Olympic flame outage in Torrington

The internet abounds with legends, conspiracy stories and plain old hoaxes. I am happy to add to that body of knowledge with the strange tale behind why the Olympic torch went out in Great Torrington on Monday 22nd of May 2012.

Great Torrington is a town with a long history going back to well before the 13th Century. The towns most noticeable historical event was during the English civil war. The Royalist Cavaliers and Roundheads of Cromwell battled in February 1646 resulting in the defeat of the Cavaliers by the army of General Fairfax. Royalist prisoners were locked up in the church, that had also been in use as a power store.  Due to a stray spark or flame the church burnt/exploded destroying the church and killing the 200 local prisoners.

Wind forward a few hundred years the sight of a government sponsored flame approaching the town with an army of 300 supporters and 30 vehicles may just have been too much for the sad old ghosts of Torrington.

The good news is that the current local society of Cavaliers are very much in control of most of the flames around Torrington. Holding bi-annual fundraising bonfire events that involve setting alight historical reconstructions such as life scale Nelsons Victory and in 2010 a huge castle complete with dragon the Cavaliers continue to assert individuality in a good cause.

If you can get the chance visit Torrington in North Devon do take the opportunity. Surrounded by 200 acres of common land and linked to the coast by the cycle friendly Tarka trail, Torrington is a great classic Devon town where legends live on.

Cheers
Gannett

What's brewing at the Country life brewery ?

www.countrylifebrewery.com

Devonshire 10'der'

10 % - the new ale from

Country Life Brewery. At

10% this is the strongest

ale in North Devon. A dark

barley wine style made with

Devon malt, UK hops and

a special yeast imported

from the U.S.A. Available

in bottles and a limited

number of casks.

As the name implies, Golden Pig

4.7% is a full bodied and

smooth tasting ale; it was the

first brewed and still remains

the favourite among many a real

ale drinker. Crystal and wheat

malts are both used in the mash,

with the Challenger being the

main hop which gives this ale its

distintive taste.

Black Boar 5%, the dark ruby

red porter, is brewed using Maris

Otter and Black Malt. With a mix

of Fuggles and Golding Hops,

this gives a very easy drinking

dark beer to be enjoyed at any

time of year. 'Smooth and

Smokey'.

Bumpkin 6% is dark and has a 

slightly malty ease. Not sweet

as other beers in the strength

band, it is a great beer for the 

winter months or for drinkers

who enjoy their beer with a 

serious punch.

Old Appledore Ale 3.7%

Is a classic session beer. This is

the most popular beer produced

by Country Life Brewery; it has a

real depth of taste and character

without being too strong. Marris

Otter and roasted malts combine

with Fuggles and Goldings hops

to give Old Appledore a taste to be

enjoyed at any time of day.

Copper in colour, Lacey's 4.2%

ale Is made from Marris Otter and

roasted malt with Challenger hops

giving this popular beer a gentle

sweet malty taste without being

too strong.

Pot Wallop 4.4% is a very light

coloured beer brewed for a local

festival. Jt was so popular we had

no choice but to include it in our

regular range. A favourite with the

younger drinker and in the warm

summer months as it is a very light

refreshing ale.

Buy Direct

Visit the brewery and shop - open daily

No Entry charge to visit the brewery shop

Take hope ales

2-pint Cartons

500ml Bottles

10 Litre Minipins (18 Pints)

20 Liter polypins (36 Pints)

9 Gallon Firkins (72 Pints)

Outside bars available

Weddings, Birthdays, Festivals

100 - 10,000 People

Bar Hire

We set up - you do the rest

We are based at the big sheep

North Devon's No.1 tourist attraction

Come and stay for the day !

Country Life Brewery

at

The Big Sheep

Abbotsham

Bideford

EX39 5AP

Phone +44 (0) 1237 420808

Bideford, North Devon. UK

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Some of the favourite brews of Gannett.

Easy Philosophy for the business school generation

Sometimes ideas just strike a cord. Often those ideas are things you kind of know and understand but the way they are described makes the concept resonate and appear as if for the first time.  It's quite a gift to be able to present ideas in this way with clarity, precision without resorting to greeting card schmaltz.

One person currently blogging for Forbes that seems to capture this style is Jesica Hagy. She uses a simple business graph or diagram to really capture the essence of a philosophical idea. Here is one such graphic that completely captures the idea of how much burning passion is welcome on any subject you choose. Known as the "Goldilocks factor" you can apply this to religion, politics, recycling or even expressing keenness for the wonderful taste of Marmite.

She has lots more concepts collected in series such as "Nine Dangerous things you we taught at school" and "Six enemies of greatness (and happiness)". Really worth a read and maybe even a close study.