CHAPEL END CHARLIE

I checked out the ultimate (3 volume) reference guide on the subject : 'The Blitz - Then and Now' and I can find no reference to Winchester being bombed at all throughout WWII . This may be just a coincidence or related to the fact that the Winchester lacked many important war industries , but it does seem that city was unusually lucky to put it mildly . As for a special no-bombing order being in place , I can only say that is news to me and I take an interest in the Luftwaffe .

Common sense should tell you that if PFC find someone daft enough to make a significant investment in them and pay off their due debts then the judge is not going the wind up a (now solvent) company regardless . The possibility of criminal proceedings against the previous board(s) is an entirely different question however .

As you are reading this thread I assume you must have an interest in cinema and hence you have almost certainly already seen this famous film . So you may well ask what is the point of revisiting 'The Birds' ? Well all I can say is that this movie represents one of the greatest directors in the history of film making at (perhaps) the very height of his creative powers , and familiarity does breed contempt . So I hope a brief look at some of the fascinating back-story behind this glorious film may still be of interest . Hitch'ock- Between 1958 and 1963 Sir Alfred Hitch'ock would direct four films : 'Vertigo' , 'North by Northwest' , 'Psycho' and 'The Birds' . To have produced any one of these timeless masterpieces would be the pinnacle of most (any) only directors career I would suggest , to have done all four in only six years is a truly remarkable achievement by any reckoning . Tippi Hedren - A former fashion model , she came to the attention of AH after appearing in a series of popular TV adverts of the day - 'The Birds' would be her first movie . Considering the complete assurance and easy competence of her performance this in itself is quite noteworthy . Tippi's friendly relationship with Hitch wouldn't last as AH later tried to control her career in a not altogether healthy manner . Cameo - Hitch can be seen leaving the pet shop with his dogs early in the film . Editing - Watch any Hitch's films especially the restaurant scene in 'Birds' - a masterclass in the crucial importance of the editing process and the key to his success in many ways . Rod Taylor - A fairly typical leading man you may say but interestingly the role of 'Mitch Brenner' was originally envisioned for ex Psycho star (and rather less handsome) Martin Balsom would you believe . This film along with 'The Time Machine' would be the highlights of this Aussie actor's career . Special Effects - The problem with using the Matt 'Blue Screen' technology the day was that the process would leave a tell-tell blue halo effect around the imposed images . This problem was overcome courtesy of a new (and very effective) 'Sodium Lighting' technology invented by Disney . A substantial number of shots used in this film are actually composites of multiple different images matted together - all done long before CGI made this relatively easy and commonplace . Veronica Cartwright - Playing the 11 year old sister of Mitch Brenner she survives her various encounters with the birds here - she would be rather less fortunate however 16 years later when she came to a very nasty end playing 'Lambert' in Ridley Scott's Sci-fi/horror crossover 'Alien' . The Attic Bedroom Scene - Tippi Hedren had been promised that this difficult scene would be filmed using mechanical birds - it seems this was always a lie . In reality she spent a grueling 5 days having real birds quite literally throw at her - an experience so traumatic that it put her in hospital suffering from nervous exhaustion . Locations - AH much preferred to film in the controlled environment of a studio and kept location shooting to a minimum . Some background footage of the real Bodega Bay was used , often combined with the Universal back-lot (you'll never spot the difference) and seamless background painting by the brilliant Matt artist Albert Whitlock . You would not believe how much of this film is just painted glass . The Car - 'Melanie Daniels' silver convertible is a very rare LHD Aston Martin DB2 - one of only a handful in the states at that time and worth a small fortune now . That Infamous Ending - AH had a problem devising a good ending for this movie , at one time it was planned to follow the car as they drove through the now ruined Bodega Bay and out onto the coast road - where birds would attack the occupants of the car through the 'soft top' roof before they complete their escape . It was even suggested that they drive to San Francisco's 'Golden Gate' bridge and find it covered with a vast army of birds ! Ultimately they filmed none of this , and I must say the film is all the better for it . Many truly great films (like Birds & 2001) leave something unexplained for the imagination of the audience to work on - 'The Birds' is a prime example of this . To any youngster reading this who hasn't discovered Hitch yet you really must see his works . To view them for the first time ! - how I envy you .

Tonight I can't pretend that it doesn't hurt to have lost to them , so I won't even bother trying . But I also can't pretend that I'm not proud of my old club , I'm so very proud of each and every one of our players today , and above all I'm proud to call myself a Saints fan . My admiration for Alan Pardew has increased rather than decreased as a result of today's match - his team selection is beyond criticism and it's perfectly obvious that he had them totally up for the challenge and so well organised - I'm far from unbiased but I honesty think we were the better team for much of the match . So we lick our wounds and withstand the 'slings and arrows of outrageous fortune' with all the dignity and restraint we can muster , knowing with complete certainty that the next time we play them we will be stronger and they will be weaker . Bring it on .

This possibility of PFC receiving next seasons 'Parachute Payment' prematurely is a interesting question for the Premier League . If unanimous agreement from all 20 EPL club chairmen is required then I can't see it happening as some clubs (Liverpool for instance) could gain an significant advantage by vetoing this proposal . http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/feb/11/portsmouth-avram-grant-fa-tax You can more or less guarantee club Chairmen will put the interests of their own club first - there's so much money involved they can hardly do anything else .

I hear he is expected to resume training in a week or two .

Good News for Pompey fans - Mystery new investor identified . Bad News for Pompey fans - It's Peter Ridsdale .

I think we have a winner in the intensely fought 'Stupidest Thread of the Week' competition . For the information of those advocating this nonsense (most of whom I assume to be under 12 years of age) Mr Cortese is hardly likely to encourage you to stand at Wembley for the eminently simple reason that your doing so would be contrary to ground regulations , if not damn right illegal . As a rule the Chairman of a football club is generally expected to behave like a responsible adult by those in authority , and while I don't know him personally I'm still pretty sure our Chairman would prefer to respect that time honoured tradition and not look like a complete and utter berk before his peers and the assembled glitterati of the Football League ! Nil Desperandum however ! I've consulted the highest medical authorities in the land on your behalf , and they assure me that the latest 'cutting edge' medical research proves that it is anatomically possible for the average Human Being to sing while adopting a seated position .

This feels like being one of those ghouls who used to turn up at public executions just for the fun of it - I'm starting to see the appeal .

Well I guess it's too late to organise a money transfer tonight even if an agreement is reached , so it really is a case of '1 minute to midnight' for them now .

Without being at all 'in the know' I suspect that in reality HMRC are under a legal duty to maximise the tax return to the exchequer , and all this 'send a message out' stuff is just so much chaff in the wind . Something is always better than nothing , and some kind of messy deal will be reached . Probably something like PFC agreeing to donate most of next seasons 'parachute payment' directly to the taxman .

I don't think anyone is asking for a 'massive navy' like we had at Jutland or even the much reduced RN that existed in 1939 . What I do say however is that an island nation that maintains an extensive system of worldwide alliances and depends on the freedom of the sea for 92% of its trade does still require a significant navy to protect its vital interests and further its foriegn policy . Many might be surprised to know that our once formidable navy has been reduced to little more than 25 Destroyers and Frigates and a handful of submarines - Nelson's navy is now much the same size as that of France or Italy . Any further substantial cuts and the Royal Navy will be little more than a pathetic coastal defence force , a navy that counts for little in the world and that is entirely incapable of mounting major operations anymore such as the Falklands . Were something like the Falklands to happen again (or say Iran decided to close the Strait of Hormuz to British registered ships for instance) then I would find your recommendation that we sit back and plead for 'someone else' to defend our national interests both offensive and shameful frankly . :mad:

While conspiracy theories are great fun lets be absolutely clear on this as the truth is important - no serious historian questions that Adolf Hitler committed suicide in Berlin by means of a self inflicted gunshot wound to the temple (a 7.65mm round from a Walther PPK) and simultaneously biting down on a cyanide capsule .This event took place within Hitler's private suite in the lower level of the Fuhrerbunker on the afternoon of the 30th April 1945 . While no one actually witnessed Hitler's death (his wife Eva Braun/Hitler was with him but also committed suicide at that time) several witnesses (including his private secretary Traudl Junge) were waiting nearby and have gone on the record confirming the details . The body(s) were subsequently placed in a bomb crater near the bunker exit within the grounds of the Reich Chancellery and partially cremated and buried , although Red Army shelling and a shortage of petrol prevented a satisfactory cremation . Hitlers personal driver (Erich Kempka) and his SS adjutant (Sturmbannfuhrer Otto Gunsche) among others carried out this procedure , their confessions quite literally beaten out of them on Stalin's orders by the notorious NKVD . The ultimate fate of Hitlers body is somewhat less certain , but it is generally accepted that the body was exhumed and autopsied in Potsdam by a special Red Army intelligence unit , identified by means of dental records , and then properly cremated . The ashes were (eventually) scattered in water . The well known skull fragment recently found in the Kremlin archive certainly does not belong to Hitler as a DNA test has proved it to be from a female . I recommend those interested read Hugh Trevor-Roper's semi official 'The last days of the Third Reich' or any of the many more recent studies on this subject .

Nah , you're thinking of the Vatican . Is the Pope a pompey fan ? I think we should we should be told . :confused:

As we very well know here it can (probably will) take many months for an Administrator to sell a football club , and SFC's takeover was a relatively simple matter compared to that labyrinthine mess that is PFC . We payed the wages during this period only courtesy the generosity of shareholders such as Leon Crouch and being able to transfer players during the summer transfer window . Neither of these advantages seem to be available to Pompey . I can see PFC going into administration (this week possibly) but subsequently struggling to find a realistic new owner - I don't think they are worth much more than the due parachute payment from the EPL in all honesty .

This strikes me as true . Trying to second guess what Nicola Cortese will do in the future is a particularly fruitless occupation as we don't really know him , or Marcus Liebherr for that matter . For me our (slim) play-off hopes died a quite death several weeks ago in reality , and the season is now all about cup competitions . Nevertheless you'd think Pardew's position is safe for now but who really knows ? At the very least we have to make a convincing start (without anymore excuses) next season for face the consequences .

All bets are off as far as I'm concern until the club comes up with a definitive answer re whether or not this plan to move the away fans section will go ahead . In my opinion they have to make up their minds up before the ST renewals go out , or kick the whole thing into the 'long grass' of the 2011-12 season . You really can't ask fans to buy ST's and then come back to them a few weeks later and tell them that their seats are now situated in the away section . :mad:

Genius The away fans will love it too - they've got a wonderful sense of humour you know .

That's a seriously impressive claim to fame I'd say , and yes the Skua was awful . I have nothing but respect for that whole generation - the 'greatest generation' as they are sometimes called .

Flying the Blackburn Skua that shot down a Do 18 flying boat ?

My father served in the Royal Navy during WWII , mostly in the Mediterranean . Not on some terribly exciting destroyer or mighty battleship I must add but on a rather less glamorous type of small launch called a HDML and a converted trawler called HMS Moonstone . Grandad 'did his bit' doing something important at the 'RN Cordite Factory Holton Heath' near where we live in Poole . As the old fella never blew up half of southern Dorset I reckon he did well .

This is very true but to be fair the RN & the Labour Government of the day did reach an agreement under the last strategic defence review (Options for Change) in which the RN agreed to make (painful) reductions in its existing force struture in return for the government agreeing to fund a return to the fleet carrier business . The carriers are on order and under construction as promised - I would hope all political parties can see the importance of maintaining this vital programme .

I can heartily recommend 'Tank Overhaul' as an interesting cure for anyone suffering from withdraw symptoms after C4's egregious decision to cancelled the much missed and rather wonderful 'Salvage Squad' . There's something inexplicably fascinating to my mind about tales of restoring rusty old machines back to their former glory .

Like Southampton Football Club , the Royal Navy has always been close to my heart , probably because my late father served in the 'Grey Funnel Line' during WWII . So it was with a keen sense of anticipation that I watched this interesting if not particularly surprising (to me anyway) series . It was sobering however to be reminded that in the not so very distant past the RN was at the very centre of British national life and a source of enormous pride to the nation . Now by way of contrast I doubt if next government were to screw the navy over again and cancel/sell the new 'Queen Elizabeth' class carriers whether the great British public would notice or even care very much . You will surely get the navy you deserve , if the public don't care enough then the politicians will surely continue to cut our already perilously small navy until there's virtually nothing left . You will naturally all make up your own minds about whom you vote for in this coming election , but I personally will not support any party that refuses to fund a proper navy . I urge others to consider doing the same .

thanx 4 corecting my maNy erors my good fiend : hoppfully i wil makes less gremmer MISTAKES in the . futures