On this day exactly 20 years ago Britain experienced its worst ever sporting disaster. A total of 96 fans died in the Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield, when Liverpool played Nottingham Forest in the semi-final of the FA Cup. As Liverpool fans swarmed an already full stand at the Leppings Lane end of the ground, more were let into the back of the stand. A police spokesman said orders were given for the gate to be opened because they believed the pressure of fans outside the ground was "a danger to life." But as fans rushed in, those already there were pushed forward and crushed against the high, wire-topped safety fences. It was estimated that more than 2,000 Liverpool fans had still not got into the stadium when the match started at 3 p.m. Within five minutes of the kick-off terrified fans were spilling through a narrow gap onto the pitch, whilst others were being lifted into the seating area above. At this point a policeman ran onto the pitch and ordered the referee to stop the game. Ironically, recent improved safety measures introduced at grounds to keep fans apart meant, for many, there was no escape. Among the bodies who had been lifted onto the pitch were many teenagers and children. At least 200 fans were injured, some seriously, and were ferried to ambulances on improvised stretchers made from crash barriers and advertising hoardings. Some fans blamed bad ticket allocation for the disaster. Despite having far more supporters than Nottingham Forest, Liverpool fans were given 6,000 fewer tickets and allocated the smaller Leppings Lane stand. Relatives of the victims pressed for police officers in charge to be prosecuted. In 2002 the two most senior officers were put on trial. One was acquitted , charges against the other were dropped when the jury could not agree on a verdict. Some good came out of the tragedy. Following a public inquiry new safety measures were introduced at football grounds around Britain.Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Hillsborough Tragedy
On this day exactly 20 years ago Britain experienced its worst ever sporting disaster. A total of 96 fans died in the Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield, when Liverpool played Nottingham Forest in the semi-final of the FA Cup. As Liverpool fans swarmed an already full stand at the Leppings Lane end of the ground, more were let into the back of the stand. A police spokesman said orders were given for the gate to be opened because they believed the pressure of fans outside the ground was "a danger to life." But as fans rushed in, those already there were pushed forward and crushed against the high, wire-topped safety fences. It was estimated that more than 2,000 Liverpool fans had still not got into the stadium when the match started at 3 p.m. Within five minutes of the kick-off terrified fans were spilling through a narrow gap onto the pitch, whilst others were being lifted into the seating area above. At this point a policeman ran onto the pitch and ordered the referee to stop the game. Ironically, recent improved safety measures introduced at grounds to keep fans apart meant, for many, there was no escape. Among the bodies who had been lifted onto the pitch were many teenagers and children. At least 200 fans were injured, some seriously, and were ferried to ambulances on improvised stretchers made from crash barriers and advertising hoardings. Some fans blamed bad ticket allocation for the disaster. Despite having far more supporters than Nottingham Forest, Liverpool fans were given 6,000 fewer tickets and allocated the smaller Leppings Lane stand. Relatives of the victims pressed for police officers in charge to be prosecuted. In 2002 the two most senior officers were put on trial. One was acquitted , charges against the other were dropped when the jury could not agree on a verdict. Some good came out of the tragedy. Following a public inquiry new safety measures were introduced at football grounds around Britain.
Poem - Blankney Encounter
The location for this poem is the private coach road that runs between Blankney Hall and Blankney and Metheringham station. It was written in 1995.
Blankney Encounter
The day was hot and sunny
As I fended off the midge
I was walking from Blankney to Metheringham
And as I neared the hump-back bridge
I met a man with a monocle
Walking the other way
As we passed he raised his hat
And passed the time of day
'Excuse me sir, are you from this place'
The old gentleman enquired
'I knew it many years ago'
His face looked old and tired
'What happened to that fine old Hall
That stood just over there'
I told him fifty years before
It was ravished by fire, beyond repair
He said 'I remember the stables
Long before the war
What a shame they are so neglected
Don't they hunt and shoot anymore'
'Yes' said I 'they still hunt and shoot
But today it is far less grand'
A wry smile came over the old mans face
'Ah' said he 'I understand'
'At least' said he 'the school has survived
'How many pupils attend'
'None' I replied and the old man gasped
'Even that has come to an end'
He shook my hand and thanked me
And then we both walked on
I turned around to ask his name
But strangely he was gone
That night by the fire, I sat and read
About the village in days of old
And as I slowly turned the page
I felt my blood run cold
For there before me, staring out
From the pages of this chronicle
The man I met whilst on my walk
Henry Chaplin and his monocle
Rodney Garlant
Blankney Encounter
The day was hot and sunny
As I fended off the midge
I was walking from Blankney to Metheringham
And as I neared the hump-back bridge
I met a man with a monocle
Walking the other way
As we passed he raised his hat
And passed the time of day
'Excuse me sir, are you from this place'
The old gentleman enquired
'I knew it many years ago'
His face looked old and tired
'What happened to that fine old Hall
That stood just over there'
I told him fifty years before
It was ravished by fire, beyond repair
He said 'I remember the stables
Long before the war
What a shame they are so neglected
Don't they hunt and shoot anymore'
'Yes' said I 'they still hunt and shoot
But today it is far less grand'
A wry smile came over the old mans face
'Ah' said he 'I understand'
'At least' said he 'the school has survived
'How many pupils attend'
'None' I replied and the old man gasped
'Even that has come to an end'
He shook my hand and thanked me
And then we both walked on
I turned around to ask his name
But strangely he was gone
That night by the fire, I sat and read
About the village in days of old
And as I slowly turned the page
I felt my blood run cold
For there before me, staring out
From the pages of this chronicle
The man I met whilst on my walk
Henry Chaplin and his monocle
Rodney Garlant
Brainteaser
Today's brainteaser is a 'Trivia' based on general knowledge. 10 assorted questions on a variety of subjects for you to answer.
01 Which was the first single released by the Beatles, in 1962?
02 What do the letters r.p.m. represent?
03 Which airport in Ireland has the same name as an Irish river?
04 What is the single word used as the international radio distress call?
05 Which month is named after a Roman emperor?
06 What french words are meant by the abbreviation R.S.V.P.?
07 What is the 'ship of the desert'?
08 What is a Joule?
09 Where in the world is the area known as the pampas?
10 What is the first of the Ten Commandments?
See how many you know. Good luck!
01 Which was the first single released by the Beatles, in 1962?
02 What do the letters r.p.m. represent?
03 Which airport in Ireland has the same name as an Irish river?
04 What is the single word used as the international radio distress call?
05 Which month is named after a Roman emperor?
06 What french words are meant by the abbreviation R.S.V.P.?
07 What is the 'ship of the desert'?
08 What is a Joule?
09 Where in the world is the area known as the pampas?
10 What is the first of the Ten Commandments?
See how many you know. Good luck!
Taking Sport Seriously
It's not the taking part that counts, it's the winning. Or so it would seem from this BBC sporting video clip. Click on the following link http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7997013.stm and see what I mean!
Blankney Pictures
Approaching the village from the south on the B1188(Click on image to enlarge)
In the above photograph the left turn is the entrance to
Blankney Park, directly opposite can be seen two pillars
marking the entrance to Blankney Hall. The house on the
left used to be lived in by the Hall's butler Midwinter. The
first house on the right was the old Blankney Post office.
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Thought For Today
'Nouvelle Cuisine', roughly translated, means: I can't believe I paid ninety-six dollars and I'm still hungry.
Mike Kalin
Mike Kalin
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