Copley Arms, Hessenford (1959 - 1963)

My parents had country pubs in Cornwall whilst I was growing up. They tended to buy run-down pubs in nice areas and potentialise them.  They had the reputation, in that part of Cornwall, of running good friendly pubs, with excellent food and a great atmosphere.


The background music they tended to play was light classical, so over the years I must have absorbed lots of pieces without realising.  One thing I did know was that I HATED opera!

Cornish Inn (1971 - 1983)

All this has changed over the years, especially after I bought a double tape of Maria Callas's greatest arias.  I'd listened repeatedly to the tune I liked,  then I listened to the rest of the pieces a few times - and started to then love them. 

Following on from that I started to explore the full operas and began to enjoy the music.  At the same time, listening to more challenging orchestral music gradually because easier and more rewarding.

Gustav Mahler (1860 - 1911)

I think that classic fm has helped people into enjoying classical, and even modern classical, music.


The following link isn't to an opera.  But is the sort of music which I'd have found far too heavy and challenging when in my teens.

From Classic fm is A detailed explanation of how Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 is a heart-shattering work of genius

Read more at http://www.classicfm.com/composers/mahler/guides/symphony-no-2-genius/#IkTXbCDYrHvfahfe.99

At our July monthly meeting, we had a talk at Derby U3A yesterday about Hydro Power in the Derwent Valley.  Darley Abbey Weir was one of the weirs which a group would like to use to harness the power from

I then noticed that Darley Abbey Weir has been given protected status this year, see: http://heritagecalling.com/2015/06/17/just-listed-20-unusual-places-given-protected-status-this-year/

Darley Abbey weir Derbyshire. Grade II

Darley Abbey is in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site – a 24km stretch of pioneering industrial mills. The valley’s abundant water supply was the reason for the location of a series of historic textile mills, and the construction of massive weirs to control the flow of the River Derwent demanded major engineering skills. Darley Abbey weir was constructed in 1782 and is 110m in length: a two-part structure with a concave shape curving upstream.

Also see Derby Telegraph article about Hydro Power in Derbyshire: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/New-map-charts-Derwent-sites-future-hydro-electric-power-plants/story-11572699-detail/story.html

Ten bacteria with real superpowers


http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150730-ten-bacteria-with-superpowers?ocid=fbert