Latest news with #FrancisRodrigues
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Suburb 'likely' helped inspire Tolkien's Shire
Residents in a Nottinghamshire suburb say they are convinced JRR Tolkien's vision of Hobbiton was partly based on their area. Francis Rodrigues, from Gedling, paused his TV while watching a piece on the news about the sale of a first edition of The Hobbit. He called his wife through and she confirmed she was seeing the same thing – that an illustration of The Shire by the Lord of the Rings author depicted nearby Arnold Lane. Two Tolkien historians told the BBC they thought the evidence was compelling. Mr Rodrigues was one of several people to spot the connection from news reports. "I'm very convinced. You can see straight away that's Arnold Lane," he said. "It's nice to know he walked the streets I walked… and wow, I'm following in his footsteps." The 75-year-old pointed to the bend in the road and similarities between the drawn mill in the foreground and the real All Hallows Church. He also pointed out the similarity in shape and position between farm buildings in the image and Phoenix Farm. This was a farm, owned by Tolkien's aunt, where the author is known to have stayed and written the poem which began his work on Middle Earth. The farm overlooked Arnold Lane. The road has been reshaped and some of the buildings destroyed since Tolkien visited in the early 1900s. The surrounding fields and countryside have also been turned into housing. But comparisons with old black and white images of the road convinced many on social media of the connection. There is much debate about which locations inspired Tolkien's landscapes. In a newspaper interview Tolkien said the Shire was "inspired by a few cherished square miles of actual countryside at Sarehole", an area in the West Midlands. But John Garth, Tolkien biographer and author of a book on the places that inspired Middle-earth, pointed out the image does not look much like Sarehole. After looking at the old images of the road and old ordinance survey maps, he said it was "rather likely" some of the illustration drew on what Tolkien saw in Gedling. "The place was very special to him," he said. "He was happy to put personal references and in-jokes into The Hobbit. "Even if he hadn't intended it, I can imagine his aunt would have opened the book and thought 'oh look, this looks like my old farm'. "There's a really quite a good case to be made here for direct inspiration." Andrew Morton, author of Tolkien's Gedling, was initially sceptical. He said he often hears people coming up with "fantastic ideas" connecting Tolkien to the landscape. But after seeing the evidence, he said: "It's quite compelling, your readers are onto something here. "It's reasonable to think he'd have dug [Arnold Lane] out of his memory and incorporated it into his landscape. "Although you have to be careful, or you'll end up with Bilbo Baggins living at Mapperley Top." Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. More on this story Rare copy of The Hobbit sells for 'record-breaking' sum Tolkien society suggests author for new banknotes Tolkien blue plaque unveiled at railway station
BBC News
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Gedling 'likely' helped inspire Tolkien's Shire
Residents in a Nottinghamshire suburb say they are convinced JRR Tolkien's vision of Hobbiton was partly based on their Rodrigues, from Gedling, paused his TV while watching a piece on the news about the sale of a first edition of The called his wife through and she confirmed she was seeing the same thing – that an illustration of The Shire by the Lord of the Rings author depicted nearby Arnold Tolkien historians told the BBC they thought the evidence was compelling. Mr Rodrigues was one of several people to spot the connection from news reports. "I'm very convinced. You can see straight away that's Arnold Lane," he said."It's nice to know he walked the streets I walked… and wow, I'm following in his footsteps." The 75-year-old pointed to the bend in the road and similarities between the drawn mill in the foreground and the real All Hallows also pointed out the similarity in shape and position between farm buildings in the image and Phoenix was a farm, owned by Tolkien's aunt, where the author is known to have stayed and written the poem which began his work on Middle farm overlooked Arnold road has been reshaped and some of the buildings destroyed since Tolkien visited in the early surrounding fields and countryside have also been turned into comparisons with old black and white images of the road convinced many on social media of the connection. There is much debate about which locations inspired Tolkien's a newspaper interview Tolkien said the Shire was "inspired by a few cherished square miles of actual countryside at Sarehole", an area in the West John Garth, Tolkien biographer and author of a book on the places that inspired Middle-earth, pointed out the image does not look much like looking at the old images of the road and old ordinance survey maps, he said it was "rather likely" some of the illustration drew on what Tolkien saw in Gedling."The place was very special to him," he said."He was happy to put personal references and in-jokes into The Hobbit."Even if he hadn't intended it, I can imagine his aunt would have opened the book and thought 'oh look, this looks like my old farm'."There's a really quite a good case to be made here for direct inspiration." Andrew Morton, author of Tolkien's Gedling, was initially said he often hears people coming up with "fantastic ideas" connecting Tolkien to the after seeing the evidence, he said: "It's quite compelling, your readers are onto something here."It's reasonable to think he'd have dug [Arnold Lane] out of his memory and incorporated it into his landscape."Although you have to be careful, or you'll end up with Bilbo Baggins living at Mapperley Top."
Hans India
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
‘Poetica' celebrates over 125 Konkani poems at the scenic Bajpe
Mangaluru: A celebration of Konkani literature and culture unfolded at St. Anthony's Church in Bajpe on Sunday as the 39th edition of Poetica brought together more than 125 original poems and a vibrant display of coastal creativity. Organised by the cultural association Ami Ani Amchim, the poetry gathering witnessed enthusiastic participation from renowned Konkani poets across coastal Karnataka and Goa. Over a hundred literary enthusiasts gathered to listen to recitations and performances that showcased the depth and diversity of Konkani verse. Presiding over the event, parish priest Rev Fr Francis Rodrigues lauded the efforts of Poetica and Ami Ani Amchim in promoting literature and fostering social dialogue. He said that such grassroots initiatives had taken up the mantle of nurturing regional languages and cultural heritage. Santosh D'Souza, central president of the Catholic Sabha and chief guest of the event, was felicitated for his contributions to the community. He praised the literary community's proactive role, observing that many of the responsibilities that ideally rest with the government are being fulfilled by cultural organisations and independent writers. The event was led by Poetica president Naveen Pereira (Surathkal), along with Ami Ani Amchim president Denis D'Silva and Secretary Santosh D'Costa. Noted Konkani poets George Ligouri D'Souza (Surathkal) and Lloyd Rego (Taccode) chaired the poetry sessions. Among the poets who presented their work were Jossey Pinto (Kinnigoli), Guadalupe Dias (Goa), Roshan Castelino (Paladka), Fr. Francis Rodrigues (Antonikatte), E.D. Cardoza (Taccode), Maccha Millar, Maria Pinto (Kulasekhar), Maxin Rodrigues (Bondel), Saraswati Naik (Goa), Godwin Pinto (Bejai), Raymond D'Cunha (Taccode), Richy Pereira (Derebail), Stanislaus D'Souza (Kirem), Edward Lobo (Thokkottu), Pedro Prabhu (Taccode), Lavy (Ganjimath), Henry Mascarenhas (Ganjimath), Lancy Sequeira (Surathkal), Remy (Katipalla), and Lawrence D'Souza (Surathkal), among others. The evening also featured cultural performances by the Rang Tarang Madanthyar troupe, who performed traditional Konkani songs that received an enthusiastic response from the audience.
Hans India
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Over 125 Konkani Poems Celebrated at 'Poetica' Gathering in Coastal Karnataka
Mangaluru: A celebration of Konkani literature and culture unfolded at St. Anthony's Church in Bajpe on Sunday as the 39th edition of Poetica brought together more than 125 original poems and a vibrant display of coastal creativity. Organised by the cultural association Ami Ani Amchim, the poetry gathering witnessed enthusiastic participation from renowned Konkani poets across coastal Karnataka and Goa. Over a hundred literary enthusiasts gathered to listen to recitations and performances that showcased the depth and diversity of Konkani verse. Presiding over the event, parish priest Rev. Fr. Francis Rodrigues lauded the efforts of Poetica and Ami Ani Amchim in promoting literature and fostering social dialogue. He said that such grassroots initiatives had taken up the mantle of nurturing regional languages and cultural heritage. Santosh D'Souza, central president of the Catholic Sabha and chief guest of the event, was felicitated for his contributions to the community. He praised the literary community's proactive role, observing that many of the responsibilities that ideally rest with the government are being fulfilled by cultural organisations and independent writers. The event was led by Poetica president Naveen Pereira (Surathkal), along with Ami Ani Amchim president Denis D'Silva and secretary Santosh D'Costa. Noted Konkani poets George Ligouri D'Souza (Surathkal) and Lloyd Rego (Taccode) chaired the poetry sessions. Among the poets who presented their work were Jossey Pinto (Kinnigoli), Guadalupe Dias (Goa), Roshan Castelino (Paladka), Fr. Francis Rodrigues (Antonikatte), E.D. Cardoza (Taccode), Maccha Millar, Maria Pinto (Kulasekhar), Maxin Rodrigues (Bondel), Saraswati Naik (Goa), Godwin Pinto (Bejai), Raymond D'Cunha (Taccode), Richy Pereira (Derebail), Stanislaus D'Souza (Kirem), Edward Lobo (Thokkottu), Pedro Prabhu (Taccode), Lavy (Ganjimath), Henry Mascarenhas (Ganjimath), Lancy Sequeira (Surathkal), Remy (Katipalla), and Lawrence D'Souza (Surathkal), among others. The evening also featured cultural performances by the Rang Tarang Madanthyar troupe, who performed traditional Konkani songs that received an enthusiastic response from the audience.
