One Legged Golfer at Dunhill Links Championship

Manuel de los Santos is 25, from the Dominican Republic and is currently taking part in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland off a handicap of 3. So far not so remarkable, except that he lost a leg in a car crash in France and now plays golf without the use of an artificial limb! This is truly remarkable (I've still got all my limbs and struggle to play to a handicap of 19!) and after two rounds he and his professional partner (Richard Bland) are lying equal 13th with a score of 16 under par!!

Your Saturday questions are: -

1. Which future British Prime Minister married Norma Johnson today in 1970?
   
   
2. Gwen Stefani (right) was born today in 1969 and is the singer with which band?
   

   
   
3. Which Middle Eastern country gained independence from Britain today in 1932?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Great Soul; 2. Benjamin Sisko; 3. Mexico

UK Offer to Reduce Nuclear Arsenal

Gordon Brown has put on the table the prospect of Britain reducing its number of Trident submarines from four down to three. This is good news and a positive step in the right direction, but until all nations agree to get rid of them we will continue to have the threat of nuclear devastation will hang over the human race.

Your Thursday questions are: -

1. The African Republic of Guinea-Bissau declared its independence from which European country today in 1973?
   
   
2. Which actor became the third husband of Demi Moore (right) today in 2005?

   
   
3. Which brewer was born today in 1725 in County Kildare?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Steve Redgrave; 2. Argentina; 3. Nintendo

Women in Power Milestones - Where's Maggie?

The Equalities Office has produced a list of 'milestones' celebrating 'women in power' that didn't name Margaret Thatcher as Britain's first woman Prime Minister. Strangely, for a government 'fact sheet', it did name several prominent Labour politicians...none of whom have been Prime Minister! In itself this isn't really a serious oversight, but if they get it so wrong on trivial matters, how can we be sure that they are right on the serious issues?

Your Thursday questions are: -

1. Which song was first published today in 1814 as a poem, "Defence of Fort McHenry", by Francis Scott Key?

   
   
2. British racing driver Damon Hill (right) was born today in 1960 and won his only Formula 1 World Championship for which team in 1996?

   
   
3. Who was born today in 1901 and circumnavigated the globe, single-handed, in a yacht called 'Gipsy Moth IV'?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. General Motors; 2. Humphrey Bogart & Jason Robards; 3. Marc Bolan

British High Speed Rail Line - Finally!

Only 66 years after Japan (Shinkansen), 50 years after France (TGV) and 40 years after Germany (ICE), Britain will finally have a high speed rail service that is projected to be opened in 2030! It's typical that the country which invented rail travel has fallen so far behind the rest of the world! Does anyone remember the titling trains fiasco of the 1970's/1980's? The APT system was pioneered here in the UK and, when it didn't work on it's first public running (for 3 days) the project was abandoned. Some aspects of the technology were sold to Pendolino and in 2002 Virgin Rail put its first Pendolino train into operation!

Your Thursday posers are: -

1. Chief Buthelezi was born today in 1928 and is a leader in which South African ethnic group?
   
   
2. Actress Sarah Chalke (right) was born today in 1976 and plays Dr Elliot Reid in which US TV sitcom?
   
   
3. The shortest war in history lasted just 38 minutes today in 1896. It was between the United Kingdom and which African island nation?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Michael Johnson; 2. Macedonia (Skopje); 3. Chris Pine

Comic Relief - Red Nose Day - Friday the Thirteenth

Friday the Thirteenth is not actually the unluckiest day of the year...and we've now had two in consecutive months. For me the thirteenth is usually a lucky day and, although I'm not superstitious, I'll keep my fingers crossed for some good fortune!!

It's also Red Nose Day here in the UK. Hopefully loads of money will be raised for good causes in Africa and in Britain.

Your Friday posers : -

1. Which Prime Minister, born today in 1764, has a tea named after him?
   
   
   
2. Science Fiction author L Ron Hubbard (right), who was born today in 1911, was the founder of which religion?
   
   
   
3. In which US city is the airport named after flying ace Edward "Butch" O’Hare (below) who was born today in 1914?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. "On the Road"; 2. The Libertines; 3. Franklin D Roosevelt

Third Runway for Heathrow

The Government has given the go-ahead for a third runway at Heathrow. Their argument to counter the climate change lobbyists is that they will only allow new, more efficient engined planes and that there will be a great reduction in planes circling waiting for a landing spot.

To me that all sounds plausible and is probably correct...but I can't oppose those people who don't believe it, because this government has lied to us in the past.

Personally, I think the environmentalists have got it wrong again. Banning things and restricting access never works...people don't like being told what they can't do. Instead the solution must be one that gives people a better life whilst also reducing emissions. Not easy to achieve, but the only viable approach (in my humble opinion!).

Anyway, enough of my wittering, let's have the questions!

1. Today in 1982, Britain resumed full diplomatic relations with which country for the first time since 1534?
   
2. Actor Bernard Lee (right), who died today in 1981, is probably best remembered for playing which role in the first eleven "Bond" films?
   
3. Best known for her debut 1984 album “Diamond Life”, which singer was born today in 1959 in Nigeria?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Wikipedia; 2. "Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two"; 3. Portugal