5,000-10,000. His BBC salary is £295,000-£299,999 . BBC sources said Walker was not hosting BBC Breakfast that day and was free to take on other work. A week later, he earned a further … [Read more...] about Dan Walker among BBC presenters with nice little earners on the side

Allotments are incredible spaces for growing food, getting active and connecting with nature – and more younger people are starting to get involved. Allotment spaces are ideal for anyone interested in gardening, growing or cooking fresh meals – how nice would it be to prepare yourself a meal using all of your very own produce? Fruit, veggies and herbs will come in handy in the kitchen, whilst prettier flowers and shrubs can be planted for an attractive, wildlife friendly plot – so it can benefit both you and your local community. But if you don’t have the greenest of fingers, it can be daunting to think about growing things on a larger plot of land. Especially if you struggle to even keep your houseplants alive. Thankfully, the plant professionals over at GardeningExpress.co.uk have compiled a guide to help people kickstart an allotment plot this spring. Chris Bonnett from GardeningExpress.co.uk says: ‘More than ever we need to get outside and fill our bodies with … [Read more...] about How to start an allotment