Well here we are back at Tuesday but one without Frances Clamp. Mercifully Frances had left me some comprehensive notes on her chosen subject of BLACKMORE PRIORY, about which more later.
In the first hour of today’s show we looked at two different campaigning models used by politicians in Europe and Australia. Now in Norway their Prime Minister, JENS STOLTENBERG, took the unorthodox method of trying to find out what ordinary people felt about the issues of the day, by disguising himself as a taxi driver. Mr Stoltenberg believes that people will candidly tell their driver what they really think. Elections in Norway are set for September 9th and after 8 years in power, Mr Stoltenberg’s party are currently behind in the polls. Should his party fail to win, Mr Stoltenberg has however ruled out taking up driving for a living!
Meanwhile in Australia a right wing candidate, Stephanie Bannister has been forced to bow out of her bid for office, after she mistakenly referred to Islam as a country. She also confused the Arabic term haram – meaning forbidden – with the Qur’an and claimed that Jews follow Jesus. Miss Bannister is also due in court soon to face charges of 
being involved in an anti-Muslim vandalism campaign. She is accused of putting stickers stating, ‘Beware! Halal food funds terrorism’ on Nestle products at her local Woolworths.
But now let’s return to another era with the story of BLACKMORE PRIORY. Over the years the house had several names: -Manor of the Priory of Blackmore, Jericho Priory, Jericho and Blackmore House. It seems that various Kings have happily transferred ownership from one lot of people to others. Henry II transferred the property from the de Sanford family to an Augustine Priory and by the time that withy the dissolution of the monastries instigated by Henry VIII, the Priory was handed over to Thomas Wolsey and later to a John Smyth who set about pulling it down to build his own mansion, much to the chagrin of the local villagers.
Listen again here to my efforts based on the notes provided by Frances: – Bygones13th August
Well that’s it for another week. See you next Tuesday.
Scott
