20/01/2010 by Duncan.

We saw Avatar in 3D in Shrewsbury last night. It really was riveting and inspirational. It really could be seen as a modern parable. The cinema was full and there was almost an awed hush in the room as the film finished. Very pleased to have seen it.

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11/01/2010 by Duncan.

If you are interested in Jazz and will be anywhere near Oxford in April, have a look at the festival website at http://oxfordjazzfestival.com/.

I have uploaded a Press Release as a PDF file.

Enjoy!

Link to Oxford Jazz Festival PR release.

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08/01/2010 by Duncan.

I am now using Total Recorder Video Pro to transfer old teaching videos to .avi and .wmv files on my computer. I was then looking for a reliable software product to convert these files into DVD format so I could burn them onto DVD. I was looking for something that would do the job simply and effectively and would not add fancy titles that I did not want or need.

It was a long search but I have finally found what I was looking for an thought it might save someone some time if I posted the result of my search here!

It is the Video Converter from Altysoft. Highly recommended!

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06/01/2010 by Duncan.

I have just uploaded some new pictures of Lydbury North in the snow to the Gallery. Look under Lydbury English Centre.

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06/01/2010 by Duncan.

I have just been pointed at a really useful resource the Merriam Webster Visual Dictionary Online.

You might find it useful

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05/01/2010 by Duncan.

Yes, we do have bittern on the lake. And Tom and I did see a pair of Kestrels between here and Bishop’s Castle last weekend. We haven’t really had a severe snowfall yet but the whole countryside is covered in a gentle layer of white and we have had temperatures down to -12 centigrade.

So, it has been a really good family Christmas and we look forward to working hard in the New Year.

Very best wishes to all.

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31/12/2009 by Duncan.

Many German and Scandinavian friends will know dinner for one. I have just found it on You Tube.

Rita and I performed this in Bishop’s Castle about 6 years ago - you can imagine!

Have a good New Year.

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31/12/2009 by Duncan.

We had a splendid break for Christmas with all the family here. 16 for lunch on Christmas day! Unfortunately the bad weather in the South East of England meant that Step-Mother Jean could not join us but we will see her soon.

All three grandchildren are growing up fast. William (now just 1) walks rather like a Petty Officer coming back from a good run ashore but he loves carrying things and polishing floors!

The weather here has been glorious with one  or two grey days. Some long walks and evenings by the open fire with music. Flute, clarinet, violin and bassoon.

We are now getting ready for 2010 - so all are welcome. Family, friends and students.

I am sorry we did not get a newsletter out for Christmas - but we are catching up in the New Year and it will be good to be able to refer to the news we got from others.

Have a good 2010.

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01/11/2009 by Duncan.

I have just listened to Jerry Springer on Desert Island discs. on Radio 4. I had always dismissed him as a “bad man” but I really found it quite inspirational. On BBC Radio 4 Iplayer soon. http://tinyurl.com/ye28g5m

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25/10/2009 by Duncan.

An excellent weekend. Saturday evening we went to see the Independent Ballet of Wales performing Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Assembly Rooms in Ludlow. I have never thought of myself as a ballet fan - but it was awesome! Then we watched Vincent - as story about a Private Investigator  - on the TV when we got home. Today we hung some pictures on the walls of the stairs and Rita and a student took part in the final stage of the benefice pilgrimage. I stayed at home to catch up on some jobs.

Next week we have  one student still with us from Germany and one returning from Greece and one from Italy.

I have a Naval reunion down in  Portsmouth on 13 November and then we are off to BESIG in Poland for the weekend of 20-22 November.

Not a bad year!

http://www.welshballet.co.uk
http://www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk
http://www.besig.org

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