Hopeby Village

 

Netera Landar was recently at a roleplay community depicting life in a small British town, Hopeby Village. Founded by Chard and Stevie Hope, a number of others have moved into this cozy area, taking on various roles, and it is still open for more. Netera would look around and have a few words with one of the founders. 

 

Read Netera's article in Places.

 

Announcement: Special Exhibition of British Sporting Art

To coincide with the 7th Annual Royal Ascot of SL benefiting RFL/ACTS, the Ravenheart Museum of Arts, Culture and Curious Things will host an in-depth exhibit of British Sporting Art, curated by Duchess Liz Wilner and Lady Oriella Charik.  Beginning in around 1700 and spanning more than 200 years, the enduring appeal and beauty of English country life is reflected in more than 40 paintings, including a special section devoted to the incomparable work of famed horse and animal painter George Stubbs (1724-1806). 

Often featuring specific portraits of beloved horses, dogs, and their owners, the exhibit provides an in-depth immersion into the sporting and daily pursuits of the British countryside.  The exhibit also touches on larger themes related to Enlightenment era scientific inquiry, class structure, industrialization, and the development of roadways and transportation.

This incredibly special exhibit runs from June 1st through June 30th.

Ravenheart Museum of Arts, Culture and Curious Things

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rosehaven%20Laudanum/135/154/22

Reader Submitted: "My Most Functionless Decoration Ever"

Submitted by Melody Highnote. She had been working on a Monopoly board, but made it a British version, substituting the names of New York City streets for London ones, such as Whitechapel. Contrary to her opinion, if someone could make moving pieces, working dice, added play money, and found a way to make the cards work, the game would be fun.

Press Release: Royal Ascot June 18

DRESS CODE

Royal Ascot is a very special occasion for those lucky enough to be there. It has always been a traditional British event and that is reflected in the dress code throughout the week of races.  Below are the three areas for viewing.  We hope you enjoy your day at the races!

Royal Enclosure:

Ladies are required to wear formal day clothing whilst within the Royal Enclosure as described:
• Dresses and skirts of a length just below the knee or longer
• Dresses and tops with straps of one inch or more
• If a jacket is worn, the dress or top must still comply with the above standard
• Trouser suits of full length and same colour are welcome
• Hats should be worn; alternatively a head piece with a 4 inch base or more is acceptable
Please note the following:
• Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti straps are not permitted in the Enclosure
• Midriffs must be covered

Gentlemen are required to wear either a black or grey morning suit which must include:
• A waistcoat
• A tie or cravat
• A black or grey top hat
• Black shoes
A gentlemen’s top hat may be removed within the refreshment tent, private box or private club.

Grandstand:

Ladies with admission to the grandstand are encouraged to dress as if attending a formal occasion.

Please take note of the following:
• A hat, headpiece or fascinator should be worn at all times
• Strapless or sheer strap dresses and tops are not permitted
• Trousers must be full length and worn with a top that follows the above guideline.
• Jackets maybe worn, however the dress or top it covers should adhere to the above guideline.
• Midriffs must be covered
• Shorts are not permitted

Gentlemen are required to wear a suit with a shirt and tie.

Silver Ring and Heath Enclosure:

Although no formal dress code applies in the Silver Ring Enclosure and Heath Enclosure, race goers are

encouraged to wear smart clothes.

PLEASE NOTE THAT BARE CHESTS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT ANY TIME

Blackhawk Heights, Katoteros (76, 174, 1098)

June 18

1-3 PM SL time

Guy Fawkes Exhibition

"Remember Remember the Fifth of November." Today is "Guy Fawkes Day" in Britain, also known as "Bonfire Night," the evening marked with bonfires and the setting off of fireworks. For those who want to know more about the events about the holiday, there's a Guy Fawkes Exhibition in the Lost Inhibitions sim.

Just inside the entrance are a few freebies, including a Guy Fawkes avatar, of which one can simply just wear the clothes, and a gunpowder keg. Inside are walkways to two rooms, the theater and the exhibit. The theater, of which one needs to be able to play the media, shows a BBC program about the Gunpowder Plot of which Guy Fawkes was arrested and tortured for, done with an occasional touch of humor. Getting there, watch out for anything dropping from above.

For the exhibit, click on the pictures on the wall one by one to get a step by step descriptions of events. There are also a few props one can pose with.

The exhibit is at Lost Inhibitions (88/53/22). There's a Guy Fawkes Day group one can join. It mentioned a party sometime today, but didn't give the time.

Keep an eye out for other Guy Fawkes events. Many are no doubt in sims frequented by Britons, but people from other parts of the world have gotten in on the act. This includes the Happy Vixen Club, which has a Guy Fawkes Night party at 8PM SL time tonight.

Bixyl Shuftan

Eye On the Blog: "Production Company Seeking UK Residents for TV Documentary"

In the official Second Life blog a few days ago, Linden Lab announced that there was a chance for a British Second Life couple to appear on television.

We were recently contacted by Back2back Productions, a production company in the UK, about a documentary series they’re working on, one episode of which will feature stories of couples that first met online. For the episode, they are currently looking to speak with UK-based Second Life users “who have solid relationships/marriages as a result of meeting in these online communities, but also couples who are together online but not yet in real life.”

The show is described as “an entirely positive exploration of these relationships and plans to overturn people’s misconceptions through honest storytelling – it’s very much about ‘love conquering all.’”Although international couples are okay, at least one partner should be British to qualify. Those interested can contact the producers at jamie.stratton@back2back.tv, "All initial conversations will be strictly confidentia."

Guy Fawkes Exhibition

In the Tardis sim, there's an exhibition of the Guy Fawkes Gunpowder Plot.

Experience the dark history behind one of England's longest traditions, the burning of Guy Fawkes effigies on November 5th. The Guy Fawkes exhibition will take you step by step on a true story of a plot to destroy the very establishment of England, and the truth behind the man considered the culprit. With freebies and interactive props, this Exhibition is not to be missed!

A notecard at the entrance reccomends you set your view to midnight to get the best effect. Most of the show is in the main exhibition room in the center of the place. "On your way back out, don't forget the freebies."

The exhibit at Tardis (215, 55, 22) is open to November 11th.


Remember Remember the fifth of November

The gunpowder treason and plot

I see no reason why gunpowder treason

should ever be forgot

Guy Fawkes Guy, 'twas his intent

to blow up king and parliament

Three score barrels were laid below

to prove old England's overthrow

By God's mercy he was catched

with a dark lantern and lighted match

Holler boys Holler boys let the bells ring

Holler boys Holler boys God save the King

Guy Fawkes Day

In the Tardis sim, there was a Guy Fawkes party, one that presumably started in early evening in Britian. But it was continuing at 6 SL time, when I came across it. There was a small plushie Guy Fawkes in front of the bonfire, and fireworks going off over London Bridge.

To the south, there was a Guy Fawkes exhibit, with displays showing how the Gunpowder plot was discovered, and Guy Fawkes tortured and then hung, "no reason for gunpowder treason."


It wasn't just in Tardis that there was some fun that night. At Hyde Park in the London sims, there was a large celebration, filled with live music bands, and firework shows.

To those unfamiliar with the holiday, Guy Fawkes was in charge of guarding the gunpowder underneath the English Parliament in a plot to blow it up. The plot was discovered, and Guy Fawkes was caught, tortured, and later executed. Upon hearing of the foiled "Gunpowder Plot," people celebrated it's failure by lighting bonfires. Later on came further traditions, such as fireworks and Guy Fawkes in effugy (with or without fireworks). At one time children would go around collecting money to by materials for their Guy Fawkes dummy, asking for "A penny for the Guy."

Source: London Entertainment, Wikipedia

Bixyl Shuftan

The Royal Wedding

The RL wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton took place Friday at Westminster Abbey. Here in SL, our British friends are celebrating the wedding at St. Mary's Abbot, located at KENSINGTON W8, Kensington W8 Lon, Kensington W8 London (73, 240, 21). An image of the happy couple, who are now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, is positioned in front of the SL church.

The site has lots of information about all of the Royals, including Prince Charles, the late Princess Diana, and William’s grandmother, the Queen. Even more interesting to me were the links to the official UK websites. One link has everything you would want to know about the wedding, including video highlights in case you want to watch it again. Another site tells about the palaces and shows their locations, and the link at the rear of the church tells about the Crown Jewels, which are the crowns and other ceremonial objects worn by their royalty throughout England's history.

As you probably know, both The Duke and Duchess were born in 1982. They met at the University of St. Andrews in 2001. William is second in line to be King of England. He is in the Royal Air Force, co-piloting Sea King search and rescue helicopters.

After you’ve looked at the wedding info, you can explore the area around church. Just outside, past the guards, is a carriage where you can pose for pictures with your friends. Then you can take a walking tour of London, maybe even catch a concert by the Queen tribute band. This is a fun sim, with lots of free items to take home as souvenirs, too.

The official web site states that the Duke and Duchess delayed having an official honeymoon and instead spent a quiet weekend in the UK. The rumor is that they are honeymooning in SL.

Grey Lupindo

Sunday Cartoon

"Six days of boredom, six minutes of 'interesting times' "
by Bixyl Shuftan

Royal Wedding Exhibit in SL

Today in Britain, the much talked about Royal Wedding between Prince William and his fiance Kate Middleton will take place. In Second Life's London area, one can find an exhibit at Kensington W8 London (69, 241, 22).

And no, no matter how much the girls teased the guards before this picture was taken, they didn't say anything.

"A Penny for the Guy"

Arriving at New London Village at about 1:30 PM SL time, the Guy Fawkes Day/Bonfire Night party had already been going on for an hour and a half. Among the avatars celebrating was a GuyFawkes Firegrave, an alt brought out for these kinds of events. At 2 PM, GuyFawkes was hung in the gallows with the party continuing.

Life across the Pond gets it's holiday in Second Life.

Guy Fawkes Day/Bonfire Night

For British residents of Second Life, and those looking for a good party, November 5th is Guy Fawkes Day/Bonfire Night. In real-life celebrations, effugies of "The Guy" are burned, often after being stuffed with firecrackers. And in Second Life, some various locations, such as New London Village, will be having their own Guy Fawkes events.

New London Village offers more than a party. According to a CNN article by Janey Bracken, the sim has an exhibition around the Gunpowder Plot in which Guy Fawkes took part and was captured and executed for. Janey wrote the sim owners and managers, "have done a brilliant job displaying this part of the UK’s fascinating history."

The Bonfire party at New London Village will take place at Noon SL time. Other Guy Faukes events are taking place in Mango, the London England UK sim, and many others.

Bixyl Shuftan