In a riverside venue in Durham with sensational views of the citys castle and cathedral, John Theobald is getting to grips with a fancy new digital oven. LED lights flash on and off apparently randomly, but soon enough a plate of handmade peri-peri pork sausages, champ mash and buttered spinach is on the counter.

The Durham Sausage Company is one of seven independent food businesses under one roof at the Food Pit, which officially opened on Friday. Its plates of sausages and mash had previously been available at a local pop-up, but Durhams new food venue was a chance for Theobald and his business partner to go a step further without the investment and risks of opening a restaurant. Anyway, I dont think theres demand for a restaurant dedicated to sausages, said Theobald. This is a bit like a food cart, but on a bigger scale.

In another booth, Richie Parker of Spread From The Med offering chicken gyros, souvlaki and halloumi fries had spent the summer touring festivals in a converted horse box. Were still doing the van, but this is a toe in the water to see if theres scope to become a bigger company.

From Durham to Brighton, Preston to Cheltenham, in Liverpool, Leeds and London, food markets and halls are bringing street food indoors. The largest, Market Halls West End, opened nine days ago in a redundant BHS store at Oxford Circus, London, offering more than 900 covers a day in a 35,000 sq ft venue. One of the smallest, the Street Food Market in Preston, will open on Wednesday after local businessman Irfan Asghar borrowed money from family and friends for the venture and spread the word on social media.

The food market movement is a runaway train, according to Big Hospitality, a website that reports on the industry. The new wave of food halls with multiple restaurants in one venue is sweeping the UK at an alarming rate, it says.

Food courts are a common feature of Asian cities, but there they can be chaotic and brash experiences, with noisy hawkers, formica tables and bright fluorescent lighting. The concept has spread across the world and moved upmarket: last week, the 50,000 sq ft Time Out Market Chicago opened following similar ventures this year in Miami, New York, Boston and Montreal, five years after the first Time Out Market opened almost 4,000 miles away in Lisbon. In Chicago, customers can choose from 19 outlets and three beautiful bars.

In most UK food markets, a developer will operate the venue, choose the independent food businesses for the hall, pay business rates, utilities and insurance, provide cutlery and crockery, hire uniformed staff to clear tables and clean toilets, and critically the developers run the lucrative bar. The independent food outlets either pay a fixed rent or a share of their turnover.

These markets are blurring the lines between street food and restaurants, said food writer Hugh Thomas. They are more democratic and less formal places to eat, and the food is more affordable. You dont have to go for a full-on meal, you can spend a tenner for great food along with a drink. For customers, the biggest advantage is choice. Those socialising in groups can eat different food, depending on taste or dietary restrictions. Everyone pays for what they eat; no tortuous dividing up of bills at the end of the meal.

These markets are blurring the lines between street food and restaurants

For families, food markets have the informality of fast-food venues but are more relaxed, pleasant places and some provide games, play areas and activities. Solo diners are common, with a choice between communal tables or eating alone.

Mark Laurie, director of the Nationwide Caterers Association which supports street-food traders, said the rapid growth of food markets was partly due to the slow death of retail. There are more spaces available on high streets and in town centres. People who would have invested in restaurants are now investing in market halls.

In Durham, Nick Berry of Clearbell Capital, the developer behind the Food Pit, said there was an experiential trend in retail and eating out. Customers were looking for something unusual, with a local feel and good value. And small food businesses dont want to sign up to long-term liabilities if they cant be sure they will be successful. Were trying to remove those barriers.

Colin and Mandy, who had eaten their lunch at the Food Pit, were delighted. Spot on, said Colin. I like the fact that theres all different variations of food in one place. And its very relaxed. Dawn, who was among a group of women taking a break from their workplaces, said they had tried pretty much all the restaurants around here in the past 10 years and were grateful for something new and different. Its good to have a choice, especially when you have a fussy eater with you, she said, indicating one of her co-diners.

Two hundred and seventy miles away in London, Market Halls West End is the firms third food hall in the capital, with two more planned to open by the end of 2020. Were bringing young, independent, chef-driven businesses that wouldnt normally have a chance of trading in these sites, to the West End, said Simon Anderson, the companys chief creative officer.

The venue offers 11 kitchens, including Malaysian Tamil cuisine, Japanese sushi bowls, Chinese savoury crepes, tacos from Tijuana and vegan and gluten-free wok dishes. There is a rooftop bar and a demonstration kitchen.

On Friday, the lunchtime clientele included office workers, tourists, construction workers in hi-vis jackets, students and families. It has a busy vibe. You can come on your own or in a big group and be part of something, said Anderson. It breaks down a lot of barriers.

But Laurie warned of a battle for the soul of street food. There was a risk of the street-food movement being taken over and exploited by big corporations, he said.

Food halls done right are a great addition to the UK food scene. They fit the experiential zeitgeist and suit the British weather. But they need to maintain the authenticity that made street food so popular, and they need to continue to facilitate micro-businesses and start-ups.

Street food has disrupted the traditional food and beverage sector, and it is now disrupting the entertainment sector and night time economy.

The passion, skill, innovation, and theatre of street food is what makes it special. Hopefully as the market hall sector grows, this will continue to flourish otherwise punters will head back to the streets or elsewhere.

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Tokyo, Lisbon, Leeds: the indoor food halls sweeping the world - The Guardian

According to a new market report on luminaire and lighting control published by Transparency Market Research , theglobal luminaire and lighting control marketis expected to reach US$ 111.0 Bn by 2026, expanding at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2018 to 2026. According to the report, the global market will continue to be influenced by a range of macroeconomic and industry-specific factors. Asia Pacific will continue to be at the forefront of global demand, with the market in the region expanding at a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period.

Rise in Necessity of Energy-efficient Lighting Control Solution is driving the Global Luminaire and Lighting Control Market

As energy costs continue to rise, demand for energy-efficient solutions is increasing rapidly, especially in the U.S. In line with the same, many utilities and city governments are deploying LED-based lighting control systems with advanced technology to enhance efficiency and reduce operation and maintenance costs. This has led to rise in adoption of LED- based lighting products and systems.

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Luminaire and Lighting Control Market: Scope of the Report

The global luminaire and lighting control market is broadly segmented by product, light, technology, component, application, and region. In terms of product, the market is classified into luminaire and lighting control. The luminaire segment is expected to hold significant market share of 91.2% in 2018. Based on light, the market is categorized into LED, halogen, fluorescent, HID, and others. The LED segment constituted a prominent market share in 2017 and is anticipated to dominate the market during the forecast period owing to increasing adoption of LEDs in multiple applications. In terms of technology, the market is segmented into wired and wireless. Based on component, the market is divided into hardware, software, and service. In terms of application, the market is segmented into indoor and outdoor. The commercial sub-segment of the indoor segment is anticipated to dominate the market owing to upgrade of existing products in commercial spaces with a focus on achieving energy efficiency goals and increase in productivity through lighting control. The roadway lighting sub-segment of the outdoor segment is anticipated to be dominant constituting market share of 35.4% in 2026.

Asia Pacific dominated the luminaire and lighting control market in 2017, with China accounting for a prominent share of 43.1%. The dominance of the market in the region is attributed to its large population base, rapid industrialization and urbanization, expansion in the lighting industry, and increased penetration of wireless devices. China is anticipated to lead the luminaire and lighting control market in Asia Pacific throughout the forecast period. This is mainly because it is a major manufacturing hub of lighting products. Apart from China, countries such as India and Japan are also expected to contribute significantly to the market in Asia Pacific. The market in India is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. This is mainly due to smaller cities, towns, and villages with smart street projects and increased usage of LEDs. North America and Europe collectively held 51.8% share of the global market share in 2018.

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Latest Research Report to uncover key Factors of Luminaire and Lighting Control Market - Statsflash

Global marketers has freshly publicized a research report on Global LED Lighting Driver Market, which broadly covers aspects like business trends, business ideas, and latest product range in detail, will prove as a data source for accurate, authenticate and reliable market information. The quantitative data and LED Lighting Driver industry verticals obtainable from this report will lead to better decision making.

The data presented in the graphical format gives a thorough understanding of the major players of LED Lighting Driver . The restraints and growth opportunities, industry plans, innovations, mergers, and acquisitions are covered in this report. The market is segmented based on key LED Lighting Driver industry verticals like the product type, applications, and geographical regions.

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Global LED Lighting Driver Market By Industry Business Plan, Manufacturers, Sales, Supply, Share, Revenue and Forecast Report 2019-2024 - Montana...

Outdoor home security cameras rely on the same tech as their indoor counterparts, but make everything work despite shifting temperatures, rain, wind and snow. We've tested a lot of weatherproof cameras and they come in a lot of different styles.

For the purposes of this post, we're defining outdoor security cameras as any weatherproof livestreaming cam, from traditional cameras to smart doorbells -- and even smart light fixtures with built-in HD cameras.

Read more:Best home security systems of 2019 (plus DIY kits, video doorbells and more)

The $500 Arlo Pro 3 (two-camera pack, plus hub) is an excellent camera. It has 2,560x2,560-pixel streaming, color night vision, 12x zoom, a built-in siren and a built-in spotlight. Out of the box, you get motion and sound alerts and access to the live feed.

Otherwise you do need to pay an optional monthly fee, starting at $3 a month for the Arlo Smart subscription service. Arlo Smart adds a bunch of additional features, including detection zones and advanced notifications (people, animal, vehicle and package). The $10 price tier adds in E911, a feature that lets you contact local law enforcement from the Arlo app, no matter where you are.

The Arlo Pro 3 isn't cheap, but it's an excellent home security camera if you have the money to spend. Read our Arlo Pro 3 review.

Google's $229 Nest Hello smart video doorbell is the smartest buzzer we've tested. Complete with HD live streaming, night vision, a motion sensor -- and motion alerts and person alerts, it has a lot of smart capabilities even without paying for the Nest Aware cloud service.

With Nest Aware, you get to review saved video clips starting at $5 a month ($6 a month beginning next year). Nest Aware also unlocks access to the Hello's facial recognition feature. Add friends, family members and anyone else who regularly visits your home to your database in the app. Then, you'll get custom alerts whenever "Chris" or "Molly" shows up at your door. Read our Nest Hello review.

The Ring Spotlight Cam costs $199 and comes in both battery-powered and wired versions. I tested the wired version that plugs into a nearby outlet for a steady stream of continuous power. It comes with mounting hardware that's easy to install (note: the wired Spotlight Cam is wired, but not hardwired, meaning it doesn't replace an existing hardwired light fixture).

The built-in spotlight adds in reliable security lighting for your yard that you can control on demand, schedule or set to turn on automatically when motion is detected.

Ring motion zonesand motion alerts are free, but you have to pay $3 a month to view saved clips in the app. Read our Ring Spotlight Cam review.

We've tested too many outdoor security cameras to list here, so be sure to check out my gallery below for an overview of all the models. It's worth noting that whatever Wi-Fi security camera you end up buying will only be as good as your home's network connection. If the connection is spotty, you might see pixelation in the feed, lag times and other related issues, socheck your Wi-Fi speedbefore you start drilling holes in your walls.

Read more: Best home security cameras of 2019

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The best outdoor home security cameras of 2019 - CNET

David Cabuag

March 5, 1939 November 21, 2019

David N. Cabuag, Sr., 80, of Hilo (formerly Everett, WA and Honolulu, HI), passed on Nov. 21, 2019 at home. Born on March 5, 1939 on Oahu and raised in Maunawili, he was a retired member of the Hawaii Carpenters Union Local 745 and Washington State Carpenters Union. Cabuag worked for Acoustic Installation and Drywall (A.I.D.), Craig and Company, Fukus Interiors, Architectural Acoustics, Vertex Construction-Washington, Lipps and Sons, Eagle Interiors, Inc. He was a former member of Iron Horse Motorcycle Club on Oahu, Hawaiian Civitan Club of Kona, Kai OPua Canoe Club. Former coach Kona Hawaiians Pop Warner football & baseball. Former volunteer Special Olympics. Veteran Airforce Jet Mechanic and Lifetime member of the American Legions-Bothell Post 127.

Service will be held at Ballard Family Mortuary Hilo on Dec. 7, 2019. Viewing 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fellowship and sharing memories 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Survived by daughter/caregiver Stacey Lani (Randall Lum) Cabuag of Hilo; sons David N. (Maurice) Cabuag, Jr of Vacaville, CA, Brian (Sara) Cabuag of Wilmington, NC, Robert Cabuag of Pearl City, HI; brothers Jake Cabuag Sr of Bothell, WA, Paul (Esther) Cabuag Sr. of Kailua-Kona, HI; sister Becky Asis of Waihee, Maui; 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and numerous hanai grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Cristina Firmignac

February 16, 1956 November 14, 2019

Cristina Luisa Firmignac, 63, of Khei, Maui passed away on Nov. 14, 2019 at home with her family. Tina was born on Feb. 16, 1956 in San Jose, Costa Rica. She lived around the world before settling in Maui almost 40 years ago.

Tina is predeceased by parents Barbara Joy Anderson and John William Anderson and her husband Andr Firmignac. She is survived by her sons Georges Jack Firmignac and Justin Frank Kelly Firmignac; by her siblings Michelle Anderson, Jon Lee Anderson, Scott Anderson, and Mei Shan Tanaka; by her brother-in-law George Firmignac; by her aunt Doris Coonrad; and by numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

Hymie Meyer

October 13, 1947 November 8, 2019

Hymie J. Meyer III, 72, of Wailuku, Maui, passed away peacefully on Nov. 08, 2019 under the care of Hospice Maui. He was born on Oct. 13, 1947 in Wailuku, Maui.

He was a musician his whole life and played all over the world with numerous musicians. Hymie was a class of 1965 Graduate at St. Anthony high school.

He is survived by his Wife, Leonani Meyer; Son, Kurt Meyer; Sister Geraldine (Stanley) Borge, her children Scott (Iwalani); Grand Nephew, Kamuela; Brother, Samuel (Leimomi) Holi, his children, Kushaiah (Nalu) , Sacha (Chevas), Khandi and Foxx; 3 grandchildren, Ajah, Logan, and Aavan; Numerous Nieces, Nephews and friends.

Hymie is predeceased by his parents Hymie Meyer Jr. and Hazel Shaw. He loved his family and friends and he will definitely be missed.

Concetto Giuliano

March 2, 1935 November 3, 2019

Concetto Richard Giuliano (Connie) passed away at 84 years of age in Kula, Maui on Nov. 3, 2019.

Connie was predeceased by parents Gaetano and Frances Giuliano, Brother Sebastian Giuliano, and Wife Joanne DeForest Giuliano.

Connie is survived by life partner Tina Fein, brother Paul Giuliano (Joanna), son Richard Giuliano (Olivia), daughters Elaine Smith (Michael) and Diana Giuliano, stepdaughter Lynne Ordean (Rusty Baldwin), stepson John Ordean (Kelly), grandchildren, Alexandra LaMay (Michael), Emma Schraner, Sydney, Skyler and Cambria Ordean and great granddaughter Gracie Rose LaMay.

Connie was born in Massachusetts and raised in California by a close knit Sicilian Family. Connie graduated from University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude; California Institute of Technology, PhD in Chemical Physics.

He worked for Hughes Research Labs in Malibu, California as head of the optical physics department, instrumental in groundbreaking laser technology. Connie continued his accomplished career working for Textron Defense Systems, Maui, Hawaii and the Air Force Research Laboratory Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico in laser optics.

Connie enjoyed the outdoors, was fascinated with nature and science. He enjoyed hiking, music, cooking and loved life.

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Maui Obituary Notices: Week of Nov. 24 - Maui Now

Ian Rohrback came eye-to-eye with a brazen burglar before chasing the thief out of the house and down a residential street in northwest Norman.

Making the situation worse, the thief was standing in the bedroom where Rohrback and his wife were sleeping at about 6 a.m. Tuesday.

"I heard a noise and asked my wife 'what was that?' Then, I realized a guy was in our bedroom. As I said that, he bolts out of our room and I take off after him," Rohrback recalled.

Rohrback came within six feet of the burglar before the thief turned around and yelled he had a gun, warning his pursuer to back off.

"Being a new dad, I wasn't going to do something to get shot so I stopped," Rohrback said.

The burglary is one of three Norman police are investigating with the same method of operation, which involves the intruder going into a house at night as residents sleep.

Norman police Capt. Jamie Shattuck said the burglaries are "somewhat similar" and have occurred within a mile of each other in the vicinity of 36th Avenue NW and Robinson Street. Rohrback lives in an area east of Brookhaven Village.

Investigators are trying to determine if all of the burglaries are linked.

For now, Shattuck's advice to homeowners is to put a barrier between the burglar and those in the home, and then call 911. His advice doesn't include trying to confront the intruder.

"Most burglars don't have the intent of encountering anyone," Shattuck said. "Generally, if they're approached, they will flee."

So far, the descriptions have been vague, including the one provided by Rohrback. However, Rohrback said he didn't have his eyeglasses on, which prevented him from getting a good look at the thief. Still, Rohrback said the intruder did have a "heavy Oklahoma accent" and was a bit shorter than him.

There may be more than three burglaries for police to investigate, according to Norman resident Chris Moxley, who is a neighborhood watch coordinator in the 36th Avenue NW and Robinson area.

Social media has been a tool for residents who are telling their stories about being burglarized. Some residents claim the burglar is targeting cash, wallets and jewelry as he prowls through the homes under the cover of darkness.

"It's a pretty dangerous situation either for the people or the guy himself if someone has a gun," Moxley said.

Oklahoma's "Make My Day" law allows the use of deadly force by individuals who have a "reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily harm" after someone illegally enters their home or business.

Moxley said most of the burglaries have occurred in the Brookhaven and Prairie Creek housing additions. Apparently, the burglars are targeting cars with unlocked doors, giving them immediate access to garage door openers and the house. That was the sequence of events in the burglary of the Rohrback residence, the homeowner said.

The best description of the burglar hasn't help police too much. So far, the thief has been described as a "skinny white guy" wearing a baseball cap and carrying a backpack. In at least one instance, the burglar was riding a bicycle, Moxley said.

"We're not going to stop pursuing this," he said.

Tim Farley366-3539tfarley@normantranscript.com

Originally posted here:
Norman police seek brazen burglar in series of thefts - Norman Transcript

A 17th century country estate that comes complete with outbuildings and sits in eight acres of sprawling land is on the market and could be yours.

The Manor Farmhouse in Kington Magna, near Gillingham , boasts seven bedrooms, six bathrooms and six reception rooms along with a gym, a games room across three buildings and an outdoor swimming pool.

With a paddock, pond, lake and extensive gardens, the property also provides extensive views of the Blackmore Vale.

It comes with a hefty price tag, though, with the Grade II listed house and land on the market for 2,150,000.

According to Rightmove, a 25 year mortgage on the property with an annual interest rate of 2.4 per cent and ten per cent deposit of 215,000 will cost an eyewatering 8,584 a month to pay off.

A spokesman for Knight Frank, which is advertising the property, said: "Manor Farmhouse is a handsome Grade II listed country house dating from the mid-17th century with attractive later additions.

"It is constructed of stone and painted brick under a tiled roof.

"It sits in an elevated position, set well back from the village road and benefits from light and spacious accommodation, with the majority of the reception rooms offering impressive views over the gardens and the Blackmore Vale beyond.

"Manor Farmhouse is full of character and the current owners have restored the whole property to an exceptional standard bringing everything that was required up to date, both internally and externally.

"The house includes many period features, including flagstone floors, open fireplaces with ornate stone and wood surrounds, pretty cornicing and fitted shelving.

"The outbuildings lie to the north of the house around a large gravel drive with ample space for parking cars. On the western side is garaging for three cars.

"To the east is the large stone barn which comprises the games room, gym and bike room.

"Adjoining the large stone barn, the cottage has independent services and includes a kitchen and sitting room downstairs with two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor."

Main House: Hall, drawing room, dining room, library, sun room, kitchen/breakfast room, sitting room, laundry room, boot room, toilet, principal bedroom with bathroom, shower room and dressing area, four further bedrooms, three further bedrooms, box room

Barn Cottage: Kitchen, sitting room, two bedrooms, bathroom

Stone Barn: Party/games room, gym/home office, bike room, toilet, utility room

Grounds: Triple garage, workshop, log store, machinery store, formal gardens, front and rear driveways, swimming pool, tennis court, paddock, pond, lake

The Knight Frank spokesman added: "Kington Magna is a small and picturesque village, which lies some eight miles between the attractive towns of Shaftesbury to the east and Sherborne to the west, both of which provide a large range of facilities.

"The popular Stapleton Arms is in nearby Buckhorn Weston.

"Gillingham is approximately three miles away and has a variety of shops including Waitrose and a station with direct trains to London Waterloo or Exeter to the west.

"The A303 can be joined to the north about 4.5 miles away."

Anyone wishing to discover more about the Manor Farmhouse in Kington Magna can do so on Rightmove or contact Knight Frank on 01935 810062.

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This stunning 17th century country estate is on the market and could be yours - Somerset Live

A house prepared as a safe retreat for the Royal Family in the Second World War has recently returned to family ownership and is thriving once again. Marcus Binney reports.

Pitchford Hall is a 16th-century house that vies with Speke Hall, Liverpool, and Little Moreton, Cheshire, as the most beautiful timber-framed house in England. When the young Queen Victoria visited aged 13 in 1832, she caught its character perfectly, describing it as:A curious looking but very comfortable house. It is striped black and white, and in the shape of a cottage.

The approach to Pitchford is along narrow by-roads, with a distant view of the Welsh hills, so it is easy to understand why, in 1940, it was one of three country houses chosen as safe retreats for the Royal Family in the event of a German invasion during the Second World War. The others were Madresfield Court, Worcestershire, and Newby Hall, Yorkshire.

A special company of the Coldstream Guards, based at Bushy Park next to Hampton Court and named the Coats Mission after its commander Sir James Coats, was set up to transport the Royal Family to these retreats.

Pitch Hall, Shropshire. Paul Highnam/Country Life Picture Library

Defences at each property consisted of a series of slit trenches around the house, carefully concealed so no one would be alerted to the plans. Dispatch riders were trained to precede the royal convoy, stopping ahead at every crossroads to halt traffic.

If the enemy reached the Midlands, the plan was to rush the Royal Family to Holyhead for transport to Canada by the Royal Navy. A pantechnicon had been fitted out as a travelling living room and Gothic Revival Hatley Castle, built in 1908 on Vancouver Island, had been bought as the residence in waiting.

It would be interesting to know if the King and Queen had a voice in choosing the houses. As Duke and Duchess of York, they had visited Pitchford in 1935. For Pitchford, it meant a lucky escape from requisitioning and, when James Lees-Milnearrived on March 17, 1944, investigating houses for the National Trust, he found it looking highly romantic amid spring-flowering crocuses and primroses.

The architect W. A. Forsythconducted him upstairs to a small, shapeless room in the west wing, where the owner Sir Charles Grant was sprawled listening to the European news. He galloped me through the house, pointing out the contents which he thought he would give with it His proposals are vague, and he does not intend to transfer any land over and above what the house stands on.

On the lawn, Forsyth met Lady Sybil, daughter of the Prime Minister, Lord Rosebery, who took him to the Orangery where she lived: Her sanctum converted by her into one large living room with a fire and one bedroom.

Pitch Hall, Shropshire. Paul Highnam/Country Life Picture Library

The gift to the Trust never took place and, two years later, Sir Charless son Robin married, acquiring a dashing and adventurous stepdaughter, Caroline Combe, to whom Pitchford later passed. Caroline, who had earned notoriety by releasing white mice at Queen Charlottes Ball, was a reed-thin model and beauty, and later a fashion journalist and boutique owner in swinging London. After turning down Mickey Grylls (and, reputedly, resisting advances from Marlon Brando) she married, in 1968, Oliver Colthurst, the younger son of Sir Richard Colthurst, 8thBaronet of Blarney Castle, Co Cork.

By the 1980s, Pitchford was in urgent need of extensive repair. Happily, the best man for the job was nearby, Shropshire architect Andrew Arrol, who directed an exemplary programme of repair over 12 years. This was generously supported by the Historic Buildings Council, energetically chaired at the time by Jennifer Jenkins (wife of Roy, then our man in Brussels). Arrol recalls her visit: I told Oliver dont talk too much and dont look too prosperous. Instead Oliver, in best Errol Flynn style, appeared in a smoking jacket with a large cigar and a glass of brandy.

The house revived to mesmerising beauty, Pitchford had only just begun to open to the public when, in 1992, tragedy struck. The Colthursts were caught in the Lloyds insurance meltdown. The Trust drew up a rescue plan, but the 7 million endowment sought was beyond the National Heritage Memorial Funds (NHMF) resources.

Intrepidly, Sir Jocelyn Stevens, newly appointed chairman of English Heritage, offered to step in and garage the house, as he put it, while he arranged a rescue plan. The Colthursts offered to gift the house to the nation, if 1.8 million could be paid for the contents, which the NHMF was prepared to do. But Sir Jocelyn needed Government approval and this was refused.

Pitch Hall, Shropshire. Paul Highnam/Country Life Picture Library

I was there when the news came through, not from the Minister, but from the BBC. The Champagne was on ice and the omens looked fair. Instead, it turned into a wake.

A contents sale was held on the lawn on September 2829 and, in November, the house sold to an unnamed buyer, who later transpired to be a Kuwaiti princess. Although the prospects initially appeared good, the hall was left neglected as the stable range served briefly as a stud. The pill was doubly bitter for the Colthursts, for they not only had to sell the house to pay the Lloyds debt, but also had to repay every penny of the 350,000 historic-buildings grants.

Nonetheless, the saga took a sudden, happier turn when the Colthursts daughter, Rowena, and her husband, James Nason, a political lobbyist, bought back the house in 2016. Pitchford is on the mend visits can be booked throughwww.historichouses.org and the Generals Quarters in the west wing is a comfortable holiday let, sleeping 14. The Orangery, where Lady Sybil Grant lived, has recently been restored for events and still retains her 1930s interiors.

Pitch Hall, Shropshire. Paul Highnam/Country Life Picture Library

The recorded history of Pitchford goes back to Edward the Confesssor and, from about 1086, the manor was held by Sir Ralph de Pytchford. The name presumably refers to the natural well of pitch, which still survives, close to the house. Another Ralph inherited in 1211 and built the church above the hall. The astonishing wooden effigy of his son, Sir John de Pitchford, is one of a series of remarkable tombs surviving there.

The traces of an early hall house, probably 13th-century, are recorded by Arrol, subsumed within the west wing of the present building; the main evidence is timbers blackened by open fires visible in the roof space of the west wing, marking a pair of Queen posts.

The estate sold in 1301 to Walter de Lang-ton and passed through various hands before being bought in 1473 by Thomas Ottley. He made his fortune from finishing Welsh cloth and he also had a house in Calais. It was his descendant in the mid 16th century, the prosperous Shropshire clothier Adam Ottley, who remodelled Pitchford in its present form, extending the medieval house and creating the three-sided entrance courtyard with gables.

Early views and photographs, including those published inCountry Lifein 1901, show the courtyard enclosed on the fourth side by an arched gateway and wall, probably dating to this period.

Ottley turned to Master John Sandford for the work, a member of an important dynasty of Shrewsbury carpenters. The earliest mentioned was Humphrey Sandford, who was sworn Freeman of the Shrewsbury Guild of Carpenters and Tylers in 1540.John, probably his elder brother, was warden of the carpenters guild and, when he died in 1566, probably before the hall was finished, he was still in possession of a farm leased to him by Ottley in 1549, as part of the consideration for building the mansion place.His sons, Ralph, Thomas and Randall are also recorded as carpenters.

Pitch Hall, Shropshire. Paul Highnam/Country Life Picture Library

The house bears all the hallmarks of Sandford family work. Among these are bold diagonal strutting, pilasters terminated by grotesque heads and carved gables with trailing vines.Previously, pomp and wealth were manifest in close studding massed ranks of upright timbers, as seen in the surviving medieval range but here, a new language of bold patterning emerged, part geometric, part abstract, a constant play of quatrefoils, herringbones and lozenges.

Its all the more important as the first extant example in a group of such houses sometimes collectively described as the Shrewsbury School built by prosperous Shrewsbury clothiers intent on becoming knights and squires.The earliest dated house of this type in the town itself was the now demolished Lloyds mansion in the square, built by David Lloyd in 1570. Another is Irelands Mansion in the High Street and the front elevation of the Drapers Hall of 157682.

It must have been Ottleys son who commissioned a pair of remarkable incised alabaster tombs in the church for his parents, himself and his wife. The former is inscribed as having been drawn and graven by John Tarbrook [of Be]udly carver Anno 1587. Sir Francis Ottley (160049) was a strong Royalist and Governor of Shrews-bury who helped initially secure the county for the King and negotiated the surrender of Bridgnorth, but the Parliamentarians prevailed and he fought a desperate campaign to free his estates from sequestration.

Pitch Hall, Shropshire. Paul Highnam/Country Life Picture Library

His eldest son, Richard Ottley (162670), a captain in the Royalist army, was knighted on June 21, 1660. A gentleman of the privy chamber to Charles II, he sat as MP for Shropshire from 1661 until his death on August 10, 1670.

Pitchford retains from about this period a tree house set in a spreading small-leaved lime. It first appears on a map dated 1692 and is timber-framed to match the house.Internal plasterwork is mid 18th century and was probably by Thomas Farnolls Pritchard, creator of the famous Ironbridge at Coalbrookdale. He had an extensive country-house practice and was presumably also responsible for the slim, lean-to additions to the main house supported on clustered columns.

These created a cloister-like arrangement of service access to the main rooms. He may also have inserted sash windows in parts of the main building, which are illustrated in some early photographs.

Pitch Hall, Shropshire. Paul Highnam/Country Life Picture Library

From 188389, the house was romanticised in a glorious and subtle way by George Devey to create a seamless, harmonious whole. Devey transformed a plain and over-sized late-Georgian wing (also shown in early photographs) into an attractive kitchen courtyard that blended perfectly with the 16th-century house. Ingeniously, he retained part of the colonnades and, inside, an impressive stone cantilevered staircase rising to the second floor survives.

Devey also created a new entrance on the north side, opening into the great hall, ennobling the skyline by increasing the number of star-form chimneystacks and allowing the owners to create a garden in the south court opening onto the park and river below. He also replaced the sashes with Elizabethan-style leaded panes.

Inside, Devey enlarged the great hall by extending it into the dining room, after which he moved the old hall panelling into a new drawing room. One key painting to survive in the house by virtue of being a listed fitting is a 1611 portrait by a follower of Hieronymus Custo-dis (d. 1593) of Lady Cassandra Ridgeway, whose daughter married Richard Ottley.

The new owners have now embarked on the challenging task of bringing back, or replacing lost contents, intent on making Pitchford Hall a family home once again which can fascinate visitors as its complex history is unravelled year by year.

To find out more about Pitchford Hall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, visit http://www.pitchfordestate.com.

Today, we might think of spending a few months in a world heritage site in Southern Italy as an enormous

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Inside the Shropshire house where the Royal Family planned to shelter if Britain was invaded during the Second World War - Country Life

The OG bike movie, Dhoom is where we first became familiar with John Abraham's passion for biking and superbikes. Ever since, the actor and producer has been fairly vocal about his adoration for motorcycles and is also known for his fascinating collection that boasts of some of the most iconic and luxurious bikes. The fans, however, never truly got the chance to have an explicit look into the bike enthusiasts garage.

Not until a day ago, that is, when the actor shared a video on his Instagram page giving a tour of his garage, filled with high-end superbikes, that he adorably introduced as his babies.

First one in the collection was the black Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R, which was first introduced at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show and released for the 2006 model year as a replacement for the ZZ-R1200. It's priced at around Rs 19.7 lakhs. The next ride that the actor presented as his fantastic baby was the fiery red Aprilia RSV4, which he described as pretty intense in terms of sound in the video, priced at approximately Rs 22 lakhs.

John then moved on to introduce the new baby in his collection, the blue Yamaha R1, priced at around Rs 18-20 lakhs. Following that, was the red Ducati -V4 Panigale, which is a sport bike, at a price of Rs 20 lakhs. The actor moves forward to the white MV Agusta F3 800, which he describes as a beautiful piece of art. This one is an 800cc middleweight sport bike, at a price of around Rs 18 lakhs.

The last one in the collection was the black Yamaha VMax 1700 cc 60th anniversary special. This ride costs about Rs 25 lakhs, making it the most expensive bike in the actors collection that was displayed in the video.

The comment section of the video was filled with fans and fellow bike enthusiasts lauding the actors impressive possessions, many giving suggestions for additions to the collection and some also asking for a more detailed vlog-style tour.

Now we don't know whether John Abraham will oblige his fans with an even more detailed video of his bike collection or not but what we do know is that the actor will be next seen in Pagalpanti, a comedy movie with and ensemble cast including Anil Kapoor, Ileana DCruz, Arshad Warsi, Urvashi Rautela, Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda. A bike racing film, based on riders, is also in the works starring the actor, directed by Rensil DSilva which will be shot at the Isle of Man.

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Cats and kittens on the North Shore will have a new place to go with the opening of North Shore Animal League AmericasBiancas Furry Friends Feline Adoption Center.

The latest major addition to the leagues headquarters in Port Washington, the center comprises a newly constructed second floor, where over a dozen rooms allow rescued cats to wander in cage-less surroundings.

Joanne Yohannan, senior vice president of operations for North Shore Animal League, said the addition is not meant to be evoke a traditional shelter.

This is more of a habitat for cats, so to be able to have the opportunity to provide a natural, stress-free environment for the cats is just great, Yohannan said.

The Bianca in Biancas Furry Friends is Bianca Stern, the late bulldog of Beth Ostrosky Stern and her husband, radio broadcaster Howard Stern. Upon the dogs death in 2012, Beth Ostrosky Stern, a frequent foster parent and adopter of North Shore rescues, approached Yohannan with an idea.

She said to me, Joanne, I want to do something special for Bianca in her memory,' Yohannan said.

The same year, North Shore received hundreds of animals displaced by Hurricane Sandy and the cages in the cat rooms became full. Stern and Yohannan thought up a cage-less solution, one that would allow rescues to roam around in rooms equipped with beds, litter boxes, scratching poles and structures to climb.

Beth and I wanted big windows, natural sunlight, we wanted an airy, bright feeling with high ceilings, we wanted it to be peaceful, Yohannan said. Cats always get overlooked, and oftentimes in animal shelters, theyre the first to die, and we wanted to change how they lived.

Stern then spearheaded a capital campaign for North Shore that raised over $12 million. It took six years to raise funds, acquire permits and construct the new addition.

The resulting structure, built by Clearwater, Florida-based Bacon Group Inc., is a 14,000 square foot, 12-room floor that houses over 100 cats and kittens.

Donors included Northwell Health lifetime trustee Sandra Atlas Bass of Great Neck, as well as other prominent names.

Singer-songwriter Billy Joel donated the proceeds from his 65th birthday concert at Madison Square Garden, according to Yohannan. His donation saw the addition of two themed rooms, with one including a functioning piano and another themed to New York City. Celebrity chef Rachael Ray, a longtime supporter of animal rescue organizations, was surprised last month on her daily TV show with her own room in the facility, which has a wooden tree with climbing-friendly limbs stretching across the walls.

Its not easy to raise the money, and I dont think it could have happened if the Sterns hadnt spearheaded the capital campaign, Yohannan said. They opened many doors to many of their friends, and thats really what catapulted us to making this dream a reality.

The Hallmark Channel, which borrows cats from North Shore for its annual Kitten Bowl, also sponsored a cat habitat room, which Yohannan said will host viewing parties for the event, which airs a few hours before the Super Bowl each year.

Other rooms are dedicated to Julia Belle Mason, a Make-A-Wish child whose wish for a kitten was granted by the league, and the Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt Charitable Trust, which provided funds for a feline nursery.

The addition also provided positives for the non-felines at North Shore, Yohannan says, with the dogs continuing to be housed on the first floor.

It not only benefited cats and kittens, but also dogs and puppies because now weve opened up more space to rescue more animals, Yohannan said.

She added that the centers improvements may set a standard for fellow shelters.

This could be a model for other organizations, so that if theyre doing expansions or want to have a capital campaign, its a nice model to follow to have habitats instead of cages, Yohannan said.

Next for the league will be the seventh annual Kitten Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 2, on the Hallmark Channel, and in May the Global Adopt-A-Thon, which will see the center unite with 2,000 shelters across the world to stay open for over 36 hours and offer 700 animals for adoptions.

Those in the Port area who enjoy animals but cant adopt are also welcome, Yohannan said.

Come for a visit, even if you dont want to adopt, she said. Even if you just want to see whats going on and socialize with the cats and dogs. The more interaction they get, the better a chance for adoption they have.

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North Shore sees opening of cat addition - Featured - The Island Now