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Alison Hawke

Alison Hawke

Early Computing

BBC News: Celebrating the UK's computer pioneers "The layman when asked about the introduction of steam power will usually reel off Newcomen, Watt and Trevithick," said Chris Burton, of the Computer Conservation Society. "But when it comes to computer pioneers they are absolutely baffled,"

Lanterne Rouge

The Tour de Fleece ends on July 27th, and right now I'm definitely feeling in last place, which makes me the Lanterne Rouge. Here's the latest progress, or lack thereof... Sunday 20th July Another rest day, friends don't let friends spin while on industrial

Sounds of Doctor Who

BBC News: Lost tapes of the Dr Who composer. A hidden hoard of recordings made by the electronic music pioneer behind the Doctor Who theme has been revealed - including a dance track 20 years ahead of its time. Delia Derbyshire was working in the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop

Spin, spin, spin, and rest

Still spinning for La Tour De Fleece 2008. What do you make with a micro-skein of yarn? I have two 30 yard skeins of spindle-spun yarn and little idea of what to make beyond a glasses cleaning cloth. One is beige baby camel down, the other is cream Wensleydale. I

Living history

BBC News: Ancient tree 'one of UK's best' An ancient Perthshire yew has made the top 10 in a list of the most important trees in the UK. The Fortingall Yew, which grows at a churchyard near Aberfeldy, could be up to 5,000 years old

Consecutive spinning

Progress reports on my Tour de Fleece. I'm still in the running for that yellow badge because I've spun every day so far. Wednesday 9th July Spun up some of the flick carded Polwarth on the wheel and got a new appreciation for combed top! It&

Solar powered windows

BBC News: Solar dyes give a guiding light A new way capturing the energy from the Sun could increase the power generated by solar panels tenfold, a team of American scientists has shown. The new technique involves coating glass with a specific mixture of transparent dyes which redirect light to

Recipe: Better garlic bread

Hubby came up with this one as an experiment. Roasted garlic is milder and without the aftertaste. You end up with a golden brown garlic cheese loaf. * 1 head of garlic * some butter * grated cheese * 1 roll of Pillsbury dough * a little milk Slice the top off the head of

Four days of La Tour de Fleece

My goal for La Tour De Fleece is to spin a little every day, and I'm counting fibre preparation as spinning time. It's been fun cruising the participant list to see who's doing what. I'm going to save up my rest days

Tudor re-enactment

Fascinating article about Tudor re-enactment at Kentwell Hall in Suffolk BBC News: Upstairs, downstairs. Last weekend I travelled back in time to a place where the worlds of those with lavish lifestyles were of necessity closely intertwined with those who provided them with all their everyday needs - the year

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