Public urged to lay flowers on steps of Villa Guardamangia
People mourning the death of Prince Philip are being urged to lay flowers this Saturday on the steps of the Maltese house he once called home.
The event at Villa Guardamangia is being organised by the Malta George Cross Movement. Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, died last week aged 99. He and Queen Elizabeth II, at the time a princess, lived in the Guardamangia property between 1949 and 1951, while he was a naval officer stationed in Malta.
Peole who wish to pay their respects will be able to lay flowers at the villa’s steps until 12pm on Saturday. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, lingering will not be permitted.
The Malta George Cross Movement said it hoped the flower-laying event would provide the Queen and royal family “with a degree of relief and compassion at what is presently a very sorrowful time for the royals as well being a way of standing with the royals and the British public during their trial to mark the many happy years enjoyed between the Maltese and the British people.”
Philip’s funeral will be held on Saturday afternoon and televised by national broadcaster TVM.
The man who took the famous photograph that led to global speculation that Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth were expecting their second child has paid tribute to the Duke. Frank Attard, now 93, snapped the young couple (above) in 1950 at their Villa Guardamangia home in Malta, where they enjoyed an idyllic two years unrestrained by Royal protocol before Elizabeth’s Coronation three years later. Recalling the photocall, he told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Prince Philip gave this two-finger signal as I took their photograph. When I sent the photo over to the British newspapers, they said it expressed how they were expecting their second child’
Un frammento della carne sintetica muscolosa come quella bovina ottenuta in laboratorio (fonte: Istituto di scienze industriali, Università di Tokyo)
So, came across this article (in Italian) on synthetic meat, lab grown chow, and it immediately reminded me of Star Trek food replicators, of Captain Jeanluc Piccard ordering his earl grey tea, and so many other episode plot lines of their scifi stories.
New data is confirming a baby boom that some doctors expected was actually a “baby bust”. Health departments in more than two dozen states in the U.S. provided records to CBS News, showing a 7% drop in births in December — nine months after the first lockdowns began.
Researchers say it continues a much bigger plunge in fertility in recent decades.
The number of babies the average woman in the U.S. is expected to deliver has dropped from nearly four in the 1950s to less than two today.
Hi all, . . . this quick post is an apology for having been away from this niche of mine on the web.
Much has happened since my last post of 2019, but won’t go into much detail about it all, as many in the know are already aware of my current ongoing operations (or lack there of, rather!) through my active presence on Facebook.
The prevailing pandemic of COVD-19 hasn’t helped much, as a matter of fact. And have found myself to be more withdrawn and recollected, ever cautious of my errand trips outdoors to anywhere.
Tinkering with small projects has kept me active, and skills sharpened somewhat.
And new interests, capabilites and self developed talents have also come round to keep a reasonable level of sanity in the crazy world we are living in right now.
Have lost a couple of friends and dear ones along the way, not to COVID, and as one of my close school days’ chum said: “Another one bites the dust!”
Will again endeavour to populate this little nook of mine with some scribblings and other which catches my fancy, no promises though.
Was today privileged to have been hosted by the Canon agents in Malta, Avantech Ltd., so as to meet their brand ambassador Clive Booth, for his presentation about filmmaking processes which covered from pre-production through post-production and delivery.
As a brand ambassador for Canon, Clive Booth has travelled far and wide and worked on countless projects, which over the years have made him a celebrated photographer and a filmmaker with tons of achievements under his belt.
Our afternoon with Clive today was his highlighting his latest project “McCullin in Kolkata”, which saw him and his team of collaborators following to India the world renowned and legendary octogenarian photographer Sir Don McCullin, on a trip to the Indian city of Kolkata. McCullin still revels in his craft, despite his 60-year career, and this was a last and unique opportunity for Clive Booth to chronicle a master at work, whose broad range of high quality work ranged from social documentary, war reportage, and portraiture, to landscape and still-life. Sir Don was knighted for services to photography in January 2017.
For this project in India, Clive Booth used the Canon EOS C300 Mark II to film Sir Don in action on the streets of a city which averages some 67,000 persons per square mile. Clive’s moviemaking also made this documentary the first-ever 4K high dynamic range (HDR) film for Canon Europe, and the world’s first project to use Adobe Team Projects for a documentary film. This usual partnership with Canon has yielded an awesome and stunning small gem of a production.
Directing and delivering McCullin in Kolkata was a task Clive took on with relish. Following Sir Don around the hot, vibrant streets of Kolkata – with its rich, contrasty colours and dark, dense shadows – was the perfect place to fully demonstrate how an HDR film could give the audience its most realistic viewing experience possible, without actually being there.
Clive Booth in action
Clive’s team returned from their four days of shooting in Kolkata with more than 15 hours of footage. The process of editing the film took around three weeks and was done by Clive and his editor, Tristram Edwards. They became the first people in the world to use a new ‘hosted collaboration service’, Adobe Team Projects. Working via Adobe Creative Cloud, Clive, in his Derbyshire home, was able to see Tristram’s screen in London. Tristram would upload the cuts and they could both view and work on them simultaneously. Talk about “long-distance editing”, what !!
The resulting 19-minute film is an insightful and revealing portrait of a master of photography in action, in an environment that really pushed him to the limit. This is less about the resulting images, and more about witnessing how Don has successfully captured some of the world’s most celebrated images.
For Clive, it’s been an all-consuming project and he’s delighted with the outcome. “There’s no single aspect of the film I’m not immensely proud of,” he says. “That includes the subject matter, the cinematography, the music and the editing. It’s really about showing Don in a way that most people won’t have seen him before and I’m grateful to Canon for giving us the room to do it as we wanted. For me, hand on heart, it’s the best piece of work I’ve ever done.”
Before rolling the short film, Clive gave a presentation which gave a quick step by step overview of his process used in the making this documentary film. He showed video clips and some still images of his work and commissions, touching on pre-production, project planning and preparation.
The audience had several local media students mingled in with industry professionals, so Clive really interacted well with these upcoming new prospective and junior players in the industry. Clive‘s unique style, along with constant experimentation with new technologies and techniques, has attracted numerous international clients. These include fashion brands House of Holland, Hackett London, Louis Vuitton, H&M and beauty brands Amouage, Shu Uemura, MAC Cosmetics and L’Oréal. He also works for corporate giants including Asus, Intel, Fiat, EY (formerly Ernst & Young), and Aston Martin.
Those of us unfamiliar with his work quickly saw that over the years he had developed his own distinctive style of selective focus with natural, available, continuous, found light. This was the style which gives his work an atmospheric, ethereal quality.
Clive also touched on several other topics, namely subject matter, crew selection, location finding, shot lists and shoot challenges. He provided his own experience’s input when it came to choosing the right equipment for the shoot, camera and lens choice. All this ties in to what goes on in post-production workflow, edit, sound, grade and, subsequently, the final delivery to one’s clients. With new modern technologies, there are obviously many benefits and challenges by using a 4K HDR workflow, but Clive underlined future-proofing your project.
We could all grasp that he remains hugely passionate about the art of photography and filmmaking. Clive’s deep level of understanding, along with his keenness to always be at the forefront of technological change and advancing processes and equipment, has meant that he has been one of the first in Europe to shoot stills and films using (to just mention a couple in passing here !!) the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EOS C300, Canon EOS C300 Mark II, Canon EOS C500 in 4K, Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, Canon EOS 5DS, Canon EOS 5DS R, Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Canon EOS R.
Agents who believe in your work are key, Clive stressed, as they would support your claims and creative needs, not just the basic common commercial ones. That’s when he touched all about own project promotion, teasers, trailers and social media in today’s society.
Avantech spoiled us rotten then also, by providing on site their technical staff and Canon product experts who showcased a wide variety of Canon Cinema cameras and lenses, which were available for those in the audience to touch and try including, the brand new Canon EOS C500 Mark II. View Canon’s range on web URL: https://www.avantech.com.mt/cinema-eos/
A few weeks ago, I blogged about Scouts and Scouting. Am again moved to put some words together after discussing with some friends the fact that in Malta we have an ever thriving and healthy Scouting organisation for youths, with an ever present lack of adult leaders joining the Movement.
Basically, over recent years, the number of scout members has actually increased, yet adult leaders have become a rare and scarce prized human resource commodity.
The Chief Commissioner, Anton Pisani (right), chatting with Attard Scout Group Leader (GSL) Emanuel Cremona (centre), and Assistant GSL Benjamin Micallef
The question that came to mind after the discussion with my chums was: how come scout member numbers are up when more adult leaders are lacking? The answer to this question could be a host of reasons.
I would attribute this to the perpetuated value which Scouting continues to have in our society. I view Scouting in our communities through this such lens. The value Scouting aims to inject in every youth is directly in line with what parents everywhere want for their child. Yet, there remain a lot of people who remain unfamiliar with the values of the Scouting Method.
The Chief Scout, Capt. Reuben Lanfranco (right), and Victoria Scout Group GSL Lorry Saliba (centre) catch up on times gone by.
Many recognize the brand, of course; on the other hand they are unaware that Scouting is for character development, citizenship, and physical fitness (and citizenship begins at home, the example of which is taking care of your home, your community then country). Because if they did, they will volunteer to be an adult leaders, or a member of a scout group’s council of parents, etc.
Why? Because their values are directly align with the values of Scouting.
Part of my job as the District Commissioner at the Scouts Association of Malta’s Central District is to communicate and showcase the value of Scouting in our communities; it is building awareness; it is building long lasting relationships.
FESTA SCOUTS 2019:
Showcasing the fun of Scouting and its values
The Scouting Method is turning young people wordwide into great citizens with strong moral values; Duty to God, Country, People, and Self, as well as the values listed in the Scout law, motto, slogan and its environment-respecting outdoor codes.
Internally, within the Scouts Association of Malta, much reflection is quietly done on today’s “Values of Scouting”. In turn, this encourages self-reflection, promotes recognition, drives recruitment, urges more volunteerism, and satisfies with gift-giving to all those in need.
Festa Scouts is one such outdoor activity event which gives the local Scout Groups an opportunity to share the VALUES they have learned. It is another opportunity for Scouts to show their leadership skills, their planing talents, but not just to invited family, but also to other invited friends and the general public.
It is always urged to Scouts to share that Scouting isn’t just about camping, but that it’s also about learning self-reliance skills in all areas of their life; physically, mentally, and spiritually. They not only rely on each other during their activities, but they embrace the Scouting Method and its Values while doing hard things.
“… It is always urged to Scouts to share that Scouting isn’t just about camping…”
The Scout Association of Malta, through the National Events Committee, organised the Festa Scouts 2019 edition between 31 October and 1 November, 2015 at Ta’ Qali National Park.
Climbing wall.
This edition was held with the collaboration of different Scout Groups, and the general public had the opportunity to experience different Scouting activities, whilst sharing with them through several amazing activities their Scouting Adventure.
Aerial runway
Festa Scouts was funded by the Small Initiative Support Scheme (SIS), which is managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS).
A rope and wood spar lashing display (image by Luca Tufigno of SAC Rovers)
This year, some 25 scout groups participated through setting up several innovative games and educational workshops
Three-legged soccer (image by Luca Tufigno of SAC Rovers)
Was thinking that Scouting’s founder would be turning in his grave if he saw his Movement morph to using virtual scouting and robotic leaders.
MOVE OVER ROBOCOP, HERE COMES ROBOSCOUT
But in reality, this is a campaign running in Denmark. I just got the chills seeing the kids with VR googles huddled around two oil electric heaters to simulate a campfire.
Stories told in the glow of a blaze – and the campfires themselves – have been an inviting part of Scouting since its earliest days. But are they relevant in the age of the internet, cell phones, and Leave No Trace? I very much think so !!
Spurred on by the likes of Greta Thunberg, the UK scout movement is now engaging with social problems
I was inspired and motivated to hash up (or rehash, to be honest!) this opinion piece, on reading a newspaper report online by The Guardian, titled:
Robert Baden-Powell, Scouting’s founder, recognised the power of campfires long before the formation of the Scouts Movement. At Scouting’s first campout held at Brownsea Island off the coast of England in 1907, Baden-Powell hosted a campfire each evening. With the light of the flames dancing in his eyes he shared stories, sparkling with excitement and meaning. “Baden-Powell used to tell us about his adventures in Africa and India” said one of the Scouts who had been there. “And on a nice summer night with him standing in the center of the ring and telling these tales…that was the highlight of the camp.”
Early supporters of Scouting had a similarly positive view of campfire experiences and what the lack of them would mean to the outdoor experience. So, “What is a camp without a camp-fire?” we ask ourselves now. “No camp at all but a chilly place in a landscape where some people happen to have some things.”
Scouts had incorporated the ‘campfire’ in its program for council and friendship and story-telling. The mystic glow of the fire quickens the mind, warms the heart,, and awakens memories of happy glowing tales that fairly leap to the lips.
The principles of Leave No Trace discourage campfires except where they will cause no harm to the environment. That eliminates them today from many backcountry settings abroad, if not locally as well.
A front country site such as our Ghajn Tuffiegha campsite caters for this to some degree, since it provides the ideal setting for evening campfires that fit Leave No Trace guidelines. A campfire can be a quiet affair with just a few people, or a big event with a program planned for dozens of Scouts or more and their families, as we Maltese are more used to do.
BELOW: FUN AROUND A SCOUT CAMPFIRE
There remain many type of fire builds to chose from for an evening campfire. It looks good before it is lit, a consideration for programs when Scouts will arrive before a match has touched the tinder. Those building the fire set-up, should use plenty of tinder and kindling so there’s no doubt the fire will burn. Additional fuel wood nearby can be used to adjust the level of the flames through the evening.
BELOW: PATROL MEMBERS BUILDING CAMPFIRE MEMORIES
ABOVE: LEADING SONGS AND TELLING STORIES
A small group might be satisfied visiting as they watch a campfire turn to coals. A more formal program usually includes stunts, skits, songs and stories presented by some or all of the Scouts present. Big campfires are opportunities for youth leaders to practice planning a program, organising presenters, and performing in front of an audience. Plenty of preparation insures that stories, skits, and songs aren’t too long and that they hold the interest of everyone. Many campfires end with a short address to those gathered by the Group Scout Leader – often a story from the Group’s past history from this adult leader’s life experiences in Scouting, which inspires listeners with a memorable message.
Below: The GSL’s minute.
What hasn’t changed in this age of computers and cell phones is the joy of a good campfire, built in the right place and managed in the right way. With warmth and light it can be a high point of many Scout outings today, just as it has been through the decades.
POST SCRIPTUM: TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF A VIRTUAL CAMPFIRE AND A ROBOT ADULT SCOUT LEADER, CLICK TO MY FOLLOWING BLOG POST: https://wp.me/p1hrGY-t9
Two books that tell the story of our great movement!
Scouts: The stories that built a movement
A book for every Scout, past, present, and future. This is the story of the Scouts. This inspiring book has sections on the history of Scouting Scouts today and how Scouts have gone to become rock stars astronauts and presidents. Scout Ambassador for World Scouting Bear Grylls provides a foreword to this amazing book.
The book tells the story of the first Scout camp on Brownsea Island. Written by Luis Bernando Perez and printed in Mexico City at the print shop of Rodrigues Hnos. Impressers, under the supervision of Alberto Rodriguez Luna. Editorial care was in the hands of Arturo Reyes Fragoso, with the collaboration of Glenn Gardner who did the translation. Proudly all those mentioned here are Scouts.
Appeal to MPs to vote for current and future generations
The Scouts Association of Malta is amongst thirty youth organisations who have joined the National Youth Council in calling for a climate emergency to be declared in Malta.
Although the government disagrees on the particulars of the motion, Environment Minister José Herrera agrees a climate emergency declaration should be madeand said the government would be reaffirming it as a fact.
In a letter to all members of Parliament, the youth organisations told MPs that the future of young people, the country and the world were all in danger because of climate change challenges.
They appealed to MPs to set aside political division and instead focus on present and future generations, saying they wished Malta to once again lead by example in the issue.
The letter was signed by the National Youth Council, IEF, The Scout Association, LGBTI+ Gozo, TDM2000, Insite, The Third Eye,Għaqda tal-Malti Università, Youth for the Environment, KSM, Medical Students’ Association, SDM,Għaqda Studenti tal-Liġi, Malta Youth in Agriculture Foundation, ŻAK, JCI, ESO, Pulse, KSJC, KSU, MUSC,Moviment Graffitti, Girl Guides, MŻPN, UĦM Youth,Forum Żgħażagħ Laburisti, ADŻ, CMTU Youth, Extinction Rebellion, GWU Youths, and the Downs Syndrome Association.
The audience had several local media students mingled in with industry professionals, so 
A book for every Scout, past, present, and future. This is the story of the Scouts. This inspiring book has sections on the history of Scouting Scouts today and how Scouts have gone to become rock stars astronauts and presidents. Scout Ambassador for World Scouting Bear Grylls provides a foreword to this amazing book.
The book tells the story of the first Scout camp on Brownsea Island. Written by Luis Bernando Perez and printed in Mexico City at the print shop of Rodrigues Hnos. Impressers, under the supervision of Alberto Rodriguez Luna. Editorial care was in the hands of Arturo Reyes Fragoso, with the collaboration of Glenn Gardner who did the translation. Proudly all those mentioned here are Scouts.
The Cons's Nook: www.ivanmconsiglio.com 
