Latest news with #AmyJohnson
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Helston play park set for £25k multi-use games area upgrade
A widely used play area in a Helston residential estate is set for a significant enhancement with the installation of a new multi-use games area. Projects Officer Richard James confirmed the news at Helston Town Council's first full meeting of the new civic year, announcing that upgrade works at Bulwark play park are scheduled to begin on May 26, 2025. The Bulwark play area at present (Image: Amy Johnson) The improvements have been made possible by approximately £25,000 originating from the Roundhouse Way development to the west of Nansloe Primary School. Mr James explained: 'The Bulwark Play Park is the closest to the Nansloe development, so we have been looking at what can be done to enhance the space.' The park was opened in 2013 (Image: Amy Johnson) "We are delighted to be making improvements to the Bulwark Play area and providing better equipment for the young people of Helston. "The park has long been used as an informal space for football, so it felt right to deliver better equipment for that purpose." Mr James added that there will also be a new addition of toddler equipment, aiming to bring "joy" to the younger visitors. "In addition, we will be making some minor repairs to the existing equipment and sections of the surrounding fence that have reached the end of its life cycle," Mr James added. A multi-goal will be installed (Image: Helston Town Council) "It feels great to be building on the amazing work of previous Town Council officers who delivered their project back in 2013. "It wouldn't have been possible without the support of Cornwall Council and the funding that was made available from the Roundhouse Way development to the west of Nansloe Primary School." Demolition date set for Helston care home as future plans kept secret - for now Porthlevener to command one of the world's most iconic warships 'A great honour': New mayor of Helston shares her thanks after unanimous vote This upcoming development marks the completion of a long-held ambition for the park. 'The park was part of an improvement project back in 2013, which saw the current play equipment installed,' Mr James said. 'That project should have included a Multi-Games Area, but funding was not available for this element at the time.' Richard shared there will be new themed equipment for little ones (Image: Helston Town Council) In December, Helston Town Council consulted residents of the Bulwark Estate area to share their ideas of what they would like to see in the park. At the time, the council stated: 'We've recently secured funding to make improvements to the Bulwark play area. We would like to hear from residents on how these funds should be used and how you use the park.' The current park was officially opened in 2013 by then Deputy Mayor Mike Thomas and Julia Eddy. At the time, Mrs Eddy said: 'This park is here for you to use and enjoy, and we would like you to be able to do so for a long time to come. "We are sure you will treat it with respect and look after it carefully.'
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
When Amy flew solo from England to Australia
Who is Amy Johnson? A pioneering aviator, Amy Johnson was the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia. She achieved this in a little less than 20 days, as her flight lasted from May 5 to May 24 in 1930. It was the first of several other record-breaking flights for Amy, who went on to become one of the most influential and inspirational women of the 20th Century. The eldest of four sisters, Amy – born on July 1, 1903 – grew up in Hull, England, where her father ran a fish export and import business. After studying at Sheffield University, Amy moved to London, where she worked as a typist for a firm of solicitors. For reasons that we know not, Amy took a bus ride to Stag Lane Aerodrome in North London on a Sunday afternoon in 1928. That bus ride might have been the most important of her life as it turned her life upside-down, setting her out on a career path that would prove to be her calling. As the primitive biplanes took off and landed, Amy was spellbound and before long, she was spending all her spare time at the aerodrome. A string of firsts Bear in mind that the 1920s was a time when flying was dominated by the wealthy and famous. The few female pilots who were around were mostly the titled women. Not one to be deterred, Amy became a member of the London Aeroplane Club and sought flying lessons, backed by a supportive father. Flying didn't come naturally to Amy. In fact, her first instructor reportedly told her that she would never be an aviator. It took her 16 hours of dual flying – twice what was considered normal – before she could embark on solo flights. By July 1929, however, Amy had got her pilot's license. While she wasn't a born flier, she was definitely a 'born engineer,' a sentiment echoed by the club's chief mechanic Jack Humphreys. At a time when it was unusual for women to learn to fly, Amy went a step further and learned from Humphreys as to how to maintain an aircraft. She became the first British woman to earn a ground engineer's license later that same year. Following her historic flight from England to Australia that saw her become the first woman to fly solo between those two destinations in 1930, Amy cemented her place in aviation history with more record-breaking flights. This included one with Humphreys in July-August 1931, when the duo flew to Tokyo, setting record times to both Moscow and Japan. Following her marriage to Scottish pilot Jim Mollison in 1932, she was at it again, flying solo from London to Cape Town, South Africa in 1933 in record time – a record that she took back in 1936 in her last major flight. The couple known as the 'flying sweethearts' attempted a long distance record by flying across the Atlantic from Wales to New York. Even though they crash landed short of their target at Connecticut and both were injured, they were given a huge ticker-tape welcome at New York. The duo got to meet President Franklin Roosevelt and also became friendly with American aviator Amelia Earhart. For someone to whom flying had given so much, Amy's demise too came through flying. Following their divorce in 1938 and a brief stint as a commercial pilot, Amy began reconsidering her public role during the onset of World War II as she had by then ventured into businesses, journalism, and fashion. She decided to contribute to the war effort and joined the newly established Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) that was involved in moving aircraft from factories to air bases. Amy died during one such routine ATA mission, even though there are speculations as to what exactly happened as she was so far off course. These range from being part of a secret mission, to the more mundane theory that she simply got lost and had run out of fuel. Amy died on January 5, 1941, aged just 37. The historic flight In 1928 – the same year Amy had found her calling – Australian aviator Bert Hinkler set the record for flying solo from England to Australia, achieving it in 15.5 days. Soon after she learnt to fly, Amy dared to break this record. It was a daring dream as the longest flight she had attempted was a distance of 290 km from Stag Lane Aerodrome to Hedon Aerodrome, Hull. If she had to achieve the challenge she was setting out for herself, she had to travel 17,700 km! Following a long campaign during which she raised funds and secured financial backing, she set out from Croydon Airport on May 5, 1930 in a second-hand Gypsy Moth bi-plane that she called Jason. Without radio links to ground stations and reliable information about weather conditions, Amy braved it all, navigating using a compass, some basic maps, and a ruler that she used to plot the most direct routes. Such direct routes, however, took her over some inhospitable terrains. There were plenty of incidents throughout her journey as mountain ranges, desert sandstorms, hostile tribesmen, tropical storms, and shock waves from a volcanic eruption all made their presence felt during her flight. Among the many incidents was her forced emergency landing in Jhansi, India, on May 11 as she had drifted off course and was running out of fuel. Having somehow managed to land her plane between two barracks, Amy found help from the army officers and Jhansi locals. They had her aircraft repaired by the following morning and having enjoyed a night's rest in a bungalow – a luxury not afforded to her during most of the rest of the journey – Amy set off again, first to Calcutta and then to other places as she continued her solo flight. On May 24, 1930, Amy landed in Darwin, Australia and was received by a huge crowd as she had become a worldwide celebrity by then. In her own eyes, however, she had failed to break Hinkler's mark as she had required 19.5 days for the journey – four days more than what it took Hinkler. Mechanical difficulties and weather conditions had played a part in that. King George V and Queen Mary congratulated her, as did British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald. They sang songs about her, fan mails poured in, and she was treated like a superstar. A million people lined up the parade route in London when she was driven through the streets in an open-topped car following her return to England in August 1930. There were 3,00,000 people to welcome her at Hull, her home city. Amy's life was never the same again as she was constantly under public scrutiny.
Times
01-05-2025
- Times
A Carmarthenshire coastline hike past a 19th century shipwreck
Early morning sun dazzled the wave-rippled Pendine Sands, which edge Carmarthenshire's coastline for seven golden miles. Prized by speed-seekers since the 1920s, these level leagues have been the site of multiple land-speed records set over the decades. This was also, in 1933, where Amy Johnson and her husband, Jim Mollison, took off in a de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide, crash-landing just short of New York to a heroes' welcome. Between Pendine and neighbouring Amroth, the well-signed Wales Coast Path rollercoasters its way through steep-sided coastal valleys on a challenging but thoroughly worthwhile walk. We set out from the beach, a long flight of steps — more than 200 in total — winding up to the headland at Gilman Point, an Iron Age promontory hillfort. The
Chicago Tribune
29-04-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Fundraiser to benefit Kane County Specialty Courts Foundation
Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain and Undersheriff Amy Johnson have announced they will host the third annual spring fundraiser to benefit the Kane County Specialty Courts Foundation on Thursday, May 15, at the Kane County Judicial Building, 37W777 Route 38 in St. Charles. The event, which will go from 5:30 to 8 p.m., will include numerous silent auction items to bid on, 50/50 raffle tickets to purchase and live music, organizers said. There will also be appetizers, dinner and dessert prepared by Chef Porfirio and the Kane County Adult Justice Center's Inn Recovery student chefs. The Kane County Specialty Courts Foundation provides incentives and support for participants in Kane County's specialty courts – Adult Drug Court, DUI Court, Veterans' Court and Treatment Alternative Court. All proceeds from ticket sales and silent auctions at the event will go to the foundation. 'The foundation board is immensely grateful Sheriff Hain is offering this event for us again this year,' said Dennis Carr, foundation chair, in a press release about the event. 'The funds raised at the previous events are a significant resource for our work that has enabled us to do more for the specialty court participants.' Tickets are available on Eventbrite for $75 per person or for a special 30% discount with the purchase of two tickets. For more information, go to Veterans Benefits Fair set in Batavia A Veterans Benefits Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 2, at VFW Post 1197, 645 S. River St. in Batavia, officials with the post said. The event is free and open to the public. At the fair, veterans and their families can access vital information and resources, event organizers said. With over 50 vendors, including representatives from the Veterans Administration, Veterans Assistance Commission, Social Security Administration, VA home loans, Nicor and various non-profit organizations and veteran-owned businesses, the fair is designed to serve as a one-stop-shop for veteran benefits, officials with the VFW post said. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak directly with experts, gather information and ask questions about various programs and services available to veterans, according to organizers. McDonald Farm plant sale scheduled The annual McDonald Farm Plant Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at the farm at 10S404 Knoch Knolls Road in Naperville. A wide selection of native perennials, grasses, organic vegetable and herb seedings and Mother's Day gift options will be available. Gardeners can also pick up organic compost or rain barrels, a sale announcement said. The farm anticipates having a variety of options for all areas of the yard, including plants that need sun, plants that like the shade or plants that like medium-wet soil. Vegetables available should include broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and more. Herbs include chives, cilantro, lavender, lemon balm, parsley, sage and thyme, among others.
The Herald Scotland
28-04-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Amy Johnson's historic Australia flight to be celebrated on 95th anniversary
A flypast of a biplane similar to the one used by Miss Johnson is planned for Sunday. Croydon airport is now a museum (Alamy/PA) Throughout this weekend, the airport will host guided tours of the control tower and an Amy Johnson exhibition, while discussions and workshops will take place at the adjacent Croydon Aerodrome Hotel. Miss Johnson had only 100 hours of flying experience when she took off from Croydon in her second-hand Gipsy Moth plane, named Jason. The 27-year-old had no radio link to the ground, no reliable weather information and only basic maps to guide her over uncharted land and some of the world's most inhospitable terrain. She braved sandstorms, forced landings and the amorous attentions of Arab sheikhs to reach Darwin in northern Australia 19 days later. On her return to Croydon, she was greeted by an estimated 200,000 people who lined the route to the airport. Micha Nestor, visitor centre manager at Croydon airport – which is now a museum – told the PA news agency: 'What we want to do is inspire future aviation enthusiasts, and also highlight women in aviation 'Amy was one of the major celebrities of the 1930s. 'We really want to amplify her story, because Amy was a big deal.' She added: 'There's one term that she used to use, and that's air mindedness. 'At almost each stop (to Australia) she had to deal with a different problem, and use all those different skills she'd gathered, whether it's engineering, maths, all different bits and pieces, to figure it out. 'That's what we want to promote: thinking on the ball.' Amy Johnson preparing to set off for Australia (LNA/PA) Papers released by The National Archives in 2005 revealed that a senior UK diplomat wrote before the flight that there should be restrictions on Miss Johnson's plans given her 'sex, youth and comparative inexperience'. She was an 'adventuress' who needed protecting from herself, the official communique suggested. Miss Johnson died aged 37 when a plane she was flying crashed into the sea off Herne Bay, Kent in January 1941. At the time, she was serving as a pilot with the Air Transport Auxiliary, which delivered aircraft for the RAF. Her body was never found. Croydon airport opened in 1920, featuring the world's first air traffic control tower. Mike Thorn, a trustee of Historic Croydon Airport Trust, described it as the UK's 'first major international airport' and 'the equivalent of Heathrow before the Second World War'. He said: 'We get people travelling long distances to visit. He recently had some people from Hong Kong.' The airport was closed in 1959 and converted into a museum in 2000.
