Bernard Newton

Beekeeper 48 years

[Bernard Newton @Beeman1200]

James Darren - Happy Posthumous Birthday
June 8, 1936 - September 2 2024
American television and film actor, television director, and singer.
54 acting credits i During the late-1950s and early-'60s, he had notable starring and supporting roles in such films as Gidget (1959) and its sequels, The Gene Krupa Story (1959), All the Young Men (1960), The Guns of Navarone (1961), and Diamond Head (1962), and was briefly promoted as a teen pop singer.
Later in the 1960s he became more active in television, starring in the short-lived science fiction series The Time Tunnel (1966-1967) and taking on the recurring role of Vic Fontaine in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1998-1999).

[Bernard Newton @Beeman1200]

History of Iceland — The Last 1,000 Years 📷📷📷

The history of #Iceland is a story of Viking settlement, medieval sagas, foreign rule, volcanic disasters, national awakening, and transformation into one of the world’s most peaceful and modern societies.

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📷 1. Viking Iceland & the Commonwealth (c. 1000–1262)

Around 1,000 years ago, Iceland was a young Viking society founded mainly by Norse settlers from Norway, along with Celtic settlers from the #British Isles.

One of the most remarkable events occurred in the year 1000, when Iceland peacefully adopted Christianity through a decision made at the Alþingi (Althing), one of the world’s oldest parliaments.

Key Features of Early Iceland

No king ruled the island

Society was organized through clan leaders called chieftains

Laws were discussed publicly at the Alþingi

Icelandic sagas and poetry flourished

The famous Icelandic sagas later recorded stories of Viking heroes, exploration, and family feuds.

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📷 2. Norwegian Rule (1262–1380)

Internal conflicts weakened the Icelandic Commonwealth during the 13th century in a violent period called the Age of the Sturlungs.

In 1262, Icelanders accepted the authority of the Norwegian king through the “Old Covenant.”

Under Norwegian rule:

Trade became more controlled

Iceland remained sparsely populated

Fishing and farming stayed central to life

Harsh climate and volcanic activity often caused famine

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📷 3. Danish Control & Hardship (1380–1814)

When the crowns of Norway and Denmark united, Iceland gradually came under Danish rule.

This era was difficult for Iceland:

Trade monopolies limited economic growth

Epidemics and volcanic eruptions devastated the population

Harsh winters and food shortages were common

📷 The Laki Eruption (1783–1784)

One of the worst volcanic disasters in history occurred when the Laki volcanic system erupted.

Effects included:

Massive lava flows

Poisonous gas clouds

Crop failures and famine

Around one-quarter of Iceland’s population died

The eruption also affected weather patterns across #Europe

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📷 4. National Awakening & Independence Movement (1800s)

During the 19th century, Icelandic nationalism grew, inspired by European independence movements.

Key developments:

Revival of Icelandic language and literature

Expansion of fishing industries

Calls for self-government

Reykjavík developed into the island’s political and cultural center

A major independence leader was Jón Sigurðsson, who became a symbol of Icelandic nationalism.

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📷 5. Home Rule & Sovereignty (1904–1944)

Iceland gradually gained autonomy from Denmark.

Important Milestones

1904: Home Rule established

1918: Iceland became a sovereign state in union with #Denmark

Iceland controlled its own domestic affairs

During World War II, Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany, isolating Iceland.

In 1940, British forces occupied Iceland to prevent German control. Later, American troops arrived.

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📷 6. The Republic of Iceland (1944)

In 1944, Icelanders voted overwhelmingly to end the union with Denmark.

The modern Republic of Iceland was officially established at Þingvellir, the historic assembly site.

Iceland after Independence

Fishing became the economic backbone

Infrastructure modernized rapidly

Education and healthcare expanded

Hydropower and geothermal energy transformed the economy

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📷 7. The Cod Wars (1950s–1970s)

Iceland fought a series of disputes with the United Kingdom over fishing rights called the “Cod Wars.”

Iceland expanded its fishing zones to protect its economy.

Despite tensions with the British Royal Navy, Iceland eventually secured control over large fishing areas, greatly strengthening its economy.

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📷 8. Modern Iceland (1980s–Present)

Modern Iceland became known for:

High living standards

Gender equality

Renewable energy leadership

Strong democratic institutions

Tourism and natural beauty

Economic Boom & Crash

In the early 2000s, Iceland’s banking sector expanded rapidly. However, the 2008 global financial crisis caused a severe banking collapse.

Iceland recovered through:

Economic reforms

Tourism growth

Renewable energy industries

Technology and innovation

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📷 Iceland Today

Today, Iceland is famous for:

Volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, and geothermal springs

One of the world’s oldest parliamentary traditions

A small but highly educated population

Strong environmental policies

Peaceful society and high quality of life

Its capital, Reykjavík, is among the northernmost capitals in the world and serves as the country’s cultural and economic heart.

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📷 Timeline Summary

c. 1000 — Iceland converts to #Christianity

1262 — Comes under Norwegian rule

1380 — Danish control begins

1783 — Catastrophic Laki eruption

1904 — Home Rule established

1918 — #SovereignKingdom of Iceland formed

1944 — Republic of Iceland declared

1950s–70s — Cod Wars with the UK

2008 — Financial crisis and recovery

Today — Advanced, green, democratic Nordic nation 📷

See less

— in Iceland.

[Bernard Newton @Beeman1200]

Remembering Mike Pratt who was born on this day in 1931.Pratt is most famously remembered as Jeff Randall, the hard-up, cynical private investigator who navigated the bizarre criminal underworld of London in the cult ITC television series Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased).

As Randall, he perfectly captured the spirit of a down-to-earth, perpetually stressed-out detective who just wanted to earn an honest crust. His character provided the perfect foil to his deceased, white-suited business partner Marty Hopkirk, played by Kenneth Cope, whose ghostly interference constantly exasperated the living investigator. Randall was known for his deadpan exasperation, a rumpled charm, and his frequent, desperate commands to his spectral partner to stop meddling in his mortal affairs.

Before finding television immortality, Pratt worked in advertising and served a very different kind of apprenticeship during the skiffle boom of the 1950s. An incredibly accomplished musician and songwriter, he jammed at Soho’s legendary 2 I's coffee bar and toured Europe in an old London taxi alongside his close friend Lionel Bart. His career was varied; he co-wrote many of Tommy Steele’s earliest hits, famously winning a prestigious Ivor Novello Award for the classic tracks "A Handful of Songs" and "Little White Bull". Beyond his musical triumphs, he was an esteemed stage actor who trod the boards with the Royal Shakespeare Company and lent his gritty realism to acclaimed feature films like Roman Polanski’s Repulsion (1965).

Off-screen, Pratt was a deeply creative, multifaceted man who seamlessly balanced the worlds of mainstream television, avant-garde theatre, and musical composition. He was a devoted family man whose musical DNA lived on through his son, Guy Pratt, who would grow up to become a world-renowned session bass player for Pink Floyd. He was a dedicated professional who fiercely poured his energy into his writing and acting, continuing to script television episodes and perform on the London stage despite privately battling severe illness in his final years.

His life came to a tragically premature end on 10 July 1976 after a courageous battle with lung cancer, passing away at the age of just 45. The British entertainment industry felt his loss deeply, and the following month, a massive memorial show was staged at London’s Aldwych Theatre, featuring a star-studded cast of his peers, including Glenda Jackson and John Le Mesurier, to honour his memory.

[Bernard Newton @Beeman1200]

https://t.co/NpKP92pxPc

[Bernard Newton @Beeman1200]

I tried to understand quantum mechanics. Now I'm in two places at once and confused in both.

[Bernard Newton @Beeman1200]

https://t.co/DMff3uCEab

[Bernard Newton @Beeman1200]

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[Bernard Newton @Beeman1200]

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[Bernard Newton @Beeman1200]

Anthony Head's 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' Co-Stars Pay Tribute To Late Actor https://t.co/mFZ3UquSrx

[Deadline @DEADLINE]

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Alyson Hannigan has paid tribute to co-star Anthony Head, following the Giles actor's death at 72.

"This cut is so deep I fear it can never heal," she wrote. "Oh Tonal…I am so grateful to have had you in my life! I want to say a million wonderful things about you and yet I can’t seem to find the words that would do you justice. I love you so much and will miss you forever. RIP"

Read more tributes here: https://t.co/6zLnJvJh4s

[TrekMovie.com @TrekMovie]

On his birthday, remembering Gary Graham, who was Ambassador Soval on Star Trek: Enterprise, Prime and Mirror versions. He also guest starred on Voyager as Tanis in "Cold Fire."

#StarTrek

[John Barrowman MBE @JohnBarrowman]

For those of you interested in celebrating our Mum’s life with us on Monday June 8 at 12 noon (8pm UK) Here is the link for the Live Stream.

https://t.co/6r9OpwPXLL

[Historic Cricket Pictures @PictureSporting]

Brian Clough, who loved cricket, bowling at Lord's in a charity match in front of 8000 spectators in August 1975. Clough took 2 for 45 dismissing the great cricketing pair of Geoff Boycott and, er, Clement Freud. With the bat he scored 13. A lover of cricket, he once said he would have prefer to make a Test century at Lord's than to have scored a hat-trick at Wembley

[Bernard Newton @Beeman1200]

Furious Iceland chief says cops rushed to store over fake racism claim https://t.co/MBSZA4Fjfx via @DailyMail

[Bernard Newton @Beeman1200]

https://t.co/OcZWKr9KPl

[Bernard Newton @Beeman1200]

Source: https://t.co/gh5VSe6fcS https://t.co/WHQxjibea3

[Bernard Newton @Beeman1200]

Source: https://t.co/Pl8xhoGB3d https://t.co/ao26VTBjYX

[Bernard Newton @Beeman1200]

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[Bernard Newton @Beeman1200]

Source: Space https://t.co/TtY5wmo4Ov

[Cricketopia @CricketopiaCom]

#OnThisDay in 1964, @GeoffreyBoycott made his Test Debut for England (against Australia at Trent Bridge).

He scored 48 in the first innings and didn't bat in the second innings because of a fractured finger.

The first of his 16 opening partners was... Fred Titmus.