Latest news with #Raindance
The Guardian
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Film festival to premiere clergy sex abuse documentary partly based on Guardian reporting
A new documentary examining the Catholic clergy molestation scandal in New Orleans – based in part on journalism by the Guardian and its local reporting partner WWL Louisiana – is making its world premiere at London's Raindance film festival in June. God As My Witness is also nominated for best feature-length documentary at the major film festival's 33rd edition, according to the movie's director, Lindsay Quinn Pitre. The producer of the 82-minute film is Michael Brandner Sr, who in 2018 discovered a pile of what were essentially love letters to his younger brother, Scot, from a Roman Catholic priest named Brian Highfill. Scot – who was a teenager when he received the letters – never told anyone about them and died by suicide at age 29 in the early 1990s. Michael presented the letters to New Orleans' Catholic archbishop, Gregory Aymond. In a recorded phone call between the men, Aymond told Brandner that the letters were likely grooming material but 'weren't explicit enough' to warrant Highfill's inclusion on a list released by the archdiocese that identified clergymen faced with substantial allegations of child molestation. Aymond ultimately added Highfill to that list in October 2020 after WWL Louisiana and a reporter now at the Guardian questioned the archdiocese about at least three other victims who had reported their own allegations of sexual abuse at the hands of Highfill over the previous 18 years. God As My Witness in part recounts the experiences of Brandner's family with Highfill, who died in 2021, and a number of people who endured being sexually molested as children by clergymen while growing up in the Catholic church in New Orleans. It also tells the stories of the attorneys who have advocated for clergy abuse survivors after the New Orleans church faced so many clerical molestation claims that it filed for federal bankruptcy protection in May 2020. The case has cost the archdiocese more than $40m in fees but remained unresolved as the 26 June premiere of God As My Witness was announced. Pitre recently told WWL Louisiana that the film is intentionally left 'open ended because this is still a growing process – it's still being unraveled in front of our eyes'. Brandner said the clergy abuse survivors seeking to be made whole through the bankruptcy do not include 'the ones who didn't come forward or the ones that are deceased' – his younger brother among them. 'I think Scot is [speaking] right now through me,' Brandner told WWL Louisiana. 'I believe that with my entire heart.'
Telegraph
19-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
Hansgrohe Raindance Select S 120 3jet PowderRain review: ‘I tried 11 showers – this is the best.'
Score: 10/10 We like: Its massaging whirl spray and relaxing PowderRain spray Easy to control push button Compact and attractive design We don't like: The handle is short in comparison to the head Only three spray options available – some shower heads have up to five It's not the cheapest chrome shower head you can buy What is the Hansgrohe Raindance Select S Hand Shower 120 3jet PowderRain? Improving your daily shower routine is easy with the Hansgrohe Raindance Select S Hand Shower. Provided it's compatible with your plumbing system, you can simply unscrew your existing shower head and replace it with this convenient and powerful model. The shower head has three settings, including a relaxing PowderRain spray, a refreshing Rain spray and an invigorating Whirl spray. After testing 11 models (including filter and water saving designs) to find the best shower heads for your home, this was my favourite; it stood out for its economical yet strong water pressure and its versatility. It's one of the more premium designs on the market, with an RRP of £138 (although it's often cheaper on Amazon). And while I tested the standard chrome model, you can pay more for other finishes like black chrome and brushed bronze. JUMP TO: How we test shower heads I tried a wide range of shower heads, including the viral Hello Klean filter shower head that is great for hard water areas, and the Mira Beat Shower Head that I highlighted as the best value shower head. Throughout my testing, I used the same approach. Firstly, I assessed each shower's spray patterns, water pressure and distribution and comfort of use, including whether it was easy to hold. I then tested the flow rate for litres per minute by measuring how much water was collected in 10 seconds and multiplying it by six. Read on to find out why I rated this shower head top and pair it with one of the best bath towels for a spa-like bathroom. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All opinions are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. Flow rate A shower head that benefits both your wallet and the environment will provide good pressure without using too much water. This Hansgrohe design claims to help you save 20 per cent compared to a standard shower head through its AirPower technology that mixes air with water to create a soft, voluminous spray. This means you still get that spa-like feel while using less water. Hansgrohe states its maximum water flow rate is up to 11 litres per minute. To test this myself, I placed a bucket at the base of my shower, turned it on for 10 seconds and measured the volume of water collected. I multiplied this by six to get the flow rate per minute. I measured an average of around 7.2 litres per minute on the heavier Rain and Whirl sprays and just a little less at 6.6 litres per minute on the PowderRain spray. This was about average when compared with the other eco shower heads I tried. Water pressure Supply issues or your home's hot water system are often the culprits for low water pressure. But a shower head with a water flow restrictor and its spray settings can also play a part. There are three settings on this one, including 'PowderRain' which provides 'soft, sensual water drops', 'Rain' which feels much like a standard rainfall shower and 'Whirl' which has a massaging effect. Keen to know how the water pressure would be affected by the different sprays, I turned the shower on to check whether it extended three feet before dropping, which indicates adequate pressure. I found all three settings satisfyingly strong, leaving me happy with the powerful results. Spray pattern and distribution The range and types of spray patterns found on a shower head vary from model to model, but having tried many, I find that quality beats quantity. So while other models I've tried have up to five options, that didn't mean they would be better than the Hansgrohe's three. They are controlled via a 'Select' button, conveniently positioned at the base of the face. I preferred using this over the manual levers found on many other designs as those often felt a little awkward to use. It's the large, 12.5cm face that makes all the difference to this shower's feel, however. The invigorating Whirl spray, with its luxurious massaging jet of water, twisted and turned out of the shower head like nothing I've seen before. It felt great on my back. The PowderRain's generous droplets and powerful spray mimicked overhead rainfall shower heads and the Rain spray is similarly drenching, but the jets are more concentrated and feel thicker and heavier overall. Design and aesthetics Score: 9/10 This shower head is visibly larger than your average design – the Mira Beat is 11cm while the Arezzo handset is 10.5cm. The chrome is shiny and the back of the shower head acts like a mirror, which came in useful for making sure all my make up has washed off. The handle felt shorter than what I would expect for its large head, but was surprisingly comfortable to hold. There's still ample room for your hand to fit conveniently. While the chrome finish will suit most bathrooms, if it's not right for yours, there are five alternative colours for you to choose from. Ease of cleaning Score: 9/10 Cleaning and buffing your shower dry after use with a microfibre cloth can make all the difference to its appearance and help to keep unsightly limescale build up at bay – a notorious problem if you live in a hard water area. The Hansgrohe's smooth and shiny head meant this was easy to do while the QuickClean silicone nozzles are also designed to clean up with a wipe. There aren't too many grooves or indentations for limescale build up on either. It's hard to say how this shower head will fare over time and whether it will still look as box fresh in six months' time, but one month in I'm pleased with the results. Technical specifications I've rated the Hansgrohe Raindance Select S Hand Shower 120 3jet PowderRain as the Best Buy among shower heads currently available, but if you're after a cheaper option you might like to try the Mira Beat, my pick for Best Value shower head. Here's how they match up. Should you buy the Hansgrohe Raindance Select S Hand Shower 120 3jet PowderRain? Provided it's compatible with your shower system, this Hansgrohe Raindance Shower Head makes for a great bathroom refresh. Its three spray options are water-saving yet powerful and the Whirl spray is particularly invigorating. Yes, if: You want a rainfall-style shower that's not overhead You're trying to create a spa-like experience at home You want to switch between spray patterns easily No, if: Hansgrohe Raindance Select S FAQs How do you clean the Hansgrohe Raindance shower head? With QuickClean silicone nozzles that protrude slightly from the shower head, the Raindance Select S can be wiped clean with a damp cloth to ensure limescale doesn't build up. Clean the body of the shower head with a standard shower detergent and then buff dry with a soft microfibre cloth to keep it looking shiny. The seal and filter are accessible from the base of the hand shower. What's special about the Hansgrohe Raindance shower head? The water sprays on this shower head all provide a spa-like experience. Both the Rain and PowderRain sprays offer a good drenching from the large 12.5cm head, while the Whirl spray generates a powerful, massaging stream of water. How do you remove the water restrictor from the Hansgrohe Raindance shower head? The model reviewed here doesn't have a flow restrictor. This feature is available on the EcoSmart and EcoSmart+ models. How do you disassemble the Hansgrohe Raindance shower head?
Telegraph
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Chelsea inspired: from show garden ideas to homegrown reality
The Boodles Raindance Garden It was the mesmerising sight of rainwater landing on stone and making patterns at RHS Chelsea 25 years ago that inspired Rebecca Hawkins, the director of design for Boodles, to create the Raindance jewellery collection. And now, a quarter of a century of the iconic design is being celebrated with a garden by Landform Consultants ' principal landscape designer and former Chelsea gold medallist, Catherine MacDonald. As well as reflecting the styles and motifs of the jewellery, this is a tranquil and relaxing space that celebrates the beauty of rain. MacDonald explains that the colour scheme focuses on diamonds set in platinum. Amid a backdrop of lush green ferns, the planting palette is mostly white, with some pale pink to reflect the very rare pink diamonds used in some of the Raindance pieces, as well as a soft blue that nods to water. The platinum is evoked by pale-grey paving, the aluminium furniture from McKinnon and Harris, the steel of the water feature and the zinc roof of the custom-designed Raindance pavilion. The fluted roof of the pavilion channels rainwater into a circular rill at its base, both symbolising the dance of rain on water and contributing to rainwater capture. Repetitive patterns also had a strong influence. 'Ferns have natural fractals – their fronds have the same pattern and shapes repeated at ever smaller scales,' she says. 'Fractals have a potentially positive impact on the cerebral cortex, reducing stress and enhancing creativity.' RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden Monty Don's first-ever garden for RHS Chelsea is a green haven for both owners and their pets. 'I've lived with dogs all my life, so it's absolutely natural to me that wherever I am in the garden I should be accompanied by a dog or two,' Don has said. 'It's their garden as much as mine or any other members of the family.' Inspired by both his beloved dogs and his Herefordshire garden, Longmeadow, Don's plot has a neatly mown lawn at its centre, 'essential for canine sprawling, sleeping, rolling, flopping, itching and chasing balls'. A large tree casts shade on the lawn, which drifts into longer grass planted with ornamental spring-flowering bulbs, creating what he dubs a 'tameflower' meadow. The garden, created in collaboration with Jamie Butterworth of Form Plants, has a sectioned-off area for humans to enjoy – and for dogs to visit only when supervised. This space raises awareness of plants that are toxic to dogs and other pets and includes a mixture of familiar favourites, as well as sporting a distinct ball theme, with alliums and topiary balls of different sizes and kinds. The Killik & Co Futureproof Garden What could be more reflective of the zeitgeist than a modern family garden designed to withstand the unpredictable weather patterns of a changing climate? With summer drought and winter flood conditions already being experienced across the UK, gardens need to be robustly designed, with plants that can withstand both extremes. And this plot offers a glimpse of how our backyards could look in 25 years. Baz Grainger of Landform Consultants says part of the inspiration for his design came from a visit to the tree supplier, Baum & Bonheur nursery in Germany. 'The conversation started around finding a replacement for ash trees because of ash dieback and proceeded quickly to the idea of losing some of our native trees to global warming over the next 25 to 30 years,' Grainger says. 'Things like oak and birch will migrate north as the temperatures increase to the south, making it too warm for them.' This led Grainger to look into futureproof planting. Inspired by the climate of Aquitaine in southern France, he has chosen tree species such as zelkova and pinus sylvestris, which are resilient to floods, drought and higher temperatures. Plant-wise, clary sage and semiaquilegia thrive in slightly warmer conditions. As well as having a calm family seating area, the garden incorporates clever architectural rainscaping features to manage flooding and to promote water conservation. A Space to Read Balcony Garden by Viking Cruises This inspirational space is described by its designers, Freddie Strickland and Ben Gifford, as a love letter to the gentle synergy of books and gardening. This is a verdant reading room intended for a couple who are as passionate about plants as they are about paperbacks. With a brick design on the back wall that's reminiscent of a well-stocked library, the plot is packed with practical features. Behind layered planting in raised containers – to maximise use of space – are a small cabinet for gardening tools, shelved levels with room for potted plants and subtle lighting to enable reading into the late evening. 'We're using reclaimed wall-mounted lights, which will be adjustable to enable a downlight directly onto a book, and some battery-powered table lights,' says Gifford, of landscape design and construction firm Yardstick Design. He adds that incorporating shade by planting a tree is essential for comfortable reading, while the tree also conceals the boundaries of the balcony, giving the illusion of a larger space. Comfy armchair-like seats are bespoke Konk pieces, while Italian terracotta pots and antique copper pots add interest. 'Surrounding yourself with plants, even in a small space, can bring many mental health benefits, especially when living in a city,' says Strickland, a previous RHS Young Designer of the Year. 'Plants such as peonies, sweet peas, geraniums and violets will set the tone for a calming and harmonious space for reading.'
